For the love of the Gods

Artemis leaned heavily against the wall, watching in distant grief as Velma prowled the cell, the animalistic manner in which her lover snarled whenever there eyes met made Artemis want to cringe but after nearly a thousand years of this routine she knew better than to show any sort of weakness in the presence of the first slayer.

Sighing she looked away and forced down the tears that threatened to resurface. Looking back she was struck at how much the woman before her was Velma…but also how she wasn’t.

‘Artemis, I need your help’ Artemis jerked to attention which brought out a feral snarl from Velma. It was Theron, frowning in confusion Artemis stood and looked back regretfully at her old lover. If it were anyone but the centaur she wouldn’t bother but her second never asked for anything.

Stepping out of the cell she pulled on her armor and wiped her tear stricken cheeks before shutting her eyes and using her powers to locate Theron on the upper planes and teleporting there.

When she opened her eyes she was surprised to see Theron looking around at the ground fanatically, stomping and huffing as she moved about.

“Theron…what is it?” Artemis asked, looking over at Kit she smiled softly, the young satyr was nervously chewing her nails and seemed to be avoiding the Goddess’s eyes.

“It’s Buffy; the ground just…opened up and swallowed her whole.” Theron said, Artemis froze, shocked that the blonde could be gone, looking around her carefully she noticed the small impression in the earth that looked like a sinkhole.

“Did you sense any magic?”Artemis asked hastily, crouching down she gently felt the circular impression. Bacchus. Her instincts screamed that it was the God of Wine. Growling softly Artemis stood. Looking back at her second and the young satyr.

“Ill be back, its Bacchus…takes everyone back to the Forests and find Apollo and tell him what’s happening.” Artemis waited long enough for the pair to nod before she teleported, following the faint call of her mark on Buffy’s palm.

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Buffy groaned and rolled over, opening her eyes she was surprised to see the large dome like room around her, all thickly decorated with grape vines and motifs of satyrs and grapes.


Sitting up Buffy idly rubbed her head before looking around in confusion, blinking rapidly when she saw a large throne where a demon sat staring at her.

The demon in question was red skinned with large curled horns protruding from his head and glistening fang complete with a thick scar over his right eye…the sight would be downright terrifying if it wasn’t for the fact that he appeared pretty drunk.

Standing now, Buffy realized they were alone, swallowing she stared the demon straight in the eye. “So…ugly…what am I doing here?”

Laughing in delight Bacchus raised his chalice and took a long gulp of wine. “You’re here to bring that little poaching bitch into my arena. We have some…unfinished business…while you wait, have a drink.” Bacchus gestured to a long table that was ornately decorated and piled high with a rich variety of foods and wines.

Swallowing Buffy tried to ignore the fact that her mouth was suddenly watering and her stomach was rolling around in hunger.

Looking up warily at the demon and couldn’t seem to stop herself when she moved closer to the table. Maybe just one bite? Turning she looked up at the demon and frowned. Where the hell was Artemis?

“Who are you?” Buffy asked, shoving her itchy palms into her pockets she stared down the demon before her.

“I am God; I am called Bacchus, God of wine and excess.” Bacchus leaned back in his throne and idly sipped his chalice. Buffy rolled her eyes, seriously all Gods seem to be in absolute awe of there own self worth.

“I’m Buffy…I killed the Beast.” Buffy watched carefully as Bacchus smirked and nodded.
“Yes you did, you were quite the prolific little killer.”

“Slayer…I’m a slayer.” Buffy snapped, seriously she only killed evil things.

“Yes, slayers…have you ever heard of Velma?” Bacchus asked snidely. Buffy’s eyes narrowed and she shook her head.

“Well you probably know her as the first slayer. She was Artemis’s consort you know…quite the tragic love story those two.”

Curiosity got the better of her and Buffy looked up intently at the God of wine. “Can you tell me about it?”

“May as well I suppose, well when the Olympians still had rule over earth Artemis who was the virgin Goddess according to legends fell in love with a great Amazon warrior named Velma, when our dear father found out…he punished Velma. Made her a slayer gave her a glorious existence but a short one…when the slayer died…her spirit refused to meet Artemis in the afterlife and it is said that the day the Olympians retreated from this realm that the Goddess’s heart turned to ice.”

“That’s a wonderful tale Bacchus. Now would you kindly hand over my charge?” Artemis’s clear voice sounded through the expansive room.

“Aw…sister, so glad you can join us.” Bacchus smiled in a way that made Buffy’s slayer instincts awaken.

“I don’t have time for your theatrics Bacchus, give me my charge and I won’t put out your other eye.” Artemis snarled, extending her hand to Buffy she beckoned the blonde haired girl to her.

“YOU dare threaten me Artemis…look how easy it was to draw her away. You must take worse care of your charges than you did your own lover.” Bacchus laughed loudly, Buffy’s eyes widened when she saw Artemis’s eyes glaze over and small tendrils of fire erupt over her hair and arms.

“You will not speak of her. You are not worthy.” Artemis snapped, clearly barely holding down her rage. Buffy gently reached out against her better judgment and took the Goddess’s hand in her own, at Artemis’s startled look Buffy smiled softly.

“Let’s just leave Artemis.” Buffy said softly. Artemis stared at the smaller woman in surprise, looking down at there joined hands Artemis tried to recall the last time anyone had touched her aside from Apollo…feeling suddenly at a loss Artemis swallowed and nodded.

Turning back to her red skinned half brother.

“I am taking my charge home Bacchus, if you dare another scheme such as this again I will slay you.” Artemis snarled the last part, while trying to figure out reasons as to why she was still letting Buffy hold her hand.

“You cannot leave sister; we have a debt to settle.” Bacchus sneered, not liking this turn of events one bit.

“No…Bacchus we are done here. If I see you near any of my charges or my lands…I will cut out your other eye and reduce you to a bloody pulp. Is that clear?” Artemis said levelly, pleased when Bacchus glowered at her from his overly elaborate throne.

Bacchus shot up from his throne and stalked towards them, Artemis gently nudged Buffy behind her. “This is not finished Artemis…you will pay.”

“I owe you nothing Bacchus, and this feud between us will not be resolved today.”

Artemis stared back at the God, matching glare for glare as the God of wine seemed to be attempting to kill her with a look.

“One day you will fall from Zeus’s favor, and when that day comes…you will pay.” Bacchus snarled. “And I will have your charges as my concubines.”

“That day…is not today.”Artemis said softly, were the blonde women anywhere but right behind her she would gladly engage in a bloody fight with the God but no use putting the mortal in harms way.

When Bacchus began trembling with rage and drew back his fist, Artemis grasped Buffy’s wrist and teleported them straight back to her forests. Dropping down heavily Artemis fell onto her back as Buffy landed heavily on top of her.

“Sorry.” Buffy muttered before hastily moving away from the Goddess.

“It’s alright, just…we have to get back to the temple and make sure everyone is accounted for.” Artemis stood and began walking through the trees, stopping when she realized that Buffy had been with Bacchus for some time, what had she heard? It wasn’t like the God of Wine to be discreet, especially if there was an opportunity to spurn her.

“What did he tell you?” Artemis asked softly without looking back at the slayer.

“He told me about Velma. I won’t say anything; you seem to like your secrets.” Buffy said softly walking behind the Goddess, covertly sneaking looks up at the copper haired woman.

She was really very beautiful, not in the way that Theron was, softly touching her lips Buffy smiled at the memory of the centaur’s lips against her own.

“Yes. I do…tell me what you think of Theron?” Artemis asked, managing to barely convince herself that she cared only because Theron was among her only trusted companions.

“She’s…nice. Fun and strong.” Buffy smiled at the memory of how Theron could move so gracefully and fluidly.

“Those are qualities you seek in a lover?” Artemis asked, genuinely curious.

“Well, they’re some yes.” Buffy curiously looked up at the copper haired Goddess again. “Why do you ask?”

“I do not have to explain myself to you. I ask because I am curious.” Artemis blinked when she realized she had just explained herself to the mortal. Damned woman.

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When the pair reached the temple Artemis was surprised to see what looked like all her charges crowded into the courtyard as well as her brother.

“What’s this?” Artemis asked when Apollo approached her; his golden eyes were filled with anxiety.

“I was told what happened, did everything go alright?” Apollo asked, shifting his gaze between his sister and the new slayer. He couldn’t outright ask the Goddess if she was hurt, she was to damned determine to appear invincible in front of her charges.

“Yes, everything’s fine.” Turning to the crowd she addressed them. “The dusk hunt is suspended until further notice, at this time it is not safe, tomorrow I will ride to Olympus and council with Zeus on this matter. Until it’s resolved no one is to leave my domain. IS that clear?” When there were answering nods and confirmations Artemis turned and grasped Buffy’s elbow and guided her into the temple, looking back she nodded for her brother to follow.

Guiding the somewhat resistant blonde through the temple Artemis led her into her private chambers. Stopping only when they were safely in her room Artemis gently guided the slayer to a chair and watched as her brother looked between them both curiously.

“Heal her, if she’s hurt.” Artemis ordered Apollo who mutely nodded and crouched down before the petite slayer.

“Are you hurt slayer?” Apollo asked, Buffy shook her head and subtly tucked her scraped arm closer to her side. Apollo caught the motion and took her hand gently. “There’s no shame in being injured, no matter how big or small.”

Extending her arm Apollo ran his hand over the scrape and watched as the skin stitched itself back together and the wound rapidly disappeared all together. “That’s…fucking cool.” Buffy said in shock.

“Fucking cool?” Apollo asked, looking over at Artemis in curiosity.

“It’s an expression mortals have these days. She will live?” Artemis asked staring hard at the spot that Buffy’s wound had been.

Apollo fought back a smile at the way Artemis seemed to be fighting nonchalance, whether she admitted it or not, this little woman was getting around that cool exterior.

“Yes Artemis she will, but it may be better that she stay here tonight…you know…supervision.” Apollo smiled genially at Buffy before standing and facing his sister who seemed to be stewing over having anyone in her personal space.

“You are the creator of medicine…I pray this isn’t some scheme to see how far you can push me brother.” Artemis glowered, torn between a strange delight that she would have an excuse to be around the slayer and indignation over the fact that there was someone in HER space.

“No of course not sister, she is new here…there’s no telling what Bacchus exposed her to.” Apollo threw just enough truth into the lie so that she would not get suspicious.

“Wait…hold up don’t I get a say?” Buffy asked sharply, surprised when both twins eyebrows arched in an identical manner.


“NO!” The golden twins snapped simultaneously.

“Oh…okay then.” Buffy said softly, sitting down again.

TBC
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