Pertemis: A Wolf’s Tale novel Chapter 42

N/A surprise surprise ????? I know you guys probably like WHATTTTT!!!!? But Ive already told you guys that this story is coming to its end and here it is. Yeah I know that you want it have more Pertemis moment but unfortunately, that will be just like Pertemis one shot. Also I've decided to finish this book so I don't have to worry about not updating anymore. Anyway, enjoy the last moment of my Pertemis. ???? don't worry. I'll say what is needed later on. Anyway, enjoy. ~.~

The flame flickering, its shadow danced upon the wall as Perseus sat by Artemis side patiently waiting for any changes. After he was sure she had drank Lucien blood, Paecus and Apollo now left for patrolling in case of any Olympian guards wandering around. She was changing to the better. The life came back to her beautiful face, her radiant was regaining its light and her hair had left that deathly white. Even though her eyes did not open, he knew she'd wake soon.

He grabbed her hands, holding them tight between his palms because his mind was not in peace.

For the death of Lucien set him the realisation of reality. He now understood why many people tried to stop their relationship. It wasn't him or her that would be in danger. But also the people around them. He loved her from the bottom of his heart, and he would sacrifice himself just to keep her safe. He dearest their moments, from despair to hope. His dream was always the same as the previous, that someday their relationship could change.

But he couldn't be selfish.

Their loves were great and they had faith in each other. But if that relationship would cause anyone around them harm, Percy did not want. For Lucien death casted a shadow in his heart, as an example of their relationship effect. It was his hand that killed him and by it he repented for his eternal life.

His ignorant now brought the consequences. For long he just thought about Artemis and she was always the priority. But now he knew reality was not just only that. Death would soon come to them, and she or he would either stain their hands with blood again.

He stroke her face, running his finger down her cheeks and he smiled but his heart quenched. He loved her so much that it broke him seeing her in pain. And because he loved her, he couldn't let her get hurt because of him again. His love for Artemis was great beyond the universe, but the Fates said they weren't meant for each other. He was her doom he knew that. But before he just wanted a little more time to dwell in that fantasy and ecstasy with her. But things have their limit, and Lucien death rung a bell for him to wake.

He had to leave. For her sake and her life, despite his heart cried with agony he had to get away from her. Because it was the only way to keep her safe. He was a knife that didn't  know when it would cut its holder, a flame near a fabric that didn't know when it would set it on fire.

"I'm sorry Artemis" he smiled, his finger tingling across her soft skin and his heart trembled with tears. "I love you beyond everything in the world. But my love will bring you death and ruin. The promise I made here I shall break. But you have to know that I do it for your sake."

Tear rolled down his eyes. For he knew his words could not penetrate through her unconscious mind. He expected her to be angry and furious and he hoped it. For her hatred could set them free easier from each other. But he feared most her heart would break and fall into despair, and again he would hurt her against his oath. He was still in doubt if her feeling to him was equally great, or perhaps it also contained sisterly love. He never loved her as his blood, for her beauty and her nature captured him the moment he saw her. If she loved him out of the caress and pity and responsibility, then his heart would be at peace.

He leaned closer and planted a last kiss upon her forehead. He pressed it close and poured all his passion and love into it. IHe leaned away and looked one last look at her beauty again, for the first girl and love he ever held so dear and none could replace it.

"Goodbye Stubborn Girl, my goddess...my Hunter"

He let her arm fell gently on the bed and left.

Standing by the cliff staring down at the forest below. The sun casted last its fiery rays upon the the forest as it came to its end. The cloud mirrored its radiant and laid upon his dark hair a crown of fire.

He couldn't leave right away as he intended to. Somehow, an unknown power kept drawing his heart back to the camp. Perhaps long he dwelled in this place, the forest, trees and animals there had become his home. But there was something else. It was the loyalty that always there in his heart kept drawing him back.

Afar as the sun rolling down the hills, marking the end of the day and above the sky, the stars had become visible. Percy casted a shadow of his own sorrow above the cliff to the forest below. If he did not make the decision now, then perhaps he never would.

And he turned away from the forest, left the last tear dropped onto the cliff and ready to move on.

"Where do you think you are going?"

A voice restrained his feet. A familiar voice yet sounded pleasant even though it came as a demand.

He turned and his heart hitched a beat. The last light of the day sprayed on her back, making her glow like a goddess descending. Her silver hair streaming from her head by the Western wind, that silver globes always fascinated him gazed with an stern and that beautiful features he could never forget.

"Artemis...I...."

But she walked up to him and she growled with each step she made set him nervous.

"I heard the last few words" she said. "You intend to leave again?"

Percy sighed and unknowingly, he grabbed her hand. She hitched a breathe and blushed deeply as he rubbed circles on the back of her hands with his thumbs. As if a child trying to apologise.

"I'm the Master of Dooms Artemis" he said. "I have to leave so you won't have to suffer from my shadows. This time, Fates or not it was me that got you hurt and I repent it. But the longer I stay with you, the more danger will follow me and I-I've already slain a person I too dear at heart. I don't think I'll be able to..."

"So you just being selfish and said your goodbye while I was asleep!?" She bursted out and pinned him that made him wince and retrieve his hand. "At least make a proper one and say it when I'm awake you coward!"

Tears were at the verge of falling down her eyes. No they already fallen and they rolled like streams down her cheeks.

She was mad, she was furious. But it wasn't because of the stupid goodbye, but because he left. She didn't want him to leave and her heart wanted to scream it at him. After everything, through perilous roads they took and she for the first time experience the state of death; and when she thought things were over and finally they could live in peace. He decided to leave.

But she knew he was making the right decision. Out of the two, he was actually the one had guts to follow the brain and casted the heart aside. She could feel his sorrow, his pain and yet she did not have the courage to tell him. At the end, she was actually the coward.

He walked closer and held her cheeks, his thumbs swept away her tears and he smiled. Yet his eyes were red.

"Take care of yourself okay?" He raised his brows and somehow, automatically she leaned onto his palm for comfort. "Learn to cook for yourself. I can't believe someone has lived for four thousand years and never once learnt how to cook."

And she chuckled at his words.

"Remember to clean your closet. Don't rely on your power to much that you one day may get punished and become a mortal for a year, no magic will help you fold the jackets."

At the point his heart was too weak to continue. But he had to say what his heart wanted and perhaps to see her smile for the last time.

"Don't make your hunters wash your clothes anymore. At least wash it once by yourself will you?"

Artemis was blushing, and his words even though could be considered insult and teasing. Yet they sounded like flatter in her ears. Her smile she gave, but her heart trembled with tears. Even though the moment when she hoped he could stand there and talk like this to her forever. But all things have their ends.

There he was silent, and his finger brushed the soft skin of her cheeks and his eyes. That green eyes were bright yet they contained the sadness and the way he looked at her that moment made her heart ache and fell to its bottomless void. He set a flock of her hair behind her ear and sighed.

"Chaos I'm gonna miss those eyes"

She swallowed hard, trying to fight the burning in her eyes. She didn't know if he was talking to her or himself. But before she could reply, he stepped back as she leaned closer to his warmth, however it was no use. He had to go.

"Goodbye Artemis"

There he turned his back, and he walked towards the wood beyond. Artemis stood there, her heart yearned towards him yet she could not do anything. So she made more reason to waylaid his departure. She just wanted to see him, to stay with him a little more even if she had to sacrifice part of her flesh.

"Wait!" She called for him and he turned back with hope. As if he was expecting something.

And she ran up to him, her mind was swirling of what she could do to stay with him longer.

She shortened their distance, and looked up into his eyes. There she slowly took of her jacket, the silver with thick fur wrapping at the neck as the winter was coming close.

She gently cloaked her jacket around him and it expanded magically to fit his size. She fixed the collar, her eyes never left his. But her soft finger set a tingling sensation in his chest, and it touched at his soul.

"It'll be cold up North" her voice was soft, so much care was in it and he heart cracked at that moment. "Stay warm all the time okay?"

She told him, yet unable to express how she felt. For the tumult still in her heart, and she was still confused of her feelings. But now perhaps forever she wouldn't know what it is.

Percy unable to stop himself. And he stepped forward and brought her to his arms and he held her tightly like a precious gem. He loved her, yet he could not stay. They enjoyed each other warmth. Until the sky had turned black, and the starlight shined upon them. He kissed her forehead, pressing his lips stronger with passion and love, and at the same time trying to contain his tears.

I love you

Artemis eyes were blurred and she couldn't comprehend them completely. She thought those words he said between that kiss, yet she was not sure and know how to respond.

"Goodbye Arty"

No, no, she wasn't ready to say goodbye. Not after these months, not after every moments they shared, not after every pain they endured. But she just nodded and he turned and he walked away without looking back.

She stood there, her feet glued to the ground and just stared at his back. The flashbacks came like a swirlpool in her mind. Then suddenly as a wind, the last line of the prophecy rang in her head.

There times leave and three times return.

The concealed heart shall burn.

It was not directing to any, but it was to her. Her heart had burnt, that fire consumed her and it swallowed her whole. That fire of love, the love she had for him. Now she understood all her confused feelings, which she did not know the answer. It was love. The first moment their eyes laid, her fate had changed indeed forever; and he had set a fire inside her. Three times he left the camp, that fires and love was magnified. Now her heart for long cold and embedded inside the ice she created was melted by him, and her love for him sounded through her.

She supposed to say it...she should've said the words out loud. Yet it came like a clump at her throat...because of what they had to face, because of the dooms followed them...because she was feared her doom would bring him deaths. She was afraid of what could bring them after she said those word. And the courage lost within her, even still the fire in her heart still burning.

The clouds clumped with sorrows and sadness, and the stars hid beneath the clouds. They drew their droplets down from the heaven, and they rain brushed at her shoulder, perhaps draining away some of her pain.

There he walked away, and his image was fading in the dropping rain. And those droplets at her ears they sang...

'I have always been in love with you.'

~The End~

Alternative ending ??