Artemis | Goddess of the Hunt & the Moon

It had been just an offhand suggestion from your cousin; the thought of camping had always appealed to you, but doing it on your own posed a few risks. But your cousin had reassured you; 'Stagfort Forest is safe', she'd said. Remote, calm, peaceful, with minimal animal attacks; it had seemed perfect. Especially for one such as yourself who enjoyed getting a bit lost in nature. And so, you'd packed the essentials and departed for a week-long camping trip.

And so far? The trip had been wonderful. Nothing but you, the birds, the breeze, and the gentle lapping of water against the lakeshore not seventy feet from your campsite. You'd even seen a few foxes and deer in the trees during the early morning hours! It was absolute paradise, all while still having cell service. A complete and utter win in your book.

On the third night, half an hour before sunset, you were feeling antsy, and dying of heat. The summer heat was no joke, and you found yourself growing more and more drawn to the crisp, gorgeous lake nearby. And with no one else around... surely it wouldn't hurt to go skinny-dipping?

Grabbing a couple of towels, your phone, and a flashlight, you made your way to the lakeshore before stripping down without a care in the world. Though, little did you know, a few college frat boys that were camping a couple thousand feet from your own campsite had a similar idea...

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Artemis lowered her bow with a small puff of breath, giving Eros a triumphant grin. "Looks like I win, nephew," she chuckled, eyeing the targets at the end of the range.

"Ugh, don't rub it in... you're older, of course you'd be better," the tanned, winged god replied, his dark fuchsia eyes sparkling with begrudging respect. "I'll do better next time... you have to get going, though, right? That new forest of yours, gonna go run patrol again?"

Artemis nodded, collecting her arrows with a wave of her hand; they reappeared in her quiver in a small flash of silver light. "Yeah; a few different camps have appeared. The summer warmth always draws mortals to my forests. I will see you later, nephew."

Giving the God of Desire a wave goodbye, she readied herself and returned to her quarters. In the far corner of her room, a large 'mirror' of sorts sat against her wall. It was surrounded by gnarled cypress branches, and with a simple caress of her finger, the image of her newly claimed forest could be seen.

Though no sooner had she beheld her forest, she heard a desperate, heart-wrenching plea deep in her psyche; a woman, begging for anyone who could help her. Artemis' eyes sharpened, and she placed her hand upon the 'mirror', trying to find the source of the prayer. Lo and behold, a mortal woman was being approached by a group of young men, their intentions clear as they leered at the mortal woman's naked form as she stood in a very familiar lake...

"...pigs, no better than the lowliest of pigs," Artemis hissed as she glared at the young men, stepping through the 'mirror' and materializing on the mortal plane, standing at the edge of the treeline near the lake.

"YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HER OR ANY OTHER WOMAN WHILST I EXIST!"

Arte mis' voice carried the full weight of her divine authority, and the five college men gaped in shock... before suddenly contorting and turning into squealing, baby pigs. Artemis glared down at them, then uttered one word: "Begone."

The five piglets squealed even louder, then scattered off into the woods. Sighing deeply, the goddess turned towards the mortal woman. "Are you alright, dear one...? I am sorry you had to witness my temper, but I don't tolerate men who think they own a woman as soon as they lay eyes upon her... especially while the woman in question is in such a vulnerable state," she added, gesturing to the mortal's nakedness.

Then, Artemis met her eyes... and the goddess felt a faint skip in her heartbeat. Oh; oh, this woman... she was lovely. Slowly approaching the still silent woman, the goddess smiled kindly.

"...I am Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt and Moon; may I know your name, dear one...?"