Hunting Party

Marcus listened to the echo that traveled through the water as he swam and drifted with the rest of the koi fish that swam in the small pond. Flashes of white and orange were all his fish brain could really process. It took him extreme focus to be not a fish, but something so more complex.

He had a life outside of this pond.But it was that very life that he was trying to avoid.Marcus knew he couldn't hide forever she would eventually find him. After all, she is the best hunter in the world. He could run to the end of the universe, to the end of the time but she would still find him.

It was her he was running from.Artemis goddess of the hunt. Whenever he was around her his thoughts would scramble. Even as a fish the thought of her almost broke his transformation. Her skin was flawless and soft even after a millennium of fighting.The way her eyes sparkled in the moonlight.She is stunning when her silver hair blows in the wind.

He didn't have the ability to tell her no. Marcus would die for her if she asked.And that scared him. Was it because she was a goddess or was it his feelings? He didn't know. While in thought he heard a female voice travel through the water

"I have found you.You always give me a challenge.I guess that what I should expect from someone I trained myself" Artemis said playfully.

As soon as Marcus heard her voice his focus broke instantly.He was now a man sitting in the small pond.He waited a few seconds to recover from the rapid change of his body. His back was turned towards the goddess.

"You will always be able to find me, my goddess.It is your specialty." Marcus responded.

"Well you did give me a bit of a challenge this time."

"I severely doubt that, Diana."

In less then a second Artemis was directly behind him.He felt her pressed tightly against his back.He also felt the cold steel at his neck.He was really playing with fire now.

"You know I hate it when you call me that" that she said sharply.

"Forgive me,Artemis," Marcus offered.

After what seemed like minutes the goddess broke the silence.

"I hope you know why I came to get you,right?" Artemis asked.

"We are going hunting" Marcus answered, the blade was still at his throat.

"yes"

"what is the prey" Marcus asked with participation

"The Minotaur."

Marcus led the pack of wolves though the woods.This pack has hunted all forms of mythical creatures.That is their job.Artemis,Marcus,and the pack hunted and put these creatures down.This keeps them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world.This job belonged to Artemis for a millennium. Now she had Marcus.

The wolves were Marcus' idea.Before he was able to shape shift, he was a dog breeder.It turns out this skill transfer over to his new life.Wolves are some of the worlds best hunters.

After hours of running they finally found what they were looking for.In the distance there was a clearing.Directly in the middle a bull was standing there.It wasn't even moving.The situation reminded Marcus of a boss level in a video game.Only difference was there wasn't any music.

Marcus could hear his heart beating like drums in his ears.He had hunted thousands of monsters but nothing changes.He would always feel anxious before a fight.That was because of one simple fact.Artemis was immortal.Marcus was not.

Without warning Artemis fired 3 arrows in the direction of the bull.With perfect aim the arrows landed in the hide of the bull.At first the was no reaction.Then all of a sudden the bull began to change.Its front legs morphed into hands.While the back legs began to change into strong human like legs with hooves instead of feet.The the rest became the torso.

There it was,staring at the hunting party with no expression on its face.Then it looked down at its chest and noticed the 3 arrow.It pulled them out with no effort and slammed them on the ground.It fixed it gaze at the goddess and showed its first emotion:anger.Then the Minotaur charged.

"Scatter" Marcus ordered

Without hesitation the wolves obeyed a went in all different directions.As the Minotaur charged it was smashing through the trees as if they weren't there.Marcus looked up and saw Artemis in the tree above.As soon as he looked back at his target he felt a huge blow to his midsection.

Marcus looked down to see what him.His feet were off the ground.He was pinned to the tree and was stuck between the horns of the beast.Lucky for him the monster was also wedged in the tree.This was their chance to deal as much damage as possible.

Using his shape shifting ability,Marcus turned his arm into a long sharp blade. He then proceeded to stab the Minotaur in the back as much as possible.He hoped that he would be able to deal a critical hit,but the monster's hide was thick.

Just as the beast got free from the tree Artemis jumped down a landed on its back.Noticing the goddess his back all his focus was on getting her off.He shook in every direction and even smashing into trees.The goddess had her arrows in his back and had no intention to let go. Seeing and opportunity to end the battle Marcus spoke a single word:

"Attack!"

From every direction the wolves rushed the Minotaur. Some bit into his legs holding him down. Others went for the arms.He tried to shake them off,but failed like he did with the goddess.Marcus took this as his chance to deliver the killing blow.He knew that they might not get another chance like this.Again he turned both of his arms into blades and rushed the beast.He stabbed at his heart with one blade.Then he stabbed the beast in the side of his neck.

As the Minotaur slowly died Marcus looked into his eyes.All the rage the beast fought with was gone.Instead it was replaced with sadness.The beast that was slain was not evil. Aggression was just its nature.Within a few seconds the beast died and became dust flying in the wind.

"That was a lot easier than I thought it would be.The wolves were a good call." Artemis admitted.

Marcus didn't respond.He was still thinking of that sad look in the monster's eyes.And how bad that battle could have been if he wasn't here with her.

"Are you thinking about running again"

"I don't know Marcus" responded

"You know I will always find you" she shot back with pride

Marcus knew that she would always find him.No matter where he decided to run.However he wasn't sure he wanted to run anymore.After the battle they just fought,Marcus realized that she needs him.And he needs her.After realizing that fact Marcus made his decision.

"You won't have to"

"What do you mean" she asked

Marcus then got down on his knees and said the words that would change both of their lives in more ways than one.

With the full moon as my witness, I swear fealty to you Artemis goddess of the hunt.I vow to treat your needs and wants as my own.

"So you're done running"

"Yes,my goddess."