Raha Rejali (12) | STAFF REPORTER
Looking around her now, she fully understood the concept of being a steward of the earth. Her bare feet rested against the soft grass blades that blew gently in the wind. She moved forward as her chiton danced across the breeze, the smell of fallen trees hitting her nose. Her sharp eyes followed the circling birds above her head, their chirps breaking the forest’s silence. She didn’t hesitate and continued to move forward. She had to fulfill her duty, by any means necessary. The sound of graceful hooves ranged behind her. She knew what it was and smiled to herself as it approached her side.
The deer’s big, doe eyes connected with hers as she petted its neck. “I know what must be done, my friend. I will protect your forest,” her resonant voice spoke, the determination in it alerting all the animals hidden in the shadows.
The deer stood by her for a few more moments before walking forward. She knew it was guiding her, as it always did. She followed without pause, her chin tilted up as the moonlight gleamed against her defined cheekbones, the light reminding her briefly of her brother. The rustling sound of the leaves slowly increased as all kinds of critters began following her as well. She could hear it, the screams of agony from the earth as its roots were being torn from their home. Anger bled into her veins, her fingers stretching in preparation.
Then, the familiar buzz was heard. Machines that ripped into the natural balance. The machines that dared to cross her domain. Men laughed as they killed the land, that smell of fallen trees growing stronger. She slowly rose to a hill above them, her eyes peering down at the humans that had dared to disrespect her great-grandmother so many times. Humans had forgotten who she was, and what she protected.
She reached her hand back, grabbing the bow strung across her shoulder. Her fingers found the arrows she carried with her, pulling it into place. Her muscles flexed as she pulled her weapon into place. She held the arrow taut, the string vibrating under her fingertips as time seemed to pause.
Growls, chirps, and shuffling could be heard from the hundreds of animals behind her, the deer standing proudly by her. Suddenly, one human noticed, and the rest began doing the same. Their eyes widened at the ethereal figure above them that held a commanding, scorned look.
“It can’t be,” many of them cried. “Have mercy!”
It was too late for that.
They had evoked the anger of Artemis, and she did not hesitate to release her arrows, one by one.
