Constellation

Chapter 2

Artemis sought Zeus' assistance to shield them as they sailed higher and higher. The nymphs were magically turned into a circle of seven stars, and they lived together in the sky for the rest of their lives, earning the name Pleiades, or "Seven Sisters.”

He came across a stunning young woman who was also hunting in the forest, with a pack of the finest hounds he had ever seen, one day while hunting in the forest. The scent was picked up by both packs, and they hunted together. When the deer was apprehended and killed, Orion discovered that his companion was the Virgin Goddess Artemis herself. In a sign of appreciation, he averted his attention from her.

“I thank you for your reverence, Orion,” she said. “However, come, let us be hunting companions together, you and I.”

Orion looked up at her and smiled with delight at the prospect of several days of sports and fun together.

He replied, “Yes, my moon.”

Artemis' stunned. No one calls her moon but him. She is Luna, the Goddess of Moon. Even her twin or father didn't call her that way.

“I will be thy hunting companion,” he continued.

The goddess said, “I love thy laugh,” and they dressed the animal together and returned to the city to distribute it to the people.

The summer was spent by Artemis and Orion together. They hunted and played sports throughout the day, competing in foot races, archery, and storytelling. They bared their souls around the fire in the evenings, telling each other about their lives, their lost loves, their secrets. Orion spoke of the men he had loved and hoped to love again. Artemis spoke of the nymphs who attended her, their love affairs, and her romantic attachments to the goddesses and women of her cities. They became, in short, fast friends.

When Artemis and Orion were sitting around their fire sharing stories one night, Orion turned to her and said, “I give thanks to the Fates that we are so well met, Artemis, my friend, my most beautiful crescent moon. Our love is as important as my life, and loving you has made me a better man.”

"Orion, I appreciate our friendship as well. I bless our time together because you are a fine guy.”

They hugged each other. Then, Orion leapt to his feet and danced joyfully around the flames. Their yells and laughter echoed through the dark forest as Artemis pursued him.

Apollo was loyal to his sister, but he was selfish, and he was envious of their relationship. He asked Artemis, “How can you love a mere mortal?”

She told her pal, “He is a hero.” And Apollo was enraged by this.

Apollo was walking through the forest the next day. He followed the scent of a low-burning campfire to the glade where Orion and Artemis were still sleeping. He admired the beautiful Orion, but he became enraged when he saw Artemis lying with him. He thought Artemis revered Orion in the same masculine way he did, and that her virginity, as well as her sanity, had been jeopardized, her alienation from masculine sexuality. But, he hid his anger behind a friendly mask and whistled a cheerful tune before the two friends awoke. They invited him to breakfast after realizing who was causing the racket.

She attended to her priestesses elsewhere later in the morning, leaving her brother and companion to entertain themselves.

Now, Apollo is a rather attractive god; he is the light, and he was chosen to sit among the twelve Olympians. He is vain while also being kind; smart while also having a good time. Naturally, Orion was enthralled by him right away. Orion's nice company also caught Apollo's heart and gentle but unmistakably masculine demeanor. Many women and goddesses, as well as men and gods, were Apollo's lovers. Unlike Orion, he kept his male assignments a secret and would deny them if questioned about their existence.

But the attraction between Apollo and Orion progressed naturally, and by the end of the day, the man and god had shared all the pleasures of manhood, much to their mutual delight. They lay together in tender friendship as the sun set, murmuring in silent conversation. Orion expressed his delight at Artemis' return, and how the three of them would now be friends. When his sister's name was mentioned, Apollo stiffened in indignation, for he had forgotten his misinformed yet potent jealousy.

“What arouses thy wrath, my lord?” Orion inquired.

“I'm shocked you'd doubt my fear of the arrival of another who benefits from your favors.”