Constellation

Chapter 1

Ever since she was a child, Artemis wanted to become a great huntress and live in Arcadia to hunt and explore. Her lord, the all-powerful Zeus, naturally granted her wish. He also provided her with seven nymphs to guard her. Artemis was given a silver bow and arrows by the Cyclops as her weapon. Pan provided her with hounds to assist her in her hunt. Artemis' archery skills quickly exceeded those of Apollo, and she, like her brother, became a fierce competitor. During the day and at night, she hunted. She also had the ability to love with the intensity of a thousand flames, but she could also be harsh and unforgiving. Mortals steered clear of her because of her integrity and need for solitude. No one wanted to irritate the Moon Goddess, so she hunted in the quiet woods while the nymphs laughed and played.

Orion on the other hand was the most attractive man on the planet, a fearsome hunter, a tireless dancer, and a voracious eater. Because of his generous disposition and compassionate spirit, many women and men adored him. Orion adored the women as if they were his mothers, and he formed his most intimate and physically fulfilling bonds with the men. And the gods and goddesses took note of him and wished to spend time with him.

Artemis was swimming in the holy pool one day when a young man named Actaeon walked by. Of course, he'd heard stories about the goddess, but he'd never expected her to be so stunning. He stood speechless, staring, unable to move and barely breathing.

She raised her brows the moment she noticed his presence, “What are you looking at?”

The young man flinched, she chuckled beautifully. Once again, the man stunned by her beautiful genuine smile. She noticed his stares again, it made her uncomfortable. She was furious, so she threw a handful of water at him, and as soon as the droplets reached his skin, he was turned into a powerful stag.

Artemis then whistled for her hounds, who dashed for her. They ripped this stag apart, unaware that he was once young Actaeon. The news of Actaeon's death spread far and wide, but one famous hunter, Orion, was unconcerned.

He was unafraid of anyone or anything, and besides he could not resist the lure of these woods, for he had fallen passionately in love with Merope, one of the nymphs. Wherever she wandered, he followed.

He kept a safe distance between himself and the goddess. However, one day while hunting with his dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor, he saw something white in the bushes. He crept in quietly, thinking this was a colony of unusual birds. As he got close enough, a flash of white flashed by him, and he realized these weren't birds, but seven nymphs dressed in white tunics.

They bolted, Orion running after them. They were as swift as the wind, but so was Orion, who was also large and strong. Artemis heard Merope's cries for help just as he reached out to take her tunic, and she turned the nymphs into seven white doves just in time. They went up and up and up into the clear winter sky.