Morning light streamed through the windows of the inn, casting a soft glow on the Artemis Familia as they enjoyed breakfast. The peaceful atmosphere contrasted with the underlying tension Artemis felt. Artemis glanced at Van, deep in conversation with the girls. Though he was eager to learn more, she had already taught him all she could about the bow along with the basics in the arts of dagger, sword, and others, but his monstrous learning speed left her with a problem—so she couldn't waste all her time training him when he can learn anything faster in just a few hours.
Her gaze settled on Poly, sitting quietly at the table. Artemis thought for a moment, then spoke.
"Poly, I need you to take over Van's sword training," Artemis said, watching for her reaction. "I'd like to use my time to focus on training the other girls."
Poly's expressionless face gave little away, but she nodded. She had long accepted her role in the Familia, and as a master of the sword, it wasn't unusual for her to train others. Still, a faint unease settled in her chest. Something about Van bothered her, though she couldn't quite place it.
---
An hour later, Poly approached Artemis, her usually stoic face contorted in confusion. She walked with a dazed, almost mechanical stride, her eyes unfocused. The rare sight of Poly looking so rattled piqued Artemis' curiosity.
"What do you think of him?" Artemis asked, her tone light, with an amused smirk playing on her lips.
Poly shot her an annoyed glance, which was rare for someone as emotionless as her. "Did you do this just to mess with me, Artemis-sama?"
"Oh? Whatever do you mean?" Artemis replied with an innocent smile that only deepened Poly's growing frustration.
"He's... he's a *monster*," Poly muttered, rubbing her temples as if trying to ease a headache. "In half an hour, he reached an expert level in swordsmanship! I've never seen anything like it!"
Poly's voice, usually cold and restrained, had risen enough that the other girls in the room turned to look at her. Seeing Poly—a girl who had survived the horrors of war, who had always maintained an emotionless front—lose her composure over a boy's swordsmanship was nothing short of astonishing.
Artemis chuckled softly, not just amused but almost relieved. Poly, who had built walls around her heart since childhood, was showing emotion for the first time in a long while.
Poly, however, was beside herself. She crouched down, holding her head as if grappling with her own frustrations. "Years of hardship... years of training to reach that level, and he does it in minutes…"
Her outburst only heightened the curiosity of the other girls. After all, Poly's past was well-known within the Familia, though rarely spoken of in detail.
---
Poly wasn't just any warrior, she's a literal princess unlike the one Thalia or Phoebe have in their aliases. Poly's skill had been exploited by the nation of Rakia. Born into a family of warmonger, her skill for battle were recognized early—too early. By the age of ten, Ares, the god of war, had thrown her into the frontline, using her as a tool to stem the tide of Rakia's continuous defeats.
Ares, reckless and driven by his lust for war, cared little for Poly's youth or inexperience. Her family, unable to defy their god, had been forced to accept her fate. She spent five long years on the battlefield, surviving battle after battle, becoming numb to the violence and the bloodshed.
She was a prodigy, yes, but at the cost of her humanity.
It was only during a fateful encounter with Phoebe—who's one of the acting acting commander of the Melistora army—that Poly's life had changed. Phoebe, who had fled the Apollo Familia after the destruction of her village, encountered Poly on the battlefield. They clashed, swords ringing out in a battle that should have ended with one of their deaths.
But Phoebe had seen the emptiness in Poly's eyes. She recognized the look of someone who had been broken by war, someone who fought only because they no longer knew anything else. Using every ounce of her strength, Phoebe had defeated Poly, but instead of killing her, she had extended a hand of mercy.
Together, they fled the battlefield. Together, they fled their respective Familias and joined the Artemis Familia, seeking refuge and a new beginning.
As for how they got converted? Well, Apollo is weak against Artemis and Ares is just a war idiot, so it's quite easy.
---
Later that night, Poly sat on a large rock outside the inn, the cool night air brushing against her skin. She had come out here to clear her mind, but her thoughts were too tangled to find peace. She had spent years honing her skills, enduring unspeakable hardships, and yet... Van had surpassed her in mere minutes. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
She heard footsteps behind her, someone with a unique aura. Without turning, she already knew who it was.
"Why did you give him your Falna, Artemis-sama?" Poly asked, her voice quiet as she continued staring at the night sky.
Artemis sat beside her in silence for a moment. "It's not just about the Falna, Poly," she finally replied.
Poly frowned, still not satisfied with the vague response. "We didn't oppose your decision to bring Van into the Familia, but you broke your own rule. You've never accepted a man before, even if he's still a child. So why did you let him join? It's not only because of the danger, is it?"
Artemis sighed softly, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. "At first, I thought it was enough to train him for a few years, to keep him safe while Zeus's vague warnings hung over us. Van is Alfia's nephew, after all."
Poly stiffened at the mention of that name. "That Zeus... *threatened* you? But you wouldn't break the rules just because of that, right?"
Artemis nodded. "Exactly. I just realised recently that he had his reasons beyond the surface."
Poly stayed silent, her brow furrowing as Artemis continued.
"Alfia cares deeply for Van, and Zeus used that to convince me. But it wasn't just that." Artemis's voice lowered, the light in her eyes dimming. "At first, I didn't understand it either. Why does he even need to subtly threaten me when he can just ask nicely? Zeus then explained Van's backstory, but I've heard far worse tales before. It didn't sway me. And yet... after spending time with him, as you've already learned, Van... he's just like his aunt. A prodigy—no that's merely an understatement, his talents are beyond anything I've ever seen, and I think even Zeus didn't fully know that he's like her aunt. He thought Van needed training for his own protection, so he knew Van needed a place where he could grow, and the village where he will stay had no one capable of teaching him, as Alfia along with Zald have some business to do back in Orario. so he used Alfia's name to make him join use, because there's more at stake—the thing I've only learned recently by spending my time with Van and through the words of Zeus."
Artemis's gaze darkened, her voice growing more serious. "Zeus didn't know the full extent of Van's abilities when he sent him to me, but he was right to do so. Van needs to grow stronger—*much* stronger—if he's going to survive what's coming."
Poly's face paled. "What's coming...?"
"The last of the Three Great Quests," Artemis whispered, her voice grim. "The One-Eyed Black Dragon that Zeus and Hera Familias failed to subjugate. It's still out there, resting. And when it awakens... we won't stand a chance unless we're ready."
Poly's heart raced as the full weight of Artemis's words hit her. "The Black Dragon..."
Artemis nodded. "Zoë and Thalia already know the truth. The damage it took in the last battle was severe, but its retaliation will be even more catastrophic. We may be looking at the destruction of the entire surface world. I need to make all of you stronger—faster than ever."
Poly swallowed hard. "You're considering using the training methods from Thalia's time in Zeus Familia, aren't you?"
Artemis gave a small, sad smile. "Yes. But that's something for later. For now, we have to push ourselves harder than ever."
Poly stared at her hands, rough and calloused from years of battle. She had already sacrificed so much for her strength. Could she push herself even further?
"I need to grow stronger," she whispered, more to herself than to Artemis.
"That's all I ask of you, Poly." Artemis stood, giving her a soft smile before walking back toward the inn. "Don't stay out too late, alright?"
Poly nodded absently, still staring at her hands. If the Black Dragon was truly out there, waiting for the right moment to strike, then she had no choice. She had to become stronger—not just for herself, but for the Familia. For everyone she cared about.
---
The next morning, Van approached Poly hesitantly as she sat at the dining table, her usual stoic expression firmly in place.
"Poly-san, are we going to train today?" Van asked, hoping for an answer.
Poly barely glanced at him. Without a word, she stood and walked away, leaving Van blinking in confusion.
Syrin, noticing the scene, sidled up to Van with a mischievous grin. "Hi-hi-hi! Looks like you're hated by Po-chan!"
"Hated?!" Van exclaimed, looking genuinely shocked. "Why?!"
Syrin's laughter rang out, joined by Artemis, who smiled knowingly. Only she truly understood why Poly had been avoiding Van ever since that day.
It wasn't hatred that drove Poly away. It was the frustration of facing a talent that eclipsed her own, a prodigy who effortlessly outshone years of her hard-earned skills.
===
A/N: Please do comment if there's some errors.