Of course I'm hungry.

Chapter 4: Under Artemis's Watch:

The morning rays were the first to greet me on my second awakening at the farm. The crackling of chickens announcing Helios’s dawn and the melodic symphony of birds and other animals stirred me from sleep

“Gods, I’m going to kill that chicken,” I muttered after hearing its crow for the fifth time. “Then again, I’m on a farm. I shouldn’t be surprised.” I stretched, put on the clean clothes Arbos had likely left for me (I’d have to thank him later), and headed to the dining room for breakfast.

As I arrived at the dining room, I found Arbos sitting alone with a glass of orange juice and a breakfast prepared for me.

“Good morning,” he greeted with a warm smile. “I prepared your breakfast... but don’t get used to it. Next time, you’re making your own—at least the orange juice.” He finished with a light chuckle.

“Thank you, you are too kind to me.” I said as I take a seat on the table and start eating my breakfast.

“Not a problem, as long as you pull your weight around here,” Arbos said, standing. “Speaking of which, eat quickly. Iris is waiting for you at the back of the farm, near the forest entrance.” He paused, his tone turning practical. “I’ll be with Ikaro at the barn, tending to the seeds and the harvest. Tomorrow, we’ll head into the city for trade. It’d be helpful if you joined us. I’ve got friends who might have heard rumors about the meteor, and the Archon’s militia might already be snooping around.
He gave me a knowing look. “Good luck with Iris. You’ll need it,” he said before heading out.
Finishing my breakfast, I made my way to the back of the farm. As I approached the meeting point, a voice rang out behind me.

“You’re late,” Iris said, perched on a tree trunk, sharpening her arrows and checking her gear.
“Forgive me. I’ll have to dock my alarm clock’s pay,” I quipped, earning a chuckle from her.
“What, the chicken’s on payroll?” she replied, surprisingly playing along.
“I thought two drachms a day was fair, but clearly, she’s slacking,” I said with a grin. “Really, though, I got caught up talking to your dad over breakfast.”
“He made breakfast for you?” Iris scoffed, standing and storing her arrows in a finely crafted quiver. “Lucky bastard.”
“That’s a nice bow,” I remarked, admiring its intricate craftsmanship.
“What, this bad boy?” Iris said, patting the bow slung over her shoulder. She smiled at the compliment, but her expression shifted. “Yeah, it was a gift... from my mother.” Her voice softened, tinged with sadness.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“No,” she cut me off, taking a deep breath. “It’s fine. It’s just... she died recently. Talking about her brings up bad memories.”
Her tone hardened again. “Let’s get this done. Follow me.”
She strode confidently toward the forest, her movements a mix of grace and purpose. As I followed, I heard an eerie voice whispering in my ear.
“Kayn...”
I spun around, scanning the area, but saw no one. Iris noticed my hesitation.
“Everything okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she asked.
“I thought I heard someone call my name. Must’ve been the wind,” I said, brushing it off. Iris shrugged and continued walking, and I followed.

The forest was beautiful, full of wildlife and sprawling trees full of life completing the picture around me. I understand now why Iris enjoys being here, besides the hunting, it’s pretty calm to come and let you think about everything going on… I could see myself getting lost here in my thoughts with everything going on. After a while following an Iris, she stops motioning me to crouch and lower my voice.

In a whisper, she said, “See that fat bastard?” She pointed at a boar grazing ahead. I nodded.
“Catch,” she said, handing me a hunting knife. “Don’t do anything dumb. Watch and learn.”
She nocked on an arrow and began explaining the art of hunting. “It’s all about focus. Stay calm. Breathe, aim, and...” She released the string, and the arrow flew true, striking the boar cleanly.
“Simple as that,” she said, smiling at her success.
“Remarkable. You’re a **** of nature. Are you sure Artemis isn’t your mother?” I teased as we approached the downed boar.
Iris chuckled. “Sadly, no. But I’m proud I put on a good show for you.” She winked. “So, my father says you like music. Were you a musician before you... fell from the sky?”

“Not that I remember. I do like music, though. Also, I feel strangely comfortable with this knife, like I’ve trained with it. Maybe I was a soldier?”
“Or a murderer,” she said, eyeing me seriously.
“I doubt I’d kill for sport. It sounds... repulsive,” I replied.
“You don’t seem like a killer to me,” she admitted. “But you’re a quick learner. Not that it’d matter—I could still take you in a fight.” She grinned.
“Overconfident, are we?”

Iris stepped close, her face inches from mine. “Not at all, snow hair.”
“Snow hair? Really? That’s the best you’ve got?”
“I’d call you a cunt, but you lack both depth and warmth,” she shot back, smirking as she returned to the boar.
I laughed, shaking my head. “This girl is good.”

We continued hunting, gathering game and foraging. As we neared the end, Iris spotted another boar.

“Shh get down, another fat bastard” Iris says pointing at a wild boar. “I think you are ready for one. Don’t you?” Iris handing me the bow and arrow. “Now make me proud, show me I was a good teacher.” As I grab the bow Iris says “DON’T. Make me regret this ok?”

“I won’t.” I answer her truthfully as I prepare my shot. As I prepare my shot the same eerie voice I heard before whispers to me again. “Kayn… remember an arrow is only as strong as the heart of the hunter.”
As I heard that I felt a sudden energy embrace me as I feel my hand gripping the bowstring stronger and my position perfecting in the face of the hunt, my eyes light up with a bluish energy as I release with full energy that arrow hitting with perfect precision right through the eyes of the prey.

“What the hell?!!” Iris is shocked at how perfect that shot as she runs to the dead boar to check with her own eyes “How did yo-? It just… It just doesn’t make sense…” Iris is bewildered about all of this

“I don’t know what you mean. I just did what you told and showed me” I say skipping the part of hearing that eerie voice and surge of power that I felt… don’t need to cause more mistrust between us right now.

“Stop playing dumb, there’s no way someone as amateur can make a shot like that. Just who the fuck are you?” Iris interrogates clearly shocked about my sudden expertise in archery.
“Listen I’m as confused as you are, maybe I’m just a natural at it.” I reply trying to find my way out of this mess that I got myself in.

“Bullshit.” Iris says irritated, before she could ask another question from the woods, we hear a distant sound coming closer. “What the hell? You hear that right?” Iris asks

“Yeah. it sounds like it’s getting closer” I say while giving Iris Bow back to her as I withdraw my hunting knife preparing just in case.

“Sounds like a- “Before Iris could finish the sentence we see the reason for that sound, A wild boar fully charges onto us seeking to take us down, probably saw what happened to his friend over there and felt threatened.

“Shit!” Iris cried as the boar knocked her down, her bow flying out of reach.
“Iris, hold on!” I shouted, grabbing a hefty rock from the ground and hurling it with all my might. The rock struck the boar on its flank with a loud thud, causing it to snarl in pain and whip around to face me. Its dark eyes burned with fury, and its tusks gleamed menacingly as it pawed the ground, readying to charge.
“Over here, you greasy bastard!” I taunted, forcing confidence into my voice as I gripped the knife tightly. My pulse thundered in my ears, but I planted my feet firmly, bracing myself for its attack. The forest seemed to hold its breath as the massive creature charged, each step shaking the ground like a drumbeat of doom.
The boar turned and charged at me. The voice rang out again.
“Now, Kayn!”
Time seemed to slow. I sidestepped and plunged the knife into its belly, finishing the beast in one swift motion.

Panting, I rushed to Iris. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just a little banged up. Thanks for saving me,” she said, meeting my eyes with newfound warmth.

“You’d do the same,” I said, helping her up.
“Would I?” she muttered, ashamed. “I’ve been such an ass to you.”
“It’s fine. I’d be wary of a stranger who fell from the sky, too.”
She laughed softly. “Yeah, and one who somehow shoots better than me.”
“I won’t argue with that,” I teased, winking.
Her smile lingered. “Thanks again... really.” She glanced at the boars. “This might be my best hunt in weeks.”
“We make a good team when we’re not at each other’s throats,” I said.
She looked at me, her expression softer than ever. “Yeah, we do.”
“But you’re carrying those back to the cart,” I added, grinning.
“Fine,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“But you’re pushing the cart, snow hair.” Her smirk widened, the teasing lit in her tone unmistakable.
“All those big muscles of yours should come in handy for something, right?”
I raised an eyebrow, catching her faint blush despite her confident demeanor. “Big muscles, huh? Should I take that as a compliment?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she retorted, quickly turning away, her face tinged red. "Just grab the cart and stop grinning like an idiot."
“My what?” I asked, amused.
“Nothing!” she snapped, storming off toward the cart, clearly flustered.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Maybe this whole farm ordeal isn’t so bad after all.”