The Hunt slept under the song of the stars, deep within a moonlit forest. Only Auron was awake, sitting by the silver lake's edge, his reflection fractured by ripples. He had learned long ago that when the moon shone this bright, something was about to change.
The Force whispered uneasily.
Then it screamed.
A shockwave tore through his senses: pain, death, and the fading cry of a child. Auron's eyes widened as he staggered to his feet, silver light flaring in his palms. He didn't know where the scream came from, but he felt its echo in his soul. The ancient trees stood silent witnesses to the encroaching darkness. The stars overhead seemed to dim slightly, a celestial omen of dread.
Auron felt a primal urge to protect, a surge of ancient power. His training, honed over years, now dictated his swift, decisive action.
He turned from the lake, his path now clear and urgent. The Force pulsed with a desperate, guiding light towards the source.
"Mother!" he called out. "Something's wrong in the mortal realm!"
Within moments, Artemis appeared from the trees, bow already in hand, eyes gleaming with divine awareness.
"What do you see?" she asked sharply.
"A soul-shattering," Auron whispered. "A woman brave, fierce, dying to protect her son."
"She carries my mark," Auron realized, eyes wide. "A trace of moonlight… and a mother's love. "
Artemis's gaze softened, but she didn't hesitate. "Then we go."
The Hunt gathered instantly Zoe, Phoebe, and half a dozen others, silver armor gleaming under the rising mist.
Phoebe strapped on her quiver. "What kind of threat could cause that much pain?"The Hunt gathered instantly Zoe, Phoebe, and half a dozen others, silver armor gleaming under the rising mist.
Phoebe strapped on her quiver. "What kind of threat could cause that much pain?"
"Something dark," Artemis replied, already calling down her chariot. "Older than the forest. Crueler than any mortal weapon."
Auron stepped beside her, eyes blazing with Force energy. "Let me go first."
Zoe frowned. "You? Alone?"
He nodded. "If this is about balance… if this child is meant to live, then death has already failed once tonight."
Artemis regarded him for a long, silent moment, then nodded.
"Go, my son. But remember, we are never far behind."
With a shimmer of silver light, Auron vanished.
Gods in the Smoke
He emerged into chaos.
A small English village burned in the distance, the night sky filled with thunder and ash. The Force pulsed wildly, darkness clawing against light. He landed on a cobblestone street beside a ruined house. A snake-like mark hung over it, flickering green.
Auron moved through the smoke, robes brushing against broken glass. The smell of burned magic stung his nose.
Inside the nursery, a woman's body lay before a cradle. Her red hair gleamed like dying firelight.
He froze.
"Lily Potter…" he whispered, recognizing her soul's glow, the faint shimmer of Artemis's grace. He knelt, placing a hand over her heart. Her body was cold, but her spirit clung stubbornly to the mortal plane.
"You were brave," he murmured. "Too brave to fade yet."
He raised his hand divine, and Force energy intertwined in a swirl of moonlight.
From the crib, a soft whimper broke the silence.
Auron turned. A small boy lay there, crying, a lightning-shaped scar fresh upon his brow, glowing faintly with residual magic.
Auron reached out, and the Force rippled violently around the child. It was wild, untrained, but pure. Not just a mortal touched by something ancient.
"You're not just human, are you?" Auron whispered, gently lifting him. "You're… important."
The Force answered, resonating between them — connection.
Auron smiled softly. "You'll be safe now. I swear it."
Behind him, Lily's faint spirit stirred. Her eyes opened, ghostly and luminous with moonlight.
"P-protect him," she whispered. "Please…"
Auron looked up, silver tears shimmering in his eyes. "I will. You have my word."
A Mother's Second Chance
Artemis arrived moments later, bow still drawn, followed by Zoe and Phoebe. The goddess took in the scene: the broken house, the dead woman, the baby in Auron's arms.
Her expression softened into something rarely seen: pity.
"This was the work of dark magic," Artemis said quietly. "I can feel Hecate's domain twisted here."
Zoe knelt beside Lily's body. "She tried to shield her child. Her love burned brighter than the curse."
Artemis looked at her son. "You said she bore your mark?"
"She did," Auron replied. "Somewhere in her bloodline… she was chosen, maybe long ago. I felt it."
Phoebe frowned. "Then what happens to her now?"
Auron's voice was steady. "She doesn't deserve death."
Artemis tilted her head. "You mean to defy the Fates?"
"I mean to balance them."
Rebirth under the Moon
Auron knelt and pressed his glowing palm to Lily's forehead. Moonlight flooded the room, pushing back the darkness. The Mark above the house flickered and dissolved. When the light faded, Lily gasped, alive, trembling, eyes wide.
She looked around in disbelief. "Harry…"
Auron gently placed the baby in her arms. "He's safe."
Artemis stepped forward, silver eyes shining. "Your courage defied prophecy itself, mortal. Few can claim that."
Lily stared up at her. "Who… are you?"
"His mother," Artemis said simply, glancing toward Auron. "And now… your protector."
Lily blinked, tears spilling freely. "I don't understand…"
"You don't have to," Auron said softly. "Only live."
Artemis extended her hand, moonlight wrapping around Lily and Harry both.
"Come, child of mortal and magic. The Hunt watches over you now."
In the distance, thunder rumbled Zeus's disapproval. But Artemis didn't flinch.
The Council of the Moon
Later, back in the divine realm, Lily slept peacefully under Artemis's silver trees. Harry lay beside her, a faint lunar glow around his scar.
Phoebe leaned against a tree, watching. "So… she lives. You really did it."
Auron exhaled, exhausted but smiling. "Maybe ROB's chaos rubbed off on me."
Zoe smirked. "You mean his defiance."
Artemis turned from the moonlight, her expression unreadable. "The Fates will not be pleased. But… I am proud of you."
Auron looked up in surprise. "You are?"
She smiled faintly. "You restored balance. You saved what was meant to be lost. That is your domain."
He bowed his head. "Then I'll protect them both. Until the stars fall."
Artemis placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then protect well, my son."