Tommy would mutter into his phone as he was on video call with his friend Anthony, who was at the Fort Boscarprud Library.

“Sounds to me like you’re just being skeptical. If people spread the rumor that it lies in the forest on the outskirts of Cape Kiaba, then chances are it’s likely there.”

Tommy continued to shuffle his way through the forest, carefully stepping over bushes and fallen trees.

“Don’t you think people would’ve made a path to it already if that were the case?”

“Maybe. There could probably be something surrounding the shrines that prevent anyone from taking-”

The phone started to cut out mid sentence before completely shutting off.

Tommy would start to shake as the area around him started to shroud itself in fog, fidgeting with his phone as it wouldn’t turn on. “A mystical energy that would disrupt cell phones..and prevent people from taking pictures..”

“Shit...that part of the rumor is true..”

He’d carefully walk forward.

“Ah geez...what am I going to do..I can’t see a thing..”

The fog would soon grow heavier as he continued to walk, starting to blur his own vision and unable to look down and see his own body.

Everything then went silent and dark.

...

He opened his eyes and gained consciousness again, waking up in front of the shrine, with no fog surrounding him.

“What..?”

“How did I…?”

He’d then hear a voice. 

“A weary traveler has stumbled upon my shrine, I see.”

He froze with fear as soon as he noticed a figure float down and land itself on the wooden flooring of the shrine. He instantly recognized her.

“N-No way...y-you’re..”

“Y-You’re Artemis..the fabled Goddess of the Moon and one of the island’s guardians..”

The figure would let out a chuckle as she gazed at him.

“Indeed I am.”

“What brings you here?”

The cat glanced around trying not to make eye contact.

“I-I...um…well..”

“I-I..just wanted to see if you existed or not...out of my um..curiosity...”

He’d put his hand on his face.

“Something about this doesn’t feel real to me..This can’t be. I must be dreaming...”

Artemis got up, and walked on all fours towards him, lowering her head to where his was.

“If you don’t think I’m real, then why don’t you see for yourself? Reach out your hand.”

“I-I..I don’t know.”

He’d say, too afraid to even look at her.

“Come ooooon...there’s no need for you to be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”

The feline hesitantly and slowly held it out towards her, while still looking away. Artemis moved her muzzle to meet his palm, and all he felt was the warmth of her fur as he turned his head to her.

“O-Oh..y-yep, okay, you’re real…100%.”

Artemis would smile and gently purr. 

“Told ya.”

He continued to feel at her face, but with both his hands, just to be sure.

“Y-Ya know..for someone that’s meant to be described as ‘an all powerful goddess that should be feared’ , y-you’re weirdly friendly..”

“Yeah I-”

She’d yelp as he squished her cheeks, starting to giggle.

“I try not to scare my visitors...I may be one of the Island Guardians but I shouldn’t be someone to fear. I protect, not intimidate. If you ask my 3 siblings they’d tell you the same thing I’m pretty sure.”

“Yeeeah, that makes sense…”

“Speaking of siblings, you have a family you need to get back to, no?”

Tommy gently nodded.

“Yeah...they’re probably wondering where I am right now since they can’t really get a hold of me…”

“But before I have to go, I would love to get at least a picture with you.”

He’d panic for a little.

“...Just so that...I can like, prove you exist!”

Her eyes would glow and lift his phone out of his pocket, touching it with a finger and using her own energy to turn it on.

“Of course! I’m aware that the mystical energy surrounding my shrine tampers with your devices, so I gave it a simple fix.”

Tommy smiled at her a little, before turning his phone towards them both and posing as his camera snapped the photo.

“Thanks. People will likely believe the picture’s been faked though, but y’know? That’s okay with me.”

Artemis smiled back at him before she leaned forward,sitting on her two back paws to give her feline visitor a hug with her two front paws.

“There’s always going to be those non-believers. Now come on, let’s get you home before your family worries too much.”

He’d lean into her hug too and confidently nod.

“Okay.”

She’d soon envelop him in a light pink mist, completely blurring his vision again like when he first entered.

He’d wake up in the middle of the forest, and looked down at his phone in an attempt to make sure the picture was still there; he’d soon notice the note left on the back of his phone as he unlocked it.

“If you’re ever in need of something, you know where to find me!”

“Signed with Magic, Artemis.”