The royal guards swarmed the bedroom like locusts. Gabriel stood by the window, his face a mask of fake grief that quickly shifted into a sneer of triumph."Seize him!" Gabriel shrieked, pointing at Zeus. "The traitor has strangled the life from my father! Do not let him speak! Do not let him breathe!"Two guards grabbed Zeus by the arms, slamming him against the stone wall. Zeus, still reeling from the sight of Lord Mathew’s body, struggled to find his voice."I loved him!" Zeus cried out. "Gabriel, you know I loved him like a father! Look at his neck—those aren't my marks!"Gabriel stepped forward and slapped Zeus across the face. "Silence, dog! You were greedy. You wanted his gold, and you killed him for it. Guards, take him to the courtyard. I want his head on a pike before the sun fully clears the horizon."As they dragged Zeus down the spiraling stone stairs, his heart hammered against his ribs. He thought of Maria. He thought of Leo and Sara. If he died here, they would have no

The sun climbed high into the center of the sky, baking the dusty grounds of the Iron Raiders’ camp. Five thousand men stood in perfect formation, their armor gleaming and their horses neighing with impatience. They were ready for blood. They were ready for the city. But the man who was supposed to lead them was nowhere to be found.Toby paced back and forth in front of the ranks, his heavy boots crushing the dry grass. He kept looking toward the grand black tent where Zeus slept."Where is he?" Toby roared, turning to his captains. "The scouts say the city gates are weak today! This is the hour! Why isn't Zeus leading the charge?""He hasn't come out, my Lord," a soldier replied nervously. "We knocked, but there was no answer."Inside the tent, Zeus was trapped in a heavy, gray fog. He could hear the muffled sounds of the army outside, but his limbs felt like they were made of lead. Every time he tried to lift his head, the world spun violently. His heart, usually steady as a drum, t

The moon hung low and pale as Zeus rode away from the camp. His body was a map of pain, and his heart felt like a stone in his chest. But the sound of galloping hooves behind him made him pull the reins. He turned, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword.It was Agnes. She was breathless, her hair flying wildly behind her as she pushed her horse to catch up."Zeus! Wait!" she cried out, her voice cracking in the cold night air.Zeus sighed, his shoulders dropping. "Go back, Agnes. Toby is in a murderous rage. If he finds you gone, it will only make things worse."Agnes pulled her horse alongside his. Her eyes were red from crying. "You don't understand why he is doing this. You think it is just about the soldiers or the money, but it is about me. Toby has loved me for years. He has offered me everything a woman could want, but I never saw the fire in him. I only saw it in you."Zeus looked at her coldly. "I told you, Agnes. My fire is for revenge, not for you.""I kn

The Great Forest gave way to the whispering reeds of the Lowlands. Zeus moved like a man made of shadow, his footsteps silent on the damp earth. The poison had left his body, but it had taken a piece of his spirit with it. He felt lighter, yet hollower, like a tree that had been gutted by fire but remained standing.He followed the sound of rushing water until he reached the banks of the Silver Serpent, a river known for its purity and its treacherous currents. For days, he had carried the grime of the city and the filth of the sewers on his skin. He needed to wash away the scent of betrayal.Zeus knelt by the bank and cupped the water in his hands. It was freezing, a sharp shock that made his heart stutter. He drank deeply, feeling the liquid cool his parched throat. Then, stripping away his ragged traveling clothes, he stepped into the river.The water swirled around his waist. He ducked his head under, letting the current pull at his hair. He scrubbed his skin until it was red, ima

The arena was a deep stone pit with high walls. Up above, the rich generals sat in comfortable chairs, drinking wine and waiting for the blood to flow. General Alex sat in the middle, looking down at Zeus with a cold, hateful smile.Zeus stepped into the center of the pit. He was empty-handed. He wore no shirt, and his skin was covered in the dust of the prison.Then, the two killers entered. They were huge, their muscles like thick ropes. One was called "The Hammer" and the other was "The Blade." They carried heavy iron clubs. The crowd cheered loudly. Everyone had bet their money that Zeus would be dead in minutes."Kill him slowly," Alex shouted from above.The two killers didn't wait. They charged at the same time. The Blade swung his club at Zeus’s head, while The Hammer aimed for his ribs.Zeus didn't panic. He moved like a flash of lightning. He ducked under the first swing and stepped behind The Blade. With one powerful push, he sent The Blade crashing into The Hammer. The two