50 BILLION REASONS FOR REVENGE

FIGHT TO KILL

The stone walls of the Black Hole were cold and damp, but Zeus didn't mind. For the first time in a very long time, the world was quiet. There were no kings to fight, no cities to manage, and no billions of dollars to worry about.

Every afternoon, through the tiny barred window of his cell, he saw Juliana. She would walk past the prison courtyard on her way to the market. She always looked toward his cell with eyes full of sadness and apology. Just seeing her face, that face that belonged to his late wife, Maria, was enough to make him feel at peace.

"You like it here too much, big man," a voice croaked from the corner.

Zeus turned to see Valentine, an older prisoner with a crooked nose and a kind smile. They shared a small communal area during the day. Valentine had been there for five years and knew every secret of the prison.

"It is peaceful, Valentine," Zeus said, leaning his head against the stone. "The world outside is much louder."

The next morning, they were sent to the rock pile for hard labor. The sun was hot, and the guards watched them like hawks. As they swung heavy hammers to break limestone, Valentine leaned closer to Zeus.

"Tell me something," Valentine whispered. "Why did a man like you dare to rape General Alex’s daughter? You don't look like a beast. You look like a man who has lost everything."

Zeus stopped swinging his hammer. The words hit him harder than any mace. He looked at his hands, calloused and dirty.

"I did not touch her," Zeus said, his voice low and dangerous. "It was a lie told by a jealous girl. We were only talking."

Valentine looked into Zeus’s eyes and saw the truth. "I believe you. But in this place, a lie is as good as the truth if the General believes it. Your image is tarnished, Zeus. They call you the 'River Monster' in the barracks."

Zeus felt a cold spark of his old fire return. He realized he had been too passive. He didn't care about his life, but he cared about his name. He wouldn't let Maria’s face, the face Juliana carried, be associated with such a disgusting crime.

"I need to fix this," Zeus muttered.

"I can help you," Valentine said quickly. "I have friends among the kitchen staff. We can get a message to the General’s wife, or maybe—"

"No," Zeus interrupted. "No favors. I once trusted a friend to help me, and it cost me more than I can say. If I get out of this, I do it on my own strength."

That evening, a heavy tension filled the prison. The guards were whispering, and the General’s men were arriving in fine carriages. It was time for the "Survival Games."

The game was simple and cruel: three prisoners were thrown into a pit to fight. No armor, no rules. Only the last man standing would walk back to his cell. The others would leave in a wooden box. General Alex made a fortune from the betting, as leaders from all over the region came to watch the bloodbath.

Commander Greg, a man with a scarred face and a cruel laugh, walked to Zeus’s cell.

"The General has a special treat for the guests tomorrow," Greg sneered. "You’re in the pit, River Monster."

Valentine stood up, shocked. "That’s against the rules, Commander! New prisoners are supposed to have three months of training before they enter a Survival Game! He doesn't even know the arena!"

Greg spat on the floor. "General Alexander’s orders. He wants to see the man who 'tried' to ruin his daughter get torn apart by the professionals. It saves us the cost of a rope for the hanging."

Later that night, Valentine tried one last time. He pulled Commander Greg aside near the guard post. "Please, Greg. Zeus is a good man. Remove him from the list. Put me in instead."

Greg pushed Valentine away. "Back off, old man. The General wants blood, and he wants Zeus's blood specifically. Nobody changes that order."

In the distance, the sounds of the other two fighters—hardened killers who had survived dozens of matches—could be heard. They were practicing their strikes, the sound of wood hitting wood echoing through the halls.

Zeus sat on his straw mat, ignoring the noise. He closed his eyes. In his mind, the faces of Maria and Juliana blurred together. The same soft voice, the same gentle laugh. He saw Maria waving goodbye in his dream, and then he saw Juliana looking through the prison bars.

He wasn't a murderer, but he was a survivor. If the General wanted a monster, he would find out that Zeus was something much more powerful.

Zeus eventually fell into a deep, heavy sleep. He dreamed of the Silver Serpent river, the water cool and clean.

Suddenly, a loud CLANG shattered the dream.

The cell door flew open. Commander Greg stood there, his heavy black boot still vibrating from the kick he had delivered to the iron bars. He held a torch high, the orange flames casting long, dancing shadows.

"Wake up, dead man," Greg growled, his voice full of dark excitement. "The General is waiting. It’s time for your death."

Zeus stood up slowly, his tall frame filling the small cell. He didn't look afraid. He looked ready.

Valentine’s eyes were red from crying. Fear was written all over his face because he was sure that tonight would be the last night for his dear friend, Zeus.

Suddenly, the two huge men Zeus had to fight walked in. They looked fierce and very dangerous. These two were the strongest and toughest men in the whole prison.

They always fought to kill. They were so skilled that they had never even been injured in a fight, let alone defeated. Even Valentine was terrified just looking at them, he has seen them fight.

General Alex often used these two prisoners to murder his enemies, but Zeus did not look worried at all.