THE GOD OF WAR'S RETURN: ADRIAN'S SECOND CHANCE

A Cage of Stone and Shadows of the Past.

The iron gates of Killian’s fortress groaned as they swung open.

Adrian and Kai were pushed forward, their hands still bound. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and burning torches.

The courtyard was vast, filled with armed soldiers. Every step Adrian took was watched. Judged.

Kai muttered, “This place feels like a graveyard.”

Adrian agreed, but he didn’t say it. He needed Kai focused. Not scared.

At the far end of the courtyard, a tall figure stood waiting. Lord Killian.

Dressed in dark robes, he looked exactly as Adrian remembered. Cold. Calculating. Powerful.

Killian’s sharp gaze landed on Adrian first. A slow, knowing smile formed.

“Adrian.”

His name felt like a curse.

Kai stiffened beside him. “Wait. He knows you?”

Adrian didn’t answer.

Killian stepped forward, clasping his hands behind his back. “I wondered when you’d come home.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened. This was never his home.

Killian turned to Haldor. “Good work.”

Haldor bowed. “He didn’t resist much.”

Killian chuckled. “Of course he didn’t. He knows there’s no point.”

Kai frowned. “Okay, someone needs to explain—”

A soldier shoved him forward. He stumbled, but Adrian caught him.

Killian’s eyes gleamed. “Still protecting the weak, I see.”

Adrian felt it then..the slow burn of anger creeping up his spine.

Killian tilted his head. “What happened to you, Adrian?”

Adrian didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink.

Killian studied him a moment longer. Then he turned. “Take them inside.”

Adrian’s hands curled into fists. For now, he followed. But not for long.

The guards led them down a series of stone hallways. The deeper they went, the colder it became.

Finally, they reached a small cell. Damp. Dark. A single torch flickered weakly on the wall.

The guards shoved them inside.

The door slammed shut. Metal scraped as the lock turned.

Kai sighed, rubbing his wrists. “Well. This sucks.”

Adrian didn’t respond. He was already scanning the room.

One exit. One weak torch. No weapons. Stone walls.

Kai sank against the wall. “Alright, so… what now?”

Adrian stayed silent. Thinking. Calculating.

Kai groaned. “Seriously, man. Are you gonna tell me what’s going on? How does Killian know you? Why does he act like you’re some long-lost pet?”

Adrian exhaled. “It’s complicated.”

Kai scoffed. “Everything about you is complicated.”

Adrian finally turned to him. His eyes darker than before.

“I used to be someone else,” he said. “Someone Killian thought he controlled.”

Kai’s face twisted in confusion. “Used to be?”

Adrian didn’t blink. “I changed.”

Hours passed. Or maybe days.

No one came. No food. No water.

Kai dozed off, but Adrian sat still. Waiting. Listening.

Then,footsteps.

A shadow appeared outside the cell. A hooded figure.

Adrian tensed. “Who are you?”

The figure pulled back their hood. A woman. Dark hair. Familiar eyes.

She smirked. “It’s been a long time, Adrian.”

Adrian’s stomach clenched. He knew her.

“Kara.”

Kai blinked awake. “Who?”

Adrian didn’t answer. His mind raced.

Kara shouldn’t be here.

Kara was supposed to be dead.

She leaned closer to the bars. “You thought you were the only one who escaped?”

Adrian’s pulse spiked. The past wasn’t done with him yet.

Adrian stared at Kara. His heart pounded.

She was real. Standing right there, just beyond the prison bars.

Kai rubbed his eyes. “Wait. Am I dreaming? Who’s she?”

Adrian didn’t answer. His mind was spinning.

Kara had been his closest ally once. Before everything fell apart.

Before he escaped.

But she had died. Or so he thought.

And yet, here she was, smirking like nothing had changed.

Kara crossed her arms. “You don’t look happy to see me.”

Adrian clenched his jaw. “I buried you.”

Kai let out a slow whistle. “Oookay. This just got interesting.”

Kara chuckled. “You buried a body. Not me.”

Adrian felt a chill creep down his spine.

“What do you want?”

Kara tilted her head. “Oh, come on, Adrian. Is that any way to greet an old friend?”

“I don’t have friends here.”

Kara smirked. “Then I guess you’re out of luck. Because I’m your only way out.”

Kai stood, stretching. “I like where this is going. Please, continue.”

Adrian ignored him. His eyes stayed on Kara.

“You expect me to trust you?”

Kara gave a mock gasp. “After everything we’ve been through? I’m hurt.”

Adrian didn’t flinch. “Last time I saw you, you were bleeding out.”

Kara shrugged. “Last time I saw you, you were running.”

Silence.

Kai cleared his throat. “Wow. The tension here is thick.”

Kara leaned in closer. “You want to get out of here or not?”

Adrian studied her face. She hadn’t changed. Not really.

Still sharp. Still reckless.

Still dangerous.

“How?”

Kara’s lips curled. She had expected him to ask.

“I have my ways.”

Adrian didn’t like that answer.

Kara sighed. “Look. I need you just as much as you need me. Killian’s been hunting me for years. If we help each other, we both get what we want.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened. “And what do you want?”

Kara’s smile faded. “Killian dead.”

Kai let out a low whistle. “Wow. That’s bold.”

Kara didn’t even look at him. “I’m not playing games, Adrian.”

Adrian leaned against the cold stone wall. His thoughts raced.

Killian had to die. He knew that.

But Kara’s return complicated everything.

“Kara,” he said slowly, “if we do this, there’s no turning back.”

She grinned. “I was never planning to.”

Kai sighed. “Alright, cool. So, just to clarify,we’re teaming up with the possibly dead ex-friend to kill the scary warlord?”

Adrian glanced at him. “You don’t have to come.”

Kai scoffed. “Oh no, I’m coming. Someone has to be the voice of reason.”

Kara rolled her eyes. “You mean the comic relief?”

Kai grinned. “That too.”

Adrian exhaled. This was a mistake. It had to be.

But it was the only option.

He turned to Kara. “Fine. Get us out.”

Kara smirked. “Thought you’d never ask.”

She pulled something from her sleeve,a thin metal wire. A lockpick.

Adrian arched a brow. “Still a thief, huh?”

Kara winked. “Some things never change.”

She slid the wire into the lock, twisting it with expert precision. A click echoed through the cell.

The door creaked open.

Kai’s eyes widened. “That actually worked?”

Kara smirked. “Welcome to the rebellion, boys.”

Adrian stepped forward. A storm raged in his chest.

This was only the beginning.

And Killian had no idea what was coming.