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

Into the Unknown

The river was merciless.

Adrian gasped for air as the cold water dragged him under. His lungs burned, and his arms thrashed against the current.

Somewhere behind him, Kara and Kai struggled to stay afloat.

The river wasn’t just deep. It was angry.

Adrian kicked hard, trying to fight against the pull. Water rushed over his head again.

For a second, there was only darkness.

Then,light.

He broke the surface, coughing.

“Kai! Kara!” His voice was nearly lost in the roaring water.

Kara’s voice was sharp. “We’re here! But—”

A scream.

Adrian’s chest tightened. Kai.

He turned. Kai was getting pulled away.

The river had caught him in its grip, dragging him toward sharp rocks.

Adrian didn’t think. He moved.

One strong stroke. Then another. His muscles burned.

“Kai!”

Kai’s panicked eyes met his. “I can’t—”

A wave crashed over him.

Adrian pushed harder, reaching for him just as Kai slammed into a rock.

Kai’s cry of pain was lost in the water.

Adrian grabbed his arm. “Hold on!”

Kai gasped. His face twisted in pain.

Adrian pulled him close, wrapping an arm around his chest. “I’ve got you.”

Kara appeared beside them, soaked and breathless. “Is he...?”

“He’s hurt,” Adrian gritted out. “We have to get to shore.”

Kara nodded.

With Kai barely conscious between them, they fought against the water.

Then,land.

Adrian’s boots scraped against the muddy riverbank. He pulled Kai up first, then collapsed beside him.

For a moment, all three of them just breathed.

Then Kara sat up. “We can’t stay here.”

Adrian’s head snapped toward the fortress.

The towering structure loomed in the distance. Killian’s men would be looking for them.

They needed to move. Now,to the forest.

The trees were thick and endless.

Adrian led the way, one hand on his sword. The forest was quiet,too quiet.

Kai limped beside Kara, one arm wrapped around his ribs. His face was pale, his breathing uneven.

“How bad?” Adrian asked.

Kai forced a weak grin. “Just a broken rib… or two. No big deal.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened. “We’ll find shelter soon.”

Kara scoffed. “Assuming we don’t run into more problems first.”

Adrian didn’t respond. Because she was right.

Trouble was always close.

And it found them sooner than expected.

A branch snapped.

Adrian froze.

Kara’s hand went to her dagger.

Kai whispered, “Please tell me that was a rabbit.”

It wasn’t.

The bushes shook.

Then,a low growl.

Adrian’s blood ran cold.

A pack of wolves emerged from the shadows.

Their yellow eyes gleamed in the moonlight.

Their teeth dripped with hunger.

Adrian gripped his sword.

This night just kept getting darker and worse.

The wolves lunged.

Adrian moved fast. His blade sliced through the air, catching the first wolf in the side.

It yelped but didn’t stop.

Kara dodged sharp teeth, her dagger flashing.

Kai..wounded and slow,barely avoided a snap to his leg.

Adrian saw it. He reacted.

In a second, he was between Kai and the wolf.

His sword drove deep into its chest.

Blood sprayed.

The wolf collapsed.

But more were coming.

Kara kicked one in the jaw, flipping over another. Fast. Deadly. Precise.

Adrian spun, slashing.

A wolf bit into his arm.

Pain exploded.

He growled, ripping free. Blood dripped from his sleeve.

Kai was down. A wolf pinned him.

Adrian didn’t think.

He ran.

He tackled the wolf, slamming it into the ground.

His dagger pierced its throat.

Silence.

Then,whimpers.

The last few wolves backed away.

They knew they had lost.

They vanished into the shadows.

Adrian exhaled.

Kara wiped blood off her face. “I hate wolves.”

Kai groaned. “I think I died.”

Adrian ignored the pain in his arm.

“We keep moving.”

They walked for what felt like hours.

Kai’s steps were slow. Adrian’s arm throbbed. Kara kept glancing behind them.

Then,light.

A small wooden cabin stood between the trees.

Smoke curled from the chimney.

Kara frowned. “Who lives in the middle of nowhere?”

Adrian didn’t care.

They needed shelter.

He stepped forward. Knocked.

The door creaked open.

An old man stood there.

His gray eyes studied them.

Then he smiled. “Ah. I’ve been expecting you.”

Adrian’s heart stopped.

Kara tensed.

Kai muttered, “Oh, that’s not creepy at all.”

Adrian narrowed his eyes. “Who are you?”

The old man’s smile widened. “Come in, Adrian.”

He knew his name.

Adrian reached for his sword.