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

Nowhere to Run

Adrian’s body tensed. The hoofbeats were getting closer.

The rising sun cast a golden glow over the land, but there was no warmth in it. Only danger.

Kai shifted beside him. “They’re not slowing down.”

Adrian already knew. Killian’s men had found them.

They had no time to think,only move.

“Run,” Adrian said.

Kai hesitated for half a second,then he obeyed.

The ground was uneven, the grass tall. Every step felt like a risk. But they didn’t stop.

Behind them, the riders charged forward, kicking up clouds of dust. Their armor gleamed. Their swords glinted.

Adrian’s pulse quickened. There were too many.

Kai cursed and hissed. “You got another one of those magic punches?”

“Not enough,” Adrian admitted.

The riders shouted. Arrows flew.

Adrian pulled Kai down. A sharp whistle sliced past his ear. The arrow buried itself into a tree.

Kai groaned. “I hate this!”

Adrian grabbed his wrist. “Move faster.”

They pushed through the field, weaving through the scattered trees.

But the riders were too fast. Too close.

One of them,a soldier in dark armor,drew a sword and reached for Adrian.

Adrian spun. His instincts took over.

He grabbed the man’s wrist,and twisted.

The rider screamed, losing control of his horse. He crashed into the ground.

Another came from the left. Spear raised.

Adrian ducked,grabbed the shaft,snapped it in half.

The man yelped as his horse reared back.

“Adrian!” Kai called.

Adrian turned....too late.

A third rider came from behind, swinging a metal chain. It wrapped around Adrian’s arms, yanking him back.

Adrian fought. Struggled.

The soldier pulled harder.

More riders surrounded them now, blocking every escape.

They had them trapped.

Adrian’s chest heaved as he glared at the soldiers. He could fight. He could break free.

But Kai,Kai wasn’t built for this.

If Adrian fought, Kai would die.

So he stayed still.

One of the riders dismounted,a man in a silver cloak, eyes cold and sharp.

He studied Adrian. Then he smirked. “Found you.”

Adrian recognized that face.

General Haldor. Killian’s most ruthless man.

Haldor stepped forward, tilting his head. “Lord Killian will be pleased.”

Adrian didn’t respond.

Haldor gestured. “Tie them up.”

Kai tensed. “Oh, come on—”

A soldier grabbed him. Adrian saw Kai struggle..until a fist slammed into his stomach.

Kai coughed. Dropped to his knees.

Something inside Adrian snapped.

Heat rushed through him, his pulse roaring in his ears. His vision darkened.

Haldor noticed. He stepped closer, voice low. “You feel it, don’t you?”

Adrian froze.

Haldor smiled. Like he knew.

“We heard whispers about you,” the general murmured. “A ghost. A man who shouldn’t exist.”

Adrian clenched his fists.

Haldor leaned in. “And yet, here you are.”

Adrian didn’t blink. Didn’t breathe.

Haldor smirked. “Take them.”

The soldiers dragged Adrian and Kai toward the horses.

Adrian didn’t resist. Not yet.

But in his mind, one thought echoed.

This isn’t over.

The road was long. Too long.

They rode for hours, bound and surrounded. Every time Adrian shifted, a soldier pressed a blade to his back.

Kai, tied beside him, groaned. “This is the worst day of my life.”

Adrian didn’t answer.

His mind was elsewhere. Calculating. Planning.

He had one chance to escape.

But he needed the right moment.

The sun was sinking when they reached a large fortress..stone walls towering like prison bars.

Adrian exhaled. He knew this place.

Kai frowned. “Where are we?”

Haldor smiled. “Welcome home.”

Adrian stared.

Because he understood now.

This wasn’t just any fortress.

This was Killian’s stronghold.

And he had just walked into the lion’s den.