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

Shadows That Follow

Adrian and Kai ran.

The creatures chased them...whispering, shifting, faster than the wind.

Adrian didn’t look back. There was no point.

The ruins were a maze, broken stone and twisted metal rising like dead fingers from the earth. The path was uneven, wet from the rain. One wrong step, and they’d fall.

Kai panted beside him. “They’re still coming!”

Adrian already knew. He could feel them.

The air grew colder. Tighter.

A shiver ran down his spine. Magic. Dark magic.

“Keep moving!” Adrian ordered.

Kai didn’t argue.

They weaved through the ruins, turning sharp corners, leaping over fallen beams. Adrian’s body was moving on instinct now. Stronger. Faster.

But the creatures didn’t tire. They didn’t slow.

Then,a wall.

Tall. Jagged. Impossible to climb.

Kai skidded to a stop. “Damn it!”

Adrian turned, breathing hard. The shadows were closing in.

No weapons. No way out.

His pulse pounded. Think. Think.

The creatures were stepping forward now, half-formed. Not quite real, not quite solid. Their bodies flickered like smoke, but their eyes…

Burning red. Hungry.

Adrian clenched his fists. They wouldn’t take him. Not again.

Then,a whisper in his mind.

Fight like before.

A strange pull inside his chest.

And suddenly,he knew.

Adrian took a deep breath. Reached.

Heat spread through his veins. His fingers tingled,the same feeling from before. The storm. The power.

The moment the creatures lunged, Adrian moved.

His body reacted,too fast, too strong.

He grabbed the closest one,a shadowy form with clawed fingers...and threw it against the stone wall.

It shrieked, the impact shaking the ground.

Kai’s eyes widened. “What the hell—”

Another lunged. Adrian ducked. Spun. His fist connected with its chest.

The creature exploded into mist.

Kai gaped. “Did you just—”

Adrian wasn’t listening.

The others hesitated now. They had never faced someone like him.

Adrian lifted his hands. His skin glowed faintly, energy humming in his bones.

The creatures hissed,then retreated.

Vanishing into the darkness.

Silence fell.

Adrian exhaled. The power faded. His limbs still burned, but… he wasn’t drained.

It felt natural. Like breathing.

Kai took a step back, pointing. “Okay. What the actual hell was that?”

Adrian looked at his hands. Good question.

They moved quickly after that. Adrian didn’t trust the silence.

Kai walked beside him, sneaking glances every few seconds. He was trying to act normal, but Adrian saw the tension in his shoulders.

“Spit it out,” Adrian said.

Kai jumped. “What?”

“You’ve been staring at me since the fight. Ask your question.”

Kai hesitated, then sighed. “Fine. What are you?”

Adrian raised an eyebrow. “A man.”

Kai gave him a look. “Yeah, sure. Just a normal guy who throws shadow monsters like they weigh nothing. Right.”

Adrian smirked. “You’re smarter than you look.”

Kai huffed. “And you’re stronger than you should be.”

Silence.

Kai kicked a rock. “You didn’t even flinch when they attacked. It’s like you knew they couldn’t touch you.”

Adrian didn’t respond. Because Kai was right.

Something inside him had known.

And that,that was terrifying.

Kai sighed. “You’re not gonna tell me, are you?”

Adrian glanced at him. “Would you believe me if I did?”

Kai scoffed. “Try me.”

Adrian looked ahead. The path was stretching into open land now, the ruins fading behind them. The sky was lighter,dawn approaching.

He sighed. “I don’t know what I am.”

Kai blinked. “Wait. What?”

Adrian clenched his fists. That was the truth.

“I should be dead,” he admitted. “But I’m not.”

Kai frowned. “Wait—should be? What does that mean?”

Adrian inhaled sharply. “It means I’m not supposed to be here.”

Kai studied him, eyes narrowing. Then he nodded. “Huh.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?”

Kai shrugged. “I mean, I figured you weren’t normal. But hey, I’m not one to judge. You saved my ass back there.”

Adrian stared at him. “You’re oddly calm about this.”

Kai grinned. “I’ve seen worse.”

Adrian doubted that. But he didn’t press.

For now, they had bigger problems.

The road was emptier now, just dirt and grass stretching toward the horizon.

Kai walked ahead, hands in his pockets. “So, what’s the plan?”

Adrian adjusted his cloak. “We reach the capital. I find my way back.”

Kai tilted his head. “Back to what?”

Adrian didn’t answer.

Kai sighed. “Right. Mysterious warrior man refuses to talk. Got it.”

Adrian smirked. “Good.”

They walked in silence after that.

Then—a sound.

Not a whisper. Not the creatures.

Something else. Hoofbeats.

Adrian stopped. His instincts flared.

Kai noticed. “What is it?”

Adrian turned, scanning the horizon.

Dust rose in the distance. Riders.

Fast. Too fast.

Kai followed his gaze and cursed. “Shit.”

Adrian’s jaw clenched. He knew that formation.

Killian’s men.

They were already hunting him.