There is not a soul in sight. I’m sure there are guards somewhere, but I can’t sense anyone.
“So, I guess I’m waiting here,” Ahren remarks. I know he isn’t happy with the arrangement, but there’s not much we can do.
The plan is that once we get Sienna, he will teleport us to the spot where we landed in this realm and from there, we will exit in the same manner we entered.
“We shouldn’t be too long,” Carter says grimly, his eyes sharp. I look at my brothers, and I’ll forever be grateful that they came to assist me. In the end, the five of us will always be here for one another.
“We all know the plan, and we’ll keep you updated,” I say. Heaven’s cast a spell that will allow her to send signals to Ahren, keeping him in the loop as best we can.
Ahren nods, looking between us all. “Stay safe. A day will come when the world knows you fought a god; not everyone can say that,” he says lightly.
“Init? Especially a golden boy who is full of petty,” Theo replies.
“Well, it’s time,” Renji says, his face serious, a determined frown on his face.
“It’s time,” I repeat.
I’m the first to step onto the golden staircase, with my brothers right behind me and the girls behind them.
Each step feels like a fleeting moment, but at the same time, an eternity. Each one weighed with everything that is riding on our shoulders. Today is not just a test of power or skill. It is a test of our brotherhood, our skills combined, the understanding we have. Today, doing our best isn’t going to be enough; only winning will.
Are you all ready?I ask via the mind-link.
I was born ready,Theo answers.
Obviously, we’ve had enough time.Ares is the next to speak.
It’s true, in the last nine days we have trained and covered everything about Helios that I knew, including sharing everything about the battle between Andronikos and Helios centuries ago. Ahren and Heaven also shared what they knew.
Yes,Carter’s reply comes.
We got this. Let’s show Helios what being a Westwood means,Renji says. I smile faintly as we all silently agree with him.
We’re all different; we all have our strengths and weaknesses, but together we are strong.
We reach the top, and I take a slow, level breath and look to the sky.
Selene… Zeus… Lend me your strength. Allow me torestore justice to Sienna. Allow us to win this.
I lower my head for a moment, and then I slide up my visor, covering my face before I step through the archway, and for a moment, I’m blinded by the dazzling light. One sweep around me shows that we are in an arena.
It’s huge, and the stands are full of people, many dazzling with brilliant auras, others having darker shades. There are some with dark clothing, but most are wearing light or vibrant colours.
My gaze finds Helios, seated lazily on the raised dais right ahead of us. A crown of molten gold rests on his head, one hand supporting his chin, as if the world itself were a dull conversation. With one leg propped up on the armrest, his other arm resting lazily in his lap, he looks every bit the arrogant god he is.
But then I see her.
And the world stills.
She sits beside him on a smaller throne. Her dress is the colour of morning cream and soft firelight, the fabric clinging like it was spun from dawn itself. Her hair glows under the sunlight, looking a vibrant red. A radiant crown sits upon her head, and I realise half her hair is shaved from the side. It makes her look strong and more powerful.
Her red eyes lock onto mine, speaking a thousand untold words. For a single heartbeat, the universe narrows to that connection, that ache deep in my chest that feels like it might tear me apart.
Then I look away, forcing the pull back into silence.
I will not do this.
Helios rises from his seat, his form weightless as he descends to the arena below, his feet touching lightly.
