Heaven and Alessandra move toward the stands, and the five of us advance towards Helios. The air crackles as our auras collide. It’s a storm, heat against fury, a battle of wills and determination.
Helios smiles faintly, his voice echoing across the marble courtyard, powerful and ethereal.
“We meet at last, Deimos King. Who would have thought the sons of Andronikos would walk willingly into the light of Solaria? To think Hades allowed this. He must truly favour you.”His eyes flick to Theo, scorn and something that looks like blistering rage beneath that mask flickers in his eyes.
Theo laughs lightly. “Or maybe he just really doesn’t like you.”
A whisper of amusement ghosts across Helios’ lips, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. His power bleeds into the air, and the rising sun seems to burn brighter, the ground vibrating with power.
Helios’ entire body seems to be engulfed in flames; the scent of scorched air fills my lungs. In that moment, he doesn’t look just like a god but the sun given shape.
“Damn, if I knew you were so bright, I’d have brought my shades,” Theo remarks.
It took an army to bring Apophis down, and he wasn’t even on Earth in his entirety. And now it’s only us – five alphasto face off against a god in all his power.
“State your conditions,”Helios says. The crowd and wind seem to still, waiting.
“If we win, you will release Sienna Electra Kendall Rossi, Mordana of House Silver, your Queen. You will grant her freedom, allowing her to return to Earth with us, unbound by oath or chain, free from your control in every way.” My voice is clear and powerful. “And you will drop this centuries-old grudge of yours. We are not responsible for the sins of our ancestors. Name yours.”
Helios’ expression turns cold, a stark contrast to the heat radiating off him.“If I win, you will remain here, all of you – stripped of power and pride. You’ll kneel at my feet as the hounds of my castle. You will be nothing more than lowly slaves and will forever be under my command. And you, Deimos King, will have the honour to see the life I create with my Queen.”
A flicker of unease hums through the mind-link between us brothers, but I hold firm. I can’t lose. Not her. Not this.
“Do you accept?”he asks, voice like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
Boys?I ask through the link.
Accept,Ares growls, rage spilling through every syllable.
Theo cracks a grin.I’m all in, bro. No risk is no fun.
“We accept,” I say. “Do you?”
Helios’ lips curve into a smile that promises ruin. His aura intensifies, and I avert my gaze, as it blinds everything. The air shivers as light floods the world, and the dawn gives way todazzling sunlight.
“I accept,” he says, voice reverberating through the arena.“It is done!”
The moment the words leave Helios’ lips, the arena shifts.
The air thickens, humming with energy that crawls over my skin like wildfire. The marble floor beneath our feet fractures, veins of molten gold snaking through the cracks until the entire ground glows, as if the sun itself had been trapped beneath it.
The crowd of gods and celestial beings rise, their eyes glowing like embers. Even the wind dares not move, caught between fear and reverence.
Helios spreads his arms. His hair burns, his skin glows with the radiance of creation itself. The light pouring off him makes it hard to breathe, hard to even exist in his presence.“I am more than just a god, more than creation, I am one of the first to ever be. This is my dominion,”he says, his voice carrying the weight of dawns and centuries.“Here, even shadows bow to me.”
Theo whistles low beside me. “Yeah, well, let’s see if the sun still burns when we put it out.”
I don’t answer, but my jaw tightens. Ares, Carter and Renji shift beside me, our auras syncing, five heartbeats pounding as one. We stand shoulder to shoulder, a reminder of who we are and what blood we carry.
We are the descendants of the Deimos bloodline. We are born of wrath, power and strong will. We will win.
I meet Helios’ gaze. The heat between us could melt mountains.
Three robed figures rise, looming behind Helios. The middle one lifts his head, but I can’t see his face.
“By decree of the Divine Order, the duel between Helios, Lord of the Sun and Keeper of the Skies and the descendants of Andronikos, sons of Selene:
The Deimos King, Jayce Westwood, touched by Zeus, the Bringer of Justice,
