Demi-God Twin Chapter 22: The Return.

Chapter 22: The Return.

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(General P.O.V.)

The throne room of Argos was a spectacle of blood and terror.

Bodies lay scattered across the marble floor, the rich red of their lifeblood seeping into the once-pristine surface.

Heracles reclined on the throne, his muscular form draped in bloodied bear hide, and the massive club he used as a weapon resting against the arm.

In his grip was a thick iron chain connected to a collar coiled around the neck of the princess of Argos, who knelt at his feet, her eyes hollow.

On his left was a priest in a black robe, counsel to the new king.

Two Enyo assassins entered the chamber, carrying a blood-soaked bundle on a stretcher.

They knelt before the throne, presenting the corpse of the Oracle sent to capture IPhicles.

Her body had been hacked into pieces, her once-black robes now crimson.

Heracles’ sharp eyes gleamed with amusement as he leaned forward, resting his chin on one hand.

“Well, well,” he murmured, his voice a dangerous purr. “I never thought Iphi could be so… merciless.”

The assassins stepped aside as Ademenis, the male priest, approached to inspect the corpse.

His eyes shook, face turning pale. A second later, his hands clasped in a prayer to Enyo.

“My lord,” the Priest said, bowing deeply. “The Priestess Adena is indeed no more and worse, her Oracle’s eyes are missing.”

Heracles chuckled, his voice resonating through the chamber. “Such cruelty from my weak older brother. How delightful. Tell me, Ademenis, do you wish to perform funeral rites for your fallen daughter? I'm sure Charon will grant her safe passage to Asphodel despite her...colorful life.”

Ademenis stiffened, his gaze fixed on the floor. “I have no time to waste on the dead,” he said softly. “I live to serve you, my lord.”

Heracles’ grin widened. “Revenge, then?”

The priest hesitated. “If it is your will, my lord…”

Heracles waved a hand dismissively. “No. Let Iphicles live—for now. Killing him would bring me no joy. I want him to grow stronger, to struggle, to think he stands a chance. By the time my kingdom encompasses the world, he will have nowhere to hide. Then, and only then, will I take his wings.”

He leaned back, his laugh echoing across the throne room as the priest lowered his head, silent.

(Iphicles’ P.O.V.)

The village comes into view just as the first hints of dawn creep over the horizon. We've riden through the night, wary of pursuit.

The air is crisp and carries the scent of pine and damp earth as we arrive.

My muscles ache from the journey, but relief washes over me when I see Atalanta’s familiar form standing outside the cranky healer Bubba's hut.

Chiron’s sleeping body is visible through the smoke covered open doorway.

Ori’s massive frame shifts beside me. His gaze sweeps over the onlooking villagers, his usual confidence tempered by hesitation, wariness perhaps.

I jump off the Direwolf and help Anissa down just as Atalanta steps forward, her sharp eyes passing over us and locking onto the Ogre.

Her lip curls. “What’s he doing here?”

Ori snorts, unimpressed. “Nice to meet you too, Human.”

Her hand drifts to a scar mark visible on her right foot. “I’ve seen what your kind can do. You’re no better than the Orcs.”

Anissa and I exchange confused gazes, wondering what in Hades is going on with the two of them.

Ori’s eyes narrow atop Grizzly, who starts growling at Atalanta. “If you’re accusing me for your injury little huntress, go ahead and take your revenge. But don’t expect me to stand still.”

Atalanta’s glare intensifies, but I step between them, my voice firm. “Enough! This isn’t the time for petty grudges. We’ve got bigger problems, or have you forgotten about Chiron?”

I'm appalled at Atalanta. Sne doesn't even ask where I've been or about Anissa and instead goes off on Ori. Not that I'm keen on sharing the Ent incident but you would think she'd be curious.

Fortunately at the mention of Master, she hesitates, her mistrust and suspicion of Ori conveyed through her face. And now they're both glaring at each other. I throw up my hands in defeat.

Anissa takes over, her tone soothingly logical. “Iphicles is right, Lady Atalanta. The Ogre Ori has been useful to us. He's also agreed to help us.”

Atalanta looks between us, her jaw tight.

“Fine, I'll back off.” She grunts. “But I don’t trust him. You got that, Ogre? I’ll be watching you.”

Ori smirks, crossing his arms as he runs an appreciate eye up and down Atalanta. “Good. I’ll be watching you too little huntress.”

I raise an eyebrow at their tense exchange, but before I can comment, a weak voice calls from the hut. “The smell of sexual tension is too much for a dying man to wake to.”

All heads turn to Chiron, who smiles faintly from his cot. Instantly my mind goes blank.

Atalanta’s stern facade cracks, and she rushes to his side, sinking to her knees and hugging his torso as tears spill from her eyes.

I motion for the others to give them privacy, stepping away from the door with Ori and Anissa.

The village children, curious and fearless, gather around the two massive direwolves we rode in with.

Ori shoos them away with a halfhearted growl before leaning against Grizzly, his chosen mount.

“Wake me if something interesting happens,” he mutters, closing his eyes.

Anissa joins me and we lean against the hut, the conversation happening within muted by the thick clay walls.

“Shouldn’t you be inside with Atalanta? I know his much he means to you.” she asks softly.

I shake my head, arms crossed. “Teacher's not going anywhere.”

The truth is, I don’t know what to say to him. Guilt churns in my stomach, a weight I can’t shake.

Atalanta emerges a short while later, her eyes red and her expression guarded. She also looks angry. “Chiron wants to talk to you.”

I hesitate before stepping inside. The air is thick with the herbal scent of poultices and salves.

Chiron smiles weakly as I approach, almost as if he's not covered in bandages.

“Why does Atalanta look like she wants to strangle me?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood.

He chuckles, his voice hoarse. “She’s angry she’ll have to give back StarEnder. Her precious Demigod ranked Bow broke, and now she wants mine.”

I laugh despite myself, the memory of her bragging about that bow fresh in my mind.

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the royal medallion—the one that saved my life. “Speaking of treasures, why didn’t you tell me this was enchanted?”

Chiron’s smile widens. “What’s the point of a secret life-saving artifact if it’s not a secret?”

“But it’s not standard, is it?” I press. “Not every royal has one.”

His eyes narrow in understanding of my concern. A teleporting Heracles would be a nightmare.

“No,” he thankfully admits. “Only you. And it’s useless now. The enchantment was one-time use.”

“Why?” I ask, my voice quiet. “Why go to such lengths?”

He meets my gaze with a scoff. “Have you seen your family, Iphicles? The royal court? Sooner or later someone would have come after you."

And they did. It's only due to the enchantment that I'm still here.

"And in case you're wondering, I didn’t do it because of your title or out of obligation to the king." He added firmly. "I did it because I see you as a son. Just as Atalanta is like a daughter to me.”

Guilt washes over me, and I look away. If it wasn't for my decision to go after the Hydra, he wouldn't be lying on the bed, too broken to stand. And yet he considers me a son?

Chiron, ever perceptive, breaks the silence.

“Don’t blame yourself for what happened,” he gently says. “And don’t blame your weakness. You’ve grown stronger because of it.”

Tears blur my vision. His words cut through the wall I’ve built around my emotions.

“My prince. Lift your head.”

I don't when it happened, but I'm kneeling by his bedside, and he reaches up, wiping the tears from my face.

“Real men don’t cry,” he says with a faint smile. “But I’m glad you can. It shows how much you care.”

His words anchor me, and I nod, taking his hand. “We’ll fix this,” I say, my voice steady. “We’ll find the Lunar Lotus and you'll be okay.”

A flicker of hope lights in his eyes. “I believe you. Now, how about you tell me everything that's happened while I've been asleep?”

And for the first time in days, the tension on my shoulders disappears, the knot coiled in my belly unravels. Afterall, Master's trust in me has always been my greatest motivation.