“What is going on out there?” The young fisherman was peeking out the window.

“Can’t even take a nap with all that commotion.” Bion yawned in response to Therses aggravated pacing. He had also heard the shouting from outside the town hall, but unlike the others he didn’t show any interest in the situation.

“We can only hope that this is not connected to Eugenia, my boy.” Agapetos put a calming hand on the young man’s shoulder.

“Hrm.” Bion averted his eyes and frowned slightly. Then his dull eyes sharpened a little as they got fixed to the door.

“With so many soldiers out there it will be impossible to climb down unnoticed now.” Therses clicked his tongue and then let himself fall on one of the chairs. He seemed exhausted from all his circling and shouting when he banged against the door. Unlike Bion who was just resting on the ground with his back to the wall.

“We should never overestimate our capabilities. Such hotheaded actions will only lead to an unfortunate end. Trust the scholar’s wisdom: ‘Those who are patient will find that they already won.’ they say.” Agapetos encouraged them with one hand in his chiton.

“Those are some nice sentiments, master.” Bion said dryly. “Seems our patience will be rewarded real soon too.”

“What are you muttering to yourself again, fool.” Agapetos twisted his lips and glared at his assistant.

“Footsteps coming our way.” The younger medico nodded towards the door.

“Did they finally reconsider?!” Therses immediately rose up again and rushed for the door.

Bion and Agapetos exchanged a short glance and then the old men softly pulled Therses back.

“Perhaps it would be wisest to act cautious-“ He began, but was rudely interrupted by the door, which was unlocked and then aggressively thrown open. “Ah, it is good to see the upstanding guards of Athens looking after our humble selves!” He took a step towards the soldier in full armor and rubbed his hands subserviently.

“Envoys of Eretria, you have been found guilty of treason against Athens and will now be executed.” The gruff man declared darkly and glared down the older medico.

“P-Please wait just a miniscule moment, merely a heartbeat!” Agapetos was sweating profusely, but he forced himself to reason with the man. “Did you collect any damning evidence for this claim? Did the captain make a false remark? Certainly we cannot be found guilty so swiftly, it would just not be civilized to rush such matters- Ungh!“ In the stream of his anxious words he was suddenly met with a rather abrupt counter argument.

The back of the man’s fist had flung the old man to the ground and left him whimpering.

“W-What right do you have to treat us this way?” Therses growled and stepped in front of Agapetos to shield him from more harm.

“Your execution was advanced and will be taken care of in the basement. There is no need for a public showing. Archon’s orders.” The soldier was towering above Therses and clearly intimidated him.

“You foul beasts!” Therses gritted his teeth and then pulled out his knife.

“Hah.” Apparently the tall warrior had just waited for such a reaction and drew his short-sword. Before Therses could even react the knife was flung from his hand and the tip of the sword at his throat. The soldier grinned and then kneed him in the stomach, so he collapsed next to the old man.

“Argh… ough…” Therses held his stomach in trouble of breathing.

“You’re no more than sacrificial lambs waiting for the slaughter.” He said as he kicked Therses over. “If you resist I have no choice but to execute you right now. Come on boy, give me a reason!” He kept kicking the fisherman.

“C…ease this barbarism.” Surprisingly the heavy boot was stopped by Agapetos’ hands. “We will come along quietly, so spare the boy. As fellow Ionians we should respect each other, even us doomed men.” His face was still bruised from the heavy punch, but he managed to suppress his trembling.

“You have no say in this, old man. Ionian? Don’t try to feed me this shit.” The soldier exhaled. He seemed to have lost interest. “I am a proud Attican. Your Ionian alliance is pathetic.” He turned away and then stopped at the door to wait for them to follow.

“What did you say?” Agapetos had a grim expression on his face.

“A... Agapetos… don’t.” Therses pressed himself up and stretched his hand forward to hold the medico back.

“You dare ridicule the proud Ionian people? You deign Atticans superior to your brethren?!” He was actually furious.

“I don’t like your tone, traitor.” The soldier stretched his sword to the side and moved calmly forward.

“Speak the truth! Is this how you perceived your blood sworn allies all along?” The old medico returned his gaze with fire.

“Heh. You wouldn’t understand the greatness we have in store for the world. Ionians, Dorians, it doesn’t matter who you are. Once this war begins everyone will be in awe of our destiny. Your little alliance will just act as our vanguard, which is a great honor in itself.” He seemed truly delighted by the prospect of the near future.

“What you suggest is poisoning the bonds of blood, no more, no less.” Agapetos said in disgust.

“I should humble you a bit old man!” He raised his left fist and then struck Agapetos down again. This time he drew blood. His sword was already ready to stab downward.

“He could use some humility, sure. A ‘thanks’ or ‘good job’ every now and then would be nice.” A cold voice crawled over the soldier’s shoulder. “But you’re not in any position to lecture my master.”

The Athenian soldier spun around, but suddenly his armor fell to the ground and on his feet. The cuirass had been cut by the links and loosened, but the final blow had come when Bion had pulled it off. The soldier was too shocked to even move after the fishing knife had been rammed into his gut.

“No screaming? Interesting. Shock can have that kind of effect too.” Bion said calmly as the soldier sank on his knees before him.

He carefully moved the knife inside the wound. The young medico observed the twisting and fearful stare evenly.

“The man you just knocked out, y’know, he’s my master. Taught me everything I know about the human body or at least I’ll let him claim that so he can stroke his ego.” He kept chatting while cutting something inside the man’s gut. “Foooor example… this was your formerly intact stomach. This is something not many people know, but our stomachs contain a lot of bile. This stuff really stings on the skin.” He left the knife stuck in the man and took one step back. “This nasty stuff will now flow into your innards and turn them to mush. Slowly. Like a small fire that devours leaves. It’s not a pretty death. Hurts like quartering.”

“Arrgh… ahhhhh…!” The soldier bent over and held his belly. He tried to pull on the knife, but Bion kicked him against the chin to stop him.

“Ah ah ah. That’s no good. If you pull now that will widen the cut and you will be leaking even more. That’s no way to end things. Instead lemme give you two options.” He held up two fingers and smiled. “You tell me exactly what I want to know. In return I will end your suffering immediately. Great deal, no tricks, can’t complain, right?”

“Guh…?!”

“…but if you wanna be stubborn, well I could always do this.” He slightly tapped the knife and sent immense pain through the man’s gut. “I’m a medico, so I’m familiar with how to keep someone alive long enough for them to regret it. Master always says that we should swear an oath to preserve life. It’s not like I care about that, but I’d make an exception… for you.” He tapped the knife again.

“Ahhh!!! I… what… do you want?” Tears of pain gathered in the man’s eyes.

“Just a couple of small things.” Bion said patiently and pulled the man against the wall.

“You are not just some normal slave.” Therses said with a pale face and disgust.

“Figured that out all on your own, fisherboy?” Bion flipped the knife in his hand and wiped it off on a curtain.

“This isn’t the first time you killed, is it?” He looked away from the corpse and then pulled up Agapetos. He had enough sense to know that they had to leave fast. “Or did you grow accustomed to death thanks to your occupation?”

“Which would you guess?” The young medico picked up the short-sword and then threw the knife towards Therses.

“…you are a master slayer.”

“You’re quicker on the uptake than expected.” Bion shrugged and then stepped over the corpse to peek into the hallway.

“How could a man like Agapetos take in criminal scum like you?” It seemed to be incomprehensible to him.

“Wish I knew. Honestly.” Bion said sardonically.

The atmosphere was strained between them. Not just because of the subpar situation, but also because of what had just been revealed. Bion was a master slayer. A slave that had taken his master’s life. A crime so severe that it was punished not just with torture and execution, but also with vengeance on the entire slave group working for the deceased master. Every slave knew that they would be held responsible if one of their kind was found guilty of such a sin.

Therefore a master slayer was not just the scum of the earth who bit the hand that fed him, but also a traitor to his own kind. Some crimes were punished by taking away privileges or demotion, but this sin would leave a permanent mark on everyone involved.

It was a miracle that Bion had survived and escaped his punishment, but he would have been marked by the authorities and hunted down. Even if it was just a lower class master, the acropolis tended to make brutal examples on any hint of a slave uprising. It seemed impossible that Agapetos was not aware of who he had taken in, but he had never said anything.

“Slow down…” Therses gasped shallowly for air and stopped in his tracks. He was carrying the old medico on his back, but even so he was exceptionally exhausted.

“Told you so. You shouldn’t have exerted yourself so much for pointless things.” Bion stopped at the corner of the hallway and shook his head.

“Where are we going anyway?”

“You heard the coward’s story. Eugenia managed to convince that Leander guy to take up arms against our enemy. No idea how that girl keeps doing this stuff.”

“She is guided by Athena.” Therses said with a small sigh of reverence.

“Whatever the case, because of that the Akropolis is a fortress right now. Too bad we are stuck inside. We aren’t getting through that battalion outside.” Bion waved his hand and they slipped into the next hallway.

“We could hide until they storm the hill.”

“Yeah, not gonna happen. You really think taking an acropolis is that easy? If they lose their patience they might set everything on fire, but that’s about it.”

“T-they wouldn’t burn down holy ground and the palace!” Therses refused to believe such a tall claim.

“I’ll be praying to whatever god bothers to listen that you’re right.” Bion noticed an interesting door and used the sword to break its lock. Then he levered it open with a loud crack. “Seems that coward wasn’t a liar at least. Achaeus’ office.” He sarcastically welcomed Therses inside and then kicked the door shut behind them.

“It does look like it belongs to someone important.” The young fisherman acknowledged and looked around the extravagant trophies and purchases from faraway lands. There was not a lot of space to walk with all of the chests and spread out maps. “Is this a war room?”

“Might as well be. Maps of all the cities and kingdoms in the east. Trophies from occupations and campaigns. What a poser.” Bion poked an odd tribal looking spear and didn’t even flinch when it fell over and hit a vase.

“Why did you want to come here?”

“There must be evidence. Stuff we can use against the big-headed Archon.” Bion shrugged.

“Did you not tell me to stop being naive? They wanted to execute us without a hearing or evidence! There is no way they would change their minds now.” Therses said dejectedly.

“Probably not, but that only goes for Achaeus’ followers.” Bion said with a smirk.

“…the other aristocrats?” He looked up in realization.

“It’s worth a shot. He probably took the palace under some false pretense. The aristocrats inside are bound to be real pissed off.”

“Right… right! If we find something incriminating we can bring it to the Archon’s opponents and make this right.” The young man finally seemed to find some hope in the situation.

“There’s that blind optimism I was looking for. Now search the room while I take a look around the building.” He waved over his shoulder and was already halfway out the door.

“W-What?! Do you have any idea where you are going?”

“Not yet.” Bion shrugged once again and closed the door.

“Can we really change anything like this?” Therses wondered as he sat the unconscious Agapetos down on the chair.

The door had been locked tightly, but with the keys he had obtained from the guard downstairs it was not at all an issue. The iron key was sprinkled in red, but it unlocked the door all the same. It swung open into the darkened room. Although the window shutters were slightly agape, the light streaming inside did not reveal much. Only a small pile of old clothes.

That pile seemed to be breathing.

“They didn’t take it easy on you.” Bion squatted down next to the beaten and bruised person leaning against the wall.

The small part of his face that was visible was swollen and blue. The remaining good eye was barely able to open, while the scarred one was untouched. The painful breaths escaping the scarves proved that he was looking no better below the old noble’s garments. It was a pathetic picture, but not as bad as the alternative.

“…I’m still alive, aren’t I?” Irvenos replied as he wiped some blood from his face.

“That deal didn’t go so well, huh?” Bion leaned his head on one hand and watched the captain neutrally.

“I always knew it wouldn’t be that easy.” He coughed with a raspy throat.

“You know Achaeus' goal?”

“One interrogation af'er another.” Irvenos pulled his leg back and leaned his head on the knee. “I’ve got a coupl’a questions myself.”

“I’m just some traitor ready for execution. What could I even tell you?” He said with a bored look out the slit in the window shutters.

“How’s the priestess doin’?”

“Heh. Your eye has been caught by Eugenia? Really?” He snorted.

“That lass… she`s got a fire. Still not sure if it will consume her or this city first.” Irvenos said carefree and then changed the topic. “You got the eyes of a killer. Now that I see ‘em up close I`m sure of it. Why’re you playin’ lapdog for that old peacock?”

“It’s personal.” Bion said shortly.

“Then we’re two of a kind.” The captain released his raspy laugh and leaned his head back against the wall. “Achaeus… he’s got a hunger. Won’t be satisfied until he's gnawed on the bones of every single man in his way. Ya wanted to know what his goal is? Slaughter. Conquest. Revenge. Pick one.”

“You didn’t work for him because you were hungry too?”

“Coin doesn’t lie. But you got me. I’m tired of ramming my sword into screaming men an’ seeing the life vanish from their eyes. The sea was my home, but its divine blue’s turnin’ red in front of me.” The weary healthy eye of a ship captain seemed to see naught but the past. “He came to me when I was at my lowest and gave me an out. Leave my old life behind and become somethin’ better. Just had to sell him my freedom while I was at it.”

“You poisoned the cup and let yourself be caught. Pretty simple plan.” Bion tilted his head at the simplemindedness.

“If you have a long sword you don’t need much effort to close the gap.” Irvenos put a hand to his mouth below the scarves. Then he adjusted his outfit and turned his head away. He almost looked like one of the corpses on a painted vase.

“We are going to break that sword.” Bion met his eyes and they exchanged a meaningful look.

“I’ve stopped believing in miracles a long time ago.” Irvenos dismissed it lightly with one hand.

“You are an accomplice, but that just means your word will damn that scheming guy even more.”

“Not bloody likely. If I betrayed him now it’ll get a whole lot worse.”

“If you stay here you’ll be a goner.”

“Tsk.”

“Eugenia got Leander’s support. She’s going to be right in the middle of this mess again and I’m not happy about it, but you know.” He tapped his sword. “If there’s a chance for all of us to make it out alive, we need to do our part.” He extended his hand towards the beaten man.

“Is it because we got the same eyes?” Irvenos hesitated.

“Who knows? I didn’t think that far.” He smiled drily.

“You must be a fool then.” He grabbed Bion’s hand.

Bion shrugged.

“I’m not on your side, but I don’t got any reason to wait for a pathetic death inside here either. If there is a battle in the breeze I’ll be biding my time.”

“Can’t wait to see fisherboy’s face.” Bion said elated and opened the door for him.

Far away from the Akropolis and the dark clouds above the palace, a different group was also setting their plan into motion. Archon Leander was in charge of the common people and the guard houses all across the city. They were fiercely loyal to him, but it would still take a lofty speech to band them together against the enemy that was supposed to be their ally.

The guards and some war veterans were gathering in the guardhouse to the south and listening to Leander’s invigorating words and plans. He didn’t betray his shoulder injury as he fervently riled up his allies. Eopia had stayed at his side, as her family was one of the greatest backers of the guards. Her face and support would give the Archon’s legitimacy more weight. She had sided with him for one simple reason. Her father was inside the palace right now. Achaeus was holding him prisoner alongside the rest of the aristocracy and it was hard to tell how he would react.

“My father would never support such a boorish plan.” She had declared dismissively and pledged allegiance to Leander.

While the upper class were doing their part of organizing a sizeable force, there was another team that had the equally important task of acquiring ‘a miracle’. Leander was a great speaker and fighter, but he could not take the Akropolis with those qualities alone. Indeed, he would probably have had to resort to drastic measures to take care of this before the reinforcements arrived.

“We sealed off the port, but it was too late. One of Achaeus’ messengers managed to slip through. In the last few years he has moved a lot of troops into other destabilized cities for alleged support. If he pulls these back to Athens now we will be surrounded and crushed. We cannot bide our time.” The former general explained with a grim expression. Even after becoming Archon he had not stopped paying attention to the army. “Eugenia of Lamia. I put the fate of this entire operation into your hands. That miracle you told me of would be a blessing of the gods.”

And thus she was sent on her quest. Accompanying her were Themistokles and the guard captain. His name was Trifos if she remembered correctly. They were an odd trio, but the city was still not aware of the imminent conflict. Leander wanted to avoid a panic for as long as possible.

“An ore that burns like the fires of Helios and explodes with the force of Zeus’ lightning? It sounds fantastical.” Zosimos said weakly. “Yet I haven’t much room to speak after meeting the legendary Gorgon myself.”

“Haha.” She chuckled, but it was more out of nervousness. She still remembered the taste of the smoke and the heat of the fire. The loud crumbling of the Greenhouse’s walls… the taste of burnt plants and earth…

“That Typhos was incredible for gathering all these special trinkets. N-Not that I’m at all impressed with his methods!” He hastily added. His sweat covered face surely must have looked funny.

Eugenia understood of course. To a skilled merchant like Zosimos, these must have been enticing goods. If she had heard of such an ore during her days in the temple she would also have been fascinated. Now it was no more than a trump card to save Athens from a painful war.

“This Typhos is a well-known character. A scholar of some sort.” Trifos said from the back. He was following them with some distance. “I have never heard of such goods, though. I doubt we will find anything.”

“We won’t find anything in his house, I’m sure that’s obvious.” Zosimos agreed. “But I have some connections in this city and I know someone who should know where he got his deliveries from.” The tanned merchant pointed ahead energetically.

“The stables?” Trifos raised a brow and then turned his crooked nose in disgust.

“Are you sure?” Eugenia tilted her head.

“Trust me on this! I’m not completely useless.” He insisted and then walked into the large yard. Not many wagons were lined up yet, so the workers were taking a break and throwing dice in a small bowl.

“I will be waiting outside.” The guard captain deliberately stopped at the entrance and turned his back. The stench of horse stables was probably not the only thing keeping him out.

Eugenia and Themistokles made their way towards an old man sitting atop a large chest. He was leaning on a large wooden cane and had them in his sights the moment they entered. His sharp eyes were mostly focused on the priestess, who stood out in such a lowly commoner area.

“Greetings, stable master. You must be the one they call Hegord.” Zosimos immediately put on airs and spoke in his slickest merchant tone.

“Hrm. Do they now?” The old man was not receptive at all, but his deep voice commanded a certain respect. “’Tis true, name’s Hegord. You’re well informed ‘Rhodian bootlicker’.”

“E-Excuse me?” Zosimos blinked and barely managed to hold his crumbling smile together.

“Nothin’ personal boy. That’s what they call you around town.” Hegord laughed hoarsely and smacked the head of his cane.

“Who… why…?” Disillusioned and destroyed he was out of commission.

“If he’s with ya, then you must be connected to Typhos as well.” Hegord concluded perceptively.

Eugenia nodded tentatively. She could tell that this man knew more about the circumstances than anyone she had met until now. His voice was rough, but he was not at all hostile. So he could not have been aware of the truth, right?

“You are… Eugenia.” He said.

She felt a shiver down her back and her heartbeat picked up the pace. Zosimos had not introduced her and she could not remember ever meeting this man. How did he know her? It made her panic, but she tried not to let it show.

“Calm yerself lass. I’m no oracle or anythin’.” His voice like rustling parchment had the tone of a kind grandfather. “But if a blind priestess with such a serious expression walks into my place, even an ol’ man like me can connect the clues.”

Eugenia covered her eyes in response. He had seen them even below the low hanging hood. She had been too careless...

“You are right.” She confirmed.

“So you survived that expedition. The crew wasn’t much help in figurin’ out what happened. They said you’re a lost cause and probably eaten alive by the monster before it was torn to bits.”

Eugenia’s face twitched involuntarily in response. The sailors that had escaped were telling tales of the expedition, naturally. They were speaking of Medusa’s death and that was good, but she had never considered that she was supposed dead as well. If she returned to Sarpedon now, would nobody try to go there again? Was the cycle finally over just as she had hoped? Right now her words would affect the future of that island.

“She was…” Eugenia’s throat tightened. All she had to say was that Medusa was dead. It was a minor lie. It shouldn’t have mattered what this old man or any of the people in Athens thought about Medusa. To them she was merely the monster of legend. As long as she knew what she was truly like… But that wasn’t it. If she spoke those words and claimed that Medusa was dead… her heart would break. Lord Hermes words about her punishment were still so fresh. Even just a lie would feel too real.

She could not say it.

“Don’t break your pretty li’l head over it. I ken that it’s been rough.” He said sympathetically.

“Yes.” She nodded with moist eyes and forced herself to get a grip.

“Don’t matter much how you made it back, but if ya would kindly tell me one thing?” He lowered his wrinkly face and stroked his long silver-white beard. “How did Typhos die?”

There was pain in his voice.

“He died standing on his feet. Fighting for the things he believed in.” Eugenia replied with a bittersweet smile.

“I see. A hero’s death it is then.” He took it in and then smiled softly.

A hero was someone who fought for a goal. Someone who was brave enough to go to any length for such a purpose. If that was how one perceived the world, then certainly even Typhos was the hero of his own story.

No matter how much he had hurt her and Medusa… she could never bring herself to hate him. This should have upset her deeply, but there was only melancholy in her heart. Nobody would ever know the truth of what had happened that fateful day and she had no intention to tell.

“A true shame, that. Rhaidestos lost a good king in the makin’.”

“Wh-at? You… you knew?” She was shocked.

“I’ve spent a good bit of effort to figure that boy out. I always knew why he went out on that journey. To follow his father’s footsteps and to surpass them. Mayhaps he got that little bit further in the end. The Gorgon’s slain, but his kingdom is still in ruin.”

“I’m sorry.” She bit her lip and closed her milky eyes.

“Silly thing. Heroes don’t like being pitied. If he knew ya made such a face after bein’ saved, what would he think?” The stable master was treating her with such understanding that it made her hurt all the more. “Saving a country with a monstrous charm was a tough bet to make. I’ve been humbled to have known him.”

“I wish I had been able… to talk more.” She admitted with regret tinging her voice.

“This old man’s got not many summers ahead of him, so I can confidently say that ya got nothin’ to worry about. We all get a chance to speak to the fallen eventually.” The faith that all souls would meet again in the Underworld was strong in the wise and old.

“Thank you.” She felt a bit better just hearing his confidence.

“Well then, you didn’t bring this Rhodian along to have a nice chat with an old man.” He raised his voice so Themistokles would know he was allowed back into the conversation. He had taken a tactful backseat during their exchange until now.

“We are searching for the special ore that you obtained for Typhos.” Zosimos got right to the point.

“Mh. That is a surprise.” He squinted his eyes a bit and then turned to Eugenia again. “I have none of it left in storage. My men moved every last crumb onto that triremes headin’ to the Gorgon’s lair.”

“Can you organize more?” Zosimos stepped forward impatiently.

“Douse your head with ocean water, lad!” The old man hit Zosimos’ leg with the full force of his cane, which promptly got the merchant hopping on one foot in agony. “There was not much of it to begin with. The village which it was mined from’s been clammin’ up. It will be hard to get any more on short notice. You need it quickly I reckon?”

“Yes, it is important for the future of Athens.” Eugenia nodded seriously.

“That’s a tall order. Nothin’ less from the priestess who got that lad’s attention.” He chortled deeply and then tapped his cane on the dry ground. “I can’t give ya what I don’t own, but there might be one place with a small reserve in this city.”

“Seriously? That’s great!” Eugenia got excited.

“Well, isn’t that convenient?” Zosimos grumbled while rubbing his hurting leg.

“That man was th’ one that gave Typhos the location of the village in the first place. He sure is a handful and famous to boot. Never a good combination. I’ll tell ya his name under one condition.”

“Yes?” The duo swallowed in anticipation.

“Once this is over, tell me what really happened.” He said with a glint in his old eyes.

She first showed surprise, but then smiled faintly. From the very beginning he had seen through everyone it seemed. He was an old gentleman with little more to do than observe people and their stories. To him her attempts at being ambiguous were child’s play.

“I promise.” She shook his hand. It was wrinkly, dry and full of blisters, but this handshake was honest and firm.

“His name is Epiphanes and he’s goin’ to make a mess of the Eridanus River this time of day. Can’t tell you much more about this odd fellow.”

Eugenia turned towards Zosimos who groaned in lack of recognition and then shrugged. She bowed her head and thanked him for his help and then they left the yard.

“Epiphanes? Yes, I know where he lives.” Trifos received them with a stoic look and then took the lead.

“That’s a relief. I thought we would have to search the entire city.” Eugenia sighed in relief.

“You’re really well informed, captain.” Zosimos praised him as well and smacked him on the back.

“He lives in the jurisdiction of my guard house. There are constant complaints coming in every day, so I have no choice in the matter.” He visibly brushed off his shoulder and increased the gap to Themistokles.

Under his lead they made it to the river quickly and then followed it up north. Eventually a rather peculiar house became visible. Even Eugenia knew immediately that they were in a strange place thanks to the stinging smell and the occasional loud banging.

“That’s the place?” Zosimos asked worriedly. He probably wished to turn around immediately.

“Strange. He must be taking a break.” Trifos muttered and inspected the chimney.

“Why do you think so?”

“Usually the smoke clouds coming from up there would turn day into night.” He replied humorlessly.

“Well, if anyone would have magic ore to spare it might be this weirdo. You should probably stay outta this dump Eugenia.” Zosimos straightened his back and pushed forward to the door. He knocked for quite a while, but with no response. “Nobody home! Guess we need to find another way.” He said with relief and patted the door, which promptly made it swing wide open. “At least lock your door, man.”

“We should all head inside together.” Trifos said and then pushed Zosimos inside. Before Eugenia could follow he blocked her path with one arm. “Say priestess, are you certain of this? An ore that could crack open the walls of the Akropolis itself?” He didn`t seem to put any trust in her words, but when they arrived at this strange house he had become thoughtful.

“It tore through the walls of a temple. I don’t know how it works, but it does.” She nodded.

“Hmm.” He lowered his arm and let her enter. His gaze penetrated her back.

Inside the house the air was thick and stale. It must not have been aired out often. There were other smells that she could not identify at all, but some of it did remind her of a smithy she once visited long ago. The odor of sweat and steel was permeating the walls. She could hear Zosimos’ steps not too far ahead. He was walking like a scared child and it made her smirk.

“Helloooo? Anybody home?” He shouted through the hallway to break the eerie silence. “Why does it have to be so damned dark? Has he never heard of windows?”

So there was no light. Eugenia could not have noticed naturally, but the atmosphere did remind her a little of night. Or perhaps a cave? Behind her she could hear the front door close shut. Trifos had finally come too.

“AHH!” Suddenly a loud yelp made her tense up. It was Zosimos voice from another room and he apparently just rolled over the floor and hit a wall. “W-Why are these candlesticks sticky? That’s no wax either…”

False alarm. Eugenia’s lips turned upwards in a wry smile. He had scared her for a moment there-

“Wah!” She stumbled to the side, only dodging the sharp blade by a hair’s breadth.

“Missed you because of the dark.” The man said with an emotionless voice.

“What are you doing?” She turned her back to the wall and tried to back away, but the short-sword was rammed right into the wall to her left.

“I will just tell Leander that we could not find the miracle. You could not bear the shame, so you fled from Athens. Nobody will find your corpses here.” Trifos spoke quietly with an unknown animosity. The darkness was enveloping his body, but his killing intent pierced it like the sharpest sword.

“You-?” She ducked under another swing and felt her robes get sliced open at the shoulder. Why was this happening? She scurried across the ground and received a kick to the side which made her cry out painfully. Stinging pain went through the scar left from her deep injury.

“Epiphanes has luck on his side. Because he isn’t home he won’t die today.” Trifos clicked his tongue when she rolled behind a cupboard to evade his deadly blow.

“Hel-!“ She tried to shout for help, but was grabbed by the neck just in time to choke her voice. The lean guard captain was far stronger than he appeared and his veiny hand covered her mouth completely. He was acting as if possessed.

“It will be over soon. Just let Thanatos chain you down.” He whispered from behind and then put his sword to her throat.

“HNNNG!” She flailed and resisted, but it was meaningless. His arm was too strong and the blade too sharp.

“Let go of her!” In the last second Themistokles jumped the guard captain from behind and wrestled him to the ground. Eugenia collapsed and coughed relentlessly. “I knew there was - ungh – somethin’ suspicious about you!” He took a direct hit to the nose, but managed to twist the man’s arm to let go of the sword.

“Worthless Rhodian scum!” Trifos head-butted his assailant away and then rushed for his sword.

“Shit… can’t let him get it…” Themistokles held his bleeding nose and seemed to be disoriented. Eugenia swayed on her feet, but did her best to move. She kicked off the dusty ground and jumped onto the warrior’s legs, holding them down.

It was a desperate struggle, but not one she could win. Even with all her weight she was barely slowing him down. While he couldn’t shake her off, he still managed to get the sword. He raised it with a distorted face and then stabbed down at the girl.

The impact was loud and bone-shattering.

Swords did not make that kind of sound.

“Who ventures into my home un-un-unannana… ounced?” Drunken babble accompanied the sacking of Trifos body. He collapsed down with white eyes and blood running down his face. Whatever had hit him across the skull had knocked him out cold.

“Haah--- haaa…” Eugenia was shaking all over from the fear and adrenaline.

“I said – hic- teelelel me your business!” He raised the heavy iron again, this time towards the two remaining intruders.

“Hey, calm down! We don’t mean you any harm.” Zosimos stopped him loudly. Things had gotten confusing and tense.

“I’m so sorry for hitting your friend.” Epiphanes said with deep shame.

They were now sitting in his workshop (he had somehow managed to pull chairs out of a pile of supplies) right next to the smoldering furnace and the chimney. The room was hot and cluttered, but in a strange way it was also comforting. Maybe Eugenia had spent too much time cooped up in temples and on sun burned islands to have common lodging sense anymore.

“I wouldn’t call him that.” Zosimos said as he tied the unconscious guard to a weird bronze contraption on a table. “What does this thing do?”

“Ah, that ‘un. It was intended to transfer heat from fire to the upper floors. Would spread heat in the house all across the corners.” He explained happily. Inventors tended to be most upbeat when talking about their inventions, especially when intoxicated.

“Nice.” Zosimos smiled and then pushed the plate closer towards the chimney. It would heat up pretty fast.

Eugenia felt a little bad for Trifos, but at the same time the pain in her side was not sorry at all. They had convinced Epiphanes that they weren’t intruders, but the only reason he seemed so easy to convince was the incredible buzz. His breath stunk of cheap ale.

“This guy was working for Achaeus. This is just my luck, to get backstabbed by someone who Leander trusted.” The merchant sat down next to the priestess and sighed.

“Are you sure he is one of his men?”

“Sure, I’m sure. Nobody else would want us dead right now. Unless you stepped on even more people’s feet?”

“Not that I can remember.” Eugenia looked away sheepishly.

“No matter. He’s out cold – though it will get hot soon – so we can do our business now. If we tell Leander who sold him out, he’s gonna be lucky to just get a little heat.” Zosimos dismissed the situation magnificently and put a rag to his nose. The bleeding had stopped, but it sounded pretty bad.

“How… how can I help you good people?” Epiphanes slowly was getting out of his rush and inebriation. It was strange to witness a scholar in such a pitiful state. At least Eugenia had a very different impression of their kind.

Typhos presence would not leave her head today. He drank only sparingly and with great care. He always had the habit to only taste good things once, so as not to sully their memory. She had once thought this trait to be charming, but now she wasn’t so sure anymore.

“We’re here to ask you for a trade.” Themistokles went back into his business persona right away.

“I’m no merchant, sorry.” The scholar replied while pouring new wine into a few cups.

“What we need isn’t your average ware either. I’m fairly certain this is the only place in all of Athens that has any reserves left.” He leaned forward and accepted the cup gratefully. It was custom to take food and drink offered to a client.

Eugenia politely declined. Epiphanes must not have recognized her as a priestess or else he would not have offered.

“I got lotsa unique items here. The future in the making!” He gave them a bellowing laugh, but then coughed and chugged some wine. “Not that much has been going right at all.” His depressed voice was painful.

“I am sure you have much to show, but we are only interested in one thing. Our contact told us that you were acquainted with a certain man. Typhos.” Zosimos said with a cool swig. No wine actually entered his mouth. He was a professional.

The scholar let go of his cup and it shattered on the ground, splashing red wine over the soot covered floor. Tears gathered in his eyes as he hunched forward.

“Damn it… damn that boy’s… my boy…” He put his hands into his face and gave way to the tears without shame.

“Wa-wait, I’m sorry, did I say s-s-something wrong?” Of course the merchant was shocked by such an emotional reaction.

“You were his mentor.” Eugenia said subconsciously. The words had come out before the realization had reached her mind. “You were the one Typhos spoke of. The scholar… Epiphanes!”

How could she have missed this? It all made sense, but in the current issue she had not been able to think straight. She knew that Typhos was raised by a scholar and she had also heard about Lady Akacia’s father, but to think that this man they sought out for the last hope of stopping Achaeus would be the very same Epiphanes…

“You- You two knew my boy?” He asked with snot running from his nose. He cared not about appearances. Now his drunkenness was put into a new light. The smell of grief was oft equated to a cheap bottle of wine.

Eugenia stood up and stopped in front of the old, dirt covered man.

“I am sorry for your loss.” She said and hugged him. Her robes were getting covered in soot and dirt, yet she only tightened it.

“Ah… oh…” He was out of it, but his foggy mind seemed to clear up somewhat by her warmth.

She didn’t even know why she felt so apologetic. Maybe it was guilt, maybe sympathy. All she could do was try to alleviate this old man’s sorrow.

“Akacia…” He mumbled as he returned the embrace.

“I am not your daughter. She is still in the temple far away.” She said softly.

“Sorry… you must be right.” He hiccupped.

“Your daughter is currently held prisoner by a powerful man. Someone who will not stop before he reached his goal. He already killed several people and created conflicts that took many more lives. He also… caused the uprising in Rhaidestos.” This last part was just a gut feeling, but in this moment of clarity she felt like she finally understood.

Achaeus had sown the seeds of discord across the world. One such seed had grown its vines right under his feet and then become a prideful wildflower. This flower of discord had traveled the very seas to reach an island far away for a revenge against the people that had been victims of discord as well.

Typhos was a victim of Achaeus schemes. This… enraged her. The pain Typhos had caused was his own doing, but the path that had led to this ending was paved by the Archon!

Meeting Epiphanes had given her the realization she could not have before. Themistokles words had been so terrifying that she had been hit by tunnel vision, but now she truly knew the bigger picture.

The war that had sent Lamia into defense and made the slaves flee, the council’s greed fueled by the Athenian aristocrats, the attacks on innocent fishermen in Eretria. All the bad that had happened around Eugenia, it was caused by one man.

“Please give us the sacred ore so we may end this madness. Help us stop Achaeus before he can take another child from you.”

“The ore? That’s what you wanted?” He had stilled his tears and let go of the embrace. Hearing that his daughter was in danger had sobered him up. “I have only little left, but it is all yours.” He wiped the tears with his dirty sleeve and then looked her deep into the milky eyes. “You’re her, are you not?”

“I hear that a lot.” She replied with furrowed brows.

“He said he wanted to save you. That boy always lied to people’s faces, but I wanted to believe this one.” The scholar said quietly.

“I was saved by the one he wanted to end.” She said truthfully.

“I knew he wouldn’t return. ‘Twas not meant to be. But it hurt so much to hear the sailors’ words. And now the one who he wanted to save… who was saved from him… wants to save my daughter.” He left the chair and limped towards a large pile of materials. There was a wagon wheel sized sack among them which he took carefully and then set down on the workbench.

“Is that it?” Zosimos asked from the back. He had watched the exchange intently until that point.

“All that’s left after my boy took the rest on his expedition.” The old scholar nodded.

“I can’t imagine this will be enough to destroy the gate.” He said doubtfully.

“It will.” Eugenia replied confidently. She had experienced firsthand how powerful this miracle could be.

“I’ll take your word for it. What do we owe you?” He turned to Epiphanes.

“I don’t want anything. It’s been a long while since I felt like experimenting. Since Typhos… left… I didn’t have any funds either. I might close down the smithy after this. But I want my final work to be sent straight towards that man’s end.” He picked up some odd metal container and then started to push the ore inside it.

“It will be a bloody battle, even if this works.” Zosimos grimaced and relieved his frustration by pushing Trifos closer to the fireplace. The guard captain was starting to twitch in his unconscious state.

Eugenia clutched her hands together and thought about those words. This rage she felt, did it cloud her mind so deeply? Why had she been so intent on stopping Achaeus? It was to prevent more suffering and deaths. But if Leander led his men to a battle to take the Akropolis from the other Archon, how many people would die? What if he took hostages?

This ‘miracle’ would open the gates for any possibility.

If Lady Athena had been here, she could have seen the most logical and wisest path. A way to resolve conflict in an instant and make Athens prosper. But even the goddess of wisdom lost to her own hatred. Would Eugenia really be another one in the long line of rage fueled avengers?

“Ghh… Ngh…” Trifos began to squirm from the heat spreading across his back. This was just barbaric. Eugenia moved to the table to move him over, but slipped on some casing on the ground and swiped across the entire table. Dozens of contraptions crashed down loudly and materials were flung into the fire.

The priestess leaned on the table with a red face.

“Whoa!”

“Incredible.”

The two men reacted in a confounding way. It was rather inappropriate after such an embarrassing mishap. She felt their gazes were not on her however.

“That’s a great discovery lass!” Epiphanes cheered.

“Huh? What did I do?” Now she was really worried.

“The flames, they, well, they are changing colors.” Zosimos explained. It must have been really mesmerizing.

“C-colors? Fire is yellow, right?” She only knew what she was told. ‘Yellow’ was a foreign concept to her, as almost any color, except for the ones she ‘saw’ in Athena’s vision.

“It’s green. And purple. And now blue.” He told, but could hardly believe.

“What didja throw in there?” The scholar looked at the piles of dust on the table and inspected them curiously.

“This looks divine. Artemis must be wandering the flames!”

“I think it was just the powder… or the salts.” Epiphanes replied more down to earth.

A divine fire. Merely an illusion, but it must have been impressive. Eugenia was sure that Akacia would have loved this kind of knowledge for her rituals. Much of the preparations priestesses performed were there to encourage the citizens that came to pray, rather than to appeal to the gods.

“Hm?” She felt like she had just thought of something really blasphemic and yet…

There was an idea.

“Let’s go back to Leander and end this.” She said with newfound drive.

There was only one path towards the Akropolis. This path wound all the way up the hill straight to the large gate. Now it was closed to the entire city and archers were taking up arms on the upper walls. An impenetrable defense that would cost many lives to overcome.

Marching up that hill were all the men Leander had gathered under his banner. There was no need to declare war, for Achaeus had done so with his previous words and actions.

The guards and soldiers held up their shields. They were not just protecting themselves, but also the cargo they dragged behind on a wagon. Several nets filled with metallic capsules. The archers began their rain of death. Arrows met wooden shields and paved ground, but only few penetrated the gaps in the formation. With each salvo they wounded more of the attackers and as Leander ordered them into the maw of death they would no doubt be crushed.

The archers were nervous. Leander’s troops had brought no ladders. They did not intend to scale the walls! Yet they kept marching as if possessed. They deflected arrow salvo after arrow rain and finally reached the large gate. Shields raised high above their heads, they threw the cargo against the walls and placed it there.

After finishing that mission they hastily retreated in formation. A few were skewered on their escape, the first victims of this conflict. A few arrows also hit the metal balls, but they just got deflected as expected. Nothing happened.

The archers were sure of their victory now. They had repelled the forces after all. And the strange metal balls at the base of the gate were nothing dangerous. If they had been burning logs, they might have been more effective.

“Draw the line!” Leander shouted from his horse.

And then all the metal casings were pulled open. The cheering got stuck in the archers’ throats as they saw in a mere heartbeat an entire pile of the casings opening, revealing water. Water that splashed across small clumps of ore.

KRA-KOOM

That day a thunder as loud as the greatest lightning spear thrown in Zeus legendary fights could be heard all across Athens.

The gate was no more.

“Take the Akropolis! Corner the liar and coward Achaeus! For Athens!” Leander raised his sword and the troops streamed into the wide open passage. The archers who stayed atop the walls had been flung off and were lying spread out across the ground, shocked and afraid. They were left there unharmed, as their spirits were already broken.

Thus began the fight between Archons.

The miracle brought upon by the priestess was a thundering roar of rebellion. Yet the trial was far from over. The chains were not yet broken.