Hiruzen staggered beneath Derrick’s weight, half-carrying the massive warrior through the ruined battlefield. The bloodied Spartan leader still had enough strength to grin, his teeth flashing despite the frostbite creeping along his body.

  At last, they reached the gates of the Spartan base. Before them rose a colossal stone coliseum, its walls blackened with soot, banners of crimson and bronze whipping in the wind. Inside, the roar of countless soldiers shook the very air.

  The moment Derrick pushed open the heavy doors, the Spartans erupted.

  > “OUR LEADER RETURNS!”

  The sound was thunderous, a thousand voices crashing like waves in unison. Soldiers slammed their swords against their shields, the clang echoing like rolling thunder. The heat of torches and the iron stench of sweat and blood filled Hiruzen’s senses.

  Derrick raised one trembling fist, and silence fell instantly. Even broken and bloodied, his presence commanded awe.

  Derrick: “Brothers! I bring before you a warrior who has matched me blow for blow! He did not cower. He did not kneel. He fought as a true Spartan should!”

  The crowd roared again, fists pounding shields.

  Derrick (bellowing): “This boy has strength worthy of Olympus itself! With him at our side, we shall crush Annabeth and her false sisters! We shall tear down the gates of Olympus, rip Zeus from his throne, and end the reign of coward gods once and for all!”

  The coliseum shook with thunderous cries:

  > “SPARTA! SPARTA! SPARTA!”

  Hiruzen stood frozen, his heart hammering. The sight was overwhelming—thousands of warriors, eyes alight with battle-lust, treating him as one of their own.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Spartan 1: “With our new brother, the Athens are finished!”

  Spartan 2: “The daughter of Athena will fall!”

  Spartan 3: “The gods themselves will tremble!”

  Derrick turned to him, fire burning in his eyes.

  Derrick: “Do you hear them, boy? That is the sound of destiny! They welcome you as brother—do not shame their faith.”

  Hiruzen clenched his fists. Destiny…?

  Hiruzen: “I never agreed to join you. Why are you even at war with the Athens to begin with?”

  The joy in Derrick’s expression faded into grim memory. His voice dropped low, almost solemn.

  Derrick: “When I was a boy, my father told me stories of Olympus. He said the gods would bring peace if we devoted our lives to them. My parents prayed, sacrificed, gave everything. And how were they repaid?”

  He pointed upward, eyes burning with rage.

  Derrick: “One stormy night, Zeus unleashed his wrath. Lightning tore my village apart. My parents died screaming beneath the storm they worshiped. That night I swore vengeance.”

  The crowd went silent, listening intently.

  Derrick: “I trained for years, honing my body into a weapon. When I reached Olympus, I demanded battle with Zeus himself. The coward king denied me! So I struck down his son, Ares. Five days we fought, and on the fifth, the god of war fell.”

  He leaned close to Hiruzen, voice booming yet personal, as though he were speaking only to him.

  Derrick: “And now, brother, I see that same fire in you. You are strong. Stronger than most men will ever be. Together, we can finish what I began. Stand with us. Stand with Sparta. Become my brother.”

  The coliseum fell silent, all eyes fixed on Hiruzen.

  His heart pounded. His breath caught.He thought of his family—of how weakness had cost him everything.

  Is this really the path? he asked himself. Or am I just desperate?

  Iskarth’s whisper flickered faintly in his ear: “Be careful, boy. A choice made in desperation can bind your soul in chains you cannot break.”

  But another thought burned louder: If I don’t take this… if I don’t keep growing stronger… I’ll lose everything again.

  Slowly, he raised his head, his voice cold and deliberate.

  Hiruzen: “If I join you… if I walk this path… will I become stronger?”

  Derrick’s grin returned, savage and triumphant.

  Derrick: “Stronger than you can imagine. Strong enough to tear down Olympus itself.”

  A long silence hung in the air. Hiruzen’s fists trembled—then stilled. His expression hardened like ice.

  Hiruzen (quiet, almost to himself): “Then… yes. I’ll join the Spartans.”

  The coliseum erupted like a storm. Shields clanged, voices thundered, the earth itself seemed to shake.

  Derrick (roaring): “YOU HEARD HIM, BROTHERS! A NEW WARRIOR STANDS AMONG US!”

  The Spartans bellowed Hiruzen’s name, their voices echoing into the night sky.

  Derrick threw one heavy arm around him, laughter booming.

  Derrick: “Rest now, little man. Tomorrow, we march to war.”

  Hiruzen looked out at the sea of roaring soldiers. Their eyes glowed with devotion, with bloodlust, with faith in him. For the first time, he felt the weight of an army’s expectation on his shoulders.

  And deep inside, beneath the cheers and fire, a single thought chilled him:

  Have I just chosen strength… or chained myself to madness?

  End Chapter