An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

After a full night of relentless attacks, Zeus and Hera were drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. But the moment they saw a crack forming at the top of the golden steeple, their spirits surged. 1

Zeus let out a sharp laugh. “It’s finally cracking! I was starting to think this thing really was indestructible.”

Since becoming a royal god of the Hall of Gods, he had never pushed himself this hard. He had spent the entire night blasting the steeple without pause. It had drained him, but at least, the effort was paying off.

“This thing’s tough. It held up longer than I expected,” Hera said as she stopped to catch her breath.

Though she hadn’t used as much energy as Zeus, she was equally worn out. Still, she could tell the end was finally in sight.

“Now’s our chance. Let’s hit it together, both of us,” he said.

Despite their exhaustion, he knew they couldn’t afford to hold back. Only by breaking the steeple could they finally relax.

“Okay. Let’s do this.”

Hera took a deep breath and gathered her energy again. Hundreds of black ice spikes materialized behind her, sharp and humming with energy.

Across from her, Zeus raised both arms. Lightning crackled between his palms as the glowing spheres swelled with energy.

later, they unleashed their

violently. Its internal energy had already been drained. Now, only its structure

the surface with fresh cracks. Encouraged by the damage, they pressed on. They ignored their exhaustion

they’d hazard he’d been seriously wounded in his last battle

or fear, they

the backyard of the ancient temple, Grace sat cross-legged in meditation. Her face had gone pale, and blood trickled from the corner of

tied to her life force. Every crack in the tower left a wound on her body,

and Hera were simply too

steeple worsened with every blow. No matter how strong the

looked ready to

blood. Her lips were colorless, and she

if you’re not done yet, we’re

fight had never been hers to win. She had done everything she

the steeple’s about to collapse. You have to

into the courtyard and urged Grace to

“Once the steeple falls, no chamber in the world will

Embercrest Hill. The hidden

flatten the entire mountain. And for someone