An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

After stalling as long as she could, Grace finally stepped out of the ancient temple with a handwritten book after being urged by Hera.

“You two are so impatient,” she said. “This isn’t the kind of technique you can just scribble down off the top of your head. What if I got something wrong?”

As soon as she stepped out, she wasted no time shifting the blame.

“You’re always so quick with the excuses. Who knows what you’re really doing inside?” Hera scowled.

“I had to recall everything, write it down, and make sure there were no mistakes. You think that’s easy? Can’t you at least try to cut me some slack?” Grace frowned slightly.

“Enough talk. Hand over the technique now,” Zeus snapped impatiently.

“The technique’s right here. See for yourselves.”

Without saying much, Grace tossed the book into the air.

Zeus and Hera locked eyes for a split second before both lunging toward the book with lightning-fast reflexes. Both of them were fully developed ultimate grandmasters, just one step away from breaking through to the next level.

A technique like that-one that could push them past that final barrier-was invaluable to them. If it came down to it, either of them might turn on the other in a heartbeat.

“Hera! How dare you snatch it from me?” Zeus barked.

Hera scoffed. “After everything I’ve done, you think I’m just going to hand it over?”

The two clashed in midair, their figures flashing back and forth in a blur. However, neither dared to go all out. After all, one wrong move and they might destroy the book they both wanted.

both reached for the book at the same time. Each grabbed one side of the

Don’t make me do something you’ll regret,” Zeus

gods, he had no doubt he

let go first. You think I’m going to do

book really held the key to breaking through their limits, it

to the next level.

turn on you,”

me if you want. You think I’m scared of you?” Hera

of black ice spears materialized behind her, like a swarm of wasps

watching the standoff, Grace silently cheered them on. She hoped they’d start fighting soon, so they’d be too

quickly stopped her. “We don’t even know if this

words. She’d been so focused on getting her hands

of doubt began to creep in. She figured fighting

sit down and study it together. How much you can understand or grasp depends entirely on your own ability. What

Hera replied with

shortchanged. Whoever broke through first would depend purely on talent

of three, we’ll land slowly with no

“Deal.”

“Three… two… one.”

and Hera landed at the same time, neither playing any tricks. They sat on the

quickly appeared as they read. What Grace had written was complex

knew Dragonmarsh’s language like the back of their hand, and there wasn’t a single word they didn’t recognize.

on its own, yet the sentences didn’t add up. Still, neither of them spoke. They kept reading, forcing themselves through it as their frowns deepened and headaches