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.

a fierce exchange of punches and kicks, they both reached for the book at the same time. Each grabbed one side of the book, refusing to

do something you’ll

the four strongest royal gods,

I’m going to do all this work for nothing?

their own agenda. If that book really held the key to breaking through their limits, it would be

break through to the next level. No one would have

me to turn

you want. You think

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

hoped they’d start fighting soon, so they’d be too busy to come

Let’s not throw punches just yet. “Seeing that Hera was ready to go all in, Zeus quickly stopped her. “We

hands on the breakthrough technique that she hadn’t stopped

had said it out loud, a sliver of doubt began to creep in. She figured fighting over

much you can understand or grasp depends entirely on your own

Hera

together meant neither of them would be shortchanged. Whoever broke through

land slowly with

“Deal.”

“Three… two… one.”

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

as they read. What Grace

back of their hand, and there wasn’t a single word they didn’t recognize. But

up. Still, neither of them