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.

exchange of punches and kicks, they both reached for the book at the same time. Each grabbed

do something you’ll regret,” Zeus said, his

of the four strongest royal gods, he had no doubt he

I’m going to do all

royal gods, they each had their own agenda. If that book really held the key to breaking through their limits,

to the next level. No one would have passed up an

patience. Don’t force me to turn on

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

her free hand, and hundreds of black ice spears materialized behind her, like a swarm of wasps

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

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

her hands on

a sliver of doubt began to creep in. She figured fighting over the book without even confirming if

have an idea. Let’s sit down and study it together. How much you can understand or grasp depends entirely on your own ability. What do you think?”

Hera

meant neither of them would be shortchanged. Whoever broke through first would depend purely on talent and

land slowly

“Deal.”

“Three… two… one.”

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

they read. What Grace had written was complex and difficult to

and there wasn’t a single word they didn’t recognize. But when those

Still, neither of them spoke. They kept reading, forcing themselves through it as their frowns