The Epic of Antares

"A splendid victory," Persephone admitted.

"You do not seem so convinced," offered Aster. "Is he still lacking?"

Persephone smiled, "He will always lack as long as he refuses to move past his petty desires." There was a hint of disappointment in her voice. One that Aster noted but did not want to expand upon.

"And what of you Cyrus, what did you think?" he asked hoping for a better answer.

The boy did not need to speak, his expression was more than enough for the both of them to see the battle had moved him deeply. He gripped the balcony tightly. He was left speechless, he had seen too much to simply explain what he felt in one or two words. The boy felt absolutely ashamed to have doubted Xenon and by extension Antares. For what he had bore witness to was a display of power he could not comprehend. There was so much of the fight that had happened too quickly for him to follow. But of the little that he could follow, he would sear it into memory forever. In that battle he saw a glimpse of the future of what he could do if he were taught by Antares. He so desperately wished to commence his trial. To prove he deserved to stand in such an arena against opponents like Xenon, no, in fact to stand face to face with warriors greater than him, no matter how few they were.

"I am sorry for doubting him," was all he could offer.

Persephone threw herself all over him and giggled, "It seems our little Cyrus might have had his heart stolen." The boy snapped out of his trance-like state and blushed deeply at the comment.

Aster laughed, enjoying the answer.

"I must admit," Persephone said while teasing Cyrus. "He has gotten better at restraining himself. That requires great control, more than I believed he had."

They all looked on as Xenon pulled the steel blade from the stump on his left arm. The blood soaked sword clattered on the arena floor. He moved over to where his severed arm lay on the floor and picked it up. He placed it back on the stump and a few moments later the arm healed itself connecting back to his body. He flexed his hand and wiggled his fingers and when he was satisfied. He looked over the corpse of his kin and kicked him.

"Fights over, how long are you going to lay there?" he barked at the fallen Stygian.

They watched as the man gingerly sat up with a hole through his body. He was in considerable pain and gasped for air as he clutched at what remained of his chest. Moments later as the man concentrated the wound began to heal. First whatever bones had been broken or shattered mended themselves and then the muscles and blood vessels followed suit. Eventually the wound shrank until it disappeared completely and the Stygian warriors chest was devoid of all injury. At the same time the fighter that had been stabbed repeatedly emerged from the creator. He placed his hand on the wall to steady himself, most of his wounds had healed while others continued to repair themselves, he pulled the broken piece of his steel blade from his forehead. The last one impaled to the ceiling struggled the most to pull himself off. With some effort, he managed to do so. He landed on the floor barely breaking his fall. All three warriors stood across Xenon and bowed deeply. Grateful for the opportunity to have fought a Lord of War in battle. Although they still held great animosity for how he had treated them throughout the conflict, they waited to hear some words of wisdom. Instead Xenon turned to leave.

He caught Persephone's ever watchful gaze and snarled. But did not bother arguing with her. He turned to face his cousins.

"You all fight like jaded women, weeping , wailing and hateful." He looked back at them as they lowered their heads in disappointment. "However you managed to take my arm, the arm of a Lord of War. A Thousand warriors have tried and none have succeeded. So that should satisfy Kryses Xerxes. Most importantly of all you put on a respected effort for all to see. You are failures yes, but it means there is still more for you to offer. If the mood ever takes you, come back and I'll kill you all again." He walked away uninterested in their praise and thanks.

"Did Xenon actually just compliment them?" Aster was shocked by the remark. "He really did have fun!" This meant things would be calm in the palace for a few days at the very least. A much needed change in atmosphere for everyone.

Cyrus looked on excitedly, he waited to speak to Xenon. The fight had filled him with the courage needed to demand his trails begin. Enough time had been wasted, if he wanted the strength he so desperately craved he needed to claim it for himself.

"Why are you smiling so fucking much?" Xenon bared his fangs, "Are you that easily entertained?"

Cyrus inadvertently leapt into Persephone's arms out of fright. Just a moment ago he was down below and in the blink of an eye he now stood next to him. His speed was blinding, he truly had not exerted that much of his abilities. What a frightening man.

"Do not threaten my little Cyrus!" Persephone demanded placing her hands over the boy.

"Found yourself a new play thing have you?" Xenon glared at her, "When are you going to play with me instead?" he grinned.

Persephone turned her head away in disgust, "I only desire men who submit to me completely. I would never duel again nor bed a terrible beast like you." She stuck her tongue out at him.

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The Lord of Eirdu growled at the remark, "Whatever."

"Was it not a worthy surprise?" Aster asked, raising his chalice with glee.

Xenon pointed at him, "Enough of this running, next celebrations we wet our blades."

Aster laughed haphazardly, the wounds from the last time he fought Xenon ached. He had not desired to step in the arena for a long time after that. He hoped by the next celebrations his dear friend would have forgotten.

"Um Lord Xenon…?" Cyrus called out to him, he found strength in the arms of Persephone.

The Stygian lord was drenched in the blood of his kin and paid the little boy no mind. His focus now was cleaning himself and bedding any number of women he could find. The exhibition had been somewhat satisfying but he looked for other ways to fill the rest of his hunger. He made his way through the crowd with the little boy calling after him. Persephone followed out of curiosity while Aster followed in hopes Xenon did not devour the boy out of irritation.

They made their way through the celebrations as many Stygians and humans called out with adoration for Xenon, to which he did not acknowledge. They did not care, he was the main reason they had all come here and he did well to entertain their evening with such a wonderful showcase. He made his way to the end of the room and pushed open the doors to reveal another luxurious chamber just as splendid as the one they had just been in. The biggest difference was the indoor bathing pool built near the farthest wall and the large bed that was placed in the middle. The bed was decorated with a dozen human and Stygian women who waited patiently for their lord to come to them. The anticipation of what would happen next was written over their faces with glee. The air was filled with blood and desire, a common scent that followed Xenon Xerxes.

Cyrus had been frustrated by the continued ignorance of the Lord of Eirdu. Still he refused to acknowledge him, acknowledge his desire for power. His timid attitude had changed to one of anger.

"Xenon I am talking to you!" Cyrus demanded.

The large Stygian stopped in his march, and slowly turned to face the boy.

His crushing appearance frightened him but he would not relent.

"I have been in your care for several days now. I have waited and I have observed, and still you haven't given me my trial." As the words flowed out of him, he could not stop, "What else must I do to get your attention. I want Antares to make me strong and to do that I must get your blessing. Enough!"

Xenon cocked his head to the side, since the boy had arrived at his palace days ago this was the first time he had properly studied him. The Stygian lord's first thought was how pitifully weak he was. Such a small thing to demand an audience with him. He wondered when he had given the boy the impression that he was even worthy enough to stand in his shadow let alone address him so directly.

"You want power?"

The three words rattled Cyrus with their weight.

The boy nodded, "It is all I desire now, and I don't care for your reasons to ignore me."

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" Xenon stepped forward.

"I am the ward of the King of the Stygians." The determination in the boy's eyes as he stood his ground, caught the Lord of Eirdu's attention.

Xenon laughed a deep and terrifying laugh, the arrogance of someone so insignificant brought him to tears. How long had it been since he last met a tiny thing like this, Anastasia perhaps? His naivety was admirable, almost worth his attention. Almost.

The Lord of War had planned an entertaining end for the boy's trial but his lordliness demanded something more fitting for such an outburst. He raised his hand and after a series of mesmerizing hand movements, he produced a golden coin with a skull carved into it. It shimmered in the well lit room.

"You seek power no matter the cost? Then let us see how fucking far you're willing to go for it." He declared with the authority of a demi-god. "This is a death's head coin."

Aster and Persephone both stepped forward.

"Xenon do not," Persephone cautioned.

"I must agree," Aster added. "This cannot be the trail you had imagined for him."

Xenon glared at them fiercely, "Stay the fuck out of this. He was put under my care by Antares. I will do as I please with him."

He turned his attention back to Cyrus who now looked scared. But it was too late to turn back now.

"Eirdu has many traditions, all of them are irrelevant to you except one." He studied the coin with a malevolent grin, "To outsiders this is a simple gold coin no different than any gold coin one can obtain. But to those of us from this hallowed city this is oblivion in its material form." The coin warmed in between his fingers. "It is often given to those who have committed some great sin; stolen, killed or far worse. It is how I and many of the lords of Eirdu before me, have kept order in this great city because all abide by our laws. Simply put, anyone given this coin is marked for death. There is no plea, there is no mercy. Once this coin has been given your fate is sealed."

Cyrus's heart sank, he was unable to think. He hung onto every word the Lord of Eirdu spoke.

"Your trial is simple: You have until sunset tomorrow to pass this coin off to someone—anyone throughout the city. May it be a lord, lady, commonfolk or merchant. If you desire you could give the coin to Aster or Persephone. Of course they will be killed because of it. If when the time expires you have not done so. You will fail my trial and I will send you on your way."

He could not hear his thoughts over how loud his heartbeat was. Surely he did not hear correctly? This could not be the trial that he had waited days for. To take the life of a random person? Such a barbaric and senseless act to appease a mad god. What was meant to be tested, how was this meant to show his commitment to Antares? So many questions raced through Cyrus's mind one after another. He looked at the coin, and then back at Xenon and then returned his gaze to the death's head coin. This could not be true, what madness was this?

"Give me your hand." Xenon demanded with kingspeak and as Cyrus fought with all his might to resist. His body did as it was commanded. "You want strength? You want power? Let this be your first taste of it—the first corpse you will leave in your pursuit of it. Show me who you really are, Cyrus Xerxes. That is your test."

The coin fell into his hand and burned with a terrible sensation. Cyrus's first trial had commenced.