Dawn arrived with its usual pale glow spilling over the training field. The clang of wooden weapons against shields echoed, accompanied by the grunts of children forced through another relentless routine. Atlas stretched his limbs, rotating his shoulders to loosen them, while Alexios spun his spear half-heartedly, the dark circles under his eyes still faint but fading.
By high noon, sweat slicked their bodies, their breaths steady but labored. The masked guards barked orders, pacing like wolves, but even they seemed uneasy when their eyes lingered too long on Atlas or Alexios. Whispers of fear had begun to coil around them in the camp—two boys who were growing sharper, stronger, more dangerous with every passing day.
After training, Atlas gathered Alexios, Lukas, and Thea. The four slipped quietly into the forest with their sacks, spears, and bows, eager to hunt and to talk without masked eyes watching.
The forest canopy cast them in mottled shade as they trudged along, leaves crunching underfoot. Lukas carried his new lighter axe across his shoulder, humming a tune, while Thea kept close behind Alexios, clutching her bow. Atlas led the group, scanning for animal tracks.
Alexios broke the silence first, his usual grin tugging at the edge of his lips. "You know, last night confirmed it. I'm no ordinary child in this cursed camp. I have a family—a noble family." He puffed out his chest and raised his chin high. "That makes me a prince. Which means—" he spun on his heel dramatically, pointing his spear at the others—"you should bow down to me!"
The three halted, staring at him with identical flat looks.
Atlas raised an eyebrow. "A prince, really? Shall I fetch you a golden crown of wild boar dung?"
Thea covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, though her cheeks flushed pink. Lukas rolled his eyes and grunted, "If you're a prince, then I'm Zeus himself. Strike me down if I lie."
"Ha!" Alexios barked, but his grin softened under their teasing. He threw his hands up. "Fine, fine, but don't forget—you'll want to say you knew me when I ascend to glory!"
Atlas smirked, secretly amused not just by the banter but by the way Thea kept sneaking shy glances at Alexios. Her admiration was plain as day to him, though Alexios himself was too thick-skulled to notice. Well… their story love will unfold in time, Atlas thought. That's years down the line. For now, survival comes first.
By mid-afternoon, they had felled three mountain goats and two wild boar, their sacks heavy with meat. Finding a shaded grove, they sat to rest. Lukas tore into an apple, juice dripping down his chin, while Thea carefully cleaned her bowstring with a rag. Alexios chewed noisily on wild berries until he finally broke the silence again.
"Atlas," he said between mouthfuls, his voice serious now. "What's the plan? How do we escape Chrysis? You've been thinking about this longer than any of us."
All eyes turned to Atlas. He leaned back against a tree trunk, gazing up at the dancing canopy above, the weight of responsibility pressing against his chest.
"The plan," Atlas began slowly, "is not simple. First, we wait. At least five years."
"Five years?" Alexios nearly spat out his berries. "That's forever!"
Atlas tilted his head toward him, his expression firm. "We're still children, Alexios. Even if we take over the camp tomorrow, who in the city will take us seriously? What polis will open their gates to a group of armed orphans with no coin, no ships, no trade? We'd be hunted down before we made it past Argos."
Alexios clenched his jaw but fell silent, realizing the truth in Atlas's words.
"In those five years," Atlas continued, his voice steadier, "we unite the camp. Every child. No more factions, no rivalries. We need one voice, one purpose—to rise together. If we rebel halfheartedly, Chrysis will crush us."
Lukas leaned forward, his large frame casting a shadow. "And after that?"
"After that," Atlas said, eyes narrowing with determination, "we build connections. Some children will go into the city—Argos, Corinth, maybe even Sparta. They'll barter, make contacts with blacksmiths, merchants, sailors. We'll need weapons, supplies, ships. Chrysis has treasures hoarded, I know where some of them are hidden. But they won't last long—not with how many mouths we'll need to feed."
Thea's eyes widened, her voice soft but tinged with awe. "You've… thought all of this through already?"
Atlas gave a faint smile. "Every night since I came here." He glanced at Alexios, who now sat quietly, the baby blanket from last night folded neatly at his side. "If we're to break free, we need more than strength. We need patience. Planning. And unity."
A hush fell over the grove. Thea looked thoughtful, her gaze flicking between Alexios and Atlas. Lukas nodded slowly, his axe resting across his knees. Alexios sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair.
"Five years, huh?" he muttered. Then he smirked, trying to shake off the heaviness. "Fine. But when that time comes, I'll be leading the charge. Prince Alexios, savior of the children."
Thea laughed nervously, cheeks red, while Lukas snorted. Atlas shook his head, though the corner of his lips twitched upward.
"Just don't trip over your own ego before then," he said dryly.
The group chuckled, the tension easing as they shared fruit and laughter. But deep inside, each of them knew—Atlas's plan was the beginning of something far greater than themselves.
They packed their stuff and started back toward camp, their young hearts filled with both hope and fear, unaware of how much the next five years would shape them—and the world around them.
(PS: Please support me on patreon
there are advance 40+ chapters in my patreon
https://www.patreon.com/c/BX_XDS)