Twist in every corner - chapter 23
After a night's rest, the group set their course toward the desert. Homan's kingdom—the so-called Kingdom of Sand and Steel, renowned for both success and sorcery—waited beyond the dunes.
Even before reaching the capital, the travelers noticed the difference. Unlike Athens, whose ruins clung to the past, here even the roadside villages thrived with ingenious irrigation, steelwork, and luminous glass towers rising above the sand. The air itself seemed sharper, driven by unseen competition.
"Feels… different," Leyla muttered.
Abyss smirked, folding his arms. "Greed and envy. Everyone here is desperate to outdo the other. Success is the only law. A cruel system—yet effective."
Before anyone could argue, the ground rumbled. A dozen monstrous sand worms erupted, their maws wide enough to swallow oxen whole.
Jack drew his sword immediately. "Perfect warm-up!" he roared, leaping at the nearest beast. His blade carved through its hide—but a colossal worm surged from beneath, snapping him up like a rag doll.
"Head down," Abyss said calmly.
Jack ducked on instinct.
Abyss exhaled—and the desert split open. A storm like the wrath of gods exploded outward, shredding the worms into nothingness. Sand and ichor dissolved into dust, leaving behind only silence.
The group stared, wide-eyed. Abyss dusted off his hands.
"Try to keep up."
By midday, the spires of the capital loomed—a gleaming fortress of golden domes and obsidian steel walls.
At the gates, the guards stepped forward, crossing halberds. "State your business."
"Recruiting," Eden began, but Abyss simply flicked the air. A veil of wind shimmered across them, bending sight. The guards blinked as the party vanished from view.
"…Was that the sun, or—?" one muttered.
"Too much heat. Drink water," the other replied, shaking his head.
Inside, the group split up.
Abyss and Leyla wandered the Brazzers, the grand merchant street where every stall glittered with silk, steel, and spellcraft. Abyss's coin purse paid for everything.
"Why is this place so much more alive than Athens?" Leyla asked.
"Their late god, bubezleeb —greed and envy. His domain forces people to covet, to strive, to outshine. Cruel, but progress grows from envy like weeds from stone," Abyss explained.
Eden and Ethan made their way to the citadel, where Lord Homan resided. At the gates, they were stopped again—until a voice, cool and commanding, echoed from within.
"Let them through."
The doors opened.
Homan, tall and broad-shouldered, greeted them in a hall lined with banners of steel and gold. Orbs the size of fists floated lazily around him, glowing with strange energy.
"You've come about the Titans," Homan said flatly. "Save your breath. I don't involve myself in divine wars."
Ethan stepped forward. "But your people—"
"Will thrive without me in Olympus politics," Homan cut in. His eyes hardened. "The gods are selfish. Why should I bleed for them?"
Before Ethan could answer, a guard's body crashed across the floor—bloodied, broken.
From the shadows, a voice mocked:
"God of Envy and Greed… what a cute little title."
Maron entered, flanked by his hunters. His grin was cold as iron. "Your kingdom belongs to me now."
Outside, chaos erupted—monsters and mercenaries swarming the streets.
The two was ready to clash
Eden drew her blade, but Maron flicked a finger. Chains of shadow erupted, pinning her and Ethan against the wall.
"This isn't your fight," he sneered. "It's his."
Homan stepped forward, greatsword in hand. The orbs whirred around him, buzzing like angry wasps.
"You dare challenge me here?"
"I don't dare," Maron said smoothly. "I decide."
Their blades clashed—steel against black flame. Sparks split the hall. Maron fought with vicious precision, each strike meant to cripple. Homan countered with raw force, his sword leaving craters in the marble.
"You're strong," Maron admitted, grinning. "But predictable."
Chains shot from his hands, wrapping Homan's sword arm. With a snap, the shadow bound steel and flesh together. Pain lanced up Homan's arm, blood spilling freely.
For a heartbeat, it seemed finished—until fury surged in Homan's eyes.
"Imad!" he roared.
The floating orbs glowed blinding white. Energy crackled as they absorbed Maron's flames, redirecting them into Homan's armor. The greatsword shimmered with stolen power.
He swung—once.
The blade cut through Maron's defenses, carving deep into his chest. But the shadows constricted tighter, severing Homan's arm in a spray of blood.
Maron staggered, clutching his wound. "Impressive… but not enough." With a snap of chains, he vanished into the chaos outside.
Homan dropped to his knees, panting, staring at the stump where his arm had been. And then—slowly—the limb reformed, the shadow-bond fading as Maron retreated.
"You two were useless," Homan muttered to Ethan and Eden. He stood, wiping blood from his mouth. A smirk tugged at his lips. "But I can't deny it—your cause has teeth. I'm in."
Outside the city, the battle had ended. Abyss stood amidst fallen monsters and broken hunters, wind still swirling around him.
In an alley nearby, Maron appeared—only to be greeted by Abyss himself.
"Good test," Abyss said, voice like steel. "He wouldn't have joined without being cornered."
Maron smirked, bowing slightly. "Then my part's done. I'll return to my kingdom."
"Not for long," Abyss replied. "We'll come for you soon."
Back in the citadel, Homan ordered his ministers to govern in his stead. He fastened his armor, orbs floating faithfully at his side.
"I'll fight with you," he said simply.
But before they could leave, the horizon darkened. Thousands of monsters poured across the sands, blotting the dunes with their sheer number.
Ethan tightened his grip on his sword. "Where did they come from?"
Abyss's expression turned grim.
"Gaia's first wave. She isn't fully revived—yet. So she floods the world with weak things, hoping numbers can do what strength cannot."
The group readied themselves. The real war was only beginning.