num colored hair, piercing amber eyes, tan skin, her face, while lined with wrinkles, was still that of nobility. She wore an elegant green gown and a silver cro

gons and statues looked down upon the stone floor of this imposing hall. A silver rug ran down from the throne for a few meters before coming to an end while roaring drag head banners adorned tufts the walls. Between each banner, almost all of them had been lit and, i

or Zeus, the absent king. The throne is covered in hallowed illustrations, and fixed on each of the rather slim feet was

n't pay his taxes to the Ishtar. So he had been imprisoned and sold as a slave, one Calypso had gotten a good deal on. Trembling, the man did just that. He was older, in his late fifties, with thin gray hair, weather

rs would have seen it as kind, but for those that knew her we

Calypso said. Hera's smile gre

human shrank away, but Calypso jerked him forward by the rope. The human gasped as he fell

, now looking at the one who had been her mentor since childhood. Her

fter searching for the desired name for a moment. " If only I had managed to seduce him back then and made him my mate, rather than the incompetent oaf I'm stuck with

Lady," Ca

hen again, I did order the elimination of all the villages that were weak so our race could only consist of the useful ones. To ki

as now standing on his feet caused b

t you know what we are t

mered, trying to step away, bu

lites and their closest allies know?!" Just then, out of nowhere, four figures stepped into view. They

believe in the Half-Breed War, a few hundred of them held off five hundred thousand Abnormals warriors from various tribes. If I remember correctly, they managed to hold out for thr

there, filth. Once I'm done with these fools, I'll be back to question you. And just to make this fun, I won't use either of my hands to kill them

es. Calypso landed another kick, this time in the throat, leaving the intruder gasping for air, clutching at its throat. Calypso backfli

he ground. Before Calypso could finish the third off, the fourth rushed at Calypso, who ducked and, with all her might, slammed her foot in the chest, sending the assassin

, Calypso had slaughtered them. The slave trembled as he looked

I do believe that sh

o her slave. Hoisting him up by the neck, she glare

grapes the arm choking him wi

back. " Now then, human. If you don't tell us who you are, I am going to turn you over to m

y n

to why assassins were in my throne room," Hera interrupted. " You get one more cha

o run my farm. My former associates you dispatched of were undoubtedly sent here to disp

take kindly to as she narrowed her eyes. " If you do not tell me or dare to te

n," the slave mumbled. Calypso gasped and stumbled

of her throne. " The ritual passed on to your kind from the ear

khana. Kealdin, the one you call The Paragon, ruled over the ancient humans with an iron fist; after all, we humans are mere shards of Kealdin. Of course, he was defeated and sealed away by the founders of y

heard tale of, tells of how humanity could ensure the rise of the next Paragon, and binds him to the will of the summoner for three whole days and three whole nights befor

n a soft, worried voice. The slave shot he

h, how the idea makes me chuckle. The Paragon, the very reason you Abnormals have detested Half-Breeds for hundre

s for centuries. Of course, there is another motive. The Ishtar are tired of dealing with you. They feel the treaty made five centuries ago has run its course. Plus, Queen Kissare Ish

g behind her and grabbing the handle of her lance, wa

s villages were united and acted as one and humans lived in the outskirts, little more than savages. Until Ubar rose to power and organized the humans into a rebellion, only the Ishtar can read that particular

d both sides to stop fighting all together and form a treaty. Ubar Ishtar became king, beginning both the Ishtar dynasty and the era of humanity ruling over Ocrad and Abnormals would break away into separate tribes and govern themselves. Should any Abnormal try and

sare lacks the key components for the ritual now, events she will ob

from her palm. The slave screamed in agony as the water engulfed him. Calypso watched as the slave melted before her in morbid

we waste is a second the Ishtar gains

even selected who all will make

he tossed them on the ground. Once they hit the floor, pillars of black smoke sprouted from them. They began to shift and warp until they were no longer pillars of smoke but seven humanoids wearing black and whi

n general. Do NOT let yourselves be seen. I'll summon you back here once I am ready to hear your findings. Go!" Without saying a word, the Flock of th

could tell the gender of any of them unless they spoke, which they seldom did. But Calypso did know a few things

her. With a yelp, Calypso turned arou

h of burning flesh invaded his nostrils. Fire raged out of control, the flames licking at his flesh. He heard cold, cruel laught

l. " This will be your rea

wore as he tumbled out of his

ed, sitting up and

Acacius asked f

twin brother. A week later, after learning he ha

a city. Something terrible had happened,

had the same dr

asked, staring at

s and a voice from somewhere telling me

ember who I am or I will fall into despair," Acacius co

s asked. Acacius was about to answ

ra asked. Both brothers turned their head

y began to build. Kronos narrowed his eyes and stood up. Ever since he met Thora, he

r all. Fighting here might not be a good idea." Thora growled but nodded, the energy dissipating. Kronos sat down, keeping

o along. I mean, no offense, but I would never have tho

s before the four of them and two dozen others were herded onto the ship. Calypso had been training them personally on their Ryuijin, driving the both of them to

I can't imagine you two are going to keep going

. So I think I'll stick around and see where this leads. Of course, if I don't like it, I m

se to go, and I am curious as to what Calypso has planned. Wha

she planned to kill us, she would have done it already. I have

ou mean?" K

onger; I know she takes great delight in those forced battles. Particularly when the combat

she has planned for us," Thora grumbled. " Don't forget s

nodding her head. " But I don't

wants us to play, I

ause I'd be okay with that." Thora shot him a glare, and for a momen

ew particular Abnormals will be on that island. My stepmoth

your own family?!"

cou

ked, bewildered. Thora

hing bitch, staged a coup several years ago, killing the king of the giants, my father, Aruksar. And her coup succeeded due to my brothers who aided her. And

ow that he understood her slightly better, he di

said sincerely. S

pathy. Stay out of my way once we arr

t then, his ears perked up when he heard the sounds of footsteps walking down the stairs

within the hour. I hate traveling by sea, so I'm in a terrible mood. So don't even think about causing me pro

A glare was all the warning he got before Calypso

" Just know, if any of you anger me, you'll spend what little life you