Demi-god Twin.-Chapter 5 - : A Path To Power.

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-IPhicles P.O.V-

Gasps ripple through the gathered nobles, some scandalized, others barely suppressing their laughter.

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But the King of Mycenae? His face flushes a deep, furious red. He rises from his seat, his hand already reaching for the hilt of his sword.

"You dare—!"

His voice rises, loud enough to echo off the high walls, but before he can draw his blade, Amphitryon raises a hand, commanding silence.

"Enough," Amphitryon says, his tone sharp as steel. His eyes are locked on Chiron, no amusement to be found in his expression. "Chiron, you go too far. You forget where you stand."

Chiron meets his gaze evenly, but he says nothing. My heart sinks. By defending me, Chiron has become the enemy.

Amphitryon continues, his voice cold. "For your actions, you are banished from this palace. You will leave now and not return."

I feel the weight of those words settle like a stone in my chest. Banished.

I glance at Chiron, expecting anger, defiance—but he only inclines his head, the faintest of smiles tugging at his lips.

The hall is silent as he bows before the King, his voice steady and resolute.

"Your hospitality, My King, is appreciated. I will not forget your graciousness."

Without waiting for a response, the great centaur lowers himself, his powerful frame bending to let me mount.

A collective gasp ripples through the room. Chiron, the revered mentor of heroes, lowering himself for 'me'.

I step forward, my back straight.

Climbing onto Chiron's back, I feel the weight of countless eyes on me, their shock and confusion palpable.

Chiron begins to move, his hooves echoing against the floor, but as we approach the hall's exit, my gaze falls on them—Herakles and Helen.

Herakles stands tall, his arm around Helen, her delicate hand clasped in his.

The smugness in his expression is unbearable, and yet, I cannot look away. I tug lightly on Chiron's shoulder.

"Stop," I softly command, voice hoarse yet firm.

Chiron halts, and I dismount, my eyes locking onto Helen's downturned face.

"Why?" I ask, the word barely a whisper. "Why won't you even look at me?"

Helen hesitates, her gaze flickering briefly toward Herakles before falling to the floor.

Herakles squeezes her hand, his lips curving into a cruel smile that I so desperately want to punch. Even if the act will break my hand.

"Go on, Helen," my brother says, his voice light but sharp with mockery. "Grant my brother his final request. From now on, you'll be mine anyway."

Helen finally meets my eyes, her expression calm, detached.

"Iphicles," she says, her voice cutting through me like a blade, "I have always been Herakles' woman. The only difference now is that everyone knows it."

The words tear through me, leaving my heart hollow and shattered. My chest tightens, but my face remains unreadable. I refuse to let them see my pain.

Herakles chuckles, running a hand through his hair as if embarrassed.

"Oops," he says with a mockingly apologetic grin. "She might've said too much. But, to be honest, Iphi, I'll miss you. Come here, brother. Embrace me."

Before I can react, he pulls me into a tight hug. My arms hang limply at my sides as I stare blankly over his shoulder at Helen.

Herakles' tone changes, dropping to a low, venomous whisper meant only for me. "I've always loved you, Iphi. But the moment you decided to show off, to act like you were my equal, you forgot your place. You're not my rival. You're my shadow. And a king doesn't compete with shadows."

I try to pull away, but his grip tightens. Pain shoots through my ribs as his arms constrict around me like iron bands.

"If you ever come back," Herakles continues, his voice ice-cold, "I'll break you completely. I'll shatter every bone in your body. And then, I'll kill our father. Our mother. And Helen." His words sink in like daggers. "Do you understand?"

Fury surges through me, but I bury it deep, forcing my voice to remain steady. "I understand."

Herakles laughs, clapping me on the shoulder with mock camaraderie.

The sharp *crack* of bone shattering echoes through the hall, and white-hot pain shoots through my arm. My vision blurs, but I refuse to cry out.

"Good," Herakles says, grinning. He turns to Chiron, his tone light once more. "Chiron, you're always welcome in Tyrnis, no matter what the old man says."

Chiron doesn't respond, his expression unreadable. He helps me back onto his back, and together, we leave the hall.

The oppressive silence of the crowd follows us, broken only by Herakles' mocking laughter.

---

Outside the palace, a familiar figure stands waiting—a woman with a horse-drawn chariot beside her.

Anissa, my loyal maidservant, steps forward, her arms laden with my belongings, including my bow and quiver.

"Chiron," she says, bowing slightly, "I followed your instructions. Everything is ready."

I dismount, but as my feet touch the ground, my legs give out. I collapse, blood spilling from my lips onto the dirt.

"My prince!" Anissa cries, rushing to my side. "Who would dare—"

"Herakles," Chiron interrupts, taking a long swig from his wineskin.

Anissa's face darkens, and she begins cursing Herakles' name, but I raise a trembling hand, pressing a finger to her lips.

"Enough," I whisper.

With effort, I turn to Chiron. "We leave now," I rasp, my voice barely audible. "Before the city wakes."

Chiron nods silently, and Anissa helps me into the chariot.

---

We stop atop a hill overlooking Tyrnis, the city glowing faintly under the moonlight.

I stumble out of the chariot, dragging myself to the edge of the hill. The city sprawls below, vibrant with the harvest festival, my people oblivious to my suffering.

"I swear," I say, my voice shaking with rage and pain. "I will come back. I will kill Herakles and I will reclaim what is mine."

For a moment, my words feel impossible, laughable even.

But deep inside, something shifts—a burning determination unlike anything I've ever known.

"I'll find power," I whisper. "Power to kill gods, even if I have to sell my body and soul."

'Ding'

I freeze. Before me, a translucent blue panel appears, glowing faintly in the night.

[Mythical D-grade Prey 'Stymphalian Bird' Processed. New Attribute Gained: Bronze Wings.]

Another message follows, the letters in bold:

[Mythical Predator System Unlocked]

Despite the pain wracking my body, a cruel smile spreads across my lips.

Perhaps I won't need to sell my body or soul after all.

This... this system—it's a gift. Or maybe a curse. Either way, it is what I've been waiting for. A weapon. A path to true Power.

I tilt my head back and laugh. It isn't a sound of joy or relief—it's a laugh of pure, seething anger.

The laughter grows louder, sharper, until my eyes burn red with fury.

"Watch me, Herakles," I whisper, the rage coursing through me. "I will surpass even the gods."