Demi-god Twin.-Chapter 6 - : Attack.

-Iphicles P.O.V-

(A few miles off Tyrnis)

A full day of riding puts us halfway to the next city. We stop and camp in the woods, near a stream.

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Anissa helps Chiron pitch the tents while I watch on, ashamed of my uselessness. Soon after the horse is fed, dusk falls.

---

The fire crackles between us, its warmth contrasting with the chill of the night air.

Chiron rests on his haunch, tending to a spit of roasting meat, while Anissa hums softly, arranging plates and cups.

The night feels calm, a deceptive reprieve after the chaos we fled.

The herbal salve on my injuries stings my nose with every inhale. But after only two days, I'm surprised I can move my shoulder with some effort. The Centaur is a master at many things. I am truly fortunate to have his companionship

My gaze is stuck watching the flickering flames, my thoughts a storm of cold anger and determination. Confusion plagues me as well.

Chiron thinks we should get supplies for our journey in the next city. But what about after that? What's our next step?

Anissa interrupts my reverie, approaching with a tray of food. "Here, my prince. You should eat—"

"Stop." I raise a hand, cutting her off. My voice is sharper than I intend, but I continue, softer this time. "I'm not a prince anymore, Anissa. You don't have to serve me."

Her brows knit together, her expression unreadable. "But—"

"No. You've done more than enough." I take the tray from her hands, setting it aside. "You should leave. You owe me nothing, and I can't pay you for your loyalty."

Anissa freezes, her hands trembling slightly. Then, with a sudden fierceness I've never seen in her, she replies, "Prince Iphicles, I have nowhere else to go. I've been a slave my entire life. I was born with no choices. The moment I chose to follow you, I became free in my own way."

Her voice softens, but the conviction remains. "You're my master, yes. But that doesn't mean you get to decide when I leave. If you're living, I'll live with you. If you die... I'll die with you."

My brows raise. I'm confused. What would she gain from risking her life for me? Is she not aware that I have no plan beyond my thoughts of vengeance?

Chiron chuckles, breaking the tension. "Seems you've inherited a stubborn one."

I sigh, rubbing my temples. "Fine," I mutter, giving in. "But on one condition."

I grab a chunk of meat from Chiron's spit, tearing into it without ceremony. "You're to treat me normally. None of this 'my prince' nonsense."

Anissa watches, wide-eyed as the oils drips down the scruff on my chin, before a small smile curves her lips. "As you wish...Iphicles."

---

After the meal, Chiron leans back, his eyes fixed on the night sky.

"Do you know the story of the Milky Way?" he asks, his tone contemplative.

Anissa snorts. "If it involves Herakles, I'm guessing it's something ridiculous."

I stiffen.

Chiron grins. "More than you realize. When Herakles was still a babe, he was abandoned in the wilderness. Athena, ever curious, found him and brought him to Hera, who did not recognize the child."

I know this story. Everyone in the palace knows it.

"Hera fed him from her own breast," Chiron continues, his tone growing more animated. "But Herakles, even as a child, was insatiable. He sucked so hard that Hera, startled and furious, threw him aside. The milk spilled into the heavens, creating the constellation we now call the Milky Way."

I scoff at the ridiculous tale, shaking my head. "Why are you telling us this?"

After all, it's nothing more than false propaganda spread by Athena's priests. It can't be true. I would have known if it was. I was there.

Chiron's expression hardens, his jovial tone fading. "Because Herakles is no ordinary opponent. He is loved by the gods themselves. Of all the heroes I've trained, none have matched his raw power and divine favor. That is a Fact."

He leans forward, his gaze piercing. "You must make a choice, Iphicles. Abandon your vengeance and live a free life, unshackled by the throne's responsibilities. Or embrace the prophecy. But know this—choosing vengeance means walking a path that will likely lead to your death."

His words linger in the air, heavy and unyielding. I rise without a word, retreating into the forest.

---

The stars above are cold and distant, their light unchanging as I grapple with the storm inside me.

Memories of my past life resurface—the weak-willed man who let others dictate his path. The coward who died filled with regret.

I promised myself this life would be different. Chiron's words ring in my ears. I know he worries for me.

"Forgive me Teacher."

My voice rings out within the silent groove, face highlighted by Artemis herself, I fully embrace my conviction.

Even if death awaits me, I'll fight for what is rightfully mine.

The snap of a twig pulls me from my thoughts.

My body tenses as shadows emerge from the trees, a group of masked figures with dark red outfits encircling me.

There are six of them. And a seventh hidden in the dark, I can see a slight glimmer of the moonlight reflecting of an arrow's tip when I search for it.

As a matter of fact, they all carry weapons. Daggers mostly.

"What brings you here, Children of Enyo?"

I question the assassins, noticing the curved blade emblem on their sleeves.

"We bring a message from the King of Mycenae," one of them says, his voice low and menacing.

I shift into a defensive stance, calming my pounding heart. "What's the message?"

The man steps closer, his dagger glinting in the moonlight. "Death."

They lunge as one, blades slicing through the air.

Herakles' injuries make it difficult to deal with one assailant, let alone six deadly assassins. But I am not helpless.

Amidst the descending daggers, unknown instincts takes over. I hold back the slight pressure on my shoulder blades until they are close enough.

Release!

Wings unfurl with a metallic 'shing!', the bronze feathers gleaming in the starlight.

Thunk!

A series of impacts ring out as metal clash, producing sparks that glint in the air.

I successfully block the attacks, flexing to unfurl my wing shield and throwing back the assassins.

"Our information on you was incomplete, Prince Iphicles."

The Leader of the Assassins states, staring at the Stymphalian bird wings behind me.

"Haven't you heard? I am no longer royalty."

I respond, studying the battlefield while getting used to the new weight on my back.

My balance is slightly off. I'll need practice to fight with the wings deployed.

"That changes little for Enyo's Blades. The contract is still in effect."

The Leader gives a signal and the fight is back on.

I block the first strike, the assassin's blade skidding harmlessly off my left wing.

The hairs on my nape stand on end, warning me.

Pivoting, I thrust the razor-sharp tips of the feathers into another attacker's throat.

The fight is brutal. It takes a while to adjust my timing and control of the wings, but each movement starts to feel like an extension of my will, my newfound instincts guiding me.

I whirl, slashing and stabbing with deadly precision, the assassins falling one by one.

When the last of them collapses, bleeding into the dirt, only their leader remains.

He crawls away with a bleeding thigh, staring at me, defiantly.

I step forward, and immediately block the arrow shot from the concealed assassin.

In the same motion I spin, extending my right wing out and from the wingtip, a metal feather shoots out, flying in the direction the arrow came from.

The sound of a body hitting the ground reaches my ears.

A burning sensation invades the lost feather's spot- similar to pulling out a finger nail. I had no idea I could even do that.

Ignoring the pain, I refocus on the leader. A bit of fear now shows in his eyes.

I flex and my wingtip slices through his other thigh. He screams, rolling on the ground.

"Why does the King want me dead?" I demand, my voice cold.

The man spits at my feet. "Damn you to Hades."

I press the edge of the wing against the wound on his leg, drawing more blood and groans of pain. "Tell me, or you'll be a cripple. No one hires an assassin who can't walk."

His resolve falters. "Fine!" he hisses. "It's not you he wants. It's the centaur. The king wants his hide as a trophy for insulting him."

My blood runs cold. Chiron.

Without hesitation, I drive my wing through his chest, silencing him forever.

Despite having never done it before, I run forward and with a mighty flap of my wings, take to the sky.

I hope I am not too late.