To the Kingdom of Solaria #2
It’s huge, and the stands are full of people, many dazzling with brilliant auras, others having darker shades. There are some with dark clothing, but most are wearing light or vibrant colours.
My gaze finds Helios, seated lazily on the raised dais right ahead of us.
A crown of molten gold rests on his head, one hand supporting his chin, as if the world itself were a dull conversation.
With one leg propped up on the armrest, his other arm resting lazily in his lap, he looks every bit the arrogant god he is.
But then I see her.
And the world stills.
She sits beside him on a smaller throne.
Her dress is the colour of morning cream and soft firelight, the fabric clinging like it was spun from dawn itself.
Her hair glows under the sunlight, looking a vibrant red.
A radiant crown sits upon her head, and I realise half her hair is shaved from the side.
It makes her look strong and more powerful.
Her red eyes lock onto mine, speaking a thousand untold words. For a single heartbeat, the universe narrows to that connection, that ache deep in my chest that feels like it might tear me apart.
Then I look away, forcing the pull back into silence.
I will not do this.
Helios rises from his seat, his form weightless as he descends to the arena below, his feet touching lightly.
Heaven and Alessandra move toward the stands, and the five of us advance towards Helios. The air crackles as our auras collide. It’s a storm, heat against fury, a battle of wills and determination.
Helios smiles faintly, his voice echoing across the marble courtyard, powerful and ethereal.
“We meet at last, Deimos King. Who would have thought the sons of Andronikos would walk willingly into the light of Solaria? To think Hades allowed this. He must truly favour you.” His eyes flick to Theo, scorn and something that looks like blistering rage beneath that mask flickers in his eyes.
Theo laughs lightly. “Or maybe he just really doesn’t like you.”
A whisper of amusement ghosts across Helios’ lips, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. His power bleeds into the air, and the rising sun seems to burn brighter, the ground vibrating with power.
Helios’ entire body seems to be engulfed in flames; the scent of scorched air fills my lungs. In that moment, he doesn’t look just like a god but the sun given shape.
“Damn, if I knew you were so bright, I’d have brought my shades,” Theo remarks.
It took an army to bring Apophis down, and he wasn’t even on Earth in his entirety. And now it’s only us – five alphas to face off against a god in all his power.
“State your conditions,” Helios says. The crowd and wind seem to still, waiting.
“If we win, you will release Sienna Electra Kendall Rossi, Mordana of House Silver, your Queen. You will grant her freedom, allowing her to return to Earth with us, unbound by oath or chain, free from your control in every way.” My voice is clear and powerful.
“And you will drop this centuries-old grudge of yours. We are not responsible for the sins of our ancestors. Name yours.”
Helios’ expression turns cold, a stark contrast to the heat radiating off him.
“If I win, you will remain here, all of you – stripped of power and pride. You’ll kneel at my feet as the hounds of my castle.
You will be nothing more than lowly slaves and will forever be under my command.
And you, Deimos King, will have the honour to see the life I create with my Queen. ”
A flicker of unease hums through the mind-link between us brothers, but I hold firm. I can’t lose. Not her. Not this.
“Do you accept?” he asks, voice like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
Boys? I ask through the link.
Accept, Ares growls, rage spilling through every syllable.
Theo cracks a grin. I’m all in, bro. No risk is no fun.
“We accept,” I say. “Do you?”
Helios’ lips curve into a smile that promises ruin. His aura intensifies, and I avert my gaze, as it blinds everything. The air shivers as light floods the world, and the dawn gives way to dazzling sunlight.
“I accept,” he says, voice reverberating through the arena. “It is done!”
The moment the words leave Helios’ lips, the arena shifts.
The air thickens, humming with energy that crawls over my skin like wildfire. The marble floor beneath our feet fractures, veins of molten gold snaking through the cracks until the entire ground glows, as if the sun itself had been trapped beneath it.
The crowd of gods and celestial beings rise, their eyes glowing like embers. Even the wind dares not move, caught between fear and reverence.
Helios spreads his arms. His hair burns, his skin glows with the radiance of creation itself.
The light pouring off him makes it hard to breathe, hard to even exist in his presence.
“I am more than just a god, more than creation, I am one of the first to ever be. This is my dominion,” he says, his voice carrying the weight of dawns and centuries. “Here, even shadows bow to me.”
Theo whistles low beside me. “Yeah, well, let’s see if the sun still burns when we put it out.”
I don’t answer, but my jaw tightens. Ares, Carter and Renji shift beside me, our auras syncing, five heartbeats pounding as one. We stand shoulder to shoulder, a reminder of who we are and what blood we carry.
We are the descendants of the Deimos bloodline. We are born of wrath, power and strong will. We will win.
I meet Helios’ gaze. The heat between us could melt mountains.
Three robed figures rise, looming behind Helios. The middle one lifts his head, but I can’t see his face.
“By decree of the Divine Order, the duel between Helios, Lord of the Sun and Keeper of the Skies and the descendants of Andronikos, sons of Selene:
The Deimos King, Jayce Westwood, touched by Zeus, the Bringer of Justice,
Alpha Theo Westwood, favoured by Hades, the Keeper of Secrets,
Alpha Ares Westwood, favoured of Poseidon, the Warden of Strength,
Alpha Carter Westwood, Holder of the Scriptures, and
Alpha Renji Westwood, Bringer of the Order.
Let all bear witness, the duel shall end only when the god’s mark is fractured, or when one falls beyond the reach of return.”
The second one now lifts his head.
“Yet… we see what is in play. You are branded by the Lord of the Dead, a pact inked in the Underworld’s flame. Should the deathless fall, his fate shall rest upon the judgement of the Order, even if he defies death itself. For even the gods are curious to see if death itself dares defy a god.”
The air shivers as the last words fade, as they all disappear, but I can feel their presence lingering – watching.
So, they know about the deal with Hades.
We might not be able to die here, but that doesn’t mean we’ll survive this. The gods always find a way to collect.
Helios steps forward, his aura bending around him like armour, a cruel smile cutting across his face. His power rolls over us in waves, searing the ground beneath our feet.
I draw in a breath, readying myself.
If this is how gods play, then we’ll show them how alphas fight.
“Let it begin,” Helios commands.
The arena erupts into cheers.
Blinding light surges forward, a wave of fire tearing through the arena. I raise my arm, aura flaring, and then my dazzling blue energy meets gold in a violent clash that shakes the very realm. Behind me, thunder roars, the echo of my brothers’ combined fury.
Through the chaos, I catch a glimpse of her, Sienna, standing, eyes wide, lips parted. Her hand hovers at her chest, and for a heartbeat, I swear I feel it – that same pull, that tether between us, thrumming across the light.
Helios smirks, stepping through the blaze untouched. “You think your mortal rage can challenge a god?”
I lift my head, meeting his golden eyes, my voice low but cutting through the storm.
“No,” I say. “I think it can destroy one.”