With Echohade vanquished, the battlefield fell into an uneasy silence. Lucas, standing amidst the remnants of the conjured fake city, began to dissipate the shadow cloak that had hidden New Athens. As the real city emerged, unscathed and intact, a sense of relief washed over the heroes. Yet, beneath that relief lay a brewing storm of questions and accusations.
"How could Athena go to such lengths?" Jason muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Destroying the city just to appear as the hero who saved it?"
Lucas's eyes darkened as he considered the depths of Athena's deceit. "She needed a spectacle," he said quietly. "Something grand to solidify her control and justify her power. And what better way than to create a disaster only she could 'prevent'?"
Sophia, her intellect sharper than ever, pieced together the implications. "By unleashing Echohade and then orchestrating our demise, she would have shown the world her unmatched strength, all while eliminating us—her greatest threat."
Marcus, still reeling from the battle, clenched his fists. "We can't let her get away with this. But how do we fight a god? Especially one with the power of Zeus?"
Lucas nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. "Athena is formidable. As the daughter of Zeus, her powers are nearly unparalleled. Her strategic mind, combined with Zeus's lightning and godly strength, makes her one of the most dangerous beings we could face."
He looked at his friends, determination burning in his eyes. "But we can't let that stop us. We have to expose her, reveal her true intentions to the people of New Athens. If we can turn the city against her, we might stand a chance."
Jason stepped forward, his resolve mirroring Lucas's. "We've faced insurmountable odds before and come out on top. We can do this. Together."
Sophia, always the strategist, began formulating a plan. "We need evidence of her involvement with Echohade and her plans to destroy the city. If we can gather proof and present it to the people, they'll see her for what she truly is."
Lucas, with his shadow powers, was uniquely suited for the task. "I'll infiltrate her inner sanctum. With my ability to manipulate shadows and disguise myself, I can gather the evidence we need."
Jason, harnessing his new time manipulation abilities, added, "And I can create diversions, slowing down time around her guards and making it easier for Lucas to move unnoticed."
Marcus, his strength now amplified, was ready for the inevitable confrontation. "And when the time comes, we'll be ready to face her, no matter how powerful she is."
Sophia nodded, her foresight giving her confidence in their plan. "We have the skills, the power, and the unity. Athena may be strong, but she underestimates us. That's her weakness."
Lucas raised his hand, summoning a tendril of shadow that transformed into a map of Athena's stronghold. "Here's what we need to do..."
---
Hours later, as the sun began to set over New Athens, Lucas stood in the shadows, his form cloaked in darkness. With the city's trust in the Celestial Vanguard shaken, they needed to act swiftly.
He silently slipped through the corridors of Athena's stronghold, his shadow form blending seamlessly with the darkness. As he approached Athena's private chambers, he overheard voices—Athena's unmistakable tone, filled with arrogance, and another, more sycophantic one.
"...and once the city sees me destroy Echohade, they'll have no choice but to recognize my supreme authority," Athena declared. "They will be grateful, and my power will be solidified."
Lucas's heart pounded. This was the proof they needed. He carefully recorded the conversation with a shadowy device, capturing every word.
But as he turned to leave, a whisper in the shadows caught his attention. "You shouldn't have come here, Lucas."
It was Lena, her eyes glowing with the power of Hermes. She had been a mole, feeding information to Athena all along.
"You'll never get out of here alive," Lena threatened.
Lucas, undeterred, summoned his shadows, preparing for the confrontation. "We'll see about that."
The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with Lucas poised for a deadly encounter with Lena, the revelation of Athena's deceit hanging in the balance, and the heroes' plan to expose her still in motion.