The atmosphere within the Vanguard headquarters was one of tension and fury. Athena paced the length of her command room, her mind seething with anger and a calculated sense of vengeance. Her trusted aides and captains stood by, observing her stormy demeanor with apprehension.
Suddenly, Athena's face twisted into a cruel smile. "It seems the Shadow Guard has managed to free Marcus. How amusing."
Her laughter was cold and dispassionate, echoing off the walls. The captains exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to respond to her uncharacteristic display of mirth.
"But while they were distracted with their little rescue operation," Athena continued, her tone turning steely, "I discovered something far more interesting."
She gestured to a large screen, which flickered to life with footage of a recent security breach. The camera footage showed Darius, his face illuminated by the soft glow of a monitor, deep in conversation with someone who was unmistakably John Hart. Athena's eyes narrowed with recognition.
"John Hart is none other than Lucas," Athena declared, her voice dripping with malice. "And this traitor," she said, pointing to Darius on the screen, "has been feeding him information."
The room erupted in murmurs of surprise and anger. The captains knew the gravity of the situation—Darius had been a trusted ally, and his betrayal was a severe blow to their efforts.
Athena's expression darkened as she turned to her subordinates. "Bring Darius to me."
Darius was dragged into Athena's presence, his hands bound and his expression defiant despite the dire situation. Athena looked at him with a mixture of contempt and cold fury.
"So, Darius," Athena said, her voice laced with venom, "you've chosen to betray me. I trusted you. And for that, you will pay the price."
Without further ado, Athena signaled to her guards. They seized Darius and, in a swift and brutal act, decapitated him. His head was severed and placed in a metal box, which Athena ordered to be mounted on the tallest building in New Athens—a grim message for the Shadow Guard.
"Let them see what happens to those who cross me," Athena declared. "Let this serve as a warning. We are not to be trifled with."
Later that night, the Shadow Guard members huddled in their hideout, the somber news hitting them hard. The severed head of Darius, a stark symbol of Athena's ruthless power, was visible from their vantage point.
Sophia's face was a mask of horror and grief. "Darius… he sacrificed everything for us."
Jason clenched his fists, his anger palpable. "This isn't over. Athena's gone too far. We need to act, and we need to act fast."
Lucas, still in his guise as John Hart, stared at the grim spectacle from a distance, his mind racing with thoughts of vengeance and strategy. "We've lost a valuable ally, but we can't let that stop us. We need to rally our forces, find a way to strike back, and expose Athena for the tyrant she truly is."
Marcus, still recovering from his ordeal, looked at the group with renewed determination. "We'll honor Darius's sacrifice by continuing the fight. We'll find a way to bring Athena down and save New Athens from her tyranny."
The chapter closes with the Shadow Guard steeling themselves for the battles ahead. As they mourn their fallen comrade, their resolve hardens. The stakes have never been higher, and the fight against Athena and her Vanguard is far from over.