In Tristan's quarters in the Chamberlain mansion, Tristan was training the Secret Art of the Ashura, wearing worn clothes, long and unkempt hair. He paused and placed his hand on his chest. "The souls of my men cry out for me from hell. I can't have peace... I should have died..." he thought, falling to the ground in grief.
As he was consumed by sorrow, two soldiers in silver armor, carrying spears and shields, entered and stopped at the entrance of the room.
Arthur entered, accompanied by two other soldiers in silver armor. – Stay here! – he ordered the soldiers, glancing at them from the corner of his eyes.
The four soldiers crouched. – Yes, your greatness. – they exclaimed, standing in line at the front door.
Tristan, standing up, walked towards the entrance with clenched fists. – WHO'S THERE?! – he demanded, approaching the entrance of his room.
When he arrived at the entrance, Tristan saw Arthur, dressed in golden and black kimono with red dragon designs on the ends of his sleeves. His hair was tied back, his face well defined, and his golden eyes gleamed. With his hands behind and a posture that implied an athletic and muscular body under the royal clothes, Tristan was surprised by his presence, and the calm words that came from Arthur's pink lips made him kneel.
– Tristan... – Arthur said, looking at him.
Looking at Arthur, he knelt down. – My king.
– You look pitful. – Arthur said looking down at where Tristan was.
…
In the city's harbor, a blond child with orange eyes, reddish skin, and torn clothes looked at some soldiers.
One of the soldiers, in a black uniform, looking at the child, crouched to the child's level. – Hey little girl, what are you doing here? – he asked with a tone of concern.
The girl looked at the soldier without reacting.
The soldier ran his hand over her head. – Where are your parents? – he asked innocently, a smile on his face.
The girl broke down in tears and ran away.
The soldiers exchanged glances, and one of them laughed. – You're so ugly that it only took you two minutes to chase away a child...
…
Back in Tristan's quarters.
– We know Zeus despises us, and that's his weak point. Because of the matter with the Amazons and Hera, he will come at us with full force. I do not doubt that the kings will also be there to witness the battle. Our focus is to cut off the heads. Without the heads the body stops functioning. I need you with me in this war! – Arthur said, looking at Tristan.
Sitting on the floor, Tristan stared at the wall. – I'm useless, I'm going to ruin your plan... Don't worry about a useless servant... – Tristan said, his voice trembling.
Smiling, Arthur said. – I heard you left the room and trained with Mayara. It's a shame she won't survive this war. – Arthur teased.
Tristan looked at him. – What does my lord mean?! Does the king plan to take her to war? – he questioned.
Arthur put his hands in his pockets, walked closer to the window, and saw Mayara training. – Of course she will. There is no other person to replace her. And you know her impulsive nature, don't you? As I'm going to put the strongest on the front line. The enemy' army will rain down on her. She won't last long, a Spiritual Master doesn't last that long... – Arthur said, looking at him out of the corner of his eyes.
Tristan stood up. – My king, please. Let me go in her place, I'm in the Unrestrained Dimension, I'm more useful than her! – he begged.
"That was quick... So, Tristan is in love, huh? We can use that..." Arthur thought, placing his hand on Tristan's shoulder with a smile. – Do not let the death of your soldiers be in vain! Bring justice to their death! Remember, this is why you survived, to continue their story! – he said, turning to leave.
Looking at his own hands, Tristan said with determination and thirst for vengeance. – I'm going to avenge their blood! I don't plan to return from this battle without Zeus' head! I'm going to make Olympus feel what I felt!
…
Hours later, on the training ground of the Chamberlain mansion, Arthur approached, watching Thalia train with a katana.
"Her moves are like an elegant dance... With some flaws typical of Masters of the Eighth Dimension, but they are correctable." he thought, watching Thalia dance with the katana in her hands. He saw her dancing black hair and white kimono that enhanced her elven nature.
– This art suits you. I believe you have mastered one hundred percent of the art... It is a shame you are not in my army... – Arthur sighed, sitting on a bench.
Sweating and breathing heavily, Thalia stopped and looked at the king. – God gave a throne to the king, but the king wants the world. It's a great honor for a king... – she teased, crouching. – It is an honor to see you, my king. To what do I owe your coming...?
Laughing, Arthur said. – You're good... I liked it. I just hope you don't use these puns with the other women...
Sweat running down her forehead, she scratched her head with a nervous chuckle. – N-No need to worry, my king... – Thalia said.
– About Hera, I... – Arthur began, but Thalia interrupted.
Thalia placed her katana in its scabbard and sat on the bench. – I know, you don't want her to know why I'm here... Although she's not an idiot, she already deduced... – she said, looking at the king with a smile.
Arthur sighed. – I'd rather she didn't know now...
– She's a lucky woman... – Thalia said, looking up at the sky.
– Why? – Arthur asked, looking at her.
– Because you want to marry her, unlike me, you were forced to accept me... – Thalia sighed, resting her hands on the bench.
–And about the wedding... – Arthur began, but she interrupted again.
She looked at him. – And I know you don't want to marry me. Do you have a plan for this not to happen...? – Thalia asked.
– If you are not yet in love with another man by the time when Hera claims her right to marry me, I will marry you. You will be my second wife... – Arthur said.
– It's going to be hard not to be in love with you when you care so much about my feelings. I'll try, at least... – she said, looking at Arthur with a smile of someone who won't try anything.
Arthur looked at her with a slight smile, almost non-existent. – Thank you Elenaris. – he said, standing up. – The stories about you are really true. You are almost as smart and intelligent as your mother. You predicted the course of our conversation...
– It's easy to predict who I watch with love and dedication every day... – Thalia declared with a smile.
Arthur cleared his throat and turned towards the mansion. – Don't talk nonsense, woman! And let our engagement stay between us. Say nothing!
Thalia crouched. – As you wish, my husband... – she whispered, looking at his back.