Yes and meeting new faces.

Chapter 30: The heart of Sparta.
After the harrowing events of the previous night, we set out early at dawn our destination clear, the capital of Laconia, Sparta. Dario and his Spartan warriors, impressed by our valor in the battle, generously lent us horses to ensure our journey was swift. What could have been a grueling trek was instead a manageable ride. By 6:00 a.m, we were on the road, and by midday, the plains of Sparta stretched out before us, with the imposing capital city rising in the distance.

Ikaro spent most of the trip riding alongside his uncle, the two of them deep in conversation. It was clear Ikaro was trying to reclaim the lost years, piecing together fragments of his uncle’s life, a man who had been little more than a name and a memory despite his once-close bond with their father.

I rode at a steady pace beside Iris, who seemed distracted. Her gaze was fixed on the fields that bordered the road, her attention flickering occasionally to her brother and uncle. The light of the sun caught the auburn strands of her hair, and the shadows under her eyes betrayed a weight she carried silently.

“So,” I began, breaking the stillness between us, “are you excited? You’re about to see Sparta again.”

The question startled her, pulling her out of her thoughts. She blinked and turned to me, her focus clearly elsewhere. “What? Oh… yeah,” she replied, her voice flat.

I frowned, sensing something was off. “You okay? You seem distant.”

“I’m fine,” she said, though her tone lacked conviction. “I was just… thinking.”

“Well,” I teased with a grin, hoping to lighten the mood, “don’t think too hard, or you’ll end up like Noor.”

That earned a small smile from her. “No, seriously,” I pressed, my voice softening, “what’s wrong?”

She hesitated, glancing toward Dario, who rode ahead of the group like a living embodiment of Spartan pride. His presence was commanding, his posture as rigid as a spear. “I’m nervous,” she admitted at last.

“You? Nervous?” I exclaimed with mock surprise, trying to coax a laugh out of her. “Did the sky fall while I wasn’t looking?”

She chuckled, her expression easing. “Maybe. But no,” she said, her smile faint but genuine. “I’m nervous about getting to Sparta.”

“Why would you be? Aren’t you and Ikaro Spartans through and through?”

“Yes… but I’ve never been to Sparta itself. I mean, I was here when I was a baby, but I don’t remember a thing. After that, Dad moved us to Helos, and, well, you know the rest.” She paused, her eyes distant again. “I guess I’m afraid we’ll feel like outsiders. These are our people, but I don’t feel entirely connected to them. It’s hard to explain.”

I nodded, understanding the unease she was trying to put into words. “It’s okay. I get it,” I said quietly. “I feel like I don’t belong anywhere. I’m the real outsider here.” I added with a small laugh trying to hide my doubts.

Her brow furrowed, and she turned to look at me. “How so?”

“Well,” I began, letting out a self-deprecating chuckle, “my body was created in Olympus, and most of what I am comes from the gods. But my soul? My mind? They’re human.” I shrugged, a wry smile tugging at my lips. “It’s like I’m stuck at a crossroads, between two worlds.”

She tilted her head, considering my words. “I don’t think so,” she said at last, her tone resolute.

I raised an eyebrow, curious. “No? Then what do you think?”

“I think you’re part of something,” she said simply, her voice warm.

“To what?” I asked, genuinely intrigued.

“To us. To our group. To me,” she said, her words carrying a tenderness that made my chest tighten. Her lips curved into a small, loving smile. “Despite your ties to Olympus and all the gods, I believe your roots are here with the care you’ve shown us, with the way you’ve made us into a family. Even if Noor and I constantly compete over who gets to share a bed with you.”

Her smirk at the end made me laugh, and I was grateful for her words. She was right. This group; Ikaro, Iris, Entinos, Noor, and me. Had become something more than mere companions. In the short time we’d been together, they’d become a family.

“Three months,” I mused, almost to myself. “Can you believe it’s been that long?”

She groaned dramatically. “Has it really been that long? Shit. It feels like yesterday.” A wistful smile softened her face, and I knew she was thinking of her father. “Pops would be proud of us,” she said, her voice tinged with emotion. “Even if he’d hate the idea of us going to Sparta.”

We both laughed, our shared memories of Arbos lightening the moment.

Ahead of us, Dario slowed his horse and raised a hand, signaling the group to stop. Ikaro’s voice carried back to us, filled with awe. “You’ve got to see this!” he called, waving us closer.

Iris and I urged our horses forward, the anticipation building as the capital city of Sparta came into view, gleaming in the midday sun.

“Well, Kayn, Iris,” Dario said, gesturing grandly with his hand toward the sprawling city below. From our vantage point on the hillside, we could see it clearly. “I present to you all: the mighty Sparta.”

The Spartan soldiers erupted in a thunderous cheer, their voices reverberating through the air with a unity that spoke of pride and purpose. Meanwhile, our group Noor, Entinos, Iris, and I took in the sight before us, each of us absorbing the moment in our own way.

“Impressive,” Entinos muttered, his voice low and thoughtful. His stoic demeanor rarely betrayed his emotions, but even he seemed taken aback by the city’s presence.

“Indeed, horns, indeed,” Noor replied, her tone surprisingly reverent as she nodded in agreement with the satyr.

Sparta wasn’t as grand or opulent as Corinthos, but it radiated strength and resilience. Its simplicity was its beauty, a city forged in discipline and determination rather than gold and marble. Even from a distance, you could sense the indomitable spirit of its people, a city where every citizen, young or old, would willingly fight to defend their home. This was a place where loyalty and sacrifice were woven into the fabric of life.

“Better than you remember, huh?” Ikaro said to his sister, his tone light but warm as he nudged her with his elbow.

“It’s incredible,” Iris replied, her voice soft with awe. Her gaze lingered on the city for a moment before she added, “It’s nice… being home.”

The siblings exchanged a smile, one that carried a depth of emotion words couldn’t capture. Despite the years they’d spent away, their Spartan lineage had never left them. It was in their blood, in the way they stood, and now, in the way they looked at their homeland.

“What do you think, Chosen One?” Dario asked, his deep voice breaking my thoughts. He rode beside me, his proud posture commanding attention even when at ease. “Does Sparta meet your expectations?”

“It’s a remarkable city,” I said sincerely, scanning the horizon. “Your people are as formidable as their reputation.”

Dario let out a hearty laugh, his rough edges softening for a moment. “Heh, you’re not so bad yourself. Are you sure there’s no Spartan blood in your veins?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “With all the gods’ blessings and essence inside me, who knows what’s in there? But Spartan blood? I wish.”

There was a newfound respect growing between Dario and me. He was rough around the edges, yes, but he was also a man of honor, someone who saw his city and his people as his family. That kind of devotion resonated with me, and I couldn’t help but admire him for it.

As we descended into the capital, we were greeted with cheers and salutes from the soldiers and citizens alike. The sight of their beloved general returning victorious brought joy and pride to their faces. For Iris and Ikaro, it was a moment of warmth and belonging, a reminder that even after all they had lost, they still had a place here.

“Careful now,” Noor said, sidling up to me with a smirk. “Let’s not let all this praise go to Ikaro’s head.”

I stifled a laugh, glancing over at Ikaro, who was too caught up in the celebration to notice Noor’s jab. “You say that like it’s a bad thing for them to feel happy,” I replied.

“Don’t get me wrong,” she said, her tone turning serious. “I’m glad they have this, but I don’t trust this Dario guy. Something about him feels... off.”

“You don’t trust the general?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “You do realize he’s their uncle, right? He’d never harm them.”

Noor shrugged, her playful facade dropping entirely. "I don’t know something seems off from him, I don’t think he truly forgave their father. Maybe he still has pent up anger inside and he will lash out at them."

“The general is a good man, Noor.” Entinos said, his calm, steady voice cutting through the tension.

“Maybe he is,” Noor conceded, but her eyes were sharp, scanning the crowd as if expecting trouble. “Or maybe he isn’t. Either way, I’ll keep my guard up.”

“I don’t believe that, yet I hear you.” I said reassuring her. “Anyhow we should keep our group at the end of the day we can only trust each other.”

“Can we? I don’t know about you but we are dysfunctional as it gets on combat, we only win battles because of our individual skills and we fight when we are planning a strategy.” Noor said genuine, feeling cracks in our group forming in our shadows.

“You don’t like us?” I said raising an eyebrow.

“I didn’t say that handsome.” She said with her teasing smile “I said that something should happened if you don’t want for us to be at each other throats.” She said pointing at the siblings.
“How do you know they won’t decide to stay here?”
Despite her heartless words she had a point, the siblings had recovered what they have lost. A family something Noor and I don’t have so it doesn’t bind us in our mission but for them is like recovering something that was rip away from their hands in the start of our path.

Her caution wasn’t entirely misplaced. I could sense some tension lingering between Dario and the siblings, though whether it was rooted in mistrust or simply the scars of time, I couldn’t yet tell.

“She does have a point,” Entinos whispered to me as we rode a little behind the others. “We need to unite soon. The cracks in our group are starting to show, Kayn. You can’t keep everything to yourself.”

I sighed, his words weighing heavily on me. “You noticed it too?” I asked.

“I do,” he said. “You’ve been trying to carry this burden alone, but you need to let us in. We’re all tired, Kayn, and we’ve all suffered. If you want this group to survive, to thrive, you need to remind them of why we’re here. You’re the leader, like it or not.”

He rode ahead, leaving me to mull over his advice. He was right, of course. We were all fraying at the edges, each of us carrying our own pain and doubts. If I didn’t step up and bring us together, those cracks might soon become too wide to mend.

After a while, Dario led us to his home, a grand yet practical Spartan estate befitting a general. As we approached, we were greeted by an unusual sight. In the center of a training courtyard stood a woman in full Spartan armor, her crimson hair cascading down her back in a loose braid beneath her helmet. She was locked in combat against three Spartan warriors, moving with a grace and precision that was almost hypnotic.
The clang of bronze against bronze echoed as she expertly wielded her xiphos and shield. Every move was calculated, every parry seamless. With a powerful swipe, she disarmed one of her opponents and knocked him to the ground. In another fluid motion, she sidestepped a second attacker, her shield smashing into his chest, sending him sprawling. The third soldier hesitated but was swiftly bested by her agility and strength. When the fight was over, she stood victorious, breathing evenly as her defeated opponents bowed respectfully before retreating.

“Incredible,” Ikaro said, his voice filled with admiration as he clapped loudly. He stepped forward with a broad grin. “Maybe I should face you next. Might actually be a fair fight.”

Without hesitation, the woman moved. In a blur of motion, she swept Ikaro’s feet from under him, pinning him to the ground with her shield. Her xiphos hovered dangerously close to his throat, her eyes sharp with confidence. Iris and I instinctively started forward, but Dario raised a hand, smirking.

“Are you sure about that, boy?” she teased, her voice calm and amused. “Looks like you’re already at ****’s door, and I haven’t even broken a sweat.”

Ikaro chuckled, completely unbothered. “Guess I spoke too soon. Then again, I didn’t have a weapon.”

The woman laughed lightly and helped him to his feet. Removing her helmet, she shook her hair free, revealing striking features, a Spartan beauty with a proud, commanding air. Her emerald eyes glinted with both intelligence and mischief. “Sheesh, you like to brag, don’t you, Cousin?”

“Cousin?” Ikaro and Iris echoed, their jaws practically dropping.

Dario burst out laughing as the woman smirked. “Ikaro, Iris,” Dario said, still grinning, “allow me to introduce my daughter, and your cousin, Aerys.” She gave Iris a wink, her gaze analysed each of us rapidly and precise. As much as she was good warrior she also carried herself with finesse and a keen mind like Dario but her gaze laid still on me for a few seconds longer than the others, she was clearly intrigued by me, and that says a lot when you have a 7’3 feet tall satyr next to you.

The siblings stood stunned. “Our cousin?” Iris muttered, disbelief evident in her voice.

“Well, now I feel like an ass,” Ikaro admitted, earning a hearty laugh from Aerys. “Wait! How did you even know we were related?” Ikaro asked, skepticism lacing her tone. “We’ve never met before.”

“Dad sent a message,” Aerys replied with a casual shrug.

“...How?” Iris asked, bewildered. “We only got here a couple of minutes ago.”

Aerys smirked and whistled sharply. From the skies, a majestic eagle descended, landing gracefully on her outstretched arm. Its sleek, dark blue plumage shimmered in the sunlight, and its golden talons gleamed with a sharp, dangerous beauty. The bird’s piercing eyes scanned us, its presence exuding an almost supernatural aura.
“Hey Orion,” Aerys said fondly, stroking the eagle’s head.

Noor’s eyes widened in awe as she approached cautiously. “Impossible. That’s an Aëtos, isn’t it?” she asked, her voice filled with genuine admiration. “A descendant of the golden eagle. I thought they were almost extinct.”

Dario nodded. “Orion’s mother and siblings were killed by **** traders decades ago. My great-grandfather rescued him as a hatchling. He’s been a loyal member of our family ever since."

Orion let out a sharp cry before turning his attention to me. With a sudden leap, he landed on my shoulder, his talons gripping firmly but not painfully. His sharp gaze seemed to study me, as if he were assessing something beyond the physical.

“Uh… okay,” I muttered, frozen in place.

Aerys and Iris exchanged amused chuckles. “Well, that’s unusual,” Aerys remarked, raising an eyebrow. “Orion doesn’t usually warm up to strangers.”

“Looks like he likes you, boy,” Dario added with a smirk.

“He can probably sense the divine essence in you,” Noor speculated, her gaze analytical. “Aëtos are said to be incredibly perceptive.”

Tentatively, I raised a hand and gently stroked the feathers on Orion’s head. To my surprise, he allowed it, tilting his head slightly as if to encourage the gesture. “So… this is normal?” I asked, glancing at Aerys and Dario.

“Not at all,” Aerys said with a grin. “You must be special.”

Orion gave a squawk of approval before hopping back to Aerys’s arm at Dario’s whistle. The general’s expression turned serious as he addressed me. “Kayn, you’ve held up your end of the bargain. Now it’s time for me to do mine.”

“Does that mean…” I began, hope stirring in my chest.

Dario nodded. “I’ll arrange a meeting with the kings. They hold me in high regard, and given that I need to report on our mission anyway, it’s only right you all come with me.”

“As long as Orion’s coming, I’m in,” I said with a grin. The eagle gave another approving squawk, earning laughter from the group.