Once the plane of the goddess of war, Anika, had landed in Placida providence, big players took note. She had been seen sending off a man that most assumed was a strong soldier or aid. The man had powered off the plane’s cargo ramp on a speed bike and was seen by members of the Reva family guard heading toward Durres. The representatives of the Reva family then met Anika, goddess of war for Placida providence as she descended the stairs of her plane, and presented her with keys to a hero's mansion commissioned just for such a hero, and a gold card on behalf of Reva and the providence. She took the keys, as she needed a place to stay here but ignored the gold card. She had an annual stipend from the capital, after all, not to mention, she was under the directed command of Andrew. If she had needs, they would be met.
The Reva family were the largest family of Placida and were intent on curing favor with the goddess of war. Located on the main trade road between the coast
As Andrew drove away from the bank and headed back to the construction site, he clicked a button on his hoverbike and connected a call to Anika. “Yes, Commander!” was the reply after the first ring had barely even started. “Anika dear, eager much?” came the chuckle from Andrew. “lol Yes, commander I am going mad here! The Reva family presented me with a hero's mansion. I don’t know what to do with this kind of space or treatment. I almost miss the simple life we had on the mission. No one around for miles, and a clear goal. Now the Supreme Lord has me buried in paperwork and reports. It's mind-numbing.” Complained Anika. It felt good to talk to her commander openly. It had only been a few days, but it still felt too long for a team that had worked together almost 24/7 for over 5 years. Anika had joined the team shortly before that fateful mission where they discovered the heart stone. While they didn’t understand the implications at the time, they each learne
Andrew hung up as he entered the construction yard. The day was already growing late, but the ten security guards were still working. Several had collapsed and were sleeping under some shade. Andrew casually walked through them, ran the course in just 45 seconds, and then proceeded back to the foreman’s office to review the footage from the day. The men just started dumbfounded yet again at the speed and strength of this man. While they had been able to complete the course now, it was a matter of taking each element by itself, and the whole course took close to an hour on their fastest run through. Andrew sat down and clicked on the video from the day and rewatched several clips and angles from the meant training. After he had a good idea of what had transpired, he went outside to work with them in person. “gather round. You all look frustrated and overworked. TOO bad. If you want to continue being employed with Dreadnought Investment, I am lo
When Cynthia Eisen finally made it home, she was distraught. Had she really committed to compensating this Andrew character for 10 million of the king’s gold? she had gone looking to make him pay and somehow it had been turned around on her. At that moment, Jay Eisen called. “Aunty, Did you make that Andrew agree to pay compensation? I saw you slap him! That was brilliant! He is squatting on our company site and now does such a thing to cousin Roisin!” For a moment Cynthia Eisen did not know how to respond. “Jay, we cannot let him get away with this! You are right, but aunty needs your help. He has agreed to come to grandpa’s birthday in 5 days, so we need to shame him then. Can you believe he had the nerve to demand I pay 10 million for medical care rendered to Roisin?” “Wait, What? He wants us to pay compensation? I thought he ravished her! How can we be expected to pay him? Is he thinking to demand a bride price? He has his way with her so now she should b
The next few days were mostly the same for Andrew. He would wake up and work with a new batch of trainees from Dreadnought Investment. And then find food somewhere local, and return to keep training. For Andrew, the routine of the next few days would be good for him, and the time for training was also welcome. Often, he would run laps of the whole five stories of obstacles while waiting on the current batch of recruits to finish the first level. It almost felt like one of the Dragon team’s rotations back to the training barracks when they would split up and spend a week training front-line soldiers how to not die. Even a week of training with the Dragon squadron as their drill masters was enough to elevate most of the ordinary soldiers to something that stood a chance on the battlefields. The field generals were always thankful when the Dragon squad rolled though because while the gods of war were there, no one dared attack that position, plus their men always came out bette
When Roisin Eisen and her mother Cynthia Eisen returned home, they both sat in silence trying to decide how to move forward. In a short time, Andrew would very likely show up to the birthday celebration and in front of the whole family demand compensation for life-saving grace. How were they to come up with ten million? Roisin wrung her hands and got up to pace. As she did, she slipped her hand into her pocket and found the crumpled napkin Andrew had given her. The FORMULA! He has said this formula was worth a lot of money! He had provided a broken fragment for the R&D department to study and prove true, and asked her to talk to the Eisen group about selling off their portion of her company! Roisin stared at the formula, torn with what to do. Could she somehow bargain away her companies equity to cover her debt? Her company had been doing well in the last two years, and now made up about 1/3 of the Eisen group's core function. Her cousin ran the construction business tha
The next day, Andrew Got up and started the current wave of security trainees on their course. All the trainees had at this point been shown the route and also received at least some personal training from Andrew. It would be up to them now to show improvement. Near 11, a sleek bike soared into the construction site. The men all stopped what they were doing and watched and the rider glided over to where Andrew’s bike was parked next to the manager's trailer. Only a few noted that these bikes were almost identical, Andrew’s black and gold was a bit more ornate, compared to the new rider's more solid black, with just a touch of gold accent. The rider just paused and played on her phone waiting for something, ignoring all the eyes in her direction. “Back to training! If you men are distracted that easy, you will never amount to much when it comes to my security squads!” hollered Andrew. “not every day such a beauty like that
When they arrived at one of the higher-end shopping malls of Durres, Andrew agreed reluctantly that what he had been wearing was about worn through from training and living on the construction site. So they set out to find a clothing shop and acquire some medical ingredients to prepare something to bring to tonight’s Birthday celebration. Andrew had no relation to this Eisen family patriarch except through Roisin but figured it would be in poor taste to go empty-handed to Matthew Eisen’s birthday and then seek to collect compensation from his family. It was nice walking through the mall with the beautiful Anika on his arm. She was not in uniform for once nor in field gear so the change was striking. All of her feminine curves and figure were clearly visible and the smile on her face was radically different from the harsh lines of concentration that normally filled it during missions. They made their way into a store that sold high-end Suits, many of which were import
As they walked out, Andrew laden down with bags, Anika said, “hey at least I didn’t kill anyone.” Andrew shivered because he had seen her come off the battlefield more than once drenched in blood. Asrana may be the queen of Ice and have a stare that can freeze you solid, but Anika was a true queen of death in every sense of the title. “Where to now?” asked Anika as they wondered out. “Well, I need to get these delivered to wherever you are staying because we came on the bikes. Then I need a shower before the banquet.” Said Andrew. With a sly smile, Anika said, “Don’t have to ask me twice.” A shrill whistle was all it took to summoned a nearby transport car. Latest Chapter Andrew led the way as they headed back toward the great hall. “Come, it is time to return to Durres.” As they passed into the grand hall, Alexa let out a shocked squeak as two men grabbed her arms from either side. Anika and Andrew spun back to her and Anika drew a dagger. Conner’s two younger brothers held Alexa. “Lookie what we found. A murderous little bitch.” Lord Devos stepped out of the shadows then with a man that Alexa felt bore a striking resemblance to lieutenant Tannis. “Ah, goddess Anika, you saved me a lot of trouble bringing this traitor to me. I thank you. the Praetorian guard has already been summoned. After all, the death of the son of Senator Palmos cannot hardly be overlooked.” “Lord Governor Devos, you will release Alexa now. If you don’t, you will find I am far more than you can afford to offend.” Andrew said coldly. “Son, don’t play here.” Governor Devos said, snapping his fingers. Twenty home guard stepped out of the shadows and surrounded them. General Ezra Alexa marveled at the militaristic atmosphere as they entered the palace of Devos Mansion. There were guards stationed at the entrance who bowed respectfully as their badges automatically lifted the gate without the guard needing to activate it.When they arrived at the front doors of the castle, six guards came to the side of the car and stood at attention. They exited the car and Anika led the way into the grand hall.“Seems they might have expected us.” Anika said softly as Alexa took in the numerous guards who lines the alcoves of the grand hall. Many were hidden in shadow and if her keen hearing had not detected their breathing, or the subtle expansion of their chests against taught leather and breast plates, she likely would have assumed they were statues. At the far end, a throne sat empty. A steward stood off to the side and raised his voice.“The Red Dragon, Anika Archeron and company.”Nothing happened, and the room fell eerily silent.“Are the devos not in?” Anika asked A The ride to Kaibain started out quiet. Alexa stared out the window, lost in thought. The realization that she had killed one of their own soldiers over a stupid argument galled her. Raya joined her thoughts, ‘He pulled a weapon on of god of war. That is tantamount to treason.’ ‘He didn’t know I was a god of war. You only just made that appointment. I don’t wear any insignia, nor am I even in this army.’ ‘Alexa, you are my warrior. You were there under Andrew’s command, with Anika, Nash, and the rest. Everyone of them is a known god of war and every member of the dragon squad outranked that pissant. That is over 1000 soldiers from across the land that are KNOWN to outrank him. no one travels in the company of the gods of war without outranking that traitor. He still chose not only to disrespect you but to pull a weapon on you. He disobeyed a direct order from the supreme commander, and chose to use deadly force on a higher ranking office Alexa unstrapped her blade and handed it to Andrew. Her wolf, Cole had been his name before he took on the designation of #2, handed over several blades as well. Nash checked the other soldiers to make sure they were not hiding any weapons.Satisfied, Andrew glared at Tannis, but opted to let Alexa fix this herself. “Winner gets the title and honor. Loser is demoted. No weapons. Submission wins. BEGIN!”The word begin had barely left Andrew’s lips when Alexa and Cole exploded. Alexa’s black hair billowed in the wind and she rushed forward, and then Cole powered before Her, arm out stretched. She caught hold of his arm and he swung her, tripling her speed and he added every bit of momentum he could to her flight. Alexa rocketed at the soldiers and flipped into a feet first attack at the last second, crashing into two soldier’s mid sections. They were rendered unconscious as they flew back, smashing into the side of a transport truck, the wi “Alexa, Raya has bestowed this upon you. You are now officially one of us. As far as the king is concerned.. Meh, he does not need to know. However, I have the ability to now grant you full authority as a god of war. You will not be subject to any authority except mine and Raya’s, and with this rank, you also now have authority second only to mine and the other gods of war.”Alexa blanched, realizing just what was being bestowed upon her. “Are you sure?”“It is not up to me. This is Raya.” He said calmly. “Now, It is time we get back to our own tasks in Durres. There is still plenty left undone there, and sadly we have new business to attend.”Alexa remembered her dead wolves and nodded.“Go ahead and load up. I will be out with Anika shortly.”Alexa headed out, flanked as soon as she left the meeting hall by several wolves who had been waiting outside the doors.When th Alexa’s eye’s opened to light streaming into her eyes. Pain radiated around her neck. The light moved away and was replaced by Anika’s face.“Lay still, Alexa. Your windpipe is damaged, but you will be fine. Likely just some bruising. Here, I am going to help you swallow this pill.” Anika gently helped her open her mouth, which sent spasms of pain along her jaw. The pill dissolved instantly when it hit her tongue. She closed her eyes as the pill did its work.When she opened her eyes again, it was to the gentle rays of dawn peaking over the lake. They had moved her to the shore and had packed sleeping bags around her. Her neck felt stiff and when she reached up, she felt the rigid frame of a brace around her neck. Anika’s face loomed over head then.“Hey, sleepy head. Don’t try to talk, try squeeze my fingers to answer me.” Anika held out two fingers. Alexa obeyed. “Now, Are you hurting?”A Howls erupted around her as Alexa’s wolves went battle mad. The sound aroused a spark of consciousness. Raya was screaming in her mind as silverly wings enveloped her mind. Alexa’s eyes flashed with defiance as she reached up and gripped the flat top of bloodbane. Any mortal that tried this would be sliced or simply have the blade moved down out of their grip. Alexa’s grip however, viced onto the blade so tight, its motion toward her neck halted completely.The commander looked at her, shocked. Clearly he had intended on placing the blade flat against his fist and pushing it away from him, across the top of his hand, taking alexa’s head off in the process. He had maneuvered the blade a bit slowly. Perhaps out of caution, knowing its deadly power, or perhaps due to bloodloss. Either way, the blade was now frozen, inches from Alexa’s neck. She still dangled in the air, legs suspended by his massive grip but her defiant eyes were not dying like they Alexa walked along the cliff face, glancing over her shoulder at the rock debris that covered the cave entrance. Her stomach roiled as she thought about the wolf that she had lost. She vowed to visit his family and ensure Andrew and Anika would take care of the family from now on. Lost in thought she didn’t see the crack in the rock as she passed. The shlick of a crossbow bolt being released had her spinning around and dropping low as she looked for the attacker. Behind her # 26 slumped to the, a bolt protruding from his chest, as red blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. “NO!” she cried, her black blade flashing in her hand. “Down!” she waved at the men behind her and the took cover, but not before several more bolts flew, taking down several more of her men. Carter grunted as a bolt caught him in the gut. “Alert! We are under fire” Alexa barked into her mic. The whole squad rushed in her direction, cautious of the incoming bolts. To her horror, “For fuck sake that could have gone better.” Anika spat as they set down two injured wolves. Anika sported a slice across her bicep but it didn’t look bad.“The numbers were agaist us. But they needed to be taken out. A unit that size moving around our back door?” Said Nash, appearing out of the dark.Gad materialized next to him, “Question is what now? They know we are here. We are not going to get that kind of surprise again.”Alexa tagged her communicator, “Jackson, can you those with Thermals get a count for us?”“Give us a minute.” Came the reply.“How are our numbers here?” Nash asked, looking around.Alexa grimaced, and started looking for her wolves. “Wolf pack, sound off!”All but one answered. 28 was MIA. Likely dead. “Minor wounds mostly. A few took bolts in that last volley.” She said to Nash.“They have a cavP2 Chapter 25: Raya's Progeny
P2 Chapter 24: Sign the papers
P2 chapter 23: Regrets
p2 Chapter 22: Dont mess with Alexa
p2 Chapter 21: Honor
p2 chapter 20: Silver Dragon
p2 chapter 19: The Commander
p2 Chapter 18: Return of Bloodbane
P2 Chapter 17: Special Arrows