I surrender!...

"Stop it!" Adrian shouted, his voice raw with desperation.

"Make me," Marcus replied, his tone mocking as he lowered his blade, daring Adrian to act.

Adrian's breath came in quick, shallow bursts as he weighed his options. He couldn't risk Alannah's life, but every second he hesitated gave Marcus the upper hand. There has to be a way. There's always a way.

The chamber fell eerily silent, the air thick with tension as the two former friends faced off. Marcus's smirk widened as he saw the flicker of doubt in Adrian's eyes.

"That's what I thought," Marcus said, his voice dripping with triumph. "You've lost, Adrian. Just accept it."

At that moment, the goddesses appeared from the shadows, as their battle outside was clearly finished. Each of them bore signs of combat—cuts, bruises, torn armor—but their eyes burned with defiance as they approached Adrian.

"Adrian," Hera said, her voice firm but edged with concern. "What's the plan?"