Sabotage

Hestia parked the car she stole from Aidoneus  in the garage with Zen's other flashy cars. Aidoneus's car stuck out like a sore thumb, it was all matte black as Zen's were white and gold. She clicked the lock button and turned to head inside. As she entered, the house was busy with maids and butlers cleaning up the mess her brother left. She strolled into the kitchen, grabbed an apple and took a crisp bite.

She exited and headed into the main part of the house, she saw Zen and Hippio sitting in the dining room conversing. She popped her head in and waved, they both scowled at her.

"Still mad that I ran off with your punching bag?" she joked as she took another bite. Zen crossed his arms.

"No." he cleared his throat, "But there is something we need to show you Hestia" he gestured for her to come over. She shrugged and walked over to her brothers. Hippio stood and let her sit next to Zen, which was odd. Hippio would never give his seat up for her, he looked down on her and Aidoneus as they both were born after him and Zen. She shrugged it off and sat down next to Zen.

Zen was holding a phone; he turned the screen to her. Her mouth fropped open.

"That....That's Aidoneus ?!" The footage was the parking garage footage Hippio had Minithe leaked on TechTube. She looked at Zen franticly.

"Adelfós! WE have to get this removed NOW!" she said, reaching for his phone. He pulled it away from her in one swift motion.

"This is the fear we need to instill into our investors" he said putting his phone down. "The need to invest more into Technoloiga so we can stop people like Aidoneus  from getting powers." He pushed back from the table.

"Yes, once the media plays this on the news, we'll make a statement. " Hippio added. Hestia looked confused.

"Wouldn't you not want this to go viral? It'll ruin your reputation!"

"Not ours, Aidoneus  runs the lower districts" Zen responded to Hestia with a shrug. "Of course he'd act like this running his district, but ours" he stood up walking towards the exit.

"Ours will be fine, and our investors will panic buy into our company to help fund our device." Hestia sat there as both her brothers exited the room, leaving her to digest what was said.

"You have your statement ready adelfós?" Hippio asked as they exited into the hallway. Zen nodded.

Aidoneus  stepped out of the shower drying himself off with Kore's towel. He wrapped it around his waist and went to the mirror. He swiped the steam off the mirror. He studied himself; he looked down at his palms; he felt stronger than he did yesterday, almost like all his power returned to him. 'That's quick' he thought to himself. He exhausted himself once before a few years ago and it took a better part of 4 days to regain just the ability to heal fast.

Kore knocked on the door, "Aidon, there's" ... he opened the door, startling her. He still had nothing on but the towel. He leaned into the

door frame, slightly leaning towards her in the process.

"Yes, agápi̱ mou?" He grinned. She turned beat red and put her hand up to cover her eyes.

"Um... There's.... there is a shirt and pants here I borrowed from you if you wish to wear them" she shyly looked over to her dresser's top drawer where the clothing was. He walked past her; she quickly spun and exited

the room.

As he exited her room, she met him with a hot cup of coffee and a smile. He took it, grazing her fingers with his.

"Thank you agápi̱ mou" he lifted the coffee up to his mouth, taking a small sip.

"Want some breakfast guys?" She turned toward the kitchen.

"How about we go out for breakfast agápi̱ mou?" He raised an eyebrow at her while taking another sip of coffee.

She pouted, "Why waste money when I could just whip up some eggs for y'all?"

"Agápi̱ mou, how many times do I have to tell you this?' He walked up to her and pulled her to him by the waist, "I have more money than I need, let me spend some on you", he smirked at her.

Peter and Adrian both looked up at the ceiling and pretended to whistle, Kore laughed at their reactions and playfully pushed Aidoneus  away.

"Fine, you win" she shrugged as she headed to grab her purse, keys and jacket. Peter stood up holding Sam.

"Can we bring him?" he asked with a smile as Sam's legs dangled as he attempted to squirm to lick Peter's face. Aidoneus  nodded, he turned to Kore for her approval, she smiled, nodding.

Sam jumped around the back of the car, hopping from Kore's lap to Aidoneus's, attempting to jump into the front with Adrian and Peter.

"Oh, my goodness, Sam! Calm down" Kore chuckled as the pup was painting the back of the car with drool. Peter headed over to the middle of the upper district. They planned on grabbing breakfast and going to central Atlas's park, then they'd head on over to Phillip's cell phone shop to grab Aidoneus  another phone.

Peter pulled into a fast-food joint. He studied the menu, Aidoneus rolled the back window down, to view the menu while holding the small dog who was attempting to jump out. Kore leaned into Aidoneus's back to get a better view.

"Adrian, baklava?" Peter raised an eyebrow to his partner sitting next to him. Adrian excitedly nodded.

"Hmm." Kore pondered looking at the menu, tapping her finger on the bottom of her chin. "Pick for me Aidon!" she said cheerfully. She was curious about what he liked to eat. He shrugged, handed her Sam and leaned out the window to order.

"Hi! Welcome to Pepper's drive thru, my name is Sophia, how may I help you today" a chipper voice chimed in over the intercom.

"Kali̱méra*, how are you doing today?" Aidoneus  didn't use his normal cold voice he normally would use, Kore smiled at him while sitting behind him, she was glad he was in

a good mood.

*Good morning*

"I'm doing well sir! Thank you! How may I help you today", Sophia responded as the speaker made a small crackling noise.

"I'd like to order one Pepper's omelet, two side orders of avocado toast, one order of baklava and.." he looked at Peter who chimed in with "An order of baked eggs". Kore nudged Aidoneus  and looked down at Sam. He knew what she was trying to say "Please add two slices of bacon as well" he finished. The cashier read back the order and the total. She told them to pull forward.

Peter crawled to a stop in front of the window. Sophia, the woman who took their order opened the window to take the payment. Peter handed her a card, she accepted, taking a quick glance at Aidoneus  in the back seat. Her expression changed, she quickly closed the window and turned.

'That's that man in that video' she thought as a chill ran down her spine. She swiped their card and hurriedly handed it back. She didn't want this monster around any longer than he needed to be.

Peter pulled out of the drive-thru, took a left on Spruce St. And headed towards the park. Sam kept trying to jump into the bags, Kore fought his struggling body while laughing. Aidoneus  got lost in her joy. Peter glimpsed in the back, seeing his boss really in truly smile for the first time ever.

They pulled up to the parking area for the park. Adrian opened Kore's door, and Peter opened Aidoneus's. Aidoneus  put his hand on his shoulder smiling and nodded to his friend. Peter nodded back, taking the bags from his hands. Adrian walked around the corner holding Sam at arm's length as he tried to nip his face. They all headed towards a tree that was in the middle of the area.

Kore noticed how people were looking at their phones and then looking at Aidoneus . She shook it off and continued on with everyone. They arrived at the tree, Adrian placed Sam down who ran to the trunk, lifted his leg up and marked it. Kore scrunched her nose at him and wagged her finger in a 'shame on you' way. Peter set the bag down on the grass, everyone sat in a circle around it as Sam chased butterflies.

Peter handed everyone their order. Aidoneus  popped the lid off of their order, setting it

between him and Kore. Kore opened up the small foil packet that had the bacon

in it, she broke it up for Sam and placed it next to her. Sam barreled around her and shoved his face into the pile of bacon, snorting as he gobbled it all up. He took the empty packet of foil into his mouth and ran off with it. Peter bolted up and chased after him. Kore snorted as Aidoneus  laughed.

"O fílos mou, the poor thing probably thinks you're going to crush him!" He waved for Peter to come back, as Sam trotted over to Kore. She took the foil out of his mouth and tapped his snout. "Bad dog" she giggled as he rolled around in the grass. Peter huffed over and sat back down.

Aidoneus  cut into their omelet and handed Kore a fork. She took it, thanking him. They both took a bite. Surprise washed over Kore's face as she chewed.

"This is good!"  Her voice muffled due to the food; she covered her mouth "Sorry" she apologized meekly while swallowing. Adrian was savoring his baklava as Peter fought off Sam for his food. Aidoneus  reached over and wiped some food off of the corner of Kore's mouth. She blushed and turned away.

They put the trash from their meal into the bag it came in, Peter collected the bag and tapped on Adrian's shoulder. He gestured discreetly for Adrian to follow him. He wanted to give his boss some alone time with Kore. Catching Peter's hint, he stood up and brushed himself off. Aidoneus  raised an eyebrow at the two as they walked away without a word.  Kore held a squirming Sam in her lap.

"I think he might die from excitement" she giggled. Sam barely went out due to Kore's schedule, so she was happy to finally get him out of the house and in the sun while it lasted. He started to calm down, he jumped off ofbher and went to lay down in Aidoneus 's lap. He petted the pup as it dozed off.

Kore looked at the two gently. She inched her way over to Aidoenous until her fingers met with his. He placed his hand on top of hers, intertwining his fingers with hers. He looked up from Sam and looked at Kore. She looked down towards their hands.

"Aidon... I just wanted to tell you..." she looked off to the side as she fidgeted "I'm sorry for what happened a couple days ago." He tightened his grip on hers, ever so slightly.

She looked back up at him as she continued "Zen didn't lay a finger on me. I was just so angry at what he was saying about you that my powers... kind of got out of control" she shrugged towards him. He pulled her hand up towards him and kissed her fingers.

"Agápi̱ mou, he hurt you emotionally, and that's not ok." He locked eyes with her as he placed her hand back down. The sunlight highlighted his face, she could see the concern written on it.

"You're not what they say you are agápi̱ mou, you are..." he reached up and placed his hand on her cheek "YOU are exceptional". A tear rolled down her cheek and down his hand, as the tear dropped to the grass, a small dandelion blossomed. He wiped the tear away as she nuzzled into his hand.

"And you Aidon, you're.... extraordinary" she whispered as she kissed his hand. His heart skipped a beat as the sunlight shined down on her beautiful hair. She looked at him with those amazingly blue eyes, eyes that he would burn the world for.

Aidoneus  helped Kore up off the grass while holding a snoozing Sam. She brushed herself off and put her arm around his as they walked off towards Peter and Adrian who were waiting by the car.

"Agápi̱ mou, I do have a question" Aidoneus  said looking ahead. She looked up at him

curiously "Yes?"

"Do you remember saying genaiódoros* to me? He glanced down at her curiously. She tapped her finger on her chin, "No, I don't even know what that means" she shrugged as she responded. He chuckled as they arrived at the car. Adrian and Peter had worrisome looks on their faces.

*handsome*

"What is it oi fíloi mou?" Aidoneus questioned the two as they approached. Peter ealked up to him and took Sam from his arms, Adrian stepped forward.

"Afentikó" he paused and cleared his throat "there's...something you should see" he pulled his phone out; he glanced at Kore. Aidoneus nodded, giving Adrian the signal that it was ok to play the video.

The video ended as Aidoneus 's jaw clenched. He didn't wish for Kore to see this side of him yet, but he felt an odd calm sensation knowing it was out there now. He had his father to thank for all the pent-up rage he had. He looked at Kore to see how she reacted, she stood there un-phased.

"Yikes, did you forget to get caffeinated that morning?" she chuckled. Adrian put his phone away as Aidoneus  opened the car door for her. She hopped in, scooted over and as he bent to get in, she turned to him.

"Aidon, you're what? Some kind of God?" She questioned, he stopped mid-way in and looked at her oddly. She patted the seat for him to sit.

"You're allowed to protect yourself. I didn't see a man losing control, I saw a

man protecting himself."  She reached up

front to take Sam from Peter so he could buckle himself in.

"You never cease to amaze me afentikó" he said as he slid into the car.

Breaking news! Minith's T.V blared as

she put her earrings in. She stepped in front the T.V in her heels, her apartment large but bare.

"This shocking footage was uploaded this morning to TechTube, viewer discretion is advised!" The announcement rang off her white walls. The video that Minithe uploaded per Hippios's instruction played across the T.V. "This is the footage of Aidoneus  Doukas, the man is known to be a monster, but this is evidence to back up those rumors!" The footage cut to the news caster. He turned to the camera "What does this mean for the Doukas brothers? How are we supposed to rest, knowing one of

the brothers has this kind of power? What is stopping this man from overthrowing the Doukas's legacy and taking it for his own?" The news caster turned to the left at a different camera. "We have your answers from Zen Doukas himself".

The camera cut to Zen standing at a podium in front of their offices. Zen raised his massive hand to calm down the crowd in front of him.

"Please calm down! I assure you; we had no idea Aidoneus  was running the streets with these powers" he took a breath, "Technologia has strived to provide everyone with the knowledge to know who and who doesn't have these special abilities. We have strived to keep our streets safe ever since the steady decline in these anomalies" "To continue our father's legacy, to uphold justice for our town. It pains me to see my dear brother miss use his gift" He put his hand up to his chest, showing a pained expression "With that said, I would like to introduce our new device, it is set to null anyone with powers" the crowd started clamoring. A reporter yelled "How do we know you don't have these powers?"

Zen responded "Ever since 2025 there has been a steady decrease in anyone with an ability, I guarantee you I do not have these powers, I am but a man like you! I want to keep my city safe like my father before me!" He waved off the camera and made an exit towards the right.

Minithe scoffed as she turned the T.V off. She walked into her bathroom, sprayed a perfume Aidoneus  had gifted her and adjusted herself in front of the mirror. She pulled her top down slightly to reveal more cleavage, reached down and put on gloves that had bladelike nails hidden in the tips. 

"Now, time to get my Aidon back" she smiled wickedly in the mirror as she inspected her hands.

Peter pulled into Kore's apartment building, as people stared in their direction. They pulled up to the front of the building, Aidoneus  exited and opened Kore's door. She exited pouting.

"Agápi̱ mou, you're supposed to be resting" he kissed the top of her forehead, Sam licked the bottom of his chin. Aidoneus  laughed.

"I know, but I wanted to go with you" she whined as she went to the entrance of her building. He opened the door for her, as she waved Peter and Adrian goodbye. She entered and turned her nose up at Aidoenous, upset she'd have to spend the rest of her day in her apartment. He followed closely behind on her heels.

Kore stopped, she turned quickly and put her hand up to halt Aidoneus. Puzzled, he stopped, looking down at her.

"No." she said firmly. "You don't need to walk me up, I'm perfectly fine, go about your day" she shooed him. His face furled into a

frown.

"You're this mad at me because I care about your well-being?" He cocked and eyebrow at her. She stopped pretending to be mad and laughed.

"I was just kidding, but seriously, I'm ok, you don't need to walk me up, no one knows where I live anyways," she stood on the tips of her toes and planted a kiss on his cheek while Sam ruined it by slobbering all on

the underside of Aidoneus 's chin. He chuckled and kissed her forehead in

return.

"How about I stop by and bring you dinner?" He smiled coyly at her.

"No," she giggled "How about you stop by, and I cook for you?" she said, raising an eyebrow at him. He nodded in agreement. She smiled and

blew him a kiss before she turned and headed off up the staircase. He watched

her from the bottom as she disappeared around the corner.

Kore giddily walked up to her door to unlock it. She stopped and looked down, there was something at her feet. She bent over with Sam in her arms and picked it up, it was a white rose with blood splattered on the end, and a bloody bandage wrapped around the stem. The rose was perfectly petrified and reeked of chemicals. She scrunched her nose; she turned and went to the yrash can that was in the corner by the start of the stairwell. She tossed it away, thinking someone must have dropped their art project or something. She kissed Sam on the head, as he was growling towards apartment 66, Kore didn't notice due to how happy she was, but Collin was standing in the doorway staring

at her.

"Oh!" she exclaimed as she headed back to her apartment, she just noticed Collin standing there, in a grey hoodie, head tilted down as his glasses reflected the hall light. Kore slowly walked to her apartment, put the key in the lock as Collin looked at her. He silently turned and closed the door. Kore quickly entered her apartment and locked all her locks. Sam's barking pulled Kore out of her frightened state.

"Shh Sam, it's ok, we're safe" she said calmly while kissing the top of his head. She let him down, he ran up to the door and continued to growl viciously towards it.