the emerging power

The sky had begun to dim as Athena and Asher walked slowly down the narrow path toward her rental house. The air turned crisp again, and the wind carried the scent of wood smoke and damp earth.

Athena lowered her head, her hand wrapped around Asher's warm fingers. Their steps were unhurried, occasionally broken by quiet laughter as they recalled the incident with the skating earlier that day.

"I like today," Asher said, glancing at her. "I like it here."

Athena smiled gently, but her heart whispered, 'I do too… but this place isn't yours. One day, you'll remember everything. And when you do, maybe you'll choose your old life over staying here with me. My life is a mess.'

They turned the last corner toward home and Athena froze.

Asher stopped beside her, confused. "What is ..?"

He didn't get to finish his sentence.

In front of her rent house stood a group of men in dark suits and expensive coats, strikingly out of place in the humble neighborhood. At their center stood a sharply dressed man with slick dark hair and an air of authority that radiated from him like frost. His gaze was sharp but his smile cold.

Athena took a step back.

"Asher…" she whispered, barely audible. Her body tensed.

Asher instinctively moved half a step forward, slightly shielding her. His eyes scanned the men. "Who are they? Why are they at our place?"

Athena didn't respond. Her breath hitched. Her grip on Asher's jacket tightened.

The man in the center stepped forward calmly. "Athena Kingsleigh," he said with a small smile. "I hope you haven't forgotten our deal."

Athena quickly ducked behind Asher.

Asher glanced back at her, catching the sheer fear in her face. Then he looked back at the man, firmer now. "She doesn't want to talk to you."

The man chuckled, dry and dismissive. "I don't care," he said coldly. "I didn't come here to talk. I came to take her."

Asher stepped forward, standing tall. "You can't just take someone who clearly doesn't want to go with you. She's scared of you."

The man looked him over with disdain and walked a few steps closer, until only a few feet separated them.

"Do you even know who you're talking to?" he scoffed. "I'm Carlos Dawkins. Gold tycoon, billionaire, MMA champion. I could snap your neck in one move."

Athena gasped and tugged on Asher's hand from behind, her voice a panicked whisper. "Don't, Asher. Don't fight him. We... we should just run. Please."

Asher didn't move. His eyes stayed locked on Carlos, calm, focused, and unshaken. His jaw tightened. His fists clenched. He said nothing, but his presence alone stood like a shield between Athena and the threat before them.

Carlos narrowed his eyes, as if slowly realizing the man before him was... different.

"Step aside," he said coolly. "I'm not here for you. I came for Athena."

Asher remained still. His eyes sharp, his body subtly shifting to continue blocking Athena from view.

Suddenly...

"Asher… it's okay," Athena whispered. "Stay calm. I'll handle this."

With heavy steps, Athena moved out from behind him. Her face was pale, but her eyes held fire. She was shaking slightly, but she stood tall.

Carlos smirked. "Good girl. Don't make me wait too long."

"I'll pay ...," Athena said, straight to the point. "Give me one month."

Carlos squinted. "One month?" He let out a short, cold laugh. "Do you know how long I've been waiting, Athena? Weeks, months. Do I look like an idiot to you?"

"I… I really don't have the money yet," she said softly. "I used it… for hospital bills. For my friend."

Carlos raised a hand, silencing her. "Enough."

Athena flinched and instinctively stepped back.

"I didn't come here to hear more excuses," Carlos said sharply, voice tight with restrained anger. "I'll give you one final option."

He stepped forward slowly, like a predator approaching prey. His eyes softened just slightly enough to unsettle.

"You come with me. Stay with me for one month. You'll live in luxury. I'll give you everything, nice clothes, food, the warmest bed..." He paused, then sneered. "And after that, your debt is gone. I'll never bother you again. Simple, right?"

Athena stood frozen. Her face pale, her jaw clenched. Then slowly, she shook her head.

"No," she said firmly.

Carlos's smirk widened, as though amused by her courage. He reached out and grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"Think about it. You're beautiful, Athena. So beautiful. You'd get a whole month of comfort, pleasure, all mine… and then you're free. I might even throw in extra cash."

Athena stared back with disgust, then slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me," she said, her voice trembling but strong. "My dignity is worth more than money. I won't sell myself just to pay off a debt."

Carlos froze. The mockery vanished from his face, replaced by a flash of rage.

Asher, who had been silently watching, stepped forward. His face was tense like a storm ready to break.

"She said no," he growled. "You need to leave."

"Hey!" Carlos barked, eyes narrowing. "Who the hell are you to talk to me like that?"

Asher paused. Then, calmly, "I'm Asher. Asher Kingsleigh."

Carlos blinked then suddenly clapped mockingly, eyes shifting to Athena. "So… you're married now? Is this how you're trying to get out of it?"

Athena shook her head quickly. "No, it's not like that."

"Well, I don't care if you're married or not. You're still coming with me, whether you like it or not." Carlos turned to his men.

With a sharp nod, the order was given.

Two large men rushed forward, grabbing Athena by the arms and dragging her back.

"Athena!" Asher shouted.

Athena struggled, panicking. "Let me go! Asher!"

Asher tried to move, but two more men grabbed him from behind and the side, pinning him in place.

Then....

With a single jerk of his arms, Asher broke free.

The two men holding him were thrown through the air like rag dolls, crashing into the snow several meters away.

Athena froze, eyes wide. "A... Asher?"

Carlos stood motionless, his hand still on Athena's arm. For the first time, his expression faltered.

"Let her go," Asher said, voice icy. His calm exterior now crackled with quiet fury.

Carlos snapped his fingers. Four more men rushed in.

Asher didn't move until the first swung at him.

He countered instantly, landing a solid punch to the man's chest. The man flew backward, slammed into a lamp post, and dropped unconscious.

The others didn't even get to strike. Asher darted forward, hitting two at once. They crashed through the bushes and fences like cannonballs.

The last one tried from behind but Asher spun around and pushed him in the chest with a single hand. The man shot backward, flying six meters before landing flat on the snowy ground, motionless.

Athena stood frozen. Her hands covered her mouth, breath stolen by shock.

"Asher..." she whispered.

But it wasn't his injuries or lack thereof that shocked her.

It was how… effortlessly he had done it all.

Carlos stumbled back, shaken. But Asher moved toward him with heavy, deliberate steps.

"Don't ever touch her again," Asher said, his voice low and final.

Carlos, now trembling, tried to regain composure. "Who ..Who are you?" he muttered.

Asher didn't answer. He grabbed Carlos by the collar and, with terrifying ease, hurled him like a rag doll.

Carlos tumbled across the snow-covered road and crashed into a pile of stacked wood. He groaned, struggling to rise his legs barely able to support him.

Asher stood tall, his chest rising and falling slowly.

He turned to Athena.

She still hadn't moved. Her eyes locked on the man before her, his silhouette fierce and still, steam rising from his breath in the winter air, like a storm that had just passed.

But in her heart… the questions had just begun.