The Conquerers

Chapter nine

Early in the morning

Xerxes pov

I lay next to Hiraeth and my mind simply starts to wonder. How life has changed. Before, I was a lone wolf, wandering on my own, caring only for myself, but now, I have her. Her. Hiraeth. Out of all the women I have slept with, set eyes on, she is the only woman I have risked everything for. The only woman whom I am willing to cross the corners of the world and back for. My thoughts get interrupted by a sudden bang. I dart out of the bed and put a shirt on, I get out of the room but take one last look at Hiraeth, to make sure she is ok. She is still sleeping peacefully. Good. I get out of the bedroom and look around the house searching for some intruder.
"Xerxes"
I hear a whisper and quickly turn my head. I build a big burning energy ball in my hands and throw it towards where I heard that whisper. It doesn't hit anyone and I hear the whisper again
"Xerxes"
I turn around and see a glowing white light turning around me, engulfing me in it's energy. The voice says
"Protect her"
I smirk and say
"Don't have to tell me twice"
The voice says
"Once you arrive in Rome, go to the Pantheon and ask for a Cicero, tell him that the Searess brought you to him"
I nod and the light vanishes slowly, bringing me back to reality. I go back to my room to find Hiraeth sleeping peacefully. I go back into my bed and quickly fall asleep.

Next morning

Xerxes pov

I wake up peacefully and look over at Hiraeth to see that she is still sound fully sleeping. I get up and go to take a shower. As I undress myself, I look into the mirror and see a scar on my chest.

Past memory:

"Harder boy!"
I swing my blade as hard as I can against my father's shield. He doesn't move an inch. My father is amazing. He is a considered a prince in Greece, respected by our people, a great warrior. He looks at me and says
"My boy, don't only fight with your blade, fight with your body"
I realize what he meant and give his shield a kick. It falls to the ground and I punch his chest a few times until he holds me in a chokehold. I gasp for air and try to punch his arm away but it doesn't bulge. My fist suddenly catch in flames as I give him one last punch as he goes flying. I run over to him as he lay on the ground groaning and yell
"Dad!"
He looks at me and laughs
"Are you ok? I'm sorry I didn't...."
No you did good son"
He interrupts. He gets up and wipes himself off, he looks at me and says
"Your powers are a gift. Given from your mother, God rest her soul. She was a mystery that woman, God bless her soul."
He holds my shoulders and stares dead into my eyes as he whispers
"Never forget that your abilities are a gift, use them"
I nod and he pays my back.

Never forget, use them. One of the last words my father ever told me before his death. I hop into the shower and turn the cold water on to cool the fire flowing through my veins, I'll avenge him, avenge him and Hiraeth. My father will rest peacefully and Hiraeth will never live in fear again. My mother was always a mystery, I never knew her, I only saw her photos. Who were her people? Where do these powers come from? My identity? Who am I truly? It's about time I find out. It's about time I discover who I am, by force. One of the last things my father told me was to Never forget my abilities are a gift, to use them. Damn if I don't do just that.