Lionheart - Son of Hephaestus

Never Again

Leonidas collapsed against the unforgiving stone wall, gasping for air. His entire body trembled; his mind consumed by chaotic memories of what had just transpired.

Flames danced before his eyes, consuming everything in their path. The despairing cries of his mother echoed in his ears. The acrid smell of smoke filled his nostrils.

Clawing at his fists, he begged for the images to fade away. But they only intensified, leaving him trapped in a never-ending cycle of pain and guilt.

Sparta burned because of him. Because he couldn't control this cursed power. This "gift" he had never asked for to begin with.

Feral screams pierced the air, bouncing off the walls and trees like a relentless echo. The voices were filled with venom, dripping with hatred and fear.

"Murderer!"

"Monster!"

"Daimon!"

Each word struck him like a physical blow, fueling his terror and desperation to escape the unrelenting huntsmen. Their words branded him as an irredeemable outcast, hunted by those who once called him friend.

Leo squeezed his eyes shut but no matter what he tried, he couldn't block out the accusations. They were right. He was dangerous. A threat.

Despite his mother's pleas for him to stay strong, he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt and despair. Every time he used these newfound powers, it seemed like everything around him crumbled to ashes. He promised himself that he would never use them again, even if it meant living a life of poverty. The weight of his decision weighed heavily on his heart, torn between wanting to protect others and fearing the destruction he could cause.

Leonidas slid down the wall, burying his face in his hands. Sobs wracked his body as the weight of guilt crushed him.

He was alone and on the run. Betrayed by those he had once considered friends; he now faced their scorn and suspicion. His isolation weighed heavily on him, but he couldn't bring himself to trust anyone anymore.

But what scared him even more was the fear of his own actions. Would he be able to control himself, or would he succumb to his own inner demons?

Leonidas lifted his head, he tightly clenched his jaw. His eyes burned from all the tears that had been shed.

He reluctantly opened his hands, staring at the calloused palms that had caused so much pain and destruction. The strength and power he once took pride in now filled him with guilt and regret. Deep down, he wondered if he had the ability to even control his powers.

Leo's fingers curled inward, nails biting into flesh until ichor, thick and warm, welled up from the wound. He could feel the sticky liquid against his skin, grounding him in the midst of his pain. It was a reminder of both his physical and emotional turmoil, a tangible representation of the turmoil within him.

"Never again," he growled, voice hoarse. "I'm done with this life; I renounce these cursed powers!"

The words reverberated, bouncing off the ancient stone walls that had heard countless vows before. The weight of the promise hung heavy in the air, a solemn declaration that seemed to echo for eternity.

He pressed his fists against his chest, feeling the frantic pounding of his heart. It ached with loss. With shame. It felt like a hole had been blown through his chest. He could barely stand let alone walk.

Flashes of horror and guilt consumed Leo as he remembered the chaos and devastation he had caused. The screams of innocent victims echoed in his mind, along with his mother's anguished expression before she perished in the flames. All a result of his selfish choice to go against his mother's wishes.