𝑷𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔

𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ⚔️

The piercing sound of war horns blasted through the air, jolting me awake as my heart raced wildly in my chest. The deep, rhythmic pounding of drums echoed from the streets, reverberating through the very bones of my home. Confusion wrapped around my mind like a fog, struggling to comprehend the chaos unfolding outside. The once-familiar sounds of Troy had morphed into a cacophony of alarm and fear, each note striking a chord of terror in my heart. "Sabryna!" My mother's voice sliced through the din, sharp and frantic as she called for my siblings, their names lost in the whirlwind of her worry. I leaped out of bed, the air thick with the metallic scent of fear and urgency. I rushed down the hall, my bare feet slapping against the cool stone floor, each step echoing the frantic rhythm of my racing heart, "stay in your room!" my mother urged, her voice trembling like a fragile leaf in a storm. But I could see the fear etched in her features, and it only fueled my resolve. I had to find Chapheris. She often sought refuge in the temple when the world grew overwhelming, and now, more than ever, I needed her by my side.

I slipped out the door and into the maelstrom outside. The streets of Troy were a whirlwind of panic; the air crackled with urgency as people rushed past, their faces pale and drawn with terror. I pushed my way through the chaotic crowd, desperation clawing at my throat, my heart pounding with each frantic step toward the temple. As I approached, the once-sacred place loomed ahead, shrouded in an eerie silence that stood in stark contrast to the clamor beyond. My heart sank as I stepped inside, the cool air brushing against my skin like a ghostly whisper. The sight that met my eyes twisted my stomach into knots. The bodies of priests and priestesses lay scattered across the marble floor, their lifeless forms a haunting testament to the violence that had invaded our home.

I stifled a gasp, my hands instinctively covering my mouth to suppress the bile rising in my throat. I couldn't stay here, but where was Chapheris? My heart raced as I darted behind a grand pillar, the cold stone grounding me as I hid from the chaos outside, my mind spinning with fear for my friend.

Suddenly, the temple doors burst open, and Greek soldiers flooded in, their armor glinting ominously in the dim light like the fangs of a predator. I held my breath, pressing myself against the cool stone, praying they wouldn't find me. But fate had other plans.

"Search the place!" one soldier barked, his voice harsh and commanding, echoing through the temple like the tolling of a funeral bell. Panic surged through me as I realized I was cornered. I peered out from my hiding spot, desperate for an escape. The soldiers moved with ruthless efficiency, their eyes scanning the area with a cruel intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

Before I could react, a rough hand grasped my arm, yanking me from my refuge. I was dragged into the open, the reality of my situation crashing down around me like a wave. I fought against their grip, struggling to break free, but their strength overwhelmed me, each pull bringing me closer to the very heart of chaos.

"Let me go!" I shouted, fear lacing my voice as I twisted and writhed against their hold. My heart raced, pounding like the drums of war as I was pulled through the temple, past the fallen priests and out into the streets where the chaos reigned.

As I was led away, the clamor of the battle faded, leaving only the thunderous beat of my heart. I was a prisoner now, captured by the very force that had laid waste to my home. The soldiers shoved me forward, and I stumbled, breathless, until I was brought before him.

He stood like a god amidst the ruins of Troy, a figure of strength and raw power. His golden hair fell in tousled waves around his strong jaw, framing a face that could only belong to a warrior. The gleam of his bronze armor caught the light, making him appear even more formidable, every muscle coiled with the promise of danger. I felt a mix of fear and awe as he regarded me, his piercing blue eyes assessing me with an intensity that made my breath hitch and my pulse quicken.

"What do we have here?" he asked, his voice deep and smooth, resonating through the chaos like a dark melody, sending shivers down my spine. There was a power in his words, an unyielding command that both terrified and thrilled me, igniting a spark of attraction I fought to quell.

As he stepped closer, the air around us crackled with tension. I could feel the warmth radiating from him, a heat that sent an unexpected thrill coursing through my veins. I fought the urge to step back, to hide from his penetrating gaze. Instead, I lifted my chin defiantly, refusing to let him see my fear.

"Release me," I demanded, my voice steadier than I felt, though it trembled at the edges. But he merely smirked, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Such fire," he mused, studying me as if I were an intriguing puzzle. "What's your name, little one?"

"Sabryna," I replied, my heart pounding louder than the drums outside. I felt an inexplicable connection between us, something that sent butterflies fluttering in my stomach, a wild sensation I couldn't quite comprehend.

"And you?" I asked, summoning my courage. "What is your name?"

"Achilles," he replied, the name rolling off his tongue with a weight that made it feel like an invocation. The way he said it sent a thrill through me, a reminder that I was standing before one of the most feared warriors of all time.

"Achilles," I repeated, feeling the syllables echo in my mind. "You are brave to stand among the ruins of Troy."

He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of intrigue passing through his eyes. "And yet, here you stand before me, alive and unbroken. You are stronger than you know."

As I stood there, caught in the web of his gaze, a part of me was drawn to him—an impulse that both frightened and fascinated me. Before I could reply, he stepped back, motioning for his soldiers to take me away. My heart sank as I was led further into the chaos, knowing that I was now a prisoner of the mightiest warrior of them all, my fate intertwined with his in ways I could not yet fathom.