Albert Demas and the Conflict of Olympus is a fantasy novel that blends ancient myth, history, and magical realism. It follows Albert, a warrior-turned-immortal who has lived through centuries of conflict and loss. As he confronts his true origins a...
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When the evening feast finally began, I stepped into the grand dining hall of Olympus. The place was opulent—long tables overflowing with delicacies from across realms, some dishes familiar, others that seemed to come straight from myth. The Olympians had already gathered, their laughter and conversations filling the hall like a vibrant tapestry. But as I entered, the atmosphere shifted, and the room fell silent. Eyes turned toward me—some curious, some suspicious, just as Tonnious had warned.
Zeus's booming laughter cut through the quiet, drawing the tension away like a storm blowing over. "Ah, Artekos, the lion prince! Come, sit beside me, boy! No need to linger in the shadows." His voice was warm and inviting, but I could sense an underlying current of expectation.
I smiled and made my way to the head of the table. On my right was Zeus, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of pride and calculation. On my left sat Artemis, looking far different from the fierce warrior I'd sparred with earlier. She wore an elegant gown, the fabric shimmering under the soft glow of the hall's torches. But beneath her composed exterior, I sensed a guardedness, as though she wasn't ready to let her defences down entirely.
Leaning toward her, I kept my voice low. "I see you know how to dress for an evening, not just for battle."
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Her eyes flicked toward me, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "And I see you still haven't learned how to say anything that isn't obvious."
I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe so. But it's good to know you can handle both."
She rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed, but she didn't pull away, which I considered a minor victory. There was a stubbornness in her that I respected, but it also kept me on edge—there was no telling what lay hidden behind those cool eyes.
Zeus, noticing our exchange, raised his goblet, a wide grin splitting his face. "It seems the tension between you two is easing. Perhaps there's hope for friendship yet?"
Artemis remained silent, though I caught the faintest flicker of a smile before she quickly masked it. It wasn't an admission of friendship, but something had shifted. A grudging respect, maybe. There was still a long way to go, but the spark of understanding was there, even if she wouldn't let it show openly.
