SON OF HADES: The Army of Hypnos

6. FATAL FIGHT

"You..." Bryce squinted at the towering man with platinum blonde hair. "You're Zack Kingston!"

Queen sounded impressed. "And surprisingly, you're rocking that toga."

I frowned. "Zack who?"

Bryce glanced at me. "Zack Kingston, a big shot in the tech industry. His company built one of the best AI models."

"What's AI?" Confusion washed over me.

Queen patted my shoulder. "Baby steps, Raziel, baby steps. One day, you'll grasp it."

It couldn't be that complex, right?

Sometimes, I wished that there was a way for me to acquire knowledge of all the latest topics and trends in the snap of a finger. When all this chaos is over, school will sadly reopen. And I'll have zero chances at...anything if I don't bring myself up to speed.

Beard of Zeus, learning enough to blend in is probably going to be more herculean than stoping Hypnos.

"Mr Kingston," Brycr stuttered. "I'm a huge fan of---"

"Shut up!" Zack thundered. "You do not trespass into my property and attempt to appease me."

"Surely, you wouldn't hurt three innocent kids?" Queen flashed a docile smile.

Zack's gaze hovered over us. "Innocent children do not plot with a spy and break into private property. Two choices!" He gestured for emphasis. "You either face the punishment according to the laws of our Society..." A mischievous smile played across his features. "Or pick a contender to duel me for your freedom."

My jaw dropped. It wasn't everyday you met a CEO in a toga begging for hand-to-hand combat.

I sized him up. A real piece of work. Broad shoulders, massive muscles. If I wasn't me, I wouldn't have stood a chance. Anyone matching my slim, toned form to his pro-wrestling physique will easily wince at my chances-- out if ignorance, of course.

If only he knew that I've literally stared Death in the face.

"Tempting options," Queen cocked her head. "But I think we might just call the cops instead. A grown man fighting children is probably illegal."

"Jam all signals," Zack glowered. "Now."

In a swift motion, one of the members in golden cloaks unheated a wacky looking controller and pushed a button. A burst of static followed and we covered our ears for the few seconds it lasted.

Zack cracked his neck. "Mordecai can represent you, just pick a contender and face me. I'll even make it more interesting, if your contender wins, the cult of Zeus will give you whatever you desire along with your freedom."

Bryce whispered. "This dude seems pretty confident. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Dammit," Queen cursed under her breath. "No service, these guys were for real."

Mordecai whispered. "Lord Hades, shall you not save your servant?"

Stamping my father's scepter on the grass, I stared Zack Kingston dead in the eyes. "Challenge accepted. When I win, we get the map to the Underworld doorway."

He burst into laughter, pointing at me with a look of mockery. "Get a load of this guy!"

His fellow members chortled among themselves.

After a few seconds under my glare, they took the hint that I was dead serious.

Zack furrowed his brows. "Who are you, a gangster? What makes you think you can defeat me?"