The forest loomed ahead, its canopy stirring in the morning breeze as the four children stepped off the beaten path. Atlas led with steady steps, sack bouncing against his hip. Alexios walked at his side, spear balanced on his shoulder, his brow furrowed in thought.
It didn't take long before Alexios broke the silence.
"So, Atlas," he began casually, though the intensity in his eyes betrayed him, "when did you actually start… investigating? All of this."
Atlas glanced at him. "All what?"
Atlas sighed inwardly. Of course. He couldn't hold back.
Alexios kept pressing, voice sharpening. "How long have you been sneaking out? Why didn't you ever bring me along? We're supposed to be brothers-in-arms, aren't we?"
Atlas pinched the bridge of his nose. He had prepared answers for this moment, just as carefully as a physician prepared bandages before a battle.
He answered as he had rehearsed. "When did I started? Since the day I joined the camp. I knew something was wrong from the beginning."
Alexios narrowed his eyes. "And how long have you kept at it?"
Atlas shrugged. "Since then. Until now."
Alexios stopped in his tracks, his face hardening. "And why didn't you tell me?"
Atlas smirked faintly, then chuckled. "Because, my friend, every time Chrysis praised you, you looked like a wolf wagging its tail for scraps. You should've seen your face."
Alexios blinked, then flushed red. His lips twitched despite himself. "You—!" He lunged, hands outstretched to throttle him, while Atlas danced out of reach, laughing.
"Careful! You'll make yourself collapse again—you haven't recovered from training."
Alexios growled but couldn't stop the grin tugging at his mouth. "By the gods, one day I will choke you."
Behind them, Lukas scratched his head. "Uh… are you two going to explain what you're talking about, or just keep flirting with insults?"
Atlas and Alexios both froze. Then they turned, looking at each other.
Alexios gestured toward the siblings: Should we tell them?
Atlas tilted his gaze skyward: Don't look at me. Your life, your choice.
Alexios muttered under his breath, "Unreliable, Childish," then faced Thea and Lukas with a serious look.
He drew a deep breath, his expression serious now. "Last night, Atlas and I… we snuck out. We followed the roads to the City of Argos. We found proof and we saw in an old temple filled with cradles. Filled with babies. All stolen by Chrysis."
Thea's eyes widened, a hand covering her mouth. Lukas's grin faltered, replaced by hard disbelief.
"You're joking," Lukas said.
"I wish I were," Alexios muttered. "Atlas saw it first, years ago then decided to show me yesterday. Chrysis and her masked dogs steal children from their families, tell the parents the baby's dead, then raise them as weapons in that camp. That's what we are. That's all of this."
"Chrysis," Thea whispered, her voice trembling.
The siblings stared, the truth striking them like a blade to the chest. Thea's hands clenched around her bow. "She… she lied to everyone." Her voice shook with anger.
Lukas's face darkened. "So we're all—"
"Victims," Alexios finished for him. His voice caught, rage and grief mixing.
Atlas finally spoke, quieter but sharper. "It's not just the babies in that temple. It's us too. Every one of us in that camp."
Thea and Lukas exchanged stricken looks. Then Thea whispered, "But you said there is proof?"
Alexios hesitated. Atlas stepped forward, steady as stone.
"I've been investigating for years," Atlas admitted. "Once, I followed masked guards who were delivering a new child. That's how I found the nursery. Later, I searched farther, sneaking into the City of Argos. There, I found records."
Thea gasped softly and Lukas's jaw tightened. "And the people believed her. Damn her."
Atlas placed a hand on Alexios shoulder, grounding him. "Tonight, I'll show you. With your own eyes."
Alexios swallowed hard, nodding once.
The siblings were quiet for a long moment. Then Lukas said, voice heavy, "We weren't stolen as babies. We were five when our parents died from sickness, and we wandered the streets of Argos. One day some men approach us and they promised food, safety, and a home. We followed. And they brought us here."
Thea's hands trembled on her bowstring, but she lifted her chin. "We had no choice. We wanted to live."
Atlas studied all three of them, then spoke firmly. "Different paths, same chains. Maybe one day, I'll break them. Not just mine. Yours too. Everyone's. But I can't do it alone."
He straightened, his eyes sharp. "So I ask you now—will you stand with me?"
Silence stretched, heavy with weight.
Then Alexios barked a short laugh, shaking his head. "Are you serious? Of course I'll stand with you. You're already our leader, whether you want it or not."
Lukas grinned fiercely. "Count me in. Always."
Thea hesitated, then nodded, her voice quiet but firm. "Yes. With you."
Atlas let out a breath, relief softening his expression. "Good. Then let's start small."
He hefted his bow, smirking faintly. "First, let's hunt."
The hunt bonded them. Together they tracked two mountain goats and two boars, laughter and curses mixing as arrows flew and spears struck. They butchered the kills quickly, gathering herbs and seasonings on the way back.
When they returned to camp, it was already dusk, smoke curled above the campfire as Atlas cooked, seasoning the meat with the herbs he had gathered. Children gathered, eyes wide with hunger, and Atlas shared the food with practiced hands, portioning it fairly.
Laughter spread around the flames. Stories were told, games played, even the new arrivals ate until their bellies were full.
And when night finally draped the camp in silence, the children slept soundly, unburdened by fear.
But Atlas and Alexios did not.
Quiet as shadows, they rose from their mats. A glance passed between them—no words were needed.
It was time. The Sanctuary of Asklepios awaited.
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