The air hung thick with the smell of scorched leather and iron.
Camp Drakon was quiet—too quiet.
Ares stood atop the ridge overlooking the training grounds. Below, delinquents drilled in disciplined ranks, wooden spears clashing in rhythm. The camp no longer looked like a gathering of criminals. It looked like a garrison.
But Ares wasn't watching them.
He was watching the treeline.
SYSTEM ALERT:
Incoming Entity Detected
Status: Messenger
Language: Trigedasleng
Threat Level: Low
Tactical Value: High
The figure emerged from the woods—a boy, skin smeared with black paint across his mouth and jaw, a mark of submission. He raised both hands, empty. His eyes fixed on Ares like prey pretending calm before the strike.
Bellamy started forward, but Ares lifted a hand.
He descended the ridge himself.
Let them see who ruled here.
The messenger dropped to one knee without command and placed a carved token on the dirt: two spiraled wolves circling a black flame.
Ares didn't touch it.
"You're from the Commander," he said flatly.
The boy swallowed.
"The Commander… wishes to speak. A meeting. Alone."
"She wants to talk to the man who burned her outposts?"
"No." The boy's voice trembled. "She wants to see if you're worth fearing."
SYSTEM PROMPT:
Strategic Encounter Unlocked — Audience with the Commander
Accept or Decline.
Outcome may alter political, military, or personal influence networks.
Caution: Event is High-Risk. Unrepeatable.
Ares crouched, meeting the boy's gaze.
"You were sent here to bleed."
The messenger flinched.
"W-what?"
"You're not a diplomat. You're bait. She wants to see how I react to weakness."
He stood.
"I don't take tests."
He turned to Octavia.
"Hit him."
No hesitation.
One strike to the gut. Another to the jaw.
The boy collapsed, gasping in the dirt.
Clarke stepped from the medic tent, eyes narrowing.
"That wasn't necessary."
"It was," Ares replied. "Because the Commander needed to know I see her game."
"And your next move?"
"We send ours."
SYSTEM UPDATE:
Influence Tree → Branch Detected: Submission | Subversion | Supremacy
Path Chosen:Supremacy
You have humiliated an emissary. Enemy morale –5%. Commander interest +10%.
Bonded allies gain +5% loyalty when opposing established power.
The messenger was patched enough to walk.
Ares dragged him to the forest edge himself.
"This is your second chance," he said quietly. "Take it back to her."
He leaned close, voice low and cold.
"Tell your Commander: I don't kneel. I don't bargain.
I build kingdoms from the ruins of those who try."
The boy didn't answer—he ran.
Good.
Back in camp, Clarke waited near his tent.
"You want war," she said.
"I want them to understand the difference between a camp of children… and a kingdom with a crown."
"You're drawing bloodlines faster than they can breathe."
"Then they'll know where not to cross."
Her tone dropped.
"And what happens when Lexa doesn't send a messenger next time?"
Ares turned, eyes hard.
"Then she sends an army."
"And?"
"I'll bury it."
SYSTEM ALERT:
Domain Threat Level: CRITICAL
Major engagement predicted within 72 hours.
Prepare defenses. Rally bonded allies to unlock territory buffs.
Optional Objective: Initiate "Chain Break" — Capture a Grounder outpost to force Lexa's hand early.
That night, Octavia sat by the fire, blade gleaming in Kael's newly forged steel. She didn't look up.
"She'll come. Lexa."
"I know."
"She'll test you."
"She won't be the first."
Octavia turned, eyes catching the firelight.
"She might be the only one worth fearing."
Ares met her gaze.
"Then I'll make her mine too."
The flames snapped, and the camp fell silent.
Above them, the night felt heavy—like the sky itself was holding its breath.