Chapter 53: Chained to the Past

They say time heals all wounds — that as the years pass, pain fades and scars close within the cracks of memory.
But some wounds never heal… they just learn to hide.

Because the past isn’t always behind us.
Sometimes it walks beside us.
Sometimes it sleeps with us.
Sometimes, it’s the only shadow that never leaves.

And when the past isn’t understood… it becomes a chain.
One you can’t see, but feel. One you can’t hear, but that screams.
One that, if not broken, drags you down until you drown.

Today, those chains tremble.
Old names are spoken like curses.
Buried memories rise with the fury of those who were never heard.
Fathers. Sons. Brothers.
All bound by the same guilt… and the same betrayal.

Because before there was an empire, before there was a war…
what’s truly breaking apart is a family.

And when blood rises against blood, there is no victory.
Only ruins.

——————————————————————————————————————————

The wind howled violently at the summit, carrying the echoes of a battle that seemed to have ended before it even began.
Ares climbed the slope at full speed, his gaze fixed on the aura flaring in the distance like a wild flame.

—I must be close, —he thought, tightening his grip on his spear.— I can feel it. That energy… it’s like a caged roar.

A thunderous explosion shook the mountain.
A colossal lightning bolt split the sky, tearing through everything in its path and bathing the summit in a blinding white light.
For a brief instant, the world went silent.
Ares froze.

—What the hell was that?

Before him, the charred, smoking body of a commander lay motionless on the ground.
Sitting casually on a rock, arms crossed and eyes indifferent, was Yohei.

—You’re slow, —he said, not even bothering to look up.

Ares frowned, caught off guard by his comrade’s composure.
—What happened here? How did you defeat him so quickly?

Yohei finally raised his eyes, his expression lazy.
—He was weak. I tried to get information. He refused. Not worth the effort.

Ares stared at him for a moment, unsure whether he was joking.
—You’re a monster.
—Thank you. I get that a lot, —Yohei replied with a calm smile.

—Can I ask you something?
—Go ahead.
—Why did you send the distress signal? You don’t look like you were in danger.

Yohei sighed, as if the question bored him.
—That… wasn’t us. My plan was to get captured and gather intel from the inside, but someone else triggered the signal. Someone outside.

Ares narrowed his eyes.
—That stinks…
—Yeah. But whoever it was already got what they wanted. I doubt they’re still around.

A brief silence followed. Then Ares stepped forward.
—You planning to go in, or stay out here?
—I don’t think they’ll let us, —Ares muttered, glancing upward.

Yohei followed his gaze.
Before them, an army stood blocking the entrance — hundreds of soldiers, a living wall of steel and armor.

Yohei chuckled under his breath.
—Looks like we’ll have some fun.

But then his expression changed — he felt an overwhelming, growing aura beside him.
Ares was releasing his energy slowly, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

—This will be fun, —the god of war said with a terrifying calm.

Yohei narrowed his eyes, a chill running down his spine.
—And he calls me the monster, —he thought.— Has he even seen himself?

Both took their positions. The air tensed, thick with power.
Then, slow and heavy footsteps echoed beyond the enemy line.

Poseidon had arrived.

—Triton, —he said, voice dripping with disdain,— it seems your twisted mind hasn’t changed with time.

Far at the end of the hall, Triton spread his arms wide, like a host greeting his most unwelcome guest.
—Welcome home, Father. I’m glad to see you well… though it seems your strength has faded with age.

—And you, —Poseidon growled,— still keep the family here, forcing them to stay in this hell as if it were a home.
—Forcing them? Can’t you see how happy we are?

—You’re still spewing the same rotten words, —the god snapped, his fists tightening.— But you’ve always been the first to break what you claim to protect. Do you really think killing your brothers is an act of love?

Triton lowered his gaze. His voice came out strangely calm.
—What are you talking about? I didn’t end their lives… you did.

A suffocating silence filled the hall.
Poseidon stared at him, bewildered.
—What are you saying?

—Looks like you’ve forgotten, —Triton whispered.— But I wasn’t the only one who sinned that night. I wasn’t the first to betray her. You were.

Poseidon’s eyes widened slightly.
Triton’s, however, held no hatred — only emptiness. A hollow abyss.

—That night, Mother told me she forgave you. That she didn’t hate you for what you’d done.
But do you know what hurt the most?
Even in her final moments… she justified you.

—Don’t you dare speak of Clito, —Poseidon hissed.
—Why not? —Triton’s voice cracked.— Weren’t you the one who made me kill her?

Diaprepes watched from the shadows, unable to move a single muscle.
The scene felt unreal.

—What are you talking about…? —Poseidon’s voice trembled.

Triton lifted his face. For the first time, tears streamed down his cheeks.
—Have you truly forgotten, Father?

The silence broke with a single phrase:
—Then… allow me to remind you.

The scene began to dissolve — time itself fracturing — opening the door to the darkest of memories…

Flashback

The faint scent of disinfectant lingered in the silent halls of the central hospital of ancient Atlantis. A warm light filtered through the windows of the maternity ward, where Clito tenderly held a newborn in her arms.
—Look at him… —she whispered, brushing the baby’s cheek—. He has your eyes.

Poseidon stood beside her, his expression unreadable. He neither smiled nor spoke.
—What’s wrong, dear? —Clito asked, noticing his silence—. Are you worried?
—Yes, a little… —he sighed softly—. I don’t know if the people will accept him.
—What do you mean?
—The Atlanteans are growing more intolerant toward those who show the ancient traits… and this child has them. It’s obvious.

Clito looked from her son to her husband, her gaze unwavering.
—It doesn’t matter. I’m sure he’ll win their hearts with his kindness. All we can do is love him with everything we are. Understood?
Poseidon nodded slowly.
—Yes… my dear.

Both parents embraced little Triton. The mother kissed his forehead tenderly.
—We will always love you, dear Triton. I promise.

Years passed…

The echoes of training rang across the royal fields. Two tridents clashed, creating shockwaves that rippled through the grass. Poseidon and Triton traded blows—firm, but measured.
—Not bad, son, —the god said with a grin.
—Same to you, Father.

Poseidon moved his feet in a split second, sweeping Triton’s legs out from under him.
—Stay alert. In a real fight, you’d be dead by now.
—Yeah, yeah… —Triton grumbled from the ground.

Poseidon offered his hand, but the young prince gripped it tightly and pulled, flipping his father down.
—Ha! Learned from the best.
—You little— —Poseidon laughed as they both stood again.

—Dinner’s ready! —Clito’s voice called from the palace doorway.
—Let’s go, —Poseidon said—. But after dinner, I want to take you somewhere special.
—Okay!

That evening, warmth filled the dining hall.
—How are your lessons going? —Clito asked.
—Good. Today we studied more about the language of the surface dwellers… but I still struggle with some of their expressions.
—Don’t worry, —Poseidon added—. Once you master your Zenka energy, everything will become clearer.
—Really? What a relief… Oh, by the way, I met a strange man today. Said he came from Greece through a storm. He called himself… Plato.
—Plato? —Poseidon muttered, raising an eyebrow—. Interesting…

They finished dinner with soft laughter and gentle promises.
Soon after, father and son walked together up a hill.
—Where are we going? —Triton asked.
—Patience… we’re almost there.

As they crossed the brush, the view opened wide. Before them stretched the glowing expanse of Atlantis, a sea of living light.
—This is where I met your mother, —Poseidon said, his tone uncharacteristically wistful—. I came to these lands nearly dead… and she saved me. She was a ray of light in my darkness. That’s why I brought you here. Because you will inherit all of this, my son.
—Thank you, Father. I promise I won’t let you down.

Time moved on…

A different scene took shape in memory.
Triton, now grown, trembled on his knees. In his hand — a dagger stained with blood.
Before him, Clito’s lifeless body lay upon the cold marble of the palace.

—What… what have I done…? —he whispered, collapsing backward, tears mixing with manic laughter.
—What have I done?! —he screamed, pounding the floor—. Why…?!

Return to the Present

Everyone listening — Zef, Diaprepes, the brothers — held their breath. The memories cut like blades.
Triton lifted his tear-streaked face to the heavens.

—That night changed everything, Father. You… you ordered her death. Not directly, of course — you never dirty your hands, do you? But you took control. You manipulated me. You used me.

Poseidon stammered, words choking in his throat.
—What are you talking about…? That’s not… that can’t be…

Triton smiled faintly, though his eyes were hollow.
—You’ve forgotten, I know. But I haven’t. Not for a single day.

New Flashback

—Do it, darling, —Clito whispered, her voice broken.
—No! I can’t! —Triton’s hands shook as he held the dagger—. I’d rather die than hurt you!
—I know… I know… —she embraced him tightly—. But if you don’t… he will. And I won’t allow that. A mother always protects her child.

Before he could react, Clito thrust the dagger into her own chest — using Triton’s hands as her guide.
—I love you, Triton… —she whispered with her last breath.

Her body fell. Triton screamed, but no sound came out.

Then — a cry broke the silence.
A baby’s cry. Zef.

—HELP! —Triton screamed, clutching his mother’s body—. SOMEONE, PLEASE!

Back to the Present

Triton’s aura erupted like a volcano. The ground trembled. The sea roared.
—I’ll take everything from you, Poseidon! —he roared—. Everything you took from me! Everything you made me lose!

Zef could barely stand. His eyes were wide with horror.
—I… I was that baby…? —he whispered.

Fate had just sealed its chains.