💸💸 Chapter 2: Peace Was Never An Option 💸💸 💸 ~ Part 3: Rebellions Never Sleep ~ 💸 The dream shattered, leaving behind a residue of cold dread. Vita sat bolt upright in her bed, the image of the ash-skinned man and his burning red eyes seared into her mind. My Beloved. The words echoed, a discordant harmony with the other whisper: Come Child… Find Me. Shaken, she sat for a long time, the deep thoughts a swirling, confusing vortex in her mind. At the lavish breakfast table, the morning sun felt like an intrusion. Female servants, quiet and efficient, laid out a traditional Athenian breakfast of barley bread, olives, figs, and cheese. They stood ready, their presence a symbol of a life of comfort Vita could not comprehend. Xena, ever the warrior, seemed equally out of place, eyeing the delicate pottery with suspicion as if it might shatter in her calloused hands. She would have preferred to be out hunting for her own food. Her sharp eyes, however, missed nothing, and they immediately fixed on Vita’s troubled expression. "Bad dreams?" she asked, her voice low. Vita looked up from her untouched plate. "Yes…" Before she could say more, Gabrielle leaned forward, her eyes wide with insatiable curiosity. "Come on, tell us! What does your kind even dream about?" The question sideswiped Vita. "My kind?" she replied, the words feeling foreign on her tongue. "I am different from you, from everyone I have met. But I don't know what my kind is called. My dreams… they don't offer clues to solve this impertinent riddle. They are just… nightmares. I would rather not talk about them." "Enough!" Xena snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut stone. Her glare fell on Gabrielle. "We have more important tasks ahead of us." "No fair!" Gabrielle protested, though without any real heat. "I am in dire need of uncovering the mysteries surrounding her! But," she sighed dramatically, "you are right, Xena. We have a rebellion to deal with." At that moment, a soft knock came from the villa's main door. A servant guided a guest to their sun-drenched terrace. "Astera!" Vita exclaimed, a genuine smile touching her lips for the first time that morning. "I did not expect to see you so soon." The young noblewoman was transformed from the terrified captive in the labyrinth. She wore a fine, pleated chiton, her hair bound in an elegant traditional style, and her eyes shimmered with the blue of the Aegean Sea. "I heard about Councilman Solon's task," she said, her voice clear and determined. "I wanted to offer my assistance." Xena’s focus shifted entirely to the girl. "We accept your aid. First, we need a strategy. Tell us how Solon came to power." Astera spoke of the vicious power struggles that had plagued Athens before Solon’s reforms, a time when debts could lead to slavery and the city was on the brink of civil war. "Solon was the mediator," she explained. "He shaped our democracy, but there are those who grew rich and powerful under the old ways. An obscure group of oligarchs who wish to return to a system where they rule with an iron fist. They renounce this new government and all who support it." Xena absorbed every detail. "So, I was right," she concluded. "This is not just political. They'd rather see Solon disappear than challenge him in the assembly." "You underestimate them," Astera added, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "They are unlike any faction I have heard of. Rumor has it they dabble in occult rituals and forbidden magic." Xena stood. "I'm going to the assembly. Alone." Without another word, she left. The days fell into a routine. Vita trained with Gabrielle, their sparring sessions a welcome, physical distraction from the turmoil in her mind. Astera would visit, bringing news and rumors from the city's elite circles. And every evening, Xena would return from her reconnaissance, lock herself in the villa's study, and speak to no one. After a week of this tense silence, Xena finally emerged from the study, a map in her hand and a glint of triumph in her eyes. "I know where they are," she announced. "All my interrogations, all the whispers, they all point to one place. Mount Hymettus. The perfect hideout to amass resources and a small army, if you have the coin." Gabrielle, who had been drooping with boredom, shot to her feet. "Perfect! Let's go pay them a visit!" "We leave at nightfall," Xena confirmed. Under the light of a crescent moon, the three companions made their way up the rugged slopes of Hymettus. A strange, eerie blue fire guided them, flickering between the dark pines. The path led to the mouth of a tunnel, a black maw in the mountainside guarded by two hulking men in dark robes. Xena didn't hesitate. She was a shadow in motion, and the guards were unconscious on the ground before they could even draw their blades. "Follow me," she whispered. The tunnel opened into a huge, natural cavern. A group of robed figures stood in a circle, chanting in a guttural, arcane language. A negative, corrupting energy swirled in the air, making Vita feel nauseous. They ducked behind a rock outcropping, observing the scene. "We're lucky," Xena murmured. "You don't get to see rites for Hades very often." The chanting stopped. Two priests dragged a young woman forward and held her above a dark, stone altar. "Accept our blood sacrifice, Lord of the Underworld!" they cried in unison. "She looks familiar," Vita whispered, squinting through the gloom. "Wait…" It was Astera. Clad in a ceremonial gown, she was clearly terrified, struggling against the iron chains that bound her wrists. "Wait," Xena commanded, her hand on Vita’s arm. "Let me scout the defenses first." "Fine," Vita growled, her knuckles white around the hilt of her sword. Xena returned moments later, her plan swift and brutal. "Rescuing Astera is the priority. Capturing the leader is the goal." The execution was flawless. Xena created a diversion, Gabrielle freed Astera in the ensuing chaos, and Vita, moving with a warrior’s purpose, cornered the lead priest—a nobleman whose face was contorted in a mask of fury. The fight was over in minutes. Astera, trembling but safe, expressed her tearful gratitude, pledging half her vast fortune to their cause. The captured nobleman, however, only sneered. "You will soon regret your meddling," he hissed. "Our divine Hades will see to it." The next day, they brought their prisoner to Solon. Under interrogation, the nobleman revealed a network of independent cells, all awaiting his signal to plunge Athens into chaos. A swift trial was held, and the verdict was death. A few days later, Solon visited their villa. "You have saved our democracy," he said, his gratitude profound. "I have kept my promise. A messenger has been sent to the Oracle at Delphi, informing her of your situation." He placed a sealed scroll on the table. "This will grant you an audience." Xena picked up the scroll, a determined look on her face. "Well," she said, turning to Vita. "Time to see the Oracle." 💸 ~ End of Part 3 ~ 💸 To Be Continued... 💸💸💸💸 __________________________________ Enjoyed the Story? 💸 Follow Us! 💸 1. Become Part of $VIT: https://arena.social/community/0xde34C06de75FB446b5e7b8dd272D014F2A19009D 2. Join Our Official $VIT Telegram Group: https://t.me/+pPsonXsQ38IwNjQ0 3. Official $VIT Website: https://vitreneonavax.com/