Adrian held his sword directed at the man, his voice calm yet threatening. "Tell me... there's no Queen here, is there?"

The man didn't flinch as Adrian's sword hovered inches from his throat. Instead, he smirked, keeping his gaze steady. "I knew you were too smart for that to work on you," he said, his voice laced with amusement.

Adrian didn't lower his blade. "Yet you still tried."

"And yet," the man replied, spreading his arms slightly, "here you are."

For a brief moment, there was silence between them. The soldiers around the barracks tightened their grips on their weapons, their eyes darting nervously between Adrian and the man in charge.

"I'm guessing you know what happens next?" the man asked, his smirk widening.

Adrian tilted his head. "Enlighten us, please."

"It's simple," the man began, his tone casual but his words biting. "Either you hand yourself over willingly, and we take you quietly to the Shadow Court... no unnecessary fighting, no bloodshed." He paused, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Or, we fight, defeat you, and take you to the Shadow Court anyway."

Adrian scoffed, his expression shifting into one of incredulous disbelief. A small chuckle escaped his lips, growing into a full, booming laugh that echoed through the tense air.

The man's smirk faltered slightly, confusion flickering across his face.

"Seriously?" Adrian asked, his laughter dying down as he fixed the man with a sharp glare. "How about this? You let us go, or you meet your end right here."

The man sighed theatrically, shaking his head. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

Adrian's grip on his sword tightened. "Then you've made your choice."

"This is going to be fun," Medea said, her black flames sparking to life in her hands, casting an ominous glow on her face.

Lilith twirled her whip, her crimson eyes gleaming with excitement. "Remember the last time something like this happened?" she asked. "It was just you, Adrian, and me."

"We missed the opportunity then," Eris chimed in, her emerald daggers already spinning deftly in her hands. A wicked grin spread across her face. "This time, we rain chaos."

"Focus," Hera said sharply, summoning her golden spear. "We're outnumbered, but not outmatched. Let's remind them who they're dealing with."

The atmosphere was thick with tension as the soldiers started to close in on them. Adrian took a defensive stance, his fiery chains whipping out like serpents, creating a circle of protection around the group.

The man in charge raised his hand, signaling the attack. "Take them down!"

The soldiers charged ahead, shouting as the sound of clashing metal filled the air when the battle began.

Adrian leaped forward, his sword ablaze with golden flames. His fiery chains lashed out, wrapping around the first soldier and yanking him off his feet. The man's weapon clattered to the ground as Adrian swung his chain, sending the soldier crashing into three others.

Lilith darted through the chaos, her whip cracking in the air as it coiled around a soldier's neck. With a sharp pull, she brought him to his knees before delivering a swift kick to his chest, sending him sprawling.

"Too slow," she taunted, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement.

Eris moved quickly, her green daggers cutting through the air accurately. She disarmed one soldier with a flick of her wrist before plunging her blade into another's shield, forcing him back.

"Try harder," she sneered.

Abyss moved like a shadow, her violet blade cutting through the ranks. She moved quietly, her strikes effective and relentless. When a soldier tried to flank her, she spun on her heel, her blade slicing through his armor with ease.

Hera fought with elegance, her golden spear moving quickly as she blocked and attacked with incredible skill. "Adrian, the commander is mine," she called, her eyes locking onto the man in charge.

"Be my guest," Adrian replied, his sword clashing against a soldier's shield.

Medea's black flames engulfed a group of soldiers, their screams echoing as the fire consumed their weapons and armor. She smirked coldly, her crimson eyes gleaming. "Pathetic."

Ava stood at the center of the fray, her staff glowing with radiant light. She created barriers to protect the others, deflecting arrows and blows with ease. "Focus your attacks on the weak points!" she called out.

Hestia, true to form, fought with a surprising blend of laziness and efficiency. She yawned as she summoned a wall of blue fire, blocking a group of soldiers from advancing. "Can we wrap this up quickly? I need a nap."

Selene moved cautiously, her silver hair catching the light as she weaved between the chaos. She used her small blade to disable rather than kill. "Adrian, behind you!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the din.

Adrian turned just in time to deflect a blow aimed at his back. "Thanks!" he called over his shoulder, dispatching the attacker with a swift strike.

The battle raged on, the group working in a chaotic but effective rhythm. Soldiers fell one by one, their numbers thinning against the onslaught. Finally, the man in charge stepped forward, his face contorted with anger.

"You're outmatched, Adrian," he growled in contempt. "Surrender now, or we'll destroy you."

Adrian scoffed, his eyes flashing with anger. "Not likely," he replied, his fiery chains crackling with energy.

Before the man could respond, a loud explosion echoed through the air, followed by a shower of golden flames. Then lightning.

A massive griffin burst through the air, its claws raking against the stone as it landed in the center of the fray. Its golden wings were spread wide, and its piercing eyes gleamed with fierce intelligence.

"What the—" the man stammered, his eyes wide with shock.

"My apologies for the delay," a familiar voice rang out.

Adrian turned his gaze toward the griffin, watching as Hera appeared atop its back. Her golden hair flowed around her face, and her white gown billowed in the wind. She looked down at the soldiers, her eyes narrowed.

"I suggest you retreat while you can," she warned, her voice carrying a hint of power.

The man in charge stared at her in disbelief, his mouth hanging open. But before he could respond, the griffin roared, its wings beating furiously as it took to the sky.

"You think that's gonna scare us? Get her!" he ordered, rallying the remaining soldiers.

"You're a fool," Hera called out, her voice laced with disdain.

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