John stood tall before Adams, his posture relaxed yet commanding as he reported back. His serpentine eyes gleamed with satisfaction, a hint of pride in his voice as he spoke. "I've dealt with Lothar and sent Gael back to his father. Though, to be honest," John added with a slight smirk, "it's of no use. The boy won't be able to get through to him. His father's too stubborn."
As he spoke, John's gaze shifted to the unconscious woman he had brought with him. With a casual yet deliberate movement, he placed Hera gently on the ground before Adams. "And I brought her," he continued, his tone carrying a note of intrigue. "I know you'll find a use for her. She's a fierce warrior. She'll make a good Horseman."
Adams sat on his throne, the grand seat almost dwarfed by his presence. His expression was calm, but his eyes, sharp and calculating, took in every detail of the situation before him. As John spoke, Adams's lips curved into a subtle, approving smile. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the arms of the throne, his fingers interlaced as he regarded Hera.
A moment of silence hung in the air, filled only by the faint crackling of energy that always seemed to accompany Adams's presence. His gaze shifted from Hera to John, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of satisfaction and amusement.
"Thank you, John," Adams finally said, his voice smooth and commanding, yet carrying a warmth that was reserved for only his most trusted. "This is why you are here—to handle these small yet necessary tasks. You haven't disappointed me, not even once."
Adams's eyes twinkled with a silent, deeper understanding as he acknowledged John's success. He leaned back in his throne, his movements graceful and fluid, exuding an air of supreme confidence. The smile on his face grew a fraction wider, a gesture that, to those who knew him, was as close to outright praise as Adams ever gave.
John inclined his head slightly, a gesture of acknowledgment to his master's words. There was a subtle, almost imperceptible relaxation in his posture, a sign that he was pleased with Adams's approval. His serpentine gaze softened, just a bit, as he looked at his boss, the bond of mutual respect between them unspoken yet deeply understood.
As Adams turned his attention back to Hera, John's eyes followed, a spark of curiosity flickering within them. He wondered what plans Adams had for the fierce warrior, and how she would fit into the grand tapestry that Adams was weaving across the Divine Plane and beyond.
Adams remained seated on his throne, his posture relaxed yet commanding as he glanced down at Hera. His expression was one of mild interest, his eyes narrowing slightly as he focused on her. Without any outward sign of exertion, he spoke with a calm authority, "Hey, wake up."
As his voice echoed through the room, a powerful, invisible force surged through Hera's body, jolting her awake. Her eyes fluttered open, confusion and disorientation clouding her gaze for a split second before the reality of her situation hit her like a tidal wave. Her heart pounded in her chest as her eyes widened in shock, frantically scanning her surroundings to understand where she was.
Hera, still lying on the ground where John had placed her, slowly pushed herself up to her knees. Her hands trembled slightly as she wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth, the remnants of her earlier battle with John. Despite her physical pain, her mind raced, trying to grasp the enormity of the situation.
She lifted her gaze to meet Adams's eyes, her breath catching in her throat. Even though he remained seated on his throne, his power was palpable, as if the very air around him was charged with an unseen force. She knew, deep down, that this man could end her life with nothing more than a thought. And then there was John—standing nearby, his serpentine eyes watching her with an almost lazy amusement.
She could still feel the sting of his overwhelming power, a reminder of how easily he had subdued her.
Hera's heart pounded in her chest as she weighed her options. Her mind flashed to her past, her allegiance to El, the loyalty she had sworn. But that loyalty seemed fragile now, in the face of the overwhelming reality before her. She glanced at John again, his casual stance contrasting with the lethal potential she knew he held. There was no escaping this.
If she chose to defy Adams, she wouldn't live to regret it.
Her fists clenched, nails digging into her palms as she fought to maintain her composure. There was no room for pride here, only survival. Hera took a slow, steady breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions within her. She knew what she had to do, even if it meant betraying everything she had once believed in.
With a heavy heart, she looked back at Adams, her resolve hardening even as despair threatened to overwhelm her. "I understand," she said, her voice low but steady. "I'll serve you. I'll become one of your Horsemen or whatever you call it."
Adams's expression remained unchanged, his gaze still locked on her, but there was a faint glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. He nodded once, a subtle gesture that seemed to carry the weight of finality. "Wise choice," he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
John, who had been silent until now, finally allowed a small, approving smile to curl his lips. His serpentine eyes gleamed with something akin to satisfaction as he regarded Hera. "Welcome to the fold," he said, his voice dripping with a dark humor that made Hera's skin crawl.
Hera swallowed hard, her heart still pounding, but she forced herself to nod in acknowledgment. She had made her choice, and there was no turning back now. She could only hope that, in time, she would find a way