"Of Course you won't betray your beloved older brother right? I'm sure you don't want him to die.... Do you?" Perseus said, sounding borderline maniacal, as tears of fear escaped Sophia's eyes.
She knew that her struggle to break free of Perseus's grip was futile as if her brother really wanted to, he could easily crush her head into a pulp with his bare fists, as in terms of strength, there was no comparison between Perseus who was tier5 and Sophia who was tier1.
She was completely at his mercy now that she was in his embrace and she could only pull away when he allowed her to.
"Do you even realize how lucky you are to have been chosen as the Champion Of Poseidon?
Do you even realize that I deserve that position much more than you?" Perseus said as he let out all the pent up jealousy and insecurity in his heart.
"I'm more competent than you, smarter than you, more mature than you, stronger than you.... Yet you get chosen as the Champion and not me.
Why?
What's so special about you that's missing in me? Except that you're a woman who can be sold for a political marriage" Perseus said as he tightened his grip around Sophia's head, giving it a painful squeeze.
"AGHHHH-" Sophia screamed in pain, as she genuinely feared for her safety now that her brother seemed to have lost his temper.
"There's nothing that makes you better than me," Perseus sneered. "The only reason you're the champion and not me is because of pure luck." With that, he shoved Sophia forcefully, sending her flying several meters through the air before she crashed heavily onto the floor below.
Sophia's heart pounded in her chest. She had no choice. She knew what a soul-oath entailed—a binding promise on her very essence, ensuring she could never betray it without facing dire consequences, including death. But the alternative was immediate death at the hands of her brother.
With tears streaming down her face, she nodded slowly. "I'll do it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Perseus's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he released her chin. "Good," he said, standing up and stepping back. "Now, swear it.... Do it upon Poseidon himself."
Sophia took a deep breath, gathering what little strength she had left as she closed her eyes and began the incantation-
"I, Sophia, Champion of Poseidon, swear upon my soul to lead Rocky into the trap set by Perseus, my brother. By the divine powers of Poseidon that bind this oath, I pledge my loyalty to this cause. Should I falter or betray this promise, may my soul be forfeit and my life be claimed by the consequences of this oath."
A faint glow surrounded Sophia as the soul-oath took hold, binding her to the promise. She felt a searing pain in her chest, as if her very soul was being branded with the words she had just spoken.
It was a physical manifestation of the bond, a constant reminder of the oath she could never break.
Perseus watched with a satisfied smirk, knowing his sister was now bound to his will. "Excellent," he said, his tone dripping with malevolent glee. "Remember, Sophia, any mistake, any hint of betrayal, and your life itself will be forfeited..... as for the exact trap, I'll communicate it to you via a letter in the coming days."
Sophia nodded, her spirit crushed under the weight of the soul-oath and the fear of what was to come as she had no choice but to comply and to lead Rocky into the trap that awaited him.
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/// A/N - Bonus chapter 3/3 for all the support you guys have given me last month. Hope you enjoyed it.///