"Get some rest, Kronos," Ava said, her voice weary. "You have your sister and brother to entertain tomorrow. Give me some time to think this over."
Ava had raised him from a babe. She knew the gears turning in his head. Pushing back hard now would only make him dig his heels in. She chose the middle path—neither refusing nor consenting, just buying time with a vague promise.
"My mind is made up, Mother. I need to prove myself."
Kronos didn't waver. His voice held no trace of childish petulance; it carried the heavy resolve of a man.
"Even Pallas—my younger brother—is being sent to the battlefield. I will not be the one hiding in the palace while he fights."
Kronos turned and walked out of the study.
He didn't look back. His stride was purposeful, decisive.
Ava was left alone in the heavy silence of the room, staring blankly at the parchment on her desk.
She sat there until the candles burned low. Finally, shaking off her stupor, she summoned her inner circle.
