Deep in the underworld where shadows twisted like living smoke and the air hung heavy with sulfur the caverns echoed with distant howls. Kia and Lia had descended fast armored up in their Cupid gear bows slung across backs wings folded tight against the gloom. They found Molik in his lair—a throne of jagged black rock surrounded by flickering illusions of monsters that snapped and growled but weren't real. Not yet anyway.
Molik lounged there, looking like a very handsome man—sharp jawline, flawless skin, dark hair falling perfectly, eyes that could charm mortals in a heartbeat. Beautiful, almost too perfect. Kia stepped forward calm at first voice steady.
"Molik we need to talk. That arrow I shot—it's spiraling out of control. The illusions you're throwing at the queen and probably the general too? They're scaring them from their partners. You gotta stop. It's messing with the balance."
Molik chuckled low leaning forward. "Oh Cupid boy. You started this remember? Fired those love arrows at rivals sparked a forbidden mess. Why should I stop? Illusions are my domain—disgust fear running away from the wrong loves. It's natural when bonds clash."
Lia crossed her arms trying to keep it civil. "It's not natural when you twist it Molik. The deities won't stand for demons meddling in heavenly magic. Pull back or we'll have issues."
The demon's smile widened sharp teeth glinting for a flash before his beautiful face smoothed again. "Issues? You two are the ones with secrets. Sneaking around getting intimate like mortals. I know all about it—saw the visions myself. Heavenly Cupids shapeshifting for pleasure? Tut tut. If you get in my way I'll whisper it to the deities. Let them handle your little rebellion."
Kia's calm cracked. His eyes narrowed fists clenching. "You wouldn't dare."
"Oh I would," Molik purred standing now taller than them both. Suddenly the air shimmered—an illusion conjured brief and vicious. For a heartbeat Kia and Lia saw themselves tangled naked on Kia's bed bodies moving together gasps and touches vivid and real. It messed with Kia's head hard heat and shame rushing through him.
That was it. Kia lunged fast grabbing Molik by the neck pinning him hard against the cavern wall. The impact made Molik's beautiful face flicker—cracked obsidian skin horns red eyes monstrous for a second before snapping back to handsome. Rocks crumbled under the force Kia's superhuman strength making the demon gasp. "You threaten us? We'll rain heavenly armies on you Molik! Burn this pit to ash!"
Molik's illusions flared—shadow monsters lunging but Kia held firm wings flaring. Lia stepped back tense ready to draw her bow.
But Molik just laughed choked but mocking. "Go on squeeze tighter. But think about it—your secret intimacy with her." He nodded at Lia. "All those times in your quarters bodies tangled human forms sweating. Deities find out? You're done. Banned worse than last time."
Kia's grip faltered eyes widening. He released Molik shoving him back the demon sliding down the wall coughing but grinning his face flickering once more to monstrous then beautiful.
"You… how do you know?" Kia growled but the fight drained a bit.
"Illusions see everything Cupid, a bird, a bug, a feather , even something immobile like a bed, a shoe,….. A feather," he smiled . "Now run along. Don't interfere or everyone hears."
Lia grabbed Kia's arm pulling him back. "Kia let's go. This isn't worth it yet."
Kia glared one last time then turned. With a powerful flap of his wings he blasted off wind roaring through the cavern pushing back shadows rocks tumbling Molik staggering. Lia followed quick calling out "Kia wait up!"
They shot upward leaving the underworld's chaos behind but the threat hanging heavy.
***
Two days passed quiet on the surface but tensions simmered. In Hira the palace buzzed with preparation. The general from Magda arrived at the gates snow dust still on his white leather armor his crown of steel and snow leopard teeth catching the sun. He brought only ten men—all huge warriors but unarmed for the visit a show of trust after the treaty.
He greeted Queen Shala respectfully bowing deep in the courtyard. "Your Majesty it's an honor to be in Hira. Your lands are as fertile and beautiful as told."
Shala smiled composed her royal dress flowing in the breeze. "Welcome General. We're glad to host you. Peace starts with visits like this."
First he met with King Harlan in the royal bedchamber. The king was energetic today propped on pillows color in his cheeks but the physician's orders kept him resting. "General good to see you," Harlan said voice stronger. "Shala's told me of your hospitality in Magda. Let's build on that—trade alliances against threats like Jingis or the Macedonians."
The general nodded clasping Harlan's hand firm. "Agreed Your Majesty. Together we're stronger."
After Shala took over leading the general and his men on errands through Hira. Like in Magda they drifted away from the escort a few times—walking alone chatting about daily life crops and warriors. But here the soldiers were more comfortable—Hira guards joking with Magda ones axes and swords sheathed no drawn weapons or tense stares. Peace felt real if fragile.
She showed him the new technology pride in her voice. "Our ancient science gives us edges," she explained at the armory. First the dragon chambers—massive wheeled structures of reinforced wood and metal like rolling fortresses. "Flamethrower chambers," she said opening one. Inside tubes and bellows for fueling fire guarded spots for soldiers to aim blasts at enemies. Huge enough for at least fifty men protected by thick steel plates and leather for mobility while aiming while they blew flames that could scorch fields or melt armor.
The general whistled impressed touching the metal. "Ingenious. We'd hide in snow but this… this charges forward."
Next giant crossbows mounted on towers bolts as thick as arms tipped with runes for piercing any shield. "They fire farther than eyes see," Shala said demonstrating a smaller model the bolt whistling across the yard.
Then the catapults—not just stone-hurlers but enhanced ones with counterweights and springs launching barrels of burning oil or spiked balls that exploded on impact scattering shards like deadly rain. "We call them thunder throwers," she added. "Ancient formulas make the explosives stronger."
The general's eyes lit up nodding. "Your weapons explain why Hira held so long. We could learn from this—combine with our mountain traps."
At one point they visited the stables vast barns smelling of hay and horse sweat. Shala led him inside away from the group to see the newly bred war horses. Massive beasts with thick muscles coats gleaming black and chestnut bred for speed and strength in fertile Hira lands. "These are our pride," she said stroking one's muzzle. "Tougher than any in the mountains."
They were alone now eyes meeting a bit too long. Hearts raced that pull from the arrow strong. She leaned in he did too lips inches apart breath mingling ready to kiss.
But high above invisible Kia watched tense. "Not yet," he muttered raising a hand. A subtle spell sparked—commotion in the stalls. Horses whinnied stamping one massive stallion bolting forward hitting the general square in the shoulder knocking him back.
He stumbled catching himself Shala gasping stepping away. "General! Are you alright?"
He rubbed his arm wincing but laughing it off. "Fine Your Majesty. Just a spirited horse. Close call though."
They rejoined the group quick faces flushed pretending it was nothing. But the almost-kiss hung between them electric and unspoken.