I - The Branding and the Truth - Age: 6

I woke up just before the sun came up as I always did. Neither my mother, brother, or grandmother were awake yet. My father and grandfather were, and I noticed my father as I walked out of the castle sitting at his seat at the large dining table looking at reports. I passed my grandfather in the gardens sitting on a wooden bench watching the sunrise as he did each morning. I sometimes joined him, but not today. Today I needed to be alone. To clear my head. It had been a month since my brother was ripped away from me. I looked down at the city with a sigh. It had rained last night, which left giant puddles on roads and side streets. Today my Older brother and I were meeting Lord Ares, god of war and Patron of Sparta. It was a tradition or something that whenever Lord Ares came to visit the king each year, the two most promising rising soldiers were presented to him.

My father was elated when Teacher Vasili told him that it was his two sons. I knew that he thought he should get some credit, but he really had nothing to do with this. My father and I… don't have a great relationship. He thinks that I'm an annoying brat who has no respect for authority. Partially true. And I think he is an asshole who cares only for his social standing and while he would never admit this, feels that when my grandfather dies, he should be king. Oh, and he is right in a way I only respect those who have earned my respect. I do not respect him.

I had some time before the meeting with Lord Ares, so I decided to take a walk around the wall of the city. I walked for a while until I reached a puddle and looked down. I stared into my reflection. I had dark violet eyes with specks of sea green, gold, and black. My longish black hair was tied in a short ponytail in the middle of my head. I looked older than a 6-year-old. Maybe an 8-year-old. I had muscles that only kids who grew up in Sparta would have. I was also tall for my age, standing at about 4ft 2. I looked nothing like my father. I have my mother's hair, and I'm told by my grandmother that I look a lot like her father. Same strong chin and almost swimmer like body. I'm even named after him. My great grandfather, I'm told once swam from his home in Corinth to Thebes in 30 hours and never stopped to rest. I looked up from the puddle and at the sun. Fuck! I'm late. I ran as fast as I could to the palace. Luckily I had chosen to wear my formal robes, so I didn't have to get them but still.

When I got to the throne room, I looked around. Many high ranking officials were in the large room. The room had giant marble pillars supporting the ceiling and a fire pit in the middle with my grandfather and grandmother sitting at the far end of the room. I made eye contact with my father, who glared at me as I walked in. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as I noticed Lord Ares wasn't there yet. I walked over and stood next to my brother.

"You're late, Koprìas," he hissed.

"Nice to see you to Prokyon."

"Bastard," he hissed back.

"Dick," I responded.

"Fucker,"

"shit - bag,"

"Pussy,"

"Bitch," I looked at him "bro, I can do this all day."

"Son of a bitch," he responded with a look like he'd won.

"Andros… you just call our mother a bitch."

He looked around nervously to make sure no one had heard then looked at me with a glare like somehow this was my fault. He was about to respond when he was suddenly cut off by a flash of light. In the middle of the throne room was a 6ft 9 man with obsidian black armor and a helmet with giant horns. His eyes were glowing blood red, and he was surrounded by a red Aura interlaced with bits of gold that made people cower in fear. Well, everyone but me. It was like I could tell what it was trying to do, but it had no effect on me. Ares took off his helmet and placed it beside the fire.

"Greetings, King of Sparta," Ares said as everyone bowed to him.

Ares started discussing politics and war with my grandfather while the rest of us just watched. I tuned out most of it. My grandfather and I had already discussed some of this in our times in the garden. I only started listening again when Ares asked:

"Who are the rising Spartan warriors?"

My father stepped forward. "Greetings Lord Ares, I am General Desmos leader of the king's battalion. May I present to you my sons Alexandros and Perseus, my lord." General Desmos said proudly, "they are the most skilled of their age group. My son Alexandros trains personally as an apprentice with Teacher Vasili." Inwardly I grimaced. My brother and his group tried to beat me up recently. Usually, they can't. I'm faster and more agile, but lately, I've noticed that my brother is a lot better at fighting. I guess that's why.

"Defender and Destroyer, I approve," Ares smirked.

"Thank you, my lord," my father said.

Ares looked at me, and I stared back at him unblinking, he looked like he was searching for something. I continued to stare, neither one of us breaking eye contact.

"So… are we gonna stare at each other all-day I mean, this is fun, but I'm starting to feel stupid; what are we long lost lovers? I mean, you're not my type, and well, I am 6 so…" As I said this, everyone around me sucked in a breath, and Ares looked at me, shocked. I broke eye contact with Ares and looked around the entire room, for a moment it looked like the world had stopped. I sighed, "I am so getting whipped for this later," I muttered.

Suddenly Ares started chuckling "You got guts brat, I like you,"

I shrugged, "what's not to like?" again, everyone looked at me shocked "Zeus's saggy balls! I really need to learn to shut my mouth." thunder could be heard in the distance, "Sorry!" I yelled at the sky. Ares looked at me strangely. "I know, I know I'm an idiot, sorry, everyone. Lord Ares, I meant no disrespect I'm known to not be very good at shutting up."

My father stepped towards Ares and me "My lord I apologize for my son's disrespect, I will punish him accord…" My father was interrupted by Ares holding up a hand.

"That is unnecessary General." He said nothing else just stared. Suddenly he gave a look of surprise and muttered something that could not be heard. "You are to be given the symbol of Sparta." He said clearly.

"Symbol of Sparta?" I asked. Around me, people had looks of surprise. Why I'm I being so surprising today I mean these people know I have a habit of doing stupid, unexpected or surprising things right. I mean sometimes it's a combination of all 3.

"Yes, it is something that marks you as a soldier of Sparta, most get it at the age of 10, but I am told to give it to you now." He gave no explanation of who or why and no one asked.

I bowed, "Thank you, Lord Ares, I would be honored to take the mark of a soldier." Ares looked at the king, who sent someone to get the branding iron. While they were gone, I glanced at my brother, who was seething in anger. I felt no pity for him. He was a giant dick, however one day he might make a good leader. A lanky man with almost lion-like features came in with the iron in hand and gave it to Ares.

Ares placed it in the fire pit in the middle of the throne room and pulled it out. The symbol was glowing a hot orange. I took off my shirt and faced Ares. "With the mark, I name you a soldier of Sparta may you always follow the warrior code to protect your home and family." Inwardly I rolled my eyes; that's a horrible oath; there are so many ways to get around it.

"I'm not gonna lie brat, this is gonna hurt."

Ares grabbed my shoulder, and with a smirk stabbed my right shoulder with the branding Iron. It was an upside-down V inside of a shield. I made no sound even as I felt a horrible burning run through my body. The only thing that happened was my eyes flashed a dark purplish-black. It was for a second, but Ares saw and stared at me hard. The smirk was gone, and its place was a dark and serious expression. "General Desmos. This is not your son, He... is a demigod."

Around me, faces darkened as they realized the implications of the Spartan god's statement. I am a bastard son born because of an affair my mother had. Ares stepped away from me as my father stepped forward. He had guards come and grab me.

I felt the guards start to drag me away as I watched my father… No the General. The General walked toward my mother, who had tears in her eyes. I watched as he looked toward the king, who nodded solemnly before the General smacked my mother across the face, and she fell to her knees. I started fighting as hard as I could to get out of the guard's grip, but a third guard came and punched me in the stomach knocking the wind out of me. The Guards came and dragged me out of the throne room and threw me in a dark cell in the basement of the palace. I watched my mother and one tear rolled down my face knowing I would never talk to her or hug her again.

The next year would be the darkest time of my life.

Koprías - dirty buffoon

Prokyon - ass kisser

Perseus - destroyer

Alexandros - Defender

A.N.: Hey guys hope you are liking my story so far, throughout all of it I would appreciate it if people would send me ideas.