Chapter 279 - Your p???sur?, my pain *HARSH CONTENT WARNING* (1/2)

”Hey man, wait up.” Ry called out as he caught up with Russ outside the hospital. ”Where are you going?”

Russ shrugged, not stopping his progression forward. ”For a walk... maybe back to the palace... hope that one of the guards pick a fight. I dunno...”

Ry nodded in understanding. ”If you want to blow off some steam we can train once we get back.”

”Yeah... that doesn't sound like a bad idea...” They walked in silence for several long minutes. ”Ry...”

”Yeah, kid?”

Russ's brows knitted in frustration as he watched his feet move across the broken pavement. ”How do you do it?”

Ry frowned, ”How do I do what?”

”Stay so level-headed, never be bothered by emotions... by love...” Russ mumbled the last part.

Ry ran his hand through his hair as he glanced away toward the crumbling buildings as they moved closer to the palace. ”Whoever told you any of that about me is a damn liar or a fool... or both...”

Russ's gaze moved over to the giant beside him. He was obviously uncomfortable with the conversation. ”How do you deal with those things when they come up then?”

Ry shrugged. ”It's a working progress... you learn ways as you go along. You're still young, give yourself time.” He tugged his shirt off as they entered the back gates of the palace. ”Training has always helped.” He tossed it to the side and turned to watch as Russ did the same, admiring the definition of his arms and back as he pulled up his long, blonde hair. ”You know, you may not believe this, but there was a time when I felt inferior to Arei.”

Russ arched a brow at Ry from over one shoulder. ”How, you're twins?”

He shrugged as he kicked off his shoes and socks. ”I was envious of the versatility of his shifted form,” Ry shook his head. ”I hated how he always got the extra training and sent out on missions sooner than me... but you know... he hated those exact same things. It just took me looking past my own anger and insecurities to realize it. And believe me, I felt like a complete ȧsshole for many years when I learned about the hells he was put through.”

Russ sent him a questioning look as he lowered into a defensive stance. ”Why were you trained differently? Aren't you guys supposed to be some kind of package deal?”

Ry shook his head as he made his first advancement. ”Yes and no... our whole reason for being was because of father's blind rage and need for revenge against our uncle.” He continued talking as Russ shifted into the offensive. ”Before our creation, Poseidon and Zeus were always struggling for power and the right to claim lands and people. Charybdis was his main tool in doing this. She was father's pride and joy, his favorite daughter. There was no land nor man she couldn't bend to her will... until she came across a land Zeus also had his eyes on. Even the Mighty Zeus couldn't compare to her skill, and for that he cursed her.” Ry blocked a jab then a kick as he continued.

”I'm not sure why you're telling me this...” Russ huffed out as he attempted another combination move on the mountainous man.