Chapter 3 Durres

The black hoverbike slipped around a corner and flew through intersections. Most people just thought a motorcycle was weaving through traffic. Few realized a high-end, powerful hoverbike was next to them. As the rider neared the port city of Durres, feelings of rightness began to settle on him. It had been 15 years since he first left Durres. Back then he was only a young starving boy of 12 who had just lost his parents. However, despite the pain of memory in this city, coming back now, this place just felt right to him.

'thinking of making this home?' said a telepathic voice in his head.

'yes, Raya, I believe we will call this place home once more. It will take some work, but I think we are up for the challenge.' Replied Andrew.

'Andrew, this place... you may be feeling good about it, but it gives me the creeps. There is so much.... Wrong about this place.' said Raya.

'There are likely some bad people around. We will just have to clean up the town. It will be a good exercise for us anyway.' Replied Andrew.

Raya suddenly remarked coldly, 'your arrival has been noticed by the Devos family. They will likely send someone to contact you. I can sense their pawns in the area.'

'Dam, they must have been watching the airport. Well, they can all go to hell. They were peons 8 years ago and are worthless now! That son of theirs, Conner, skirted battle thanks to me. For now, we ignore them. However, if they interfere with my plans, they will suffer. They likely just want to make sure I disappear.' said Andrew.

As Andrew pulled into a large walking park, he began scouting the area. Many would consider him paranoid. Andrew considered his caution a skill more people should hone. After all, his heightened senses and awareness had saved him and his team countless times on the battlefield.

His black bike with its pure gold accents was eye-catching for sure. Thankfully, most people didn't notice things that were outside what they expected to see such as the fact it was a hoverbike, instead of a normal motorcycle. His bike was the custom prototype product of several companies that were on the cutting edge of modern warfare technology. Speed could make the difference in battle, and business.

Knowing that he would soon be approached by pawns of the Devos, Andrew set off for the middle of the park and found a secluded bench to sit at. From here he could see anyone that approached a long way off. He took out his phone and began scrolling there the latest intelligence packet while a call connected.

"Jackson, I am back. Situation update," said Andrew.

"Commander, it's good to hear you are back in one piece. I have things coming along here. Overall, the situation is not yet in hand but with you here, it should fall into place quickly. I have people in place to assist you with anything you need. But sir, per your request they have not made your arrival known, so many hostile forces are still in power in the black and gray realms."

Andrew frowned. Jackson was a superior fighter who had been under his command on the battlefield for years. Jackson was even the first of the team to be formally named a god of war. Eventually, after his term of conscription was finished, Jackson had become known as the Cobalt god of war, assigned to the western province of Rhodes, one of the eight gods of war who served under the supreme god of war. Andrew knew Jackson's strengths lent themselves to the subtle behind-the-scenes moves more than being flamboyant in business. After all, he was the team's sniper and was used to blending into the backdrop. However, Andrew had hoped for a bit more of his plans to have been established by the time he decided to "retire" to Durres. Oh well, Andrew thought to himself, he would need something to do to keep his mind active. He was only in his mid-twenties after all. Some gray world gangsters would not be trouble. The black realm may be darker, crueler, and overall a stronger breed of criminal, but at the end of the day, they should not pose any threat to his long-term plans either.

"Have you found me a suitable site?" asked Andrew. While he was planning on relaxing from war for a few years here in Durres, naturally this did not mean he intended to be slack in his physical training.

"Yes commander, there is a suitable construction site owned by the Eisen family. They are in the midst of building a 5-story structure, but the plans show it is just a prebuild, with no current owner. It is still in the initial build phase. I have already contacted the company manager and she is prepared to sign over the title. Because you requested it be incomplete, we are getting it for a good price. I can have the paperwork complete by end of the day." Was Jackson's response.

"Good. Send me the address as soon as the paperwork is complete. You know my specs, have a crew ready to renovate by tomorrow" said Andrew with a soft air of command that brooked no argument.

Andrew clicked off the call and looked up from his phone to see a group of men rushing toward him in controlled haste.

Five men in black formal suits were hurrying over to him as if they expected him to turn to smoke and vanish if they were a second later.

This would be people from the Devos family then, thought Andrew.

People walking in the park gave way, and many ducked out of the area fearing some sort of police action was underway. Several even tried to hide, not wanting to attract the attention of these imposing men.

The men scanned the park and began to fan out as if they had lost track of their prey. Little did they know that Andrew was a master of avoiding detection. The lead suit turned onto the walkway with Andrew's bench only feet away and froze, startled. Andrew was just sitting nonchalantly playing with his phone, but a simple glaring glance from Andrew made it clear he had been aware of the group's approach the whole time.

The leader spoke without introduction "the Devos family master wants you to come back to Vroengard, he has business to finalize with you."

"Is that so? Are you sure you want to be looking for me? I have nothing to do with the Devos family. Our contract is complete." Andrew said with contempt.

With Andrew's icy gaze, they all began to shrink back. They had each seen him exit the plane alongside the fiery goddess of war for Placida providence, Anika, and tracked him here. As far as their intel told them, Andrew must have developed into a truly strong killer if he was associated with Anika, goddess of death, for she would not have allowed mediocracy into her inner circle beyond that connection, they were unsure. Yet, he radiated a sense of power that made them all quake. They were not even sure exactly where he might fall in the chain of command for the army. On paper, they believed he was the son-in-law of their master, so that status by itself counted for a lot. Each of the gods of war had unparalleled authority within their given providence, power that rivaled even the Lord Governors. If it came to a fight, the gods of war commanded the loyalty of the armies and would win, and everyone knew it. To piss off one of Anika's staff would not be a wise move.

The men stared at him, a bit shocked at his attitude. Was this young man rejecting a summons from the Devos family, one of the most powerful lord governors in the whole kingdom? His contempt for the family was plain for all to see.

"Mr. Andrew, Lord Devos would like you to come to Vroengard, and officially sign a release."

Andrew turned his head slightly, with a sneer on his face. "Does he think he can order me around? From this day forward, I have no business with him. What could he possibly want?"

If someone else had said these words, these men would have assaulted them without wasting a single moment for the implied slander against their master. However, if the intel was correct, Andrew was the member of the Wyvern order, a powerful martial arts order, and by written contract, the legal husband of the eldest daughter of the Devos family, Celeana!

"Mr. Andrew, Master Devos wishes to discuss the conclusion of that contract. There is the marriage contract, and the family wonders if you are willing to release the claim. Lord Devos has offered one million credits for you to sign the release."

'hmm well, that is interesting. Apparently, you did too well at hiding your status. They don't even know you are the Supreme god of war, or else I bet they would be begging for the marriage to be made public and official right here and now.' Said Raya into Andrew's mind.

'Indeed. Well, it was Conner who prompted my entry into the army. I suppose I should give the girl a chance to decide on her own. I honestly have no knowledge of her or any interest in an arranged marriage. As for the Devos family, after what happened to Antonio, they are high on my list for people who need to be dealt with,' was Andrew's mental reply.

"The Devos family wants to back out of contracts? Figures. Well, I will not traipse across the kingdom to sign some document for that man. If the girl needs a clear conscience so bad to move on in life, she can bring the paperwork herself. Anyone else from the Devos family is considered an enemy in my eyes." Andrew said. He had no interest in this Devos girl, but why not make her come to him and grovel some for what her family had put him through. If she wanted her life back, at least she could do is ask for it in person.

He got up to leave.

"Don't send someone to find me again, otherwise, anyone but the girl that I find in my city is dead! Durres is mine now." Andrew paused in his stride and looked back. "Consider it a Forbidden City for the Devos family."

The terrifying murderous instant enveloped the leader. Even after Andrew turned his back, the leader still held a clenched fist and was visibly nervous. He finally let out a slow shaky breath as Andrew walked away, his back wet with sweat. In front of Andrew, he had been nervous. No, he had been terrified and he hated feeling that way.

Andrew walked back to his bike, slipped on his helmet, and climbed back on his bike. With a flick of two buttons, the bike came to life and a call reconnected to Jackson.

"The Devos family drones showed up. A warning has been issued to them. From now on, Durres becomes a Forbidden City to those of the Devos family. Only the girl may come, if she dares. Let her beg for release. Devos, however, had best remove all business from Placida." Was Andrews curt commands as soon as the call connected.

"Yes, commander." After a pause, Jackson continued "The site transfer should be finished within the hour, I am sending the address to your system now. Is there anything else?"

"no, I will stop by the site and we will see where the day takes us. Send me the docs when they are signed," said Andrew

With that, Andrew powered into the city he had left 13 years ago.

"I'm back."