A tablet went flying across the room to slam into the gray wall on the other end. An arm swept the desk clean of papers, documents and supplies as a voice screamed in fury. "How in seven hells did we fail?!"
A blonde man on the other end of the desk sat there, the text book definition of calm, cool and collected. "We failed because you failed to do your job. We failed, because you failed to properly recon the targets. We failed, dear brother, because you failed to finish that clan of wolves off eighteen years ago."
The blonde man with three distinct pale scars that ran from his left temple to under his chin glared at his identical twin. "You are not seriously going to pin this entire event on me?" Cedrion demanded, a vein at his temple throbbing.
"Perks of the job. I can pin the blame on whoever I want. Instead of letting my chaotic, uncontrollable, wild and impulsive brother take the charge on the largest assault we've committed to in decades," he paused and gestured to himself. "I should have taken command personally to ensure success."
The intercom on his desk crackled to life. "Sir, I have a gentleman by the name of Ares, at the front desk to see you. Claims he had an appointment, but I don't see one on your schedule. Should I have him leave?" Rachel, Xenon's secretary announced.
The minute the name dropped, all the color vanished from Xenon and Cedrion's face. "Why is our God here? Does he know? Know that we failed him?" Cedrion whispered in a hushed tone.
Xenon stood up and straightened his jacket. "He's a god, you moron. Of course he probably knows. Start picking this up and hurry up!" Xenon snapped. He leaned down to press the button on the intercom.
"No, Rachel. We had a standing meeting scheduled today. Please, send him to my secure office," Xenon instructed, careful to keep his panic out of his voice.
Xenon glanced at Cedrion. "You will keep your mouth shut while he's here." He busied himself with trying to tidy up his desk.
"Stop always telling me what to do Xenon, damn it," Cedrion responded. His face grew pale as he grabbed the last few broken pieces of the tablet that Xenon smashed against the wall.
A single, commanding knock came from the door and both Xenon and Cedrion turned.
Xenon walked over and opened the door. His heart rate immediately picked up at the site of the most perfect being that stood in front of him.
"Ah, two of my favorite children. So glad you could both be here," his suave voice washed over both of them and Xenon immediately fell to his knees in reverent worship.
"My lord, we are unworthy of your grace, of your presence," Xenon replied.
"At least you recognize that much," Ares replied as he walked in and shut the door behind him.
"Now, who wants to explain how our careful plans failed, hundreds of soldiers died, and hardly any students from the academy were killed off?" His eyes glowed with a golden energy and the pressure in the room shifted instantly.
Cedrion swallowed past the dry lump in his throat and glanced at Xenon, submitting himself before Ares. Anger filled his heart. His brother was the calm one, always collected. Ruthless, cold and calculating.
Yet, before their patron god, he acts like a spoiled toddler. He clenched his fest by his side and stayed quiet.
"Sir, everything was going according to plan. We have the manpower, the weaponry, the surprise. But, those damned Wolves and a Valkyrie showed up. If not for them we would have been successful in our mission," Xenon quickly went on to explain.
Ares narrowed his golden eyes at Xenon. "A Valkyrie and wolves? Interesting. I thought I ordered that royal line wiped out almost two decades ago," Ares commented.
Cedrion grimaced. "Apparently, some survived, sir," Cedrion replied.
Cedrion saw stars as he was back handed and the force of the impact flung him across the room. He landed against the wall with a strangled gasp of pain.
"I'm well aware that you failed, moron. The child of my brother's prophecy still lives. He is growing in strength and gaining allies as we speak!" The pressure thickened and grew heavy in the room as Ares stalked towards Cedrion.
"Your repeated blunders could cost us all that we've worked on for the past many centuries. I will not tolerate another failure from you. Child of Ares or not, fail me again and I will end you myself," Ares said.
A thin trail of blood leaked from Cedrion's lip. He kept his gaze on the ground, fighting the urge to shift into his Draconian body and fight back. Strong as he was, he wouldn't last a heart beat against a true god, against true Divinity.
Xenon walked over, cautious as he regarded his twin. "Sir, I have my network searching for any information regarding the Wolves and the Valkyrie. They will pay dearly for their interference," Xenon said.
Ares turned his twisted smile on Xenon. "I hope they do. For your fate will be tied to your twin. Fail in this mission, and I will bring down your entire operation on your head." His cruel smile lit up his face.
Xenon bowed reverently. "We will not fail you, I give you my word, sir," Xenon replied.
"Perhaps I will pay a visit to this mangy mutt, convince him to walk away before things get… nasty for those he loves," Ares mused aloud as he walked towards the door.
The door slammed shut behind him with no one touching it and Xenon let out a sigh of relief. Cedrion pushed himself angrily to his feet. "I really can't stand that bastard sometimes," he said glaring at the closed door and rubbing his jaw.
Xenon slapped him across the face. "That is our patron and literal father. You watch your tone."