The terrible, heartbroken cry of the God of War echoed through the quiet green valley, scattering the birds from the trees.
Adonis knelt on the wooden floor of the cabin, holding Nikki's cold, fragile hand against his cheek. She wasn't moving. Her chest was barely rising. The invisible poison from the long war had finally pulled her into a deep, dark sleep, and her tiny human heart was slowly fading away.
In the corner of the room, little Leo cried loudly in his shiny crib, reaching his tiny hands out for his mother.
For one long, agonizing minute, Adonis forgot how to breathe. The giant warrior who had caught a nuclear bomb in his bare hands felt entirely helpless.
But then, his bright blue eyes fell upon the Genesis Pearl.
The beautiful, glowing green stone had rolled across the floor and stopped right near his knee. It pulsed with a warm, gentle light, beating like a strong, healthy heart.
