ARES : God of War & Violence chapter- 4

Historical Research & Analysis Center – 7:10 PM

Anastasia squints through the microscope. She switches lenses. Zooms in. Nothing new.

Anastasia Harper (FL)

Same results. Same composition. Probably just iron-rich sediment and contaminated pollen. (sighing)

Anastasia Harper (FL)

(She leans back in her chair, frustration on her face.)

George (Fl' bff)

Wow. A thousand-year-old coincidence. What are the odds? (mocking)

Anastasia Harper (FL)

Or I just messed up the samples again. Maybe I’m reaching.

George (Fl' bff)

Or maybe—wild idea here—you’re exhausted and seeing meaning where there isn’t any

Anastasia Harper (FL)

You really know how to kill a girl’s mythology obsession. (dead laugh)

George (Fl' bff)

(He tosses her a protein bar.)

George (Fl' bff)

I also know how to keep her from passing out in a lab full of cursed Viking axes.

Anastasia Harper (FL)

(She gives him a tired smile.)

George (Fl' bff)

(He hesitates.)

George (Fl' bff)

Still dreaming about it? (softly)

Anastasia Harper (FL)

(She nods.)

Anastasia Harper (FL)

And the weird thing is… each time, it’s clearer. Longer. Like I’m remembering more.

George (Fl' bff)

Maybe that’s not a good thing. (in low voice)

The lights flicker once.

Anastasia glances up. George pretends not to notice.

George (Fl' bff)

Come on. Let's get out before the ghosts of ancient Sparta start whispering again. ( casually)

She shuts the case, grabs her bag—but as she leaves, her eyes linger on the soil tube.

Still. Silent. Harmless.

But something about it hums beneath her skin.

............

..........

Anastasia slipping into sleep again....this time, the dream has changed slightly. The meadow is darker, the atmosphere heavier. Something’s watching. Something waiting.

Anastasia Harper (FL)

Familiar, but not the same.

The hum of the ceiling fan fades. The lab’s white light blurs. Anastasia’s head slumps against her pillow.

And suddenly— She’s back.

---

The dream.

Red meadow. But the wind is stronger now. Colder......The twisted tree in the center still stands—but the flowers aren’t just red.....They’re bleeding....Wilting, Like they’ve been trampled.

Anastasia Harper (FL)

This is… different. ( in the dream whispering)

She walks forward. Slowly. Her bare feet touch the soft earth—but now, it pulses faintly. Like a heartbeat beneath her soles.

Anastasia Harper (FL)

Hello?

Her voice echoes too far, like it’s bouncing between mountains that aren’t there.

Anastasia Harper (FL)

(She hears something.)

Crunch.

A footstep?

Anastasia Harper (FL)

(She turns.)

Nothing.

The mist thickens.

The tree suddenly looks taller. Its branches are reaching—bent like claws toward the sky.

She steps closer....

A Gust of wind slams into her.

✨Someone ✨

You’re not ready. (deep, low layered voice)

Anastasia gasps, turning wildly.

Anastasia Harper (FL)

Who said that?!

Silence.

Only the sound of leaves rustling… but there's no breeze now.

She looks at her hands.

They're covered in ash.

Anastasia Harper (FL)

(She backs away.)

Anastasia Harper (FL)

No—no, this didn’t happen before. (panicking)

She runs.

But the field stretches. No end. No escape.

Then

A sudden flash.

The sky tears open for a second—and she sees a shadow.

Armor.

Eyes glowing like fire...Watching.

✨Someone ✨

---

Anastasia wakes up with a gasp, heart hammering in her chest.

Sweat clings to her skin. She’s on the floor. Her chair knocked over.

Anastasia Harper (FL)

That… wasn’t the same dream. (breathing hard)

She stares at the clock.

3:03 AM.

For the first time, she’s afraid to go back to sleep.