POV Athènia
I was still holding Dracos's body as tears streamed down my cheeks. One hand clutched him, while the other held his hobbit. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, I found myself in a place that looked like a chamber filled with weapons. I didn't know where I was, or what this meant.
??? : "Greetings to you, Athènia."
I turned toward the voice I had just heard and saw a woman.
Athènia: "The goddess of war…"
Athena: "I'm pleased to finally meet you, my dear."
Athènia: "What am I doing here? Where is this place?"
Athena: "You are in my paradise."
I raised an eyebrow.
Athènia: "A paradise of weapons?"
Athena: "Yes. Be glad you're not meeting Hades."
Athènia: "The god of the Underworld?"
Athena: "Exactly. His chamber is filled with corpses."
Ugh, I didn't even want to imagine that.
Athènia: "Excuse me, but why am I here?"
Athena: "Because I needed to speak with you."
Athènia: "Speak with me!?"
Athena: "You are about to face a great battle. I am here to encourage you."
Athènia: "Encourage me!?"
She sighed.
Athena: "Listen, Athènia. You already know you are the chosen one. It is your destiny to lead this fight. Only a hybrid can kill another hybrid—but one cannot kill someone stronger than themselves. That is why we chose you to lead this war and win it."
Athènia: "And why didn't you choose Junior instead?"
Athena: "Junior was not born to reign, but to walk beside you. He is the pillar that supports you when you risk falling. His destiny is as clear as yours: he was born to be your pillar, and you were born to reign."
Athènia: "No matter what I do, there will always be those who oppose me."
Athena: "Then don't listen to them. You were born to be the strongest among the strong. You are the Supreme Alpha of the supernatural world. People will never stop talking, they will always find a way to criticize. But it is up to you whether their words weigh on your heart or not."
Athènia: "Goddess Athena…"
Athena: "Yes, my dear?"
Athènia: "What do you all mean when you say I will become the Supreme?"
Athena: "Because you will defeat Im."
Athènia: "But I'm not of the same bloodline as Im."
Athena: "And who told you Im is of Supreme blood?"
I stared at her, shocked.
Athènia: "What!?"
Athena: "Exactly. He took his title by spilling the blood of the former Supreme. And just like him, you must prove your strength in order to claim the throne."
Athènia: "But I thought my destiny was to defeat Im and bring peace… and I'm not a man."
Athena: "You will use the title of Supreme to bring peace. And no, you do not have to be a man to rule. Look at me—I am a woman and I am a goddess. You, too, can reign, if you choose to. Ruling flows in your veins. Good luck, Athènia."
She vanished like dust, along with everything else around me. I found myself back in the real world. I looked down at the hobbit in my hand.
He had entrusted me with his most precious weapon—the one he hadn't even let me touch before, afraid I might break it.
Kora: {Lis…}
Athènia: "It's so unfair, Kora. He died for me, just like Tevi."
Kora: {I know… but we have to stay strong for Jayden.}
Athènia: "You're right, Kora. We must defeat Im so our son never has to live in the shadows. I'll be strong. I'll remain strong."
Kora: {That's the Athènia I know.}
Athènia: "Well… we have to bury him."
Kora: {Didn't you already make his grave?}
Athènia: "Yes."
Kora: {Where?"}
Athènia: "The day I finish what concerns this, it will be in gold."
Kora: {You can't be serious.}
Athènia: "I am absolutely serious."
Kora: {So you mean his body will be in a golden statue?"}
Athènia: "No, you idiot. We'll bury him in a golden coffin, just as he asked me."
Kora: {And Tevi?"}
Athènia: "He will also have a golden coffin and his own statue."
Kora: {You really know how to honor people, don't you?}
Athènia: "Thank you for the compliment."
I gently set Uncle Dracos's body on the ground and stood up. As I turned around, I was suddenly knocked to the earth. Yes, if you're wondering—it was because someone had just thrown themselves right at me.
??? : "Lis! Oh, we've been searching everywhere for you!"
Athènia: "Mara!"
Mara: "Who else did you expect?"
Garth: "Cousin!"
Asher: "Thank the heavens you're safe."
They rushed toward me.
Athènia: "Garth, Asher… what are you doing here?"
Garth: "We came looking for you, stupid."
Asher: "We finally found you."
Mara: "Lis, are you okay? Tell me you're not hurt—you're covered in blood."
I lowered my eyes and glanced beside me. Mara followed my gaze. She covered her mouth in shock—probably at the sight of all the blood and the severed arm.
Mara: "Who is that?"
Garth: "…Dracos?"
I nodded as fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.
Asher: "Im was here!!"
But my eyes were still fixed on my uncle's body.
Mara: "Lis…"
Athènia: "Don't worry about me. I will avenge Im for his death and Tevi's. I will stay strong."
Then, I saw a light I had never seen before. At that moment, Dracos's words echoed in my memory.
Dracos: "Stay strong, and the doors will open for you."
The light shot across the sky like a falling star, and I smiled. Yes, I will stay strong, and the doors will open for me. Master Dracos, you can rest in peace—because your favorite student will make you proud by overthrowing Im from his throne.