Author's POV
It's been three months since the alliance began—three months of living in a tangled love triangle. Their combat skills had grown sharper, more refined. Athènia had learned much more about the lives of both werewolves and vampires. Speaking of which, the three of them knew very well what was happening between them. Kemran slept with Naynah, sometimes with Athènia too. And to everyone's surprise, Naynah had accepted it. Even though she knew Athènia didn't have a wolf spirit, she also knew that a vampire is naturally drawn to their mate. So, she concluded that Athènia was also his partner.
Meanwhile, Tevi had completed his Supreme training, fully aware that his time was running out. Atlas lived with Asher and Garth.
Speaking of them, a meeting was taking place at Athènia's apartment. Her uncle Kevine was also present.
Asher: So, we still haven't found anything on Im.
Athènia: Yes, it's as if he never existed in this world.
Garth: That's strange.
Kevine: I even hired detectives, but they know nothing about this Im.
Atlas: Then we need to dig up something else about this guy.
Athènia stood up, pacing nervously.
Tevi: Supreme.
Athènia: I've got it now. The path is still long, but Im isn't the Supreme's real name.
Atlas: That would make sense.
Tevi: But what should we do to uncover the Supreme's true identity?
Athènia: I don't know… but I've already shared my ideas with you.
Garth: Yes, but we don't know anything about the STORMS.
Athènia: We could ask Jiji for help.
They all looked at her at once, asking who Jiji was.
Athènia: He's my twin.
Mara: But I thought his name was Junior.
Athènia: Did I never tell you I call him Jiji?
Asher: You usually just call him "my brother" or "my twin."
Tevi: And how's the alliance between you three going?
Athènia: Fairly well.
Tevi: Do they know who you really are?
Athènia: No, it's not time yet.
Kevine: Do they at least know about this alliance, and the hybrids?
Athènia: No. The goddess told me I must keep everything hidden from them. They mustn't know about us hybrids, or about our secret alliance.
Asher: Well, Kemran is your mate and Naynah your cousin… I'm honestly tired of lying and pretending not to know about your alliance.
Athènia: I'm certain it'll be over soon.
Garth: What do you mean by that?
Athènia: I don't know… I just feel it.
Athènia looked at Tevi. Just as he knew his death was near, she also knew she wouldn't see him again very soon. His death would mark the awakening of her witch powers. There was no escaping it—Tevi's destiny was to die for her, to trigger her awakening.
Tevi: Supreme, we should head to the forest today.
Athènia only nodded.
Mara: Why go into the forest?
Athènia: We have something to settle.
Kevine: Be careful, then.
Athènia: Of course, Uncle.
Tevi: Well then, goodbye, everyone.
Atlas gave him a strange look.
Atlas: Tevi, why do I get the feeling this is the last time I'll see you?
Tevi glanced at him, a little sad.
Tevi: Maybe it is.
He murmured softly, while the others looked at him in confusion.
Tevi: Supreme, let's go.
Athènia and Tevi left, leaving the others uneasy.
Mara: I've got a bad feeling.
Garth: I thought I was the only one.
Meanwhile, Kemran and Naynah were waiting. They had been sitting on the ground for a while.
Naynah: They're still not here.
Kemran: You know they'll show up soon.
Naynah stood up, crossing her arms.
Naynah: You know as well as I do I don't trust them at all.
Kemran: What's the point of an alliance without trust?
Naynah: Deception.
Kemran: Three months have passed, and you still haven't changed your mind.
Naynah: After all this time, I thought you'd know me better.
Kemran: Yeah, sure.
Silence fell again between them.
Meanwhile, Athènia and Tevi were in the car, Tevi at the wheel.
Tevi: Supreme, you know today is my last day.
Athènia sighed sadly.
Athènia: I know. Thank you, Tevi, for everything you've done for me.
Tevi: Supreme, it was my duty—and I'm proud of it. Even if you've grown stronger, even equal to evil itself, you're still not strong enough to balance both your sides. But you will be… with Dracos' help.
Athènia: Thank you, Tevi.
She said softly, looking at him. She didn't want him to die for her, but what could she do? It was destiny. Cruel, yes—but still destiny.
Tevi parked the car. They got out and walked to the meeting point. From a distance, they saw Naynah and Kemran sitting on the ground.
Naynah: Finally, you're here.
She stood, and Kemran rose as well.
Kemran: Took you long enough.
Athènia: Sorry for the delay.
Naynah: Now that you're here, we can begin.
She raised an eyebrow. She didn't know why, but deep down, she knew they were hiding something. For three months, she had trained alongside them. For three months, Tevi—still under the name Kendrick—had been training them outside of the elite special courses at Athènia's request. Even though she had allied with Athènia, Naynah knew the girl carried many secrets.
Tevi: Very well, let's begin. You should warm up by running this obstacle course.
They started running. Each of them knew they had grown faster, stronger. At that instant, Tevi felt it—the Supreme Im was near. He must have sensed their alliance and had come to end it once and for all.
Athènia had thought she wouldn't witness Tevi's death. She was wrong. She would be right there, a witness to her faithful friend's sacrifice.
As they finished the obstacle course, the wind began to howl fiercely.
Naynah: A storm.
Kemran: What? But the sun was blazing just minutes ago.
Athènia: No… more like an arrival.
Kemran: Arrival of who?
He noticed Tevi's silence. From the start of their training, he had only told them to run the obstacle course. He hadn't corrected them, hadn't said a word. He was far too quiet. Kemran was about to question him when a dark fog spread around them, carrying an ominous presence.
They heard footsteps drawing near. Trees toppled one after another with every step the man took. The closer he came, the more the forest bent before his power.
Finally, the tall figure stopped before them, black eyes blazing with fury at the sight of his enemies.
Athènia stepped back slightly, being the first to see his face.
Athènia: Im!!!
Im: What a lovely reunion. How rude of you not to invite me.
His voice was deep, rough.
This was the moment. Their enemy was right in front of them. It was him—the Supreme Im.
They had prepared to face him, but not this soon. Still, now there was no turning back. The Supreme stood before them, and the only choice left was to fight.
For peace among the supernaturals… they would fight to the death, if that's what it took.