Author's POV
The deadly staring contest continued.
Athenia: And why would we have invited you?
Im smiled sinisterly.
Im: For the simple reason that I am the Supreme, and Harmony's ally, dear Athenia.
{Kora: Let's teach him a lesson.}
She growled inside Athenia's mind.
Kemran: No, I am not your ally.
Naynah: Even I am not your ally.
Athenia: As you said, you are the Supreme. And even if you are Harmony's ally, that does not make you mine, Im.
Danger gleamed in Im's eyes, a storm building within them.
Im: Insolent child, watch your tongue. I formed an alliance with your family centuries ago—even with your father.
Athenia: That alliance was with my father, not with his family or with our people. So don't consider yourself my ally, because I will never ally myself with a monster.
She positioned herself, ready to fight.
Im: Hm, bold words. But you know you won't defeat me, brat. You don't even have a witch's powers, because women don't possess such gifts. You are nothing—you're not a witch, nor a wolf, nor even a vampire.
The truth was clear: Im did not know Athenia's true nature, and that ignorance was an advantage for them.
Athenia: Maybe I'm none of those things. But at least I'm not a murderer.
Tevi stepped beside Athenia, shielding her from danger. Kemran and Naynah also took defensive stances.
Im: What a lovely alliance. Too bad I'll destroy it.
He lunged at Athenia with inhuman speed, but Tevi intercepted him, shoving him back. Kemran and Athenia attacked from either side, but Im dodged with sharp reflexes, his claws flashing.
Im: I see you came prepared to face me.
Athenia kept analyzing his movements, knowing well they couldn't win—not today. Tevi unsheathed his silver blade and charged at Im, joined by Kemran with bared fangs, and Naynah, now transformed into a silver wolf.
Athenia stood back, her eyes fixed on Im, reading every strike and counter.
{Kora: Lis, what are you waiting for? Go fight!}
Athenia: I can't, Kora. If I intervene, Tevi will die defending me.
{Kora: Then he will die protecting you—but fight anyway!}
Athenia: You know as well as I do—every attack I plan, Im will sense it. He'll aim for me, and each time Tevi steps in, his death will be even more painful.
Kora sighed, retreating to a corner of Athenia's mind, leaving her to plan an attack that would at least spare Kemran and Naynah. Tevi's fate, she already knew, was sealed.
While Im parried and pushed her allies back, Athenia slid on her knees, feinting. Im, noticing her movement, shifted aside, but she spun sharply and delivered a brutal kick to his knee. He staggered, and with all her strength, she shoved him—sending him crashing into a tree, coughing blood.
Kemran: Nice move.
Athenia kept her eyes locked on Im, knowing it wasn't over. She saw Tevi, badly wounded, dragging himself back up. A pang of pain clenched her heart at the sight of her loyal friend. She had prepared herself for his death, but she knew she would still cry. Tevi met her gaze and nodded. Naynah noticed the gesture, suspicion growing in her mind.
Im rose with a mocking smile.
Im: Well, I didn't see that coming. Nicely done, princess.
His voice was icy.
Athenia: Says the one who'll soon be six feet under.
Her tone was more arrogant than before.
Im: I see… a real fighter, unwilling to surrender so easily.
As he grinned, Athenia noticed the fog around them thickening, growing darker every time he spoke. Can a hybrid do that? she wondered.
Naynah remained in her lupine form, Kemran still baring his fangs, and Tevi—he finally broke his vow never to use his powers again. One last time, he thought. A yellow aura flared around him.
Athenia: Tevi…
Tevi: To the very end.
Im rushed toward Athenia, but Tevi cast his shield, blocking the strike.
Tevi: Never.
He shoved Im back, slamming him to the ground. Kemran seized the chance, driving a sword into Im's chest, while Naynah, as a wolf, clamped her jaws on his arm to hold him still. Athenia pierced his abdomen with her blade. Im fell motionless, eyes closed. Kemran pulled the sword free, Naynah shifted back into human form—and, oddly enough, her clothes remained intact, unusual for a wolf transformation.
Kemran: Is he dead?
Naynah: He's not moving. Did we… win?
Athenia froze.
{Goddess: Only a hybrid can kill another hybrid.}
The words echoed in her head. Im wasn't dead. None of them were hybrids—except her. And her powers hadn't awakened. She wasn't yet a full hybrid.
Athenia: I don't think so…
Her eyes darkened. Kemran and Naynah glanced at her—but before they could react, an unseen force hurled them away. Kemran slammed into a boulder, shattering it. Naynah was thrown into a line of trees before crashing against a rock, coughing blood. Athenia and Tevi were also knocked down, though less violently.
Athenia crawled over to Tevi, kneeling at his side.
Athenia: Tevi…
Her eyes burned with tears. Then came the sound—a laugh, cold and cruel, chilling her spine. She turned, forcing herself up on one knee.
Im: That's what you should have done from the beginning, brat.
He stood tall, the sword still lodged in his belly. With a smirk, he yanked it out.
Athenia: I do not kneel before you, Im.
He laughed like a madman.
Im: Look around you. Your allies are broken, bleeding, barely alive. And you—you're hardly standing. And you still want to challenge me?
Athenia glanced left: Kemran, struggling just to sit up. To her right: Naynah, sprawled on the ground, spitting blood. Behind her: Tevi, barely conscious.
Athenia: Then I will be their last hope.
She rose, eyes blazing with murderous intent. She knew she would lose, but she had to protect her friends from the danger standing before them. And so, the battle became one on one.