✨ Author's POV
On the island where Athènia fell, a grand manor resembling a castle rises before us — the fortress Dracos built.
Let me explain: Dracos was able to save Athènia and her baby, because her fall had nothing to do with a hybrid's power. She survived unharmed, and so did her child. The pain that tormented her before the fall? They were contractions. Yes — she gave birth that very night. Her child turned out to be a boy.
How is that possible? Only a few hours after her fall, labor began, and she delivered. According to Kora, the child is far stronger than anyone expected.
We see Athènia descending the staircase with her baby, who is already six months old. That's right — it has already been six months since Athènia disappeared.
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✨ Athènia's POV
I am deeply grateful to still be alive after such a fall. I'm even happier that my little one made it too. I wasn't prepared, since Kora had told me I'd give birth after four months — but in the end, it happened in the third month.
I arrive in the living room with Jayden in my arms.
Athènia: Good morning, Master Dracos.
Dracos: Good morning, my favorite student.
I laugh softly.
Athènia: I'm your only student.
Dracos: Which is why you're my favorite.
I chuckle again, sit down, and place Jayden in the little cradle beside me.
Dracos: How's the little one?
Athènia: Better than I ever could have imagined.
Dracos: Naturally — he's a powerful hybrid.
Athènia: He's the second dihybrid.
Dracos: And I know he's going to be very important.
Athènia: What do you mean?
Dracos: I'm not certain yet.
I clear my throat.
Athènia: Master, may I ask you a question?
Dracos: What is it?
Athènia: Why do they call you the Dark Sorcerer?
Dracos: Because I use magic for evil.
I look at him curiously. He sighs.
Dracos: My true name is Dracos Silvers.
Athènia: Wait a minute… that's the family name of the man who married the first daughter of the Gronds family.
Dracos: I am his descendant — the only surviving member of the Silvers family. Xavier Silvers. During the great wedding, the king of that era cursed us as he offered blessings.
My eyes widen.
Athènia: What?!
Dracos: The curse condemned Lily's children and their descendants to become dark sorcerers, forced to use magic only for evil. And with each birth, the child must harm those around them to validate the curse.
Athènia: So you earned that title because of the curse.
Dracos: Yes. And I did far worse to make it valid. Evil consumed me entirely. I caused many disasters. I even… violated the woman I loved because she rejected me. I destroyed half of the small town Lily and Xavier had built. I caused dozens of deaths.
Athènia: In Harmonie?
Dracos: No. After the curse, the king banished us to the "corner of the damned." There was nothing there — only people sleeping on the ground. They had so little that they built shacks together and helped each other survive. They called the place Malo, the City of the Damned.
Athènia: Oh… and how did you end up here?
Dracos: Because of Im.
My eyes go wide.
Dracos: After the crimes I committed, I was taken to Hasrland, the city ruled by the Supreme. I was put on trial, and under his orders, I was sent here, to this island, as punishment. I thought I could escape, but Im placed a powerful barrier to keep me trapped.
Athènia: For how many years?
Dracos: I was sentenced to stay here for 25 years. And I know the end is near.
Athènia: Then you'll be freed.
Dracos smiles at me sadly.
Dracos: Not exactly. I have only two choices: to become one of his subordinates… or to die.
Athènia: So you'll die.
Dracos: Yes. And it must be so.
A sudden realization strikes me.
Athènia: Wait — that means Im will take your powers after killing you.
Dracos: If he has the chance, yes. But I hope you'll stop him and inherit my powers. They'll make you stronger.
Athènia: You trust me that much?
Dracos: Why do you ask that?
Athènia: I'm not even sure I'll manage to leave this place, let alone defeat Im.
Dracos: Listen to me, Athènia. If you weren't capable, Tevi would never have sacrificed his life for you. He was the greatest seer I ever knew. I'm sure he saw your future before deciding who was worthy of his sacrifice.
I wipe the tears that have slipped down my cheeks without my noticing.
Dracos: Stop underestimating yourself. If you set a goal, you'll achieve it. You are the liberator of the supernaturals. It is your duty to save them all. Do you understand the importance of that?
I nod.
Dracos: And you're not only doing this for the supernaturals, but also for the hybrids, your friends, those still hiding in the shadows. You must also protect your son's future.
Athènia: Don't worry, Master. I will do it — for the supernaturals, for the hybrids, for my friends, for my son, for Tevi, and for you. I won't let you down. Your sacrifice, and Tevi's, will not be in vain.
Dracos smiles.
Dracos: Now you truly are my student, and I'm proud of you. We are Master and student.
Athènia: Of course, Master. You're the best.
Dracos: You should eat, Athènia.
He says this as he conjures a plate of food before me with his magic.
Athènia: Yes, Master. And you should eat too.
I snap my fingers, and a plate of food appears in front of Dracos. He smiles at me. We begin to eat.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss my friends. I miss them dearly. But I had to come here to learn. I will see them again once I defeat Im. And once I defeat him and become the new Supreme, Hasrland will no longer be the land of oppression. This island will serve instead.
If I manage to free the prisoners, I will build the foundation of a new life here, without painful memories. This will become the beginning of our new world. In honor of Dracos, I will rebuild Malo into something far greater. As he spoke, I had a vision of the past, and my heart ached for those people. But when my reign begins, things will change. I'll do my best to repair the wounds that evil has left behind.