Inside Derek's home Aria stares out the window at the chaos beyond. "I still can't believe that there's a whole different world living in the shadows. Where I really that oblivious?"
Derek stood behind her, close enough that his warmth seeped into her back, one hand resting gently on the curve of her waist.
"You weren't oblivious, my love," he said quietly: "You were protected."
He let out a soft breath, eyes scanning the chaos beyond the glass—the flicker of torches, shadows moving with purpose.
"The world hides its fangs from those who don't need to see them. You… you were meant to live in the sunlight."
His voice darkened slightly.
"Unfortunately fate had other plans."
Aria turned in his arms, looking up at him—her eyes searching.
"And what about you? Were you ready for this?"
Derek's jaw tightened.
"No. But I stopped running from what I am a long time ago."
He cupped her face gently.
"I just never thought... I'd find someone worth fighting for. Not like this."
"I've heard things while being shielded by you, my love. So let me ask you this..." Aria began but doesn't once break eye contact. "Will all the world's armies be enough to defeat this Kyron guy?"
Derek's thumb brushed her cheek—once, slowly. His expression didn't waver, but something ancient and heavy flickered in his eyes.
"No."
The word came out low, certain—like a truth too hard to swallow but impossible to deny.
"They won't."
He leaned down slightly, forehead resting against hers.
"Kyron isn't just some rogue supernatural looking for power. He's grief made flesh. A man who's already died once inside and doesn't fear doing it again… as long as he pulls the world down with him."
His voice dropped to a whisper: "Armies fight battles. But you?"
He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, "You're not just my Anima Cantat. You're Ashokan blood. A thread-spinner in your own right. And if the legends are true…"
"Then you're not meant to stand behind the shield. You're meant to be the storm."
"Does Kyron know that I'm of Ashokan blood?"
Derek nodded, hand falling to her hip.
"He does..."
His fingers curled gently around the curve of her side, grounding her.
"He knows exactly what you are."
"But I don't quite understand the logic to his method, how precisely is he planning to resurrect his mate by breaking us apart?"
Derek let out a low breath, gaze turning distant.
"Have you ever heard the story of the Raven and the Snake?"
Aria thought for a moment, "Nope, but it sounds ancient."
Derek gave a small huff of a laugh.
"It is."
He began to walk in a slow, even pace—guiding her with him.
"In the beginning, the raven and the snake were kin. One with the gods—and with each other. They loved each other. They cherished each other."
Derek pulls Aria down onto his lap, after sitting down on the couch.
As Aria settled on his lap, Derek drew her against his chest—wrapping his arms loosely around her waist, feeling the rhythm of her breath move in time with his.
"But the raven and the snake were both prideful."
He continued, voice a low rumble.
"And there are few things more dangerous…"
He leaned in, mouth hovering by her ear
"Than pride that goes before a fall."
"Is this a love story or a ghost story, because I'm not very keen on the second option."
Derek chuckled quietly at her response,
"Little bit of both, honestly…"
He murmured, pressing his mouth to the crook of her neck, breathing her in. Just feeling her real, solid presence in his arms. She smelled like warmth and spice. Earth and fire. Life.
"Derek Hale, the story isn't going to tell itself, you know?" She said in mock seriousness.
Derek rolled his eyes playfully but didn't let go of her, instead pulling her tighter into his chest and continuing with the story.
"Alright, alright... keep your feathers on."
He cleared his throat.
"One day, the raven tried to ascend to godhood. He thought he could defy fate. But in doing so… he ripped apart everything sacred—the bonds between species… balance itself."
His voice darkened slightly.
"The snake tried to stop him. She loved him too much to let him destroy everything."
"But she was too late."
"A great war erupted—realms cracked open. And when it was over? The raven was cast down from the sky… But not dead. And not forgiven."
"The raven was beyond repair. But the snake who tried to stop her lover from his prideful manners were crucified by the elders, and completely stripped from the raven."
"The snake was punished for her loyalty. Stripped of her power and cast out of paradise."
He leaned in again, pressing a lingering kiss to her neck.
"But what does this story have to do with Kyron?"
Aria asked quietly.
"Oh... My... God..." She placed a hand over her mouth. "Are you saying that Kyron is the raven?"
Derek lets out a huff of a laugh. "Took you long enough..."
His arms tightened around her waist, fingers curling gently against her stomach.
"But yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."
"Her support, faith and affection was unwavering. She sacrificed herself to protect him, how very noble of her."
Derek looked down at her, his expression softening for a moment.
"Her name was Elara."
The words came like ash on the wind—quiet, but heavy with grief.
"She wasn't just his mate. She was the one who carried the last true spark of creation—a soul capable of weaving life from void. The Council feared her power… so they used Kyron's fall as an excuse to silence her forever."
His voice dropped lower, rougher.
"They told him she died because of his sin. But in truth? She let herself be taken… to protect him. To keep him alive long enough to regret what he'd done."
A beat of silence followed.
"Now?" He shifted beneath her, jaw clenching slightly, "Kyron doesn't want balance. He doesn't care about justice."
"He wants revenge."
"And Aria…"
Derek lifted a hand, gently turning her face toward his so that their eyes could meet.
"He doesn't just know you're Ashokan blood… He believes you're not just descended from Elara. He thinks…" Derek sighs, "I'm beginning to think he believes you are Elara—reborn."
"That's why breaking our bond isn't enough for him. He needs your heart. Your blood. Your soul."
"So he can pull hers back through the veil… and remake this world in their image."
Aria shivers as the severity of the matter pulls her under. Her bottom lip quivered, "But he can't have it."
Derek gently cupped her cheek, thumb running tenderly across her skin to still the shiver. "No."
He agreed, eyes fixed on hers—the gold flecks within them flaring at an intensity that mirrored the steel in his tone.
"He can't have it."
He leaned in—forehead resting against hers. "Because you're mine. And I'll tear this world down before I let him have you."
Aria gently brushed her lips against his, after a moment she pulled away, looked him lovingly in the eyes and said: "I'll keep you to that promise."
Derek let himself get lost in the blue of her eyes, flecks of gold dancing within them, feeling all the fierce devotion he had for this one human stirring in his chest like a living, wild thing.
"You'd better."
He murmured softly, pulling her back against him. He tilted her chin up with his fingers, eyes never looking away from hers.
"I don't plan on letting you go anytime soon."
***
"It's time, my faithful companions. Let's start this war with a bang..." Kyron ended with a sinister chuckle.
He didn't want to go into a full out war, but seeing how all his attempts failed miserably to reel her in, he has no other choice as to face it head on.
The moon shone full and round above Beacon Hills, bathing the town in silver light. Shadows danced across the land like playful phantoms—a grim omen of what was to come.