Atlas POV
No matter how many times I killed the rogue wolves, their bodies kept rising again, as if they were under some sort of spell or enchantment. But I didn't falter. I tore them apart relentlessly, driven by the desperate need to find a way to Mia.
Amidst the chaos of the battle, I heard her voice in my mind. It was filled with raw emotion, causing my heart to ache as if it was being ripped away. She spoke of a connection I had with Thora, how her death would mean mine. And then, she mentioned our impending separation. She spoke of me becoming a great ruler, as if she would no longer be able to stay by my side. She was sacrificing herself in some way.

I pleaded with her, begged her not to sacrifice herself. But in a flash, the army of rogues surrounding me vanished, and the rocks blocking my path to Mia disappeared. However, along with them, Mia's scent disappeared too. Brutus growled in distress, "Mate is gone, I no longer sense her. Something is wrong," he spoke in my mind. panic filling his voice.
I focused on my connection with Mia, desperately reaching out to her. "Don't you dare sacrifice yourself, Mia. If keeping you safe means the end of my life, then so be it. It is my duty to protect you. Let me protect you. Even if I can't be by your side, knowing that I had the chance to love you and keep you safe is enough," I pleaded with her in my mind, but there was no response.
Brutus howled, as a new voice filled my mind. "Run, Atlas. Run to the lycan Kingdom. Stop the war that still rages on. And once you do, I will guide you to your mate, for she still lives. She is following her destined path, a choice I could only guide her on, but she had to accept. But it is your destiny as well, Lycan. Your mate would rather remain trapped with the evil that threatens this world than sacrifice your life. Now, find a way to break the tether that links you to evil and face her once more, with your mate and those you trust, in one last battle," a voice filled my mind.
"It's the moon goddess. We must do as she guides," Brutus spoke.
"I will find you, Mia. And when I do, we will never be separated again," I vowed through our link as I took off running. Brutus unleashed the power we were gifted with, propelling us faster than ever before. The world blurred around us as we made our way back to the werewolf realm.
I did not falter instead, I allowed my heart to surge with determination, my strength to course through my veins. As I sprinted towards the barrier that separated our realms, a newfound force within me roared to life, reminiscent of the past power and strength I had been granted. The entire sky erupted in a breathtaking display of vibrant colors, emanating from the heart of the lycan kingdom.

Although Thora may have been trapped with Mia, the resilience of her bloodline remained unyielding. We had to obliterate them. Approaching the palace, the clash of werewolf warriors and hybrid warriors on our side against Thora's forces filled the air. I immersed myself in the battle, becoming a whirlwind of destruction. No enemy that dared to approach me stood a chance. I could feel the presence of the goddess, her blessing empowering me in this very moment.
Amidst the chaos, my gaze fixed upon three imposing figures, positioned beneath what appeared to be a protective barrier. With heightened focus, I discerned Bryn standing alongside Leo in the distance, sparks of power radiating from their bodies. Battle magic was a rare sight from Bryn, but it was evident that she was fighting alongside him with all her might.
Bram caught up to me. “The witches are responsible for the relentless rise of the army, even in defeat. Bryn and Leo, need your help to stop them,” he spoke quickly, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
I could hear the clash of power and the muffled grunts of Leo and Bryn as they battled against the immortal witches. The three witches, dressed in black robes billowing in the wind, unleashed the same sinister magic that I had witnessed Thora wield before. Bryn and Leo valiantly held their ground, but the odds were against them, outnumbered three to two. Flint was nowhere to be seen, his absence adding to the mounting tension.

As I closed in on the witches, the power to win surged through my veins. One of the witches turned her piercing gaze upon me, her eyes filled with malice. With a malevolent glint in their eyes, she directed her dark magic towards me as she stepped away from the others. But I was prepared. I stood my ground, shielding myself from her assault, allowing Leo and Bryn to focus on the other two witches. Brutus, growled fiercely as we charged towards our foe, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
It was a clash of pure strength and the will to survive. The sheer determination to protect my mate and everything I held dear fueled my every move, empowering me to face the opposing force with unyielding resolve. Every muscle in my body tensed, ready to unleash the full extent of my power upon the witch who dared to challenge me.
With a primal roar, I launched myself towards her, my claws unsheathed and gleaming with deadly intent. Time seemed to slow as I closed the distance, my eyes locked on her.The intensity of the battle raged around us, but in that moment, the world narrowed down to just the two of us.
Her dark eyes met mine, filled with defiance and a glimmer of fear. She chanted an incantation, directing her power towards me, trying to halt my advance. But I was undeterred. The force of her spell collided with my own raw strength, causing a shockwave that reverberated through the battlefield. I could feel the strain in every part of my body, yet I pushed forward, unrelenting.
The sheer force of our clash sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, causing the earth to tremble beneath our feet. Sparks flew from our collision, illuminating the sky with bursts of blinding light.
I could taste victory on my tongue, fueling my determination even further. The ferocity of my attack, fueled by the love and protectiveness for my mate, burned within me like an inferno. I could see the fear flickering in her eyes as my claws tore through the air, ready to rend her flesh apart.
In that moment, as her power and my strength collided and our wills clashed, I knew that I would emerge as the victor. The pure intensity of my desire to protect and destroy all who dared to threaten my loved ones surged through me, giving me an edge that could not be matched.
I lunged at her, my claws finding their mark. The impact sent shockwaves of pain through her body as she screamed, her spell dissipating into the air.
The witch crashed to the ground, her body crumbling under the weight of my vengeance. The once invincible beings had lost their luster. "This is for the torment you've inflicted on my mate and those I hold dear!" I growled, tearing her head from her lifeless form. Gripping it firmly in my mouth, I gazed at the two remaining witches engaged in battle with Bryn and Leo.
Their voices filled the air, chanting a spell that shattered the barrier surrounding the witches. The mist, reminiscent of Thora's earlier attack, billowed towards the witches, ensnaring them. Seizing the opportunity, I lunged forward, discarding the severed head and tearing into their bodies. Their screams pierced the sky, fading into silence as their torn remains lay scattered on the ground.
As their lifeless forms fell, the opposing army fighting our warriors began to fade away. Those not under enchantment fled in fear. Returning to my human form, I watched as Bryn, sprinted towards the palace. Leo approached me, concern etched on his face. "Where is Flint?" I demanded, my voice filled with urgency. He shook his head, worry evident. "We must hurry, he's in bad shape. You arrived just in time, Atlas," he said, his words urging us forward.
"I sense my mother's life force, which means she hasn't been defeated yet. Please tell me Mia is not trapped by her," Leo pleaded as we raced towards the palace. "No, Mia has her," I growled, frustration boiling within me. The sight of Bryn hovering over Flint caught my attention. "We need to act quickly, he's barely breathing!" she shouted. Without hesitation, I joined her, lifting Flint's weakened body as we rushed into the palace. Bram joined us briefly, he would have our warriors wait while we tended to Flint.
Bryn paced anxiously, while Leo swiftly gathered the necessary ingredients for a spell she was unaccustomed to. "Atlas, I need you to hold Flint down. He must remain as still as possible, and this will be excruciatingly painful for him," Leo instructed. I held Flint steady as they began their incantation, their voices harmonizing in a desperate plea for healing. A strange solution was poured into Flint's mouth, causing his body to convulse violently. Despite the turmoil, I maintained my grip, offering support.
Gradually, a black substance flowed from Flint's body and Leo stepped back, holding up a jar and uttering another spell. The substance streamed into the container, sealing it once complete. Flint's eyes shot open, and he gasped for air. Bryn immediately enveloped him in a tight embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Don't you ever dare sacrifice yourself like that," she sobbed, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and anger.
Flint sat up, his eyes scanning the room as he looked at all of us. The tension in the air was palpable as everyone's attention focused on me. I could feel their gaze, their anticipation. "Where is Mia?" Flint asked, his voice filled with concern.
Taking a deep breath, I began to explain, my words filling the room. I went into quick detail about the intense battle we had faced.
I explained how I had discovered my unexpected connection to Thora from Mia, how Mia had become trapped alongside her because she had refused to sacrifice my life. Leo shook his head in disbelief, his expression a mix of frustration and anger. Flint's voice was laced with curses. "We can't just let her remain trapped with Thora, right?" he asked.
"No," I responded firmly, my voice echoing in the room. "We will free her, and we will do it quickly." The words hung in the air, a heavy promise.
Turning to Leo, I asked him if he could break the spell that linked me to Thora. The room fell silent as we all awaited his response. Leo sighed, the sound barely audible. "Possibly," he admitted reluctantly. "But it won't be easy. Spells like that are dark blood magic, and they are typically untraceable. Since I am Thora's child, I may have a chance, but it will take time. Days, possibly weeks, to prepare."
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "If I fail," he continued, his voice filled with resignation, "you must seek out the only other remaining member of my bloodline."
Bryn interjected, her voice laced with doubt. "I doubt she will help. Atlas already owes her a favor."
"You owe a favor to an immortal, what the hell were you thinking?" Leo snapped, his voice filled with frustration. I could see the anger in his eyes, his brows furrowing as he spoke.
"For Mia," I responded, my voice calm. Leo nodded his head, understanding the weight of our situation.
"We have one battle left, but it is a battle we must face as a small group," I explained, my voice carrying a sense of urgency. "One that will require the four of us, blessed with powers. Flint, Bryn, I will need your assistance so we can free Mia and stand at her side to end this."
"We will, we will free her," Bryn spoke.
"What does this spell require? I will help," Bryn offered to Leo.
"For me, it requires betrayal, but I am willing to pay the cost," Leo admitted, his voice heavy with resolve. "I have an oath to my mother, one that means I cannot use my power against hers. I was able to free Mia because I did not directly use anything against my mother, but breaking this spell will be different. We have only one chance, as I will not be able to do more."
"You will be stripped of all power and possibly die," Bryn warned, her voice filled with worry. I looked at Leo, admiration filling my heart for his selflessness.
"It's a price I am willing to pay. I owe this to Mia, to all of you," Leo spoke.
"Thank you," I said to him, my voice sincere. "Now let us speak to the warriors and then prepare this spell to free you, Atlas, so we can return Mia home where she belongs," Bryn declared. I nodded in agreement.
"Mia, I will always trust in you. I know why you made this choice, so I will continue fighting as well until we are united once more," I spoke in my mind, hopeful that my words may reach her.