Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

H elheim

Hades

Fucking hellsfire.

The barriers between realms had been set in place by an ancient magic long ago. I didn't know what I was seeing, but it certainly wasn't good.

In fact, it felt like something was terribly wrong.

As we drew closer, the barrier's once steady glow flickered violently, like a dying ember struggling to cling to life. It shuddered, its light pulsing one last time before it simply vanished.

And then I saw the army of Sungard.

Rows upon rows of soldiers marched through the broken barrier with relentless precision, their armor gleaming like gold in the dim twilight of my realm. The ground trembled beneath the weight of their advance, the rhythmic thud of their boots a deafening drumbeat that echoed across the desolate landscape of my home.

Banners fluttered in the air, emblazoned with the symbol of Sungard—a blazing sun, surrounded by rays of light. At the forefront of the army rode their commanders, clad in gilded armor that caught the faint light and refracted it in blinding arcs.

But there was more than that.

The Sun King had come too, not in his human form, but as a dragon.

His scales shimmered with a radiant golden hue, making him appear like a living, breathing star in the sky. His wings, vast and powerful, beat steadily, each stroke sending gusts of wind that rattled the branches of the twisted trees below.

His eyes, molten gold like the sun, locked onto me from across the distance. There was no mistaking the challenge in that gaze, the raw, burning fury of a creature that had been waiting for this moment for far too long. His jaws opened, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, and a vicious roar tore through the air.

His presence alone would have been enough to decimate entire armies, and now, he was leading his forces into my realm with one purpose—to destroy Helheim and everything within it.

My mind raced with strategies, with the preparations I needed to make, with magic I needed to cast, but one thought rose above all the rest.

Aria .

There wasn't enough time to bring her back to the castle, not with the Sun King's army already on my doorstep. With a snarl, I dove toward the ground, shifting back into my human form just before I landed, catching her in my arms as she fell through the air with a shriek.

"What's happening?" she asked, her voice steady, but I could hear the underlying tremor of fear anyway.

"Sungard's army has breached the barrier," I said. "They're marching on Helheim, and the Sun King is leading them."

Her eyes narrowed, a spark of determination igniting within them. "What do we do?"

"I'll handle it," I replied, stepping closer to her, my gaze hard and unyielding. "You stay here. You will not get involved, Aria."

She lifted her chin, defiance flashing in those golden eyes. "I can fight, Hades. My father taught me when I was young. I'm not some helpless damsel who needs to be protected."

A feral growl rumbled low in my throat, my temper flaring at her stubbornness.

"This isn't a skirmish in some village square, Aria. This is war. And out there," I gestured toward the distant battlefield, "is a dragon that could incinerate you with a single breath. This is not the time for foolish bravery."

"I'm not being foolish," she snapped back, stepping closer until she was right in front of me, her gaze locked with mine. "I can help. I'm not afraid to fight."

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. The thought of her out there, in the middle of that chaos, made my blood run cold.

"I don't care what your father taught you," I said through gritted teeth. "This is not a battle for you to fight. It's too dangerous, and I will not lose you to this madness."

Her eyes softened slightly, but her resolve didn't waver. "I'm not asking for permission, Hades."

"If I see you anywhere near that battlefield, I swear by all the dark gods, I will drag you back to the castle and truly punish you myself."

Despite the danger, my cock hardened at the thought of her sobbing over my knee, her bright red ass well marked from my belt as she begged for mercy, but that would be far from the end of it for her.

It wouldn't be over until my cock sank deep into that tight little asshole and she came good and hard for me like a bad girl who had been thoroughly punished by her king.

She crossed her arms, glaring up at me. "You think you can just order me around, like I'm one of your soldiers? I'm not afraid of you, Hades."

"Then maybe you should be," I shot back. I didn't want to frighten her, but I needed her to understand the gravity of the situation.

"I'm not going to stand by and do nothing while you risk everything," she countered.

I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my frustration. "I don't need you risking your life for this, Aria. You don't understand what you're up against."

"Don't push me aside like I'm fragile. I can handle more than you think."

I met her gaze, a battle of wills playing out between us. I could see the determination in her eyes, the stubbornness that matched my own. But this wasn't a fight she could win.

"I won't lose you, Aria," I said quietly, my voice softening as I reached out and cupped her cheek.

Her expression faltered, her anger giving way to something else—fear, uncertainty, and something else I couldn't quite name. She placed her hand on top of mine, her touch sending a spark of electricity through me.

Then, with a sigh, I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her in a protective embrace. She tensed for a moment, but then relaxed against me, her head resting on my chest. I pressed my chin on top of her head, inhaling the scent of her hair, a mix of something sweet and earthy that temporarily soothed the storm raging within me.

"Aria," I murmured softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need you to stay safe. I can't fight this war if I'm worried about you."

She didn't respond right away, her body still pressed against mine. I could feel the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, the warmth of her breath on my chest. It was a moment of peace that I didn't want to end, but I knew it couldn't last.

"I promise I'll stay safe," she finally whispered, her voice almost too soft to hear. I nodded, accepting her words even as doubt lingered in the back of my mind.

Reluctantly, I began to pull back, but even as I did, I felt a subtle change in her stance. It was so quick, so smooth, that I almost missed it.

But I didn't.

I looked down just in time to see her slip my dagger from its sheath, her fingers curling around the hilt with practiced ease.

My little thief.

"Aria," I growled, my voice a mix of frustration and disbelief.

She met my gaze, a determined glint in her golden eyes. "I told you, Hades. I can fight. And I will, whether you like it or not."

"This isn't a game," I snarled.

Her grip on the dagger tightened, but she didn't back down. "I know exactly what's at stake, Hades. I'm not some fragile thing you need to protect."

There wasn't time for this. I needed to call on my army and I needed to do it now.

"When this is over, I'm going to punish you," I growled and her face hardened.

"Do your worst, my king," she dared me.

Oh, I would… I most certainly would…

Drawing on the dark magic that flowed through my veins, I reached out to the heart of my realm, calling forth the army that was lying in wait to answer my call. The air around us crackled with energy as the ground beneath us rumbled, responding to my command.

The first to answer my call were the stone giants. They emerged from the mountains, their footsteps causing the earth to tremble as they marched toward the battlefield. Their eyes glowed with a ghostly violet light, and their immense forms towered over the landscape, ready to crush anything that stood in their path.

Next came the infernal drakewings, their obsidian scales shimmering with the heat of the fires that burned within them. They took to the skies, their powerful wings spanning more than thirty feet wide, casting dark shadows over the ground below. Their eyes blazed with infernal fire, and they let out a series of ear-splitting roars as they joined the ranks of my army.

The infernox followed, their monstrous forms wreathed in flames, their claws and fiery breath a formidable weapon. They crawled out from the depths of Helheim, their dark eyes flickering with malevolent intent. They were creatures born of fire and darkness, and their presence alone sent waves of fear rippling through the air.

I could feel it.

Hellhounds and wargs surged forward in packs, their snarls filling the night as they prepared to tear through the ranks of Sungard's soldiers.

Finally, whirling portals of magic opened, and my army of orcs, trolls, gargoyles, and six-tusked mammoths marched forward, pouring onto the battlefield ready to fight.

"This is not your fight," I tried one last time.

She opened her mouth to protest, but I didn't give her the chance. I couldn't afford any more distractions, not when the fate of Helheim hung in the balance. With a frustrated growl, I threw my arm out and hurled a blast of magic at her. It swept around her like a swirling tornado and in a flash of light, her long purple gown transformed into violet battle leathers.

Her battle armor was nothing short of breathtaking. The leather clung to her body, accentuating every curve, every line of her figure, both delicate and strong. The deep, rich color contrasted perfectly with her pale skin, giving her an ethereal, almost dangerous beauty.

The armor was both functional and regal, designed to protect while still allowing her the freedom of movement she needed. The chest plate was adorned with dragon scales that matched my own. Her shoulders were capped with sleek, curved pauldrons that framed her neck, adding to the fierce elegance of her appearance. A pair of gauntlets sheathed her hands in dark, supple leather, leaving her fingers free to wield a weapon.

My gaze traveled lower, taking in the fitted trousers and high boots that completed the ensemble. The boots, laced tightly, hugged her legs, and ended just below her knees, the soles designed for silent, deadly movement. A wide belt cinched her waist, its buckle a simple, yet powerful symbol of her strength.

"Stay safe," I murmured, my voice low and rough with a desire I could barely contain. She met my gaze, her golden eyes gleaming with determination.

In that moment, I decided to trust her. Maybe, just maybe together we would be unstoppable.

With a surge of dark magic, I felt my form shift, my body expanding and reshaping as I transformed back into my dragon form. My skin hardened into obsidian scales, my wings unfolding with a snap that sent a gust of wind rippling through the courtyard.

The ground trembled beneath my weight as I took a step forward, my massive claws digging into the earth. With a powerful beat of my wings, I launched into the air, the force of the takeoff sending dust and debris scattering across the ground. The wind roared past me as I climbed higher, my wings cutting through the air with relentless precision.

Then I got my first real look at the Sun King's dragon form.

His immense body shimmered with golden scales that gleamed like a living sun. His wings were vast and powerful, stretching out to their full span, each beat sending waves of heat rolling through the sky. The tips of his wings seemed to burn with an intense, fiery glow, leaving trails of light in his wake. His eyes, molten orbs of liquid gold, were filled with a fierce, unrelenting fury, and they locked onto mine as I approached.

His claws, each one as long and as sharp as a sword, gleamed menacingly, and the heat radiating from his body was palpable, even from a distance. His snout was long and sharp, and when he opened his mouth, rows of gleaming, razor-sharp teeth were visible, capable of tearing through stone and flesh alike.

He hovered there, wings beating steadily as he stared back at me. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as we stared at each other, neither of us willing to back down. The very air crackled with our raw power.

As we circled each other in the sky, the tension between us was thick enough to choke on. I kept my eyes locked on the Sun King, waiting for him to make the first move. He didn't disappoint.

" So, the infamous Dark King dares to slither into my realm without invitation. Did you think I wouldn't notice? You've grown bolder. Or perhaps just more foolish. " The Sun King's voice echoed through the air, a deep, resonant rumble that matched the intensity of his dragon form. His golden eyes narrowed, the molten fury within them burning brighter.

I let out a low growl, my wings beating steadily as I hovered in place, matching his movements with my own.

" You always were a sneaky one, lurking in the shadows like the coward you are. But your little excursion into Sungard won't go unpunished. I'm going to make sure of that by defeating you and your pathetic army once and for all ," he said, his voice dripping with venom.

I bared my teeth, my rage surging within me. The Sun King had always been arrogant, but this time, he had crossed a line.

He'd marked my Aria and I was going to kill him for it.

" You underestimate me. You always have. But you'll find that the shadows hold more power than you could ever comprehend ," I countered.

The Sun King's golden eyes flared with anger as he spread his wings, his entire form glowing brighter, the heat radiating from him intensifying.

" You speak of power, but all I see is a desperate man clinging to his dying realm. Helheim is crumbling. And I will be the one to bring it down, to rid the realms of your darkness once and for all ."

" You hide behind your light, but I see you for what you truly are—ruthless, unyielding, just as capable of destruction as I am. You want to conquer, to dominate. But you'll find that Helheim is not so easily taken ," I growled.

" Then let's end this charade. No more words, no more pretense of diplomacy. I will crush you, your realm, and everything you hold dear. And when I'm finished, there will be nothing left but ash and flame ," the Sun King said, his gaze hardening, the light around him intensifying until it was almost blinding.

" You're welcome to try ," I spat, the shadows swirling around me, ready to strike. " But know this—Helheim will never fall to the likes of you. Not while I still draw breath. "

With a final, wordless snarl, we both launched forward, the distance between us closing in an instant.