Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

H elheim

Aria

The battle raged for hours with no end in sight.

From my vantage point on the ridge, I could see the ebb and flow of the fight below, the Dark King's forces holding their ground against the relentless advance of the Sun King's army. But the soldiers of Sungard were like a golden tide, their ranks seemingly endless as they pushed forward with brutal efficiency. Despite the bravery of Hades' men, I could see the strain in their lines as they fought to keep their enemies at bay.

I couldn't just sit there and watch. Not when the balance was tipping so dangerously.

My gaze swept over the battlefield, searching for a way to help, for something—anything—that could turn the tide in our favor.

And then I saw him.

One of the Sun King's men was cutting a path through Hades' forces with terrifying ease. His sword was a blur of golden light, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. The Dark King's men fell before him like wheat to a scythe, their attempts to stop him futile against his sheer strength and skill.

This was no ordinary soldier. He was a commander. If I could take him down, it might weaken their resolve, might give Hades' men the edge they desperately needed.

This was it—my chance to make a difference. To prove that I was more than just a bystander, more than just a weak human girl who needed a man to protect her.

I looked down at the dagger still clutched in my hand, the blade dark and deadly. I tightened my grip on the hellhound's fur and nudged it with my knees.

"Take me down there," I whispered urgently.

The hellhound huffed in response, but it seemed to understand. With a powerful surge, it bounded down the ridge, carrying me back toward the heart of the battle. The wind whipped through my hair, the ground rushing up to meet us as the sounds of the fight grew louder, more intense.

We wove through the chaos, the hellhound's agility and speed allowing us to avoid the worst of the fray. The commander was focused on the soldiers in front of him, unaware of the threat approaching from behind. I knew I had only one shot at this—one chance to take him down before he realized what was happening.

The hellhound skidded to a stop just a few paces away from the commander, and I slid off its back, landing softly on the ground. My heart raced as I moved forward, each step bringing me closer to the enemy who towered over everyone around him.

I raised the dagger, my hand steady despite the fear coursing through me. I had to get close—close enough to strike, close enough to end this.

The commander's back was to me, his focus entirely on the battle ahead of him. Maybe he was overconfident that no one would approach him this way, and I took advantage of that. I was so close now, I could see the gleam of his golden armor and the way the light of the battlefield reflected off the blade of his sword. He was a warrior, a cold-blooded killer, but right now, he was vulnerable. He didn't know I was there.

I took a deep breath, my muscles coiled like a spring, ready to strike at any given second.

This was it.

With all the strength I could muster, I lunged. The world seemed to slow around me, the sounds of battle fading into the background as I focused on the single, deadly task before me. The commander, his back still turned, had no idea what was coming.

The dagger in my hand gleamed darkly as I aimed for the exposed gap in his armor between his shoulder and neck. I could see the rise and fall of his chest, the way his muscles tensed as he swung his sword at yet another of Hades' soldiers. My breath hitched, my heart pounding in my ears as I closed the distance.

Just a few more steps…

I thrust the dagger forward with all my strength, aiming for that vulnerable spot. But at the last second, he twisted, turning just enough to deflect the worst of the blow. The blade grazed his shoulder instead of plunging into his neck, the force of the impact sending a jolt up my arm.

The commander roared in pain and fury, his golden eyes locking onto mine as he realized what had happened. He bared his teeth in a snarl, the wound already bleeding through the gleaming armor. I stumbled back, the dagger still in my hand, but before I could regain my balance, he was on me.

With a kind of speed and strength I hadn't anticipated, the commander swung his massive sword, the blade slicing through the air toward me. I barely had time to raise the dagger in a desperate attempt to block the blow, but the force of it was too much. His sword crashed against mine, the impact sending me sprawling to the ground, the dagger flying from my grasp.

I hit the dirt hard, the breath knocked out of me as I skidded across the ground. Pain flared in my side, but I forced myself to roll onto my back, just in time to see the commander bearing down on me, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Maybe this was a bad idea…

"Foolish girl," he spat, raising his sword for the killing blow. "You think you can challenge me?"

I scrambled back, my hands searching desperately for the dagger, but it was out of reach, lost somewhere in the chaos. Panic surged through me as I realized how close I was to death, the commander looming over me like an executioner.

I was going to die here.

But just as the sword began to fall, the hellhound slammed into the commander with all its weight, knocking him off balance and sending him staggering backward. The sword missed me by inches, burying itself in the ground where I had been just a moment before.

The hellhound didn't let up. It snarled viciously, its jaws closing around the commander's arm, the one that held the sword. The commander roared in pain, struggling to free himself, but the hellhound was relentless, its powerful jaws crushing the armor like it was made of paper.

This was my chance. Summoning every ounce of strength that I had left, I scrambled to my feet and rushed toward the dagger. My fingers closed around the hilt, and without even a second's hesitation, I whirled back toward the commander.

He was still grappling with the hellhound, his sword arm pinned in the beast's jaws, but I could see the fury in his eyes as he fought to break free. He was strong, stronger than I had imagined, and it wouldn't be long before he overpowered the hellhound.

I couldn't let that happen.

I charged forward, the dagger poised for the kill. This time, I wouldn't miss. Hurriedly, I aimed for his heart, the spot just beneath the breastplate where the armor was weakest.

With a cry of determination, I plunged the dagger into his chest, driving it in with all my strength. The blade sank deep, piercing through the armor and into flesh. The commander's eyes widened in shock, a gasp of pain escaping his lips as he staggered back, the hellhound finally releasing him.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The commander looked down at the dagger buried in his chest and then back at me, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened. He stumbled, his knees buckling as he tried to stay upright, but the damage was done.

With a final, ragged breath, the commander fell to the ground, the light in his eyes flickering and then fading entirely. His sword slipped from his grasp, the blade clattering to the ground beside him.

I stood there, breathing hard, my hands trembling as I stared down at the lifeless body at my feet. I had done it. I had taken down one of the Sun King's most powerful commanders. The realization hit me like a wave, a mix of disbelief and pride washing over me.

But there was no time to celebrate.

The battle raged on around me, and the victory, though significant, was only a small ripple in the storm that threatened to consume us all.

The hellhound stood by my side. It growled low, urging me to keep moving, to stay alert. I knew it was right—there was no time to rest, no time to let my guard down.

I glanced up at the sky, where Hades and the Sun King were still fighting, their battle shaking the very heavens. The flashes of fire and shadow lit up the darkened sky.

But something felt wrong. I could sense it, a shift in the air, a growing tension that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

Hades was strong, but the Sun King was relentless. For the first time, I saw the Dark King falter, his massive wings beating desperately as he tried to hold his ground against the onslaught of golden fire.

Panic tightened in my chest. I could see that Hades was losing ground, and if he fell, I didn't know what I would do, but I knew I didn't want to lose him. I had to do something—anything—to help him, but I was just one person, standing in the midst of a war that was far beyond my control.

No. I was someone .

I could make a difference.

A strange feeling began to build within me. It was as if something deep inside me was stirring, awakening in response to the danger that loomed over us. The air around me seemed to hum with energy, a low, thrumming pulse that matched the rhythm of my racing heart.

As the battle raged around me, the sound of clashing steel and roaring dragons filling the air, I felt a sudden warmth against my chest. My amethyst necklace began to pulse with an otherworldly energy.

A soft violet light radiated from the gem, growing brighter with each passing second. I could feel the energy coursing through the necklace, traveling up the chain and into my body, and I breathed in deep, my body simmering with power.

The hellhound nudged me again, a sense of urgency in its eyes as it growled low. It was almost as if it could sense what was happening, as if it knew that something within me was changing.

I clenched the dagger tightly, my knuckles white as I fought to understand what was happening. The energy inside me was growing, spreading through my veins like liquid fire. It wasn't just adrenaline—this was something else, something more powerful, more ancient.

And then, in a flash, it all became clear.

It was magic.

The seer's words echoed in my mind, words I hadn't fully understood until this moment.

You have a power within you to save the world, a light that can pierce through the darkness. But be cautious. The darkness will fight back.

A power within me.

I looked down at my hands, the dagger still clutched tightly in my grip. The blade seemed to glow, a faint golden light pulsing from its edges. It wasn't the dagger itself—it was me. The light was coming from me, from within me, and it was growing stronger with every heartbeat.

The air around me crackled with energy, the ground beneath my feet seeming to vibrate with the force of it. I could feel the power building, ready to be unleashed, but I didn't know how to control it, how to direct it. All I knew was that I had to protect Hades, to turn the tide of the battle before it was too late.

The hellhound growled again, its eyes wide as it watched the golden light spread across my hands, my arms.

They were my flames, my power.

I took a deep breath, feeling the heat of the flames as they licked at my skin, not burning, but empowering. The energy inside me surged, begging to be released, to be used. I raised my hands, feeling the weight of the power that had been awakened within me, and turned my gaze toward the sky, where Hades was locked in his deadly battle.

I could see him now, struggling against the overwhelming power of the Sun King's magic. He was losing ground, the darkness that surrounded him faltering in the face of the relentless light. He needed help—he needed me .

With a shout, I thrust my hands toward the sky, willing the golden flames to answer my call. The energy surged through me, exploding outward in a brilliant burst of light that illuminated the entire battlefield. The flames shot upward, a torrent of golden fire that pierced the sky and wrapped around Hades, shielding him from the Sun King's attack.

The impact was immediate. The Sun King roared in surprise and fury as the flames intercepted his own, the golden light pushing back against the searing heat. Hades, momentarily free from the onslaught, turned his gaze downward, his violet eyes locking onto mine with a mixture of shock and awe.

The Sun King snarled, his golden eyes narrowing as he realized what was happening. He surged forward, his wings beating furiously as he tried to overpower the shield of flames that now surrounded Hades.

I wouldn't let him.

I poured more of my energy into the flames, feeling them grow stronger, more intense. The light of the Sun King's fire was no longer blinding—it was being matched, inch for inch, by the power I now wielded myself.

For a moment, it was as if time itself had stopped. The battle around us faded into the background, the sounds of war replaced by the crackling of flames, and the constant pulse of magic that filled the air.

I could feel the power within me growing, expanding, until it was no longer just a part of me—it was me.

With a final, determined cry, I unleashed the full force of the flames, directing them toward the Sun King with all the strength I could muster. The flames surged forward, a tidal wave of golden light that crashed into the sun dragon with the force of a hurricane.

The Sun King roared in pain and fury, his massive form wreathed in flames as the power of my attack overwhelmed him. He thrashed in the sky, his wings struggling to keep him aloft as the golden fire consumed him. For the first time, I saw fear in his eyes, and I reveled in it.

The flames burned brighter, hotter, until the Sun King's light was completely swallowed by the fire. His roars grew weaker, his form flickering in the sky as he fought against the inevitable.

And then, with one final, desperate cry, he was gone. Like ash on the wind, he was simply swept away.

The sky was suddenly still, the battle over in an instant. Hades hovered in the sky, his dark form surrounded in the remnants of my fire, but slowly that faded away too.

I stood there, breathing hard, my hands still trembling as I looked out over the battlefield.

The battle on the ground faltered and slowly came to a stop. Confusion rippled through their ranks as they looked up.

The clash of swords became sporadic, the once-deafening roars of combat now replaced by the murmurs of uncertainty and fear. Hades' men, sensing the shift, fought with renewed vigor, driving the Sun King's soldiers back with a determination that could only come from the knowledge that victory was within reach.

The Sun King's men lowered their swords, their resolve shattered by the loss of their leader. The fight had gone out of them, their once-proud ranks reduced to a scattered, disorganized retreat.

Slowly, almost as if in disbelief, the soldiers of Sungard began to retreat, pulling back from the field, their steps heavy with defeat. Some dropped their weapons entirely, their eyes wide with the realization that their king was gone, that the battle they had fought so fiercely for had been lost. There would be no triumphant return to Sungard, no conquering of Helheim—only the bitter sting of defeat.

As the last of the Sun King's soldiers retreated back into their realm, Hades descended from the sky, landing gracefully on the blood-soaked earth. The ground shook beneath the weight of his huge body, but the sense of finality in his movements made it clear that the battle was truly over.

He shifted back into his human form, the dark scales receding as his tall, imposing figure emerged from the shadows. His gaze swept across the battlefield, taking in the remnants of the fight. His violet eyes, usually so cold and unreadable, were filled with a mix of exhaustion, relief, and something else—something that made my heart clench with an emotion I wasn't ready to name.

He walked toward me, his steps purposeful but slow. When he reached me, he stopped, his gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.

He closed the distance between us in a single, fluid motion. His hand shot out, grabbing the back of my neck with a firm but gentle grip. The suddenness of it took my breath away, but before I could even register the shock, his lips were on mine.

His kiss was fierce, demanding, filled with the intensity of everything we had just survived. It was as if he was pouring all the emotion he couldn't express with words into that single, desperate act.

I melted into him, my hands instinctively reaching up to grasp his shoulders, pulling him closer. The warmth of his body, the roughness of his hand against my neck, the heat of his lips on mine—it was overwhelming, consuming, and I didn't want it to end.

Hades deepened the kiss, his other arm wrapping around my waist and pulling me tightly against him. I could feel the strength in his embrace, the raw power that had just brought a kingdom to its knees, but there was something more—something that spoke of his vulnerability and his need.

When he finally pulled back, his eyes were filled with a mix of emotions that left me breathless.

"Your arm," he exclaimed.

I glanced down at the gash on my arm. Blood had soaked through the fabric of my sleeve, and the pain, now that the adrenaline was fading, was beginning to throb with a dull intensity.

Before I could say anything, Hades reached out, his fingers hovering just above the injury. I watched, mesmerized, as shadows began to swirl around his hand. They moved toward my arm, wrapping around the wound like a living bandage.

The cool darkness seeped into my skin, and I felt the pain begin to ebb away, replaced by a soothing warmth. The shadows knitted the flesh back together, leaving no trace of the injury, not even a scar.

"You put yourself in danger, little thief. Don't think for a moment that I'm going to let you get away with that," he said, his voice low and menacing, but there was a hint of something else—something that made my pulse quicken.

"I wouldn't expect anything less," I replied, trying to sound confident even as I felt my backside clench nervously under his scrutiny.

"When I get you back to my bedroom, I'm going to tear these leathers off of you and then I'm going to teach you what it means to truly belong to your king," he growled.

A thrill shot through me at his words, a mix of fear and excitement that left me breathless. I tilted my chin up, refusing to back down, even as the promise in his voice sent a wave of heat through me.

"Is that a threat, Hades, or a promise?"

His lips curled into a dark smile, one that made my stomach flutter with both anticipation and dread.

"Oh, it's a promise, little thief. One I fully intend to keep."

"We'll see about that," I replied, unable to keep the slight tremble from my voice.

His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as he leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear. "Oh, we will, little thief. And when I'm done with you, there won't be a doubt in your mind who you belong to."

I felt the heat of his words coil in my belly, a potent mix of fear and desire that left me trembling.

"You talk a big game, Hades," I whispered, my voice wavering just slightly. "But you might find I'm not so easily tamed."

His fingers tightened around my neck, not enough to hurt, but enough to make his point.

"You underestimate me, my sweet, powerful Aria. And that's a mistake you won't make twice."

I stared into his eyes, daring him to make good on his promise, even as my heart raced with anticipation.

"I'm not afraid of you," I lied, though the truth was much more complicated.

"Good," he whispered, his voice a dark caress against my skin. "Because I don't want your fear, Aria. I want your surrender."