Athènia's POV
Here, it was already night. We were outside, staring at the moon. We were in the forest, sitting around a campfire.
Asher: It's beautiful.
Mara: Yeah, such a great evening together.
Garth: Do you realize that in two days, we'll be at war?
Athènia: We know.
Garth: Actually, Jayden is asleep, but won't he wake up and cry because he's alone over there?
Athènia: He won't wake up until morning.
Garth: Wow, he really doesn't seem to bother you.
Athènia: No, he doesn't, because it's not the full moon.
Asher: What do you mean, full moon?
Athènia: Every time the moon is full, he just cries and everything around my room gets destroyed.
Mara: Oof, sounds like we'll have our hands full.
Garth: So, what are your plans?
Athènia: What do you mean?
Garth: I mean, you're going to be the Supreme Alpha of the supernaturals. So, are you planning to move to Hasrland?
Athènia: Not exactly. I'm not moving there—I'm staying here.
Mara: But why!? Remember, we can finally leave this island without the risk of dying.
Athènia: As long as you stay with me, nothing can happen to you. Once Im dies, the curse will be broken for sure.
Asher: But the hybrids will be your subjects, right? As far as we know, they live in Hasrland and consider it their home.
Athènia: I want to give them a new beginning. Where they are now, they're nothing but slaves, forced to work for the Supreme. Staying there will only increase the pain of their years of suffering.
Garth: But why exactly here?
Athènia: Because this is the dreamland Dracos wanted for the hybrids. This place is far from others, giving us distance from the other supernaturals. The island is big enough to build a city. If I truly become the Supreme, my reign will begin here.
Mara: Well, it's true, this island is huge. And look at the training grounds—it's going to be amazing.
Asher: That's all great, but what about your personal life?
Athènia: I'll keep studying law. I want to become a lawyer, buy this island, register it in my name, declare it a city, and then see how things develop from there.
Asher: Not a bad idea.
Garth: But you'll already be settling here right after Im's end, won't you?
Athènia: Exactly. That's why I said I'll handle it. But what about you? If you don't want to stay by my side after the war, that's your choice.
We fell into complete silence.
Asher: You're really stupid if you think we'd abandon you.
Garth: Idiot cousin, you think we came all this way just to split up in the end?
Mara: We're HD, Lis. We're together, and we'll follow you wherever you go. We'll be there every step of the way.
Athènia: Then we stay united…
We fell silent again for a moment until Garth suddenly started laughing for some reason, and we all followed.
Garth: I can't believe it. Just ten months ago, we were complete strangers, and now here we are, sitting around a campfire.
Athènia: Destiny really is unpredictable sometimes.
Asher: When I went to Immortality, I never imagined I'd even have friends.
Mara: Me neither. I always saw myself as the girl who hid away.
Athènia: And yet, you're the one who came up to me first.
Mara: And I don't regret it.
Asher: We've shared memorable moments.
Athènia: And we'll share many more in the future.
Garth: So, which one of us will you choose as your Beta?
Athènia: None of you.
Mara: Wow, that's hurtful.
Athènia: I don't need one, because you'll all be members of the Alpha Council by my side.
Asher: What do you mean, again?
Athènia: I'll have a council of five members: Garth, Asher, MJ, Jiji, and me. But the difference is that you'll all be called Alphas.
Mara: You really plan everything out.
Athènia: I didn't spend six months here for nothing. Now it's my turn to ask—what will you do after everything happens?
Mara: Well, I thought about quitting law studies. I'm not good at it.
Athènia: Especially since destiny just brought us together.
Mara: Yeah, that's true. I'll switch to medicine.
Athènia: Perfect. Then you'll be the Medical Alpha.
We laughed.
Mara: Does that even exist?
Athènia: I think "Alpha of Medicine" sounds better.
Asher: I'm quitting too. Law isn't for me. I'll study computer science.
Athènia: You'll be the Software Genius Alpha.
Mara: Wow, you came up with that instantly.
Athènia: Sorry.
{Kora: You're not even sorry.}
Athènia: Oh, dear Kora, I'm just lost in thought.
Garth: I'm going into civil engineering and construction.
Athènia: Alpha Civil Engineer, then.
Garth: Do you really have to put "Alpha" in front?
Athènia: Of course. It'll be our mark of respect. Each of you will be in your own field—even Jiji will be the Military Alpha.
Mara: He's in the military?
Athènia: The best fighter.
Mara: We really do have a lot to do.
Athènia: A whole lot.
Leading a kingdom isn't simple—you need to plan ahead. We must prepare everything. We can create our own food sources here without relying on others. When I say the island is huge, I'm not joking. But I know that if we work together, we can accomplish our mission.
Athènia: So be it.
I put my fist forward, and the others did the same. Together we repeated:
We will succeed in our mission and triumph in victory. Hybrids stronger, hybrids forever.
I smiled. We had spoken, and now we would act and win. War is coming, and we'll do everything for freedom.