Author's POV
The hall had fallen into complete shock. Athènia now stood tall, smiling, holding Dracos's hobbit.
Im: Princess, welcome back.
Athènia: Thank you for the welcome, Im.
Im: It's my pleasure, my dear.
He said with a sly smile before bursting into laughter.
Im: Who would have thought the fate of the supernaturals would rest in your hands, young princess?
Athènia: As you say, no one would have believed it.
Im: And how do you plan to defeat me without powers?
Athènia smiled mischievously.
Athènia: Who said I'm powerless?
She unleashed her ice powers in a dazzling display. The hall once again fell into shock.
Athènia: Let's not waste any more time.
Junior: Go on, show him what you're made of, Lis!!
He shouted enthusiastically.
Athènia: Gust of wind.
She pronounced, and the wind suddenly whipped violently around her.
Athènia: Shock propulsion.
She directed the gust at Im, propelling him backwards. Athènia used her super speed to follow immediately.
Connor: Supreme!!
He tried to rush to the stairs with his speed, but before he could pass through the door, a burst of wind slammed him to the ground, sealing the staircase door. Im was seen racing upward with super speed, Athènia right behind him. Mara, floating in the air, descended slowly.
Mara: Sorry, dear spectators. No one can interfere it's a challenge for the throne. Intruders are forbidden. Your fight will be with us.
Junior was lost in the sight of the beauty standing proudly before them.
{Arès: Mate!!}
Junior: Calm down, Arès. Don't distract her.
{Arès: It's our job to protect you, not the other way around.}
Junior: I'll remind you she's a hybrid, and that loser doesn't stand a chance. So calm down.
Félix tried to strike Mara from the side, but Garth trapped him in a glass prison spell.
Garth: Sorry, dear fellow, hands off the lady.
Connor: What are you waiting for, you idiots!? Attack them!!
Warriors advanced, but Asher used his siren powers combined with vampire speed to throw them violently to the ground.
Asher: To get through, you'll have to go through me first.
He grinned, his vampire fangs showing.
Connor, still on the floor, wiped the blood from his mouth and stood.
Connor: Warriors, exterminate them!
He shouted.
Asher: Garth, MJ, take care of these two fools I'll handle the warriors.
Garth: Félix, you are mine.
He grinned wickedly before hurling Félix across the hall, far from the staircase, slamming him near the main entrance door.
Connor: Félix!!
He cried, trying to rush to him, but Mara used her water powers to push him back, cutting him off.
Mara: Sorry, dear, but your fight is with me. One on one you can't cross this boundary.
She smirked as water lines carved a barrier around them. Connor clenched his fists, staring toward Félix.
Connor: Then get ready to lose.
His eyes glowed with malice. Mara only smiled.
Meanwhile, Félix stood again. Garth approached him with a grim smile.
Garth: I've always dreamed of killing the bastard who murdered my mother.
Félix spat blood and laughed.
Félix: Oh, so you're Esméa's son.
Garth: You'll regret killing her!!
Félix: It was child's play to make you believe she died of cancer when she was perfectly healthy.
Garth: Bastard!!
He screamed, charging at Félix. Félix dodged, and their battle began.
Asher dealt with the warriors, moving at lightning speed, striking from one end of the room to the other.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Im raced onto the terrace with Athènia close behind. He stopped in the middle, laughing maniacally.
Im: You really think you can fight me? Do you even know who I am?
Athènia: A murderer.
Im: I'm far more than that.
Athènia: Just because you're a dihybrid.
Im: Yes, and you don't stand a chance against me, princess.
Athènia: We'll see. Jinking Storm!
Im drew his sword while Athènia spun her hobbit.
Im: You think you're strong.
Athènia: If I didn't believe I was, I would never have thought of fighting you.
She replied with sarcasm. Im smiled wickedly before lunging at her with his sword. Athènia blocked it with ease, then counterattacked fiercely.
Back in the hall, Mara tried to kick Connor. He dodged, caught her leg, and she stumbled. Junior growled.
{Arthmy: Ah, the mate is so sexy.}
Mara: Shut up, Arth, I am in a fight, don't distract me.
She tried to regain balance, but Connor kicked her hard, sending her almost flying out of bounds. Kneeling, she steadied herself on the ground. Junior struggled to break free of his chains.
Nevine: Junior, stop! You'll only hurt yourself more.
Junior: As if you care.
He rolled his eyes and kept trying. Connor walked arrogantly toward Mara.
Connor: Insignificant little vermin, this is your true place. You really thought you could defeat me? I'm the Supreme's right hand. Even the one you follow isn't strong enough to defeat him.
Junior finally broke his chains and moved to rush toward Mara.
Mara raised a finger to stop him.
Mara: This is my fight. Let me handle it. Go help Asher with the warriors.
Junior simply nodded and ran off to join the others in battle.
Mara: I know my place, and it is not one of submission. I was born to stand beside our Supreme. The woman fighting your Supreme is the one who will bring freedom.
Cut to Im and Athènia clashing fiercely with their weapons.
Mara: You wouldn't understand our politics. The true fight for power lies between your Supreme and ours. But if you think Im will win, you're gravely mistaken.
She advanced dangerously.
Mara: And don't forget I'm a hybrid.
Her left eye darkened as half of her face, neck, shoulder, and right arm were covered in wolf fur. Claws extended from her hand, and her legs turned into wolf limbs. She had fully entered her dominant form. Connor's eyes widened, then he smirked stupidly.
Connor: Half-elf, half-wolf.
Even so, nothing would stop him from submitting this girl. No matter what, he would stand by the Supreme until the end. Thus, a new duel of strength began.