Athènia's POV
I looked at Im's body lying on the ground. So, it's really over. I did it. I smile—it's time to free the hybrids. The members must have felt the loss of their supreme leader.
Athènia: Commander Asven.
Asven: Yes, Supreme.
Athènia: I want the hybrids in the main hall.
Asven: But Supreme, they're locked in the dungeons.
Athènia: Do you dare disobey your Supreme's orders?
Asven: At your command, Supreme.
I cut the mental link and glance at Im. That's what you deserved.
Athènia: 1000 tons!
I cast the spell on Im and descend through the walls, using my super speed to reach the stairs. Then I hear the warriors.
Warrior 1: The Supreme is dead. The new Supreme will kill us now!
Warrior 2: Let's run! She won't spare us; we were Im's subordinates!
I strike the door, which flies across the room and blocks the entrance.
Mara: Lis…
Athènia: It's over.
I step forward, feeling their fear rise. They probably sense a woman with powers who has killed the Supreme, advancing with a weapon. My blood-stained clothes don't help either. I stop beside Im's body and make a stone block appear. I climb onto it.
Athènia: Centuries ago, a strange event occurred. The rulers of the three most powerful kingdoms at the time committed a crime. Rayan STORM, the King of HARMONIE; Lenon DELMAL, Alpha of Silver Moon; and Kajal TALOR, Lord of NEVERKILLS, assaulted a woman named Andréa.
I hear everyone gasp in shock.
Athènia: Later, Andréa bore a child, and remarkably, that child carried all three genes. Rayan STORM discussed it with Lenon DELMAL and Kajal TALOR, who denied their involvement. In a gesture of goodwill, Rayan married Andréa but allowed the other two to visit their son, named Jinking STORM. Years later, Stanford was sent to kill King Rayan and his son. Witnessing their son's potential, they declared HARMONIE their enemy. Their greed and fear caused this war between sorcerers, vampires, and werewolves. But I am here to fix the mistakes of the past.
The hall was completely silent.
Zelda: How can we believe what you say!?
Athènia: Then it's your choice, not mine.
Harry: Don't listen to her.
Athènia: And who are you to forbid it?
Varen: We are the ones who control the king, and you are still the princess of HARMONIE.
Athènia: From today, I am no longer a princess—I am the Supreme.
Red: How dare you!?
Athènia: No, how dare you! Am I your subordinate for you to speak to me this way!?
Ted: You're supposed to be a princess, someone we must always protect.
Harry: We cannot believe this woman.
Athènia: This woman is the one who killed Im. This woman dethroned him. This woman is the one chosen to restore peace. She is the queen of hybrids. She is Athènia Nancella Lisiane GRONDS, the Supreme Alpha. On the other hand, you are responsible for the war between the three powers. The council entrusted Stanford GRONDS with killing my family out of fear that the child would surpass them. Look at the consequences of their greed.
I point at Im's body.
Athènia: If it weren't for them, Jinking STORM would have been a better person. If it weren't for them, he wouldn't have become Supreme. All of this is because of you, the council members. That's why I've made a decision. As the gods granted me the power to demote powers and ranks, from today, the council members are beneath the king. They no longer have the final say. Only the king does.
I am serious now—I am no longer a child.
Asven: Supreme, the hybrids are here.
He bows.
Hybrids enter, shackled with silver granite. Im had truly been cruel.
Athènia: Asven, remove their shackles.
Asven: I cannot, Supreme. Only Im has the keys.
Damn it, even in hell he wants to keep ruining lives.
Athènia: Alright.
I place my hobbit on my thigh blade, close my eyes, and open them again.
Athènia: Destructive Thunder!
Lightning shoots from my hands, striking the shackles. They fall to the ground, freed. I lower my hands.
Athènia/Kora: Hybrids.
They gasp in surprise. What can I say? I speak with my wolf too. And yes, I'm sure my other eye is black.
Naynah: Impossible… I didn't sense her wolf's scent.
Athènia/Kora: I know I arrived late, and blood has already been shed, but now I am here. I will protect you. We are the future of hybrids. I was sent to save, free, and guide you. We must help each other carve out a place. With me as your leader, I am not only the first sorceress but also the daughter of an Alpha werewolf. I am a pure-blood hybrid. You may wonder why my brother is not the chosen one. It's because I am the eldest. It's a lot to take in, but the choice is yours. The only clear thing is: I am the new Supreme Alpha of HASRLAND. My first order is to free…
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Author's POV
She finishes speaking, but Connor laughs.
Connor: Even if the Supreme is dead, we will all join him.
Mara: Why aren't you dead yet?
Athènia: Kora.
Kora: Lis, their chains contain magmatic silver granite.
Athènia: What does that mean exactly?
Kora: It means those imprisoned with it, if freed without the key, the chains explode, causing a volcanic eruption that could dissolve us all. We are in danger.
Athènia: Oh no…
She looks at the ceiling and gets an idea.
Athènia: Garth, Junior, clear all the floors!
Garth: Yes!
Garth and Junior use their powers to clear the floors.
Connor: No matter what you do, we will explode—wait, I mean, we will die.
Athènia turns to him.
Athènia: You forget my abilities, Connor. You should submit—I am your new Supreme.
Connor: I am loyal to my Supreme Im.
Athènia: Then you'll soon join him.
Garth: Lis, we're done.
Athènia nods. She extends her hands, her eyes turning blue, her hands glowing yellow, and a red emerald appears at the center of the hall.
Athènia: Connect with the red emerald.
The chains begin to float toward the emerald, circling it. Chains across HASRLAND join them.
Athènia: Climb the sky!
After all chains gather, they slowly ascend.
Connor: Lucifer!!
He shouts as the chains burn red.
Athènia: Oh no!!
A strong wind blows, and Athènia braces against it.
Asher: Lis!!
Connor: We're here, Supreme Im.
Mara: Shut up.
Mara breaks his neck, and he collapses.
Athènia: You are the strength of the Hybrids. Think of them. Your end won't be like this, Jayden. I won't let my son or anyone die.
Athènia creates a crystal shield to contain the chains and the emerald. She makes circular motions with her feet; one hand releases yellow light, the other black.
Athènia: Destruction!
She stomps forward; the crystal shield rises, and the emerald absorbs the magma from the chains. The symbol of the hybrids appears on her right wrist.
Zelda: Look at her hand.
Garth: The hybrid symbol!
He rolls up his sleeve. His symbol lacks the crown that Athènia's has. Mara notices hers too. All the hybrids see the same mark.
Athènia jumps, stomps harder, and lifts the shield higher.
Athènia: Explosion!
The emerald detonates, a fierce wind blowing so strong that no one can see. When it clears, the sky is open, stars shining brilliantly. Freed hybrids and other supernatural beings stare in awe. Their attention focuses back on Athènia.
Athènia: This mark on your wrist means you accept my command. As I said, you have a choice: stay or leave. Stay and help create a world where hybrids are accepted.
Silence falls. Other supernaturals watch curiously.
Junior: Long live the Supreme!
He places his right hand on his chest, kneeling.
Mara: Long live the Supreme!
Asher: Long live the Supreme!
Garth: Long live the Supreme!
The hybrids follow, showing their loyalty. Other supernaturals place their hands on their hearts and bow. For Athènia, her mission is almost accomplished. She knows this is only the beginning, and she smiles proudly, ready to change the world for hybrids.