Chapter 145: His Terms
**James**
Our group stands amidst the smoldering ruins of our last battle, our bodies still humming with the residual energy of our newfound strength. Cora’s sudden attack had been a brutal test, one that pushed us to our limits and beyond. We had fought with every ounce of our being, our powers intertwining in a chaotic dance of fire, magic, steel, and raw determination. But in the end, it was our unity that had turned the tide. Cora lies defeated, her once commanding presence reduced to a heap of broken pride and shattered magic, and her soul is no more. But I wonder about the toll it has taken on the others, especially Avery. I have dealt with countless skirmishes and small wars, but nothing on this scale. If it wasn’t for us harnessing the dark magic gifted by The Ancient One, some or even all of us could have fallen today. The kingdom will rebuild thanks to the lives that we saved tonight. But at what cost? Is the ruling worth this price?
Avery, her breath coming in ragged gasps, looks around at us. Cassius stands tall, his leather armor scorched but intact, his blue eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of further threat. Clint, his jacket torn and his jaw set, is already tending to a minor wound on Conner’s arm. Conner himself, his usually reserved demeanor momentarily cracked, meets Avery’s gaze with a mix of relief and something deeper, unspoken. I am assessing the battlefield with a critical eye, my eyes flicking briefly to Avery before returning to the task at hand. Jace, his elegant suit marred by soot and tears, is quietly supporting Draven, who seems to be recovering from the exertion of his magical abilities. Rory goes around checking on us all, even though I can still see the horrors of what occurred in her eyes. She is so young, and I worry about her, but the rest of my group worries me too. I have been through the most, but even I am still struggling with the carnage.
“We did it,” Avery murmurs, more to herself than to anyone else. Her voice is hoarse, her body aching, but there’s a spark of triumph in her eyes. We had faced Cora, a foe who had seemed insurmountable, and emerged victorious. But the victory is bittersweet. The cost of our triumph is etched into our weary faces and the unspoken vulnerabilities that Cora’s attack had exposed. The Trio faltered some as they kept glancing at Avery, which I found myself guilty of a few times as well. Our concern could have cost us. But we survived and can learn from this battle so that if a threat emerges again, we will be better prepared.
Cassius steps closer, his hand brushing against Avery’s arm in a gesture that is both comforting and possessive. “For now,” he says, his voice low and gravelly. “But the past has a way of catching up with us. We can’t rest for long.” He is right. Cora was my past, and she nearly ruined my future. She had wrecked so many lives, and I allowed duty to the crown to overrule my need for revenge. I should never have given up hunting her down. Instead, I focused on improving relations between Talos and all beings. Sometimes peace isn’t the answer.
Avery nods to Cassius, but I know that her mind is already racing ahead. Altima Island—the key to our next move—looms large in her thoughts. But the only one who knows the way is the Ancient One, the enigmatic figure who had been imprisoned in the passage and whom Avery had freed. She had tasted his power, felt the raw, primal energy that coursed through him, and now she is the key to his desires. That terrifies me, because not much is known about him. We barely know Strigois, let alone him. So much information has been lost and hidden over the centuries.
“The Ancient One,” she says, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. “He’s the only one who can show us the way to Altima. But… he has conditions.”
Our group falls silent, each of us knowing what those conditions entail. The Ancient One, in his human form, had made his demands clear: a day with Avery, a day to explore every inch of her, to claim her in every way imaginable. It was a price that Avery was willing to pay, but the thought of it sent a shiver down her spine, a mix of anticipation and trepidation. I don’t want her to pay it, but she won’t see reason. I understand her need to know who she is, where she came from, and how she fits into my world, but this price is too steep.
“I’ll do it,” she says, her voice firm. “But I won’t do it alone.”
Cassius’s hand tightens on her arm, his thumb brushing her skin in a silent promise. “We’re with you,” he says, his voice a low rumble. “Whatever it takes.”
Clint steps forward, his eyes locking with Avery’s. “You’re not facing this alone. We’re a team, remember?”
Conner, his usual reserve momentarily shattered, adds, “We’ll be there. Every step of the way.”
“You are the heart of this group, Avery. We will stand by you, no matter the cost.” She is more than our heart, she is our soul. If we lose her, we are all lost.
Jace, his voice soft and gentle, speaks up as well. “We’re here for you, Avery. Whatever you need.” Draven and Rory nod in agreement with Jace. I am glad to see Jace coming into himself. I do worry that what is to come could crush his delicate spirit, but I admire the courage he is showing. Avery bringing Draven and Rory to Talos has been the ultimate gift. She has unknowingly helped us all grow into better individuals.
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