Chapter 156: Forgotten Gods

**Avery**

After our mating bonds had become manageable, we descended from the safety of the old tree and put our clothing back on. As we walked, my boots crunched over the shimmering ground, the forest floor glowing faintly beneath us as if the earth itself was alive. 

My men—Cassius, Vincent, Clint, Conner, James, and Donn—moved with quiet determination, their eyes scanning the shadows as night began to consume the forest. The trees loomed above, their gnarled branches twisting like skeletal fingers, as if they were watching us. I could feel the weight of their gaze, the forest’s ancient sentience whispering warnings I couldn’t quite decipher.

My long, red, and blonde hair cascaded down my back, catching on the thorns of low-hanging branches. My eyes glowed with an inner fire, a fire that burned brighter as we ventured deeper into the heart of the forest. I could sense it—something powerful and dangerous awaited us. 

“Stay sharp,” I murmured, my voice carrying a command that my men obeyed without question. Cassius and Vincent, their blades sheathed but ready, flanked me on either side. Clint and Conner knocked arrows, their eyes scanning the treetops. James and Donn held their shields, their muscles tense, ready to deflect whatever the forest might throw at them.

Then, the silence was shattered….

The ground trembled, and the air crackled with malevolent energy. From the shadows emerged Apate, her presence a cold knife slicing through the tension. Her long black hair cascaded like a river of midnight, her curvy figure accentuated by tattoos that seemed to shift and writhe beneath her skin. She was a vision of deceit, her eyes gleaming with malice as she smirked at us.

“Avery,” she purred, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “How delightful. You’ve brought your little playthings to my playground.” Beside her stood a handful of lesser gods, their forms ethereal and shifting, their intentions as clear as the malice in Apate’s eyes. My heart pounded, but I forced myself to meet her gaze, my voice steady.

“Apate. I should’ve known you’d be behind this. You’re not exactly subtle with your tricks.” I had studied her in courses on mythology. Once I learned that dragons existed, I was curious about what else they did or used to do.

Her smirk widened, and she tilted her head, her black hair spilling over her shoulder. “Subtlety is overrated, darling. Especially when you’re dealing with fools.”

Before I could respond, chaos erupted...

The lesser gods lunged, their attacks a blur of shadow and illusion. Cassius and Vincent charged forward, their blades slicing through the air with precision, cutting through the deceptions like a knife through silk. Clint and Conner worked in tandem, their arrows finding their marks with deadly accuracy, piercing the ethereal forms of the lesser gods. James and Donn held the line, their shields deflecting the onslaught of dark magic hurled by Apate’s allies.

I summoned my magic, the power surging through me like a wildfire. My spells crackled with energy, flames dancing at my fingertips as I fought to protect my men. I drew my magic from our mate bond because I didn’t fully trust myself yet. The battle was brutal, a clash of steel, magic, and raw fury. But Apate’s tricks were relentless, her illusions threatening to tear us apart from within.

At one point, I found myself face-to-face with her, her dark eyes locked on mine. “You think you can stop me, Avery?” she taunted, her voice a whisper in my mind. “You’re just a dragon playing at being a hero. You’ll never be enough.”

Her words struck a chord, my self-doubt rearing its ugly head. But I pushed it down, my resolve hardening. I was more than my fears, more than my past. Vincent showed me that. He showed me that I am in control, not my fears or doubts. They have no weight over me unless I allow it. I will not allow it! I am Avery, and I would not let her win.

With a roar, I channeled my magic into a single, devastating spell. Fire erupted from my palms, intertwining with protective wards that shielded my men. The ground beneath us shook as I poured every ounce of my power into binding Apate and her allies. The air crackled, the forest itself seeming to hold its breath.

Then, with a final surge, the spell took hold. The earth rose, forming a massive stone totem that engulfed Apate and her lesser gods. Their screams were muffled as the stone closed around them, their forms trapped within its confines.

The forest fell silent once more, the only sound the heavy breathing of my men and the pounding of my heart. The totem loomed before us, a testament to our strength and unity. But as I stared at it, I knew this was only a temporary victory.

Apate’s voice echoed in my mind, a faint whisper that sent a chill down my spine. “This isn’t over, Avery. You can’t keep me contained forever.”

I turned to my men, their faces smeared with dirt and blood, their eyes weary but triumphant. “We did it,” I said, my voice steady despite the unease in my chest. “But this is just the beginning.”

Cassius placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm. “We’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”

I nodded, my gaze lingering on the totem. Apate was contained, her schemes halted—for now. But the Fae realm was vast, its dangers far from over. And as we stood amidst the wreckage, bloodied but victorious, I knew one thing for certain: the battle was far from won. We marched on. The forest seemed to watch us, its ancient eyes filled with secrets. And somewhere, in the depths of the shadows, Apate waited. The game was far from over. My spirits remained solemn until we got further away from the battlegrounds. 

The air in the enchanted forest shifted and is now heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth, a stark contrast to the acrid smell of magic that still lingers in my nostrils from the battle. I stand in the center of the clearing, my eyes scan the area, a mix of exhaustion and triumph playing across my features.
Hidden Flame: Bound to the Triplet Dragon Kings
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