Chapter 171: Who will be?
Kaelith might not have been as fast in the air as Averis, but she was far from slow. She wasn’t about to let Cravanvor toy with her son while treating the situation so lightly.
She had actually reached the clearing a few minutes earlier but chose to stay hidden, watching—testing just how far Averis would go to protect her son.
While she announces to the world that she is the biggest follower of the Chaos King, was Averis really willing to die for him?
And Kaelith was impressed by the results.
THUD
Leaping down, Kaelith landed firmly on the ground, eyes locked on Cravanvor.
"You made a grave mistake coming here, snorty."
Her arrival was that assurance Hades needed to let go of the resistance.
He closed his eyes and allowed his consciousness to drift away.
Not only because he was hurt but also because he was hungry. And it was getting irresistible passing each moment.
’What’s this sensation...’
Cravan narrowed his gaze.
"And you made a mistake by not ambushing me when you had the chance."
The sky began to rumble as heavy clouds rolled in, smothering the sun. Mana surged around the Dragon King, as though the heavens themselves were feeding his power.
Unlike his presence when he was fighting with Averis, he appeared as someone completely different.
"I already know what you and Argon are planning—trying to shield the Chaos Heir." His form started to melt into dark smog as his voice echoed, sharp and certain. "I may not succeed today, but I promise you this—we will return. And when we do, there will be no one left to shield that boy."
Kaelith snarled, her whole body coiled like a spring, ready to strike. But before she could move, Cravan’s figure broke apart completely, fading into the air.
"Why didn’t you attack him?" Averis demanded, her brow furrowed, fist clenched. She was still burning with fury, unwilling to let the Dragon King walk away unscathed.
Kaelith let out a long breath. "If I had, I would have put my son at risk."
The truth was clear—Cravanvor hadn’t even used a fraction of his strength against Averis. His twisted habit of drawing out every ounce of his opponent’s ability was the only reason she was still standing.
Even with Kaelith standing in front of him, he never faltered. One eye had stayed locked on her, the other never strayed from Hades. If she had made even the slightest rash move, he would have seized the chance—and struck at her son.
Like Averis, Kaelith was seething inside. Every instinct in her screamed to rip the Dragon King apart for daring to harm Hades. But giving in to that rage now would have only ended in regret.
Averis huffed before she fell to the ground—unconscious.
Kaelith shook her head as she lifted her and her son in both arms and flew back to the castle.
------**------
Back at the castle, Luna and Peri paced restlessly across the front compound.
They had heard from Hades himself that he was surrounded, and their first instinct was to rush out to him. But before they could, Avalin stopped them—telling them that Kaelith had already gone, with Averis and a squad of soldiers right behind her. By the time the two girls even stepped outside the territory, the others would have already reached him.
Instead of helping, they had been ordered to stay put. To wait. To not make things harder for Hades by getting lost or dragging him into more worry when he returned.
But now, unease gnawed at Peri’s chest.
I should have gone.
The thought stung her like a blade. While Hades was out there fighting for his life, she was stuck here, pacing in circles. What was the point of all her training if she couldn’t be there when he needed her most?
"Please calm down, Miss Peri. With the Lady Supreme personally involved, you can rest assured—nothing will happen to the young master," Ava said gently, trying to comfort her.
Luna, meanwhile, sat quietly on the stairs, fingers laced together, waiting—hoping—for any word from Hades. She had tried reaching out to him several times through their connection, but all that answered her was silence.
Yet even through that silence, she could feel him. Pain, yes—but also something else. Something that strangely felt like...
"Hey, Peri..." Luna suddenly called, drawing the elf’s tense gaze toward her. Luna’s voice softened as she asked, "Haven’t you noticed it yet?"
Peri frowned, her expression demanding more.
"His awakening..." Luna whispered. "It’s close."
Peri’s eyes widened. She closed her own and focused on the thread of their bond. And then—she felt it.
The pressure building inside him wasn’t just pain. The restless surge she sensed was far greater, deeper, more primal.
He wasn’t only hurting.
He was hungry.
Luna’s words hadn’t gone unheard. Avalin and Ava exchanged a quick glance.
"Should we begin the preparations?" Ava asked, tilting her head slightly.
But Avalin didn’t answer right away. Instead, she stepped closer to the silver-haired girl. "Miss Luna, are you certain? That the young master is truly on the verge of awakening his core?"
Luna nodded firmly. "There’s no doubt. His core can’t be held back anymore. If it is, he’ll only hurt himself."
Her voice was steady, but inside, her worries had shifted. The danger surrounding Hades wasn’t what troubled her now—she trusted Kaelith had already reached him.
The real problem was his awakening.
If his core was suppressed at this critical moment—or if he failed to meet the requirements for awakening—the consequences would be devastating. His core could be damaged, perhaps beyond repair.
And if that happened... Hades might not just fail to awaken.
He might be crippled for life.
Peri, as concerned as she might be, asked one question that gnawed at her, "Who...would be his mate?"
That question struck the three ladies speechless.
Who would be the one to bear the mark of the Chaos Heir?
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A/N:- Thanks for reading. Please leave a review to motivate me.