Mel returned to sit on Rue’s bed, his posture heavy with exhaustion. Shieka perched beside him, tilting her head thoughtfully. “So, who else are you planning to tell that you’re alive?” she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.

  Mel exhaled deeply, letting his head fall back onto the bed. “Shieka wants to know who else I should tell,” he muttered, half to himself.

  Rue shifted her weight, crossing her arms as she leaned against the wall. “You already said you didn’t want to tell too many people, especially for Auroria’s safety,” she reminded him firmly. “Laying low is your best option right now. Even telling Baba Yaga could backfire. She might mean well, but there’s too much at stake.” Her voice softened slightly. “Don’t worry—there’ll come a time when it’s safe to reveal yourself. You’ll know when it’s right.”

  Mel stared at the ceiling, his mind swirling with uncertainty. “I hope you’re right,” he murmured, the weight of secrecy pressing harder on his chest.

  He then remembered something and sat up straighter. “Rue, while I was in the book, I saw Merlin. There was a mural he’d drawn, and when I touched it… he came to life and started fighting me.” Mel’s voice carried a weight of unease. “His pressure was overwhelming. I couldn’t move—I couldn’t even think. I knew that if any of his punches landed on me in real life, I’d die instantly.”

  Rue’s head tilted, her expression sharpening with both concern and curiosity. “Wait, you fought him? Like, actually fought Merlin? Did he say anything?” Her voice was firm, but there was a trace of worry beneath it.

  Mel exhaled slowly, running his hand over the back of his neck as if the memory physically weighed him down. “Yeah… he said some strange things. Stuff like, ‘You’re smaller than I remember,’ and, ‘You treated her badly—she was always mine.’ It didn’t make any sense.”

  Rue’s brows furrowed deeply as she leaned forward. “She? Who’s ‘she’? Your mother? Someone else?”

  “I don’t know,” Mel admitted, his frustration evident. “But the way he said it… it was possessive, almost territorial. And his tone—it felt personal, like he was angry at me, not just testing me. Whatever he was talking about, it mattered to him. A lot.”

  Rue crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing in thought. “So not only is your father somehow haunting you from the book, but he’s also throwing cryptic messages at you while trying to beat you into the ground. Great. That’s just what you needed, right?” She tried to keep her tone light, but her worry was impossible to hide.

  “I know,” Mel admitted, his tone serious. “And I’ll have to be more cautious. Just because I can come back doesn’t mean I want to. That book…” He shivered slightly. “I don’t want to go back to that terrifying place.”

  He stood up abruptly and shifted into a fighting stance.

  “What are you doing now?” Rue asked, arching a brow.

  Mel conjured a swirling cloud barrier that shimmered for a moment before dissipating. “Defense,” he explained. “If I’m going to stand a chance against any new opponents, I can’t rely on brute force like I did with Goldman. Going blow for blow doesn’t cut it anymore.”

  Without warning, he reached into Shieka’s pocket and pulled out a gleaming rapier.

  Shieka flinched, her tail flicking with irritation. “Knock it off!” she snapped, snatching the sword back.

  Rue’s eyes widened in awe. “Whoa, so she’s really like a walking inventory for you, huh?”

  Mel nodded thoughtfully, ignoring Shieka’s glare. “Yeah, kind of. But this sword won’t cut it—literally or figuratively.” He slid the rapier back and reached into her pocket again, only for Shieka to grab his arm and flip him effortlessly onto the floor.

  “I said knock it off!” she hissed, her ears twitching.

  Mel groaned, clutching his side. Before he could recover, Shieka’s ears perked up sharply. She kicked him under the bed in a flash. “Hide!” she ordered, her voice low and urgent.

  Rue blinked in confusion, her mouth opening to question Shieka, but then she heard footsteps approaching. The door swung open to reveal Queen Ruecrix standing in the doorway.

  “Rue, get ready for school,” Ruecrix said, her tone curt as her eyes scanned the room. “Who were you talking to just now?”

  Rue flinched, her heart racing. “Oh, uh… I was on the phone with my friends!” she blurted, forcing a nervous laugh.

  Queen Ruecrix chuckled dryly, crossing her arms. “Friends? You? That’s hilarious!” She laughed as she turned to leave, her mocking tone echoing down the hall.

  Rue clenched her fists and growled under her breath. “I do have friends!” she called after her mother, her voice laced with frustration.

  Mel crawled out from under the bed, brushing off dust and wincing slightly. He walked over to the window and glanced out at the school grounds, his eyes narrowing at the sight of students casually walking to class.

  “The school’s still open?” he said, disbelief heavy in his voice. “What the hell? After everything that’s happened?!”

  Rue stood up, running a hand through her hair as she let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, it’s messed up. Believe me, I know.” She walked over and placed a comforting hand on Mel’s shoulder. “There was a long grieving process for you. People really mourned, Mel.”

  Mel lowered his head, his jaw tightening. “But… nobody’s even tried to get Elowen back?” His voice wavered, a mix of disbelief and frustration breaking through.

  Mel sighed and turned to Rue. “Where’s my Fox Bearrington costume?” he asked, his tone almost hopeful.

  Rue rolled her eyes and exhaled. “Bimoth’s using the persona. He’s been sleeping in your dorm and protecting Atlantis while you’ve been…gone,” she explained.

  A small smile broke through Mel’s somber expression. “I’m glad Atlantis hasn’t been left vulnerable,” he said softly before his smile faded. “But I need a new persona.”

  Rue’s eyes widened. “Why?”

  Clearing his throat, Mel hesitated before mumbling, “Because I’ll be lonely when you’re gone…” His voice carried a note of insecurity that surprised even him.

  Rue groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Fine. God, you stink,” she said, sniffing and dramatically covering her nose.

  Mel sniffed himself and winced. “Yeah, well, I was a zombie for a while,” he muttered, coughing awkwardly.

  Rue reached for a bottle of perfume and sprayed it around him. “Fine, take a shower after I’m done here. I’ll set some clothes out for you, but I’ll be gone by the time you’re finished. Just don’t let anyone see you.”

  Mel nodded, leaning against the windowsill, letting her words hang in the air.

  Moments later, Mel stepped out of the bathroom wearing Atlantis shorts, a loose button-up, and flip-flops. He dried his hair while glancing at himself in Rue’s mirror.

  Shieka lounged on Rue’s bed, watching him with an amused expression. “You’ve got a nice girl. Don’t mess it up,” she teased, her tone carrying a hint of seriousness.

  Mel glanced at her reflection in the mirror and nodded. “Yeah, she’s the best,” he admitted, tying back his damp curls.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Shieka tilted her head, smirking knowingly.

  Turning to face her, Mel leaned against the shelf. “I can’t stay here all day waiting for Rue to come back,” he said, a hint of impatience creeping into his voice.

  He held out his hand, creating webbing from his fingers. He crafted it into a mask, examining it closely.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Shieka warned, raising an eyebrow.

  Mel raised the webbed mask confidently. “I’ve been training with the electric webbing for seven months. I think I know how to—”

  Before he could finish, he slipped the mask on, only to be zapped with a sudden burst of electricity. The jolt sent him stumbling back as he yanked the mask off, coughing.

  “Okay,” he wheezed, rubbing his face with a towel, “that won’t work.”

  Shieka shook her head, chuckling. “Told you.”

  Days earlier, before Mel emerged from Atlantis, Jake and Yasmine stood on the outskirts of the city.

  “What?! You’re leaving?!” Jake exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and disbelief.

  Yasmine stood silently, her eyes fixed on the water lapping at the shore. A faint smile crossed her lips. “I think I’ve had enough of following Shadowbanes, you know?” she said softly, her tone lighter than the weight of her words.

  Jake’s confusion deepened. “What is this all of a sudden?” he asked, his gaze locked on her face, searching for answers.

  Yasmine turned to him, cracking her neck as though trying to shake off her lingering tension. “I’m officially resigning as second-in-command of the Steel Pact,” she said, her voice steady but distant.

  Jake grabbed her shirt, his grip firm but uncertain. “What are you talking about? Where did those scars come from? I didn’t even get to know you all that well! You made me the acting leader, and now you’re just leaving?” he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

  Yasmine closed her eyes, memories of the events after the Shadowbane Festival flashing through her mind.

  Flashback

  Yasmine walked alone along the outskirts of Camelot, anger simmering beneath the surface. “Attack my husband, huh? Motherfuckers,” she muttered under her breath, clenching her fists.

  As she continued, her sharp gaze caught sight of King Liam standing near a tree just outside the kingdom. He was casually waiting, his presence radiating arrogance.

  “You sent them to Auroria after getting the young master killed?!” she snarled, marching toward him. Her eyes burned with fury. “And you had the nerve to sic them on my daughter? You’re a real piece of work.” She jabbed a finger at his forehead.

  Liam chuckled darkly, undeterred by her anger. “You don’t know what sick really is,” he said coolly. “You’re sick. You were once the Priestess of the Stars, you know? Your early twenties—now those were terrifying times. You were a concept people couldn’t even whisper about without trembling.” He leaned closer, his voice dripping with mockery. “But then you got married, started playing second fiddle to Merlin Shadowbane, and what happened? He abandoned you all. Hiding, running—none of you had the guts to come back until you got word Melanthius was out of prison.”

  He shook his head with a smirk. “You’re wasting your power. You could’ve been so much more, but instead, here you are—a relic of the past.”

  Yasmine’s jaw tightened, her fingers curling into fists as she fought to contain her rising anger.

  Liam’s smirk grew wider. “Lucky for you, someone sees your potential. They want you, Yasmine. And I’ve come to make sure you join my fighters against the Wrath Kingdom. You’ll make big bucks—maybe even enough to buy back your dignity.”

  Yasmine’s fury flared, and Liam suddenly flinched. He blinked, shaken by the vivid mental image of his skull being bashed in. His body instinctively ducked, narrowly avoiding an imagined blow.

  Growling, Yasmine stepped closer, her aura menacing. Liam chuckled nervously, sweat trickling down his temple. “Ah, I forgot about that little trick of yours. That mental disruption technique—making people believe they’ve been hit or cut. Nasty, isn’t it?”

  He regained his composure, pulling out a thick wad of cash and waving it mockingly. “This could all be yours,” he sneered, before slapping her with the stack of bills and slamming her to the ground.

  Yasmine extended her hand, and a shimmering sphere of starlight materialized, glowing brighter with each passing second. With a fierce yell, she launched it forward. “Star Breaker!”

  The celestial energy streaked through the air, colliding with Liam’s face and sending him flying backward. He hit the ground with a thud, his face scorched and reddened.

  Yasmine straightened, flexing her fingers as a faint glow lingered around her hands. Liam groaned, wiping soot from his cheek, then let out a roar of frustration. He drew a golden spear from his back, its blade gleaming like sunlight.

  “Excalibur!” he shouted, spinning the weapon with a deadly flourish.

  Yasmine sighed, stepping into a firm stance. “It’s been far too long since I stood as the Priestess of the Stars,” she said, her voice calm yet brimming with power. She pressed her palms together and slowly pulled them apart, a streak of celestial energy sparking between them like a blade being forged.

  Liam chuckled, his expression twisted into a manic grin. “Oh, I’m terrified—absolutely petrified of this woman!” His voice dripped with sarcasm before his grin stretched wider, eyes wild with excitement. “WHICH MAKES ME WANNA FIGHT YOU EVEN MORE!”

  Present

  Yasmine lowered her head, her voice heavy with resignation. “You’ll never understand, kid. Just leave me alone,” she muttered, brushing past Jake.

  As she walked away, Mark and Lucy appeared in front of her, their expressions somber.

  “Yasmine,” Mark said, his tone firm but gentle. “Go back inside and sleep on this decision. You’re not thinking straight.” He puffed his cigar, exhaling a cloud of smoke that hung heavily between them.

  Lucy’s usual stoic demeanor wavered, her voice tinged with sadness. “Mom… you’re leaving?” she asked quietly, her eyes searching Yasmine’s face for answers.

  Yasmine paused, glancing at her daughter before looking away. A bitter chuckle escaped her lips. “If Merlin could leave us for years without a second thought, why can’t I?”

  Mark’s jaw clenched, and his eye twitched at her words. He stepped closer, his voice low and steady. “Go inside, my love.”

  Yasmine hesitated, her gaze flickering between them before she turned, the weight of her decision pressing heavily on her shoulders.

  The rest of the Blades and Blunts disembarked from their ships, surrounding Yasmine and the others in a growing circle.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Yasmine’s leaving?”

  “First Logan, now her?!”

  The murmurs grew louder, the confusion and disbelief rippling through the crowd.

  Yasmine scanned their faces, then snatched Mark’s cigar with a sharp glare. She took a long drag before exhaling a plume of smoke. “Yes, I’m leaving. And if any of you want to get burned by the stars, try stopping me.” Her voice was icy, resolute.

  A Blunt member stepped forward, his expression defiant. Before he could speak, Yasmine pressed her glowing hand to his chest. A burst of celestial energy scorched him, and he collapsed to the ground with a cry of pain.

  “I’M WITH CAMELOT NOW! YOU HEAR ME?!” she roared.

  Without hesitation, Yasmine unleashed a torrent of power, tearing through the ranks of Blades and Blunts like a raging deity. In mere seconds, the hundred-strong crowd fell before her, battered and broken. She moved with the precision of someone who once helped build their strength—and now dismantled it effortlessly.

  Lucy stood frozen, watching her mother with wide, disbelieving eyes. “She’s… she’s tearing down the ranks she and my father created. She’s betraying everything we built… and no one can stop her,” she whispered, her voice trembling with awe and heartbreak.

  Mark, enraged, charged at Yasmine with his blade drawn. She met his strike with a glowing hand, the energy of the stars clashing against his weapon. Mark grabbed her waist in desperation, his voice cracking with fury.

  “WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YASMINE?! YOU’RE REALLY GOING TO THROW US AWAY TO BE ONE OF THEM?!”

  Yasmine bit her lip, her body tense as if holding back tears. Her voice was low, cold. “If you think you can stop me… then do it. You can have me if you win.”

  Mark tightened his grip, but Yasmine’s hand burned with celestial energy, searing his wrist. She flipped him over her shoulder with practiced ease, and he hit the ground hard, wheezing in pain.

  Lucy stepped forward, her fists clenched, tears threatening to spill. “Why?! What is this about, Mom? Was I too much of a burden? Was it because I broke your training dummies? Because I’m not strong enough? Or… because Logan left?!” Her voice cracked as she blamed herself.

  Yasmine knelt down slightly and placed a hand on Lucy’s head, her expression softening for just a moment. “Daughter, you’re not the reason. You could never be. But why should a goddess like me stay among peons? We’re not even fighting for anyone powerful anymore.” Her tone turned cold again, her words cutting like a blade.

  Lucy’s sadness twisted into anger as she pulled back her fist. “You’re wrong!” she shouted, swinging at her mother.

  Yasmine caught Lucy’s wrist mid-swing, her grip firm but unyielding. With a sharp motion, she threw her daughter to the ground. Lucy gasped as the air left her lungs, tears finally spilling down her cheeks.

  Jake, watching from the sidelines, stumbled forward. “I don’t understand any of this!” he yelled, his voice trembling with frustration. He wanted to intervene but was still too weak, powerless to stop the chaos.

  Yasmine turned, stepping away from the defeated group. Her voice carried over the silent crowd as she walked. “I’m sorry, all of you. But it was either this… or you’d all die one by one.”

  With those parting words, she stepped onto the ocean, celestial stars forming beneath her feet as she walked across the water toward Camelot. Her silhouette shimmered in the starlight, leaving behind a trail of destruction—and a broken family.