Plutonic and Hamlin positioned themselves protectively in front of Ninah and Aisha, their Phoenix instincts clawing at them from within, urging them to safeguard their mates and children at all costs.
"A lesson for you, Ninah," the older man stepped from the shadows, flanked by his gang. "You squandered your potential on this band of outcasts, thinking it would lead you to some grand destiny." He smirked, recalling when her father had entrusted her to him for combat training, only to see her "disappoint" them by marrying her so-called 'mate.'
The smugness crept into his voice as he taunted, "But no matter! Since you two are 'mates,' I'll make sure you both won't survive this night. Your precious son won't escape either."
A whimper escaped Lucky, his heart racing at the thought of losing his parents.
"Why are you attacking us? We have done you no harm," Plutonic challenged, his instincts flaring.
"Because you broke the code," Hamlin hissed, the tension thickening in the air.
The man's laughter echoed, devoid of humor. "What code? You're a blight upon this world with no right to live, and that's reason enough for your demise!" He snarled, signaling his henchmen, who readied their bows with cruel precision.
"You are nothing but a disappointment," he mocked.
"Easy for you to say," Ninah shot back, tightening her grip around Lucky.
The man's grim smirk widened. "You waste space and breath!" He hissed the final words, as his gang drew back their arrows, poised to unleash deadly rain upon them at his command.
Panic threatened to engulf Ninah. Running was an option, but at what cost? Would Arnold track her down, endangering her and Lucky further?
Behind her, Rufus was curiously silent, cocooned in Hamlin's protective embrace. Aisha watched from a distance, her gaze fixed on the looming threat, as Plutonic stood resolutely in defense of her and Ninah.
"Why risk it?" Ninah thought, troubled. "Iron arrows will pierce him."
"Mommy, I'm scared," Lucky whimpered, his flames flickering dangerously.
"Mommy's here. I won't let anything happen to you," she whispered, her voice trembling.
From the depths of their hearts, the husband and wife shared a mind-link, a connection that bridged the looming chaos.
"Whatever happens tonight, know that I love you both," Plutonic conveyed with quiet desperation.
"Please stay with me. I can't bear this alone," Ninah thought back, a storm of emotions swirling within her.
Cries of despair echoed through the forest, thick with danger as the hunters prepared for the kill.
Suddenly, arrows flew, but before they could reach their targets, Plutonic unleashed his flaming powers, obliterating the lethal threats in a dazzling display of fiery vengeance.
The hunters faltered momentarily, fear creeping into their hearts. But Arnold's anger ricocheted, demanding their loyalty despite the terror they faced.
With anguish mounting in his soul, Plutonic transformed, embodying the fury of his Phoenix heritage. His wings unfurled in a blaze of fire, illuminating the dark woods.
"Cowards! Attack him!" Arnold screeched, battling his own fright.
Trembling, the hunters readied their arrows once more, but with unbridled ferocity, Plutonic, in a cyclone of flames, surged through them, reducing their fear to ashes.
Finally confronting Arnold, he delivered the piercing truth of his anger. "You made a grave mistake threatening my clan, my families."
As Arnold's bravado withered under the blazing intensity of Plutonic's fury, the hunter found himself disintegrating before his own eyes. Relief mingled with revenge in a bitter taste as Plutonic fell to his knees, consumed by the moment's victory. But victory felt hollow, distant echoes replacing the triumph—something was wrong.
A heartbeat echoed, familiar yet foreign, mingling with cries of sorrow around him.
Ninah fell to her knees, tears cascading from her eyes, revealing a hunter's dark deed. She had been stabbed.
In an instant, Hamlin acted, ending the assailant's life with ruthless efficiency, reducing the hunter to ashes.
"No! No! No!" Plutonic frantically whispered, cradling Ninah in his arms while Lucky clung desperately to her.
"I can heal you, just let me find my tears," he pleaded, his heart racing against the impossible.
Ninah smiled sadly, "Don't. It's been too long since you've cried," she murmured, her voice softening.
"No!" Plutonic's voice cracked. "I can't lose you! We need you!"
"Embrace the truth, my love. I have accepted my fate," Ninah whispered, her blood staining Plutonic's shirt.
"Please, don't say that! Your son needs you— I need you!" His despair grew, drowning in anguish as Aisha knelt beside them, brushing aside Ninah's silken hair.
"Don't leave us, Aunt Ninah," Rufus cried, his innocence shattering in that harrowing moment.
With each rattling breath, she spoke, "Life's threads weave and unravel; I will not tie you to death."
"I love you, Ninah," Plutonic's voice broke, tears threatening to spill.
Ninah reached for Aisha's stomach, her voice trembling, "Take care of her."
"I love you too, Plutonic," she whispered, the light fading from her eyes.
"No! Stay!" he cried as her grip slackened.
With heartbreaking finality, the warmth of her essence slipped away.
As despair consumed him, Plutonic roared, unleashing the weight of his grieving heart, echoing through the forest, a fierce lament.
He had lost her. Ninah was gone forever.