As the underground dungeon exploded and the castle walls crumbled, Ares was already in the yard, Nyx perched around his neck. The earthquake beneath his feet left him stunned, but his eyes instinctively shot upward, drawn to a brilliant golden light illuminating the sky.
However, the male scream that accompanied the light's explosion caught him off guard. As the light faded, his heart raced in horror and panic. His little bird, who he was searching for, was plummeting towards the ground.
In a flash, his body was enveloped in a thick, blood-red mist, and he blasted into the sky, catching her in his arms mid-fall. With a deep grunt, he landed back on the ground, "Find Atlan now!"
Immediately, Nyx vanished from around his neck.
Ares stared at Eleanor with wide eyes. She was unconscious, her dress stained with blood and dirt, her arms marred by fresh scars. What happened to her?!
