"Hey, Atlas! Did you oversleep again?” Lucius materialized seemingly out of thin air as he playfully antagonized Atlas.

"Leave me alone, snake,” Atlas retorted, pushing Lucius aside.

"Don't be like this Atlas. Today's a special day after all! Our Valerian the Golden here has decided to rebel. You should be happy; we both know you've been craving a battle for a long time. And our golden boy here killed a dozen hollows, struck fear in the enemy lines, and even absorbed most of our sun's energy! Look at just how his wings are glowing!” Lucius exclaimed.

"This pipsqueak did?” Atlas asked, giving me a piercing stare.

"Yes, he did. If the council weren't so adamant about pretending he doesn't exist and locking him away every chance they got, he'd make a great asset, maybe an even better test subject. But now, he's caused too much damage. He even killed the main councilor. If we don't do something about him, I could lose favor with the high council. So, Atlas, do your thing. Oh, and try to keep him alive—even if you have to tear off his limbs one by one. We need him alive.”

"Don't tell me what to do,” he growled, and in a blur, he appeared in front of me, his crimson blade slashing through my abdomen.

I screamed in agony as he withdrew his blade. A thin layer of dark energy enveloping me flowed into the wound, and it healed as if it never existed.

"Marvellous! Who knew it would be you to manifest his power? Atlas, be extra careful to leave the boy alive!” Lucius shouted frantically, his eyes fixated on the dark energy surrounding me.

"I told you to stop telling me what to do!” Atlas responded, more enraged this time. Despite his protest, he did precisely as ordered, like a trained dog following its master.

Before I could even perceive it, he stabbed me again in the same place. The blade was stuck in my stomach, and in an instant, his left fist struck me with incredible force, sending my body flying. Just as I began to reduce the impact with my wings and the dark energy started its healing, he was in front of me again, this time stabbing my lungs. Blood sprayed from my mouth as his clenched fist delivered an uppercut to my chin. My body soared beyond the clouds as the pain intensified, and my mind became a blank slate. Only one thought echoed through my mind: if this continues, I will die.

The dark smoke thickened and gained potency, accelerating the healing of my wounds. Without this ability, I would have already died several times by now. As my consciousness sharpened, the light in my wings dimmed, my movements slowed, and my paranoia intensified. I felt like prey, unable to predict his next appearance. For the first time, I felt true fear.

The clouds below me parted, and Atlas emerged. His stern gaze locked onto mine, compelling me to flee. Determined to escape, I decided to consume the remaining energy from my wings. Releasing the radiant energy, my body ascended to unprecedented heights. The air turned cold, a thin layer of ice forming on my skin, only to melt instantly from the heat from my wings. Without the sun's light, the sky grew exceptionally dark, and my wings no longer emitted their bright glow, allowing me to conceal my movements. The best option was to find a secluded place and strategize, but it was nothing more than wishful thinking; he was already behind me.

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No matter where I fled, no matter where I hid, he would always be within arm's reach. Should I confront him? No, what's the use? I can't win. He maintained his composed demeanor even with his prey cornered, steadily closing the distance between us. My body froze, as I came to terms with the inevitable, for I knew that regardless of my actions, Atlas was one thing I could never overcome. As he drew nearer, my resolve dwindled, and just as he raised his hand, I flinched and closed my eyes, surrendering to my fate.

"Do you wish to die, or do you wish to be free? Whatever it is, I will honor it,” Atlas declared, gently placing his hand on my shoulder.

"What?” I barely uttered.

My eyes reopened, greeted by a sight far different from what I expected. His gaze shed its coldness, replaced by a much warmer one. I couldn't believe it; it was as if there was a different person in front of me.

"There's much I'd like to express and apologize for, but time is short. Answer my question, child,”

His words carried an unexpected sincerity, prompting me to respond without much thought, "I wish to be free.”

"Very well, we need to make this convincing,” he said, handing me his blade.

"What do I need this for?”

"The only way to true freedom is banishment from this accursed world. You likely figured that out, but it won't be simple. You'll need my assistance. Currently, those below are expecting me to emerge victorious. That's why we need to betray their expectations. Now, hurry and sever my arm,” he instructed, raising his left arm.

"Why are you doing this?”

"It doesn't matter anymore. I'm many years too late, and I don't expect your forgiveness. However, I couldn't possibly face your mother again if I left you like this. When you see her, tell her...” he paused, seemingly deep in thought.

"Tell her, I'm sorry for everything. After all, I've done, or rather haven't done, surrendering my arm is the least I can do. When you sever it, you'll stab me and present my body to them. Now, do it,” he urged.

A flood of questions filled my mind, but with time ticking away, action was necessary.

"How can I be sure your plan will work?"

"They already fear you, and bringing me down will only intensify that fear. Valerian the Golden defeating Atlas, the mightiest avian in all of Elyria! How does that sound? They'll not only lose hope but be forced to banish you, and we both know no avain can escape banishment.”

That was a well-known truth. No matter how powerful you are, if the high council wants you gone, you will have no choice but to accept your fate. Every time an avian is born, a drop of blood is extracted and poured into a chalice that binds all the celestials. A simple incantation from a high priest would be enough to strip away my celestial essence, and I would no longer be an avian. I would be forced to live the rest of my life in a mortal realm. Many would think that such a fate would be worse than death, but for me, it would be a blessing in disguise.

"Alright then, don't regret it later.” As I said that, in one clean swing, I slashed his left arm off, severing most of it.

He didn't show much reaction at all to his arm being cut; instead, he welcomed the notion with a smile.

"Now, finish it,” he said.

Just as he ordered, I pierced through his abdomen, and with a full swing of my wings, I started descending to the enemy lines, with Atlas at the top of the blade.