"Oh no. Achilles!" Valeska cried hoarsely. Blood tears streamed down her cheeks. Amid the ruins of the shattered castle, thick clouds of dust choked the air.
She coughed repeatedly, struggling to breathe, her leg aching from being pinned beneath the rubble.
"Achilles, you're hurt!" V sobbed. Once again, she had failed to save another life. Now she felt her Omnipotence was useless. "What good is omnipotence if I can't protect anyone?"
"Don't speak like that, Your Majesty the Empress," Achilles whispered weakly. His condition was dire—half his body crushed beneath massive debris, a rusted iron beam piercing his chest.
Blood poured from his jagged jaw. He was powerless, yet his fading Lycan strength compelled him to save Valeska.
"If you give up now—what of my sacrifice, and that of my pack?" Achilles chuckled faintly, and aware his time was short. "Don't let us die in vain. You know the Netherworld needs you now more than ever. Only you can stop this."
