The vial felt heavy in my hand, almost too heavy for something so small. Each step closer to Eden's inner chamber felt like a lifetime, my body drained from the severing ritual and my mind filled with memories of Mascot. Just behind me, Jacob moved with grim determination, his focus laser-sharp. Mascot, a step behind him, seemed lost in his own torment.

We didn't have time for hesitation or weakness, and yet it clung to us, thick as smoke. As we reached the massive double doors leading into Eden's throne room, a shiver ran down my spine.

The air here was wrong-cold, suffocating, and filled with dark energy. It was as though the walls themselves were alive, watching us, waiting for us to make a mistake. Jacob reached out, his hand brushing against mine as he took hold of the door.

His jaw was tight, eyes hard. "This is it. No second chances." I nodded, and Mascot's gaze flicked to mine, something raw and unspoken passing between us. I looked away. We couldn't afford distraction now. With a quick jerk, Jacob pushed the doors open, and we were met by a near blinding darkness.

Inside, shadows moved and whirled, forming grotesque shapes that leered at us as we entered. And there, perched on a high throne woven of twisted roots and darkness, sat Eden. His dark eyes glistened with malice as he leaned forward, lips curling into a smile that sent a chill straight through me.

"Ah, my favorite guests. Finally brave enough to visit."

“Save the speech,” Jacob snapped, stepping forward, his hand hovering near the hilt of his dagger. “We’re here to end you, Eden.”

Eden laughed-the cold, sharp sound sent chills down my spine. "So confident for someone who has no idea what he is facing." But before Jacob could reply, a deep growl echoed through the chamber, shadows solidifying into an army of dark werewolves, their eyes glowing.

I felt the shift in air as Mascot took his place beside me, body tensed and ready.

They rushed at us in a gleam of talons and fangs, Jacob meeting it halfway with some hard brutal punches; Mascot beside him just one blur of savagery tearing into them.

But I felt slow, drained. My hands shook as I struggled to keep up, the recent severing leaving me weaker than I wanted to admit. Every time I struck down one creature, two more took its place. Beside me, Mascot threw a glance my way, his expression taut with worry.

"Tasha, are you okay?" I nodded, but the words stuck in my throat. How could I admit that I felt the weight of my decision pressing down on me, making me doubt everything?

"Focus, Tasha!" Jacob's voice cut through my thoughts, harsh and urgent. "We don't have time for this." He was right. I made myself push the thoughts aside and clutched my weapon tighter as I plunged back into the chaos.

Clara, Ethan and Seth joined us from the far side of the room, their faces slick with sweat and their expressions grim. “We’ve disabled the wards,” Clara shouted over the noise. “But whatever Eden’s done here, it’s not going to be easy to break through.”

Together, we fought our way toward the throne, inch by bloody inch. As I slashed through another dark wolf, a vision struck me sharp and vivid-a memory of Mascot, his hand in mine, our bond pulsing with life and warmth. I staggered; my resolve wavered.

The severing had left a hollow ache where that connection had once been, and the pain cut deeper than any wound. Mascot seemed to sense it-the mask of his face barely concealing the hurt. But he didn't say a word.

Finally, we broke through, standing before Eden's throne, breathless and battered. Eden didn't move, only watched us with that infuriating smirk, as though we were exactly where he wanted us.

"Do you really think you're capable of defeating me?" he sneered, eyes locking onto mine. "You, who couldn't even protect what mattered most to you? The words sliced through me, raw and jagged. He knew. He knew what I had done, what I had sacrificed.

The vial felt cold in my hand, a reminder of what I had paid to get this close. And now, I wasn't even sure it would be enough. Ethan stepped forward, holding out his weapon.

"You talk too much, Eden. Let's finish this." He lunged, but before he could strike, Eden raised his hand, a blast of dark energy erupting from his palm and sending Jacob flying across the room. He crashed into the wall with a sickening thud, slumping to the ground, unmoving.

"Ethan!" I screamed, my heart lurching. But he didn't respond.

Jacob and Mascot lunged, their eyes afire with anger, but Eden was prepared. A flick of his wrist and both of them were sprawled out on the floor, pinned there by tendrils of shadows that wrapped itself around their throat.

"Pathetic," Eden spat, wheeling back to face me. "Is this all you brought against me? How disappointing."

My hands shook as I raised the vial, knowing this was it—our last chance. I could feel the power pulsing within it, a bright contrast to the darkness around me. But doubt gnawed at me, twisting in my gut. Would it work? Or was this just another trap? As if sensing my hesitation, Eden chuckled, a low, sinister sound.

“You can’t defeat me, Tasha. You’re weak. Always relying on others to do your dirty work.” I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stand tall.

“Maybe. But I’ll still stop you.” I uncorked the vial, and the light spilled out, filling the room with a warmth that felt almost foreign in this place. Eden's eyes narrowed, a flicker of fear flashing across his face. But just as I raised it to strike, I heard a voice—a soft, familiar whisper in my mind.

"You can't defeat him alone." Mascot. I felt his presence, faint yet unmistakable, as though our bond hadn't fully broken, as though a piece of him was still connected to me, guiding me. My grip tightened on the vial, a surge of strength flooding my veins. I took a step forward, lifting the vial higher.

Eden's expression shifted, his bravado faltering. "What are you doing?" he hissed, his voice laced with a hint of panic. "I'm finishing this," I said, my voice steady. Eden lunged, his dark energy twisting toward me, but I held my ground, focusing on the light within the vial, letting it fill me, letting it become a part of me.

The shadows clawed at my skin, cold and biting, but I pushed through, my mind locked on Mascot's voice. And in one swift motion, I flung the vial at Eden, the light exploding in a brilliant flash that swallowed everything. For a moment, there was silence. I stood there, blinking against the brightness, my heart racing while I waited for the dust to settle.

But as the light faded, I saw him-Eden, still standing, though weakened, his form flickering as though he were struggling to hold himself together.

"You think that's enough to stop me?" he rasped, his voice brittle but defiant. "I am eternal. I am—" A tremor shook the ground, the very walls of the fortress seeming to buckle under some unseen force. I staggered, barely managing to keep my footing as the air crackled with energy. And then I saw him—Mascot, rising to his feet, his face etched with determination. He met my gaze, a silent understanding passing between us.

Eden's eyes narrowed, his body shifting as he prepared for another strike. But Mascot stepped forward, his voice ringing out strong and clear.

"You won't touch her." A wave of energy swept through the room, and for a second, Eden wavered, his form flickering once more, weaker this time. But he wasn't done. With a snarl, he lifted his hand, dark energy swirling around him like a tempest. I steeled myself, ready for the worst, when I heard that voice again, soft and steady, cutting through the turbulence.

"Together, Tasha. We can do this together. I looked at Mascot, a spark of hope igniting in my chest. I didn't know how, but I knew, deep down, that we could end this if only we trusted each other, if only we fought as one.

Eden raised his hand, the darkness swirling, ready to strike. I took a step forward, heart pounding, as I raised my own hand and felt the remnants of our bond pulse faintly between us.