The sun was high, the weather was warm and today was the day.

The rebels had met in the agreed spot, everyone dressed for a fight. This time, they didn't have a need to hide their faces and those with long hair had tied it back out of their face. Aries has repeated the spell Micha gave them over and over the last few days, making sure to remember every line of it. They couldn't fuck it up.

Everyone stood in a circle, just outside the outskirts of the kingdom. Huddled together and going over everything one last time, the whole plan from start to finish.

"Alright... everyone clear?" Aries asked.

Everyone nodded in approval, ready and rearing to go.

"Remember, she'll absolutely try and use fire so keep on your toes to dodge that, stay near water for a quick getaway or burn treatment" They continued.

"I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack but you know what? That'll probably give me the energy to run fast" Icarus said.

"Same. But we've been practicing the chaos powers pretty much ever since we got the grimoire, we're not perfect but strong enough to fight" Pandora added.

They didn't have time to waste, now while the sun was high and sky clear was the best time to strike.

"Alright... let's go. Pandora you're up first" Aries said.

"Let's do this" she replied.

The group piled their hands into the centre of the circle, throwing them up chanting 'for Izroulia!' to hype themselves up. Turning on their heels, they made their way to the castle via the same forested area they'd snuck through last time.

They picked this day doe a reason, thanks to Styxx doing some snooping he'd found out when Agnemetras guards were doing their mandatory training. The whole force would be in the courtyard, all of them in one spot meant casting hallucinations onto them to disarm them would be easy.

Reaching the walls, they all peaked through the gaps in the gates. As expected the guards were all doing their thing, notably there were less of them than expected.

"That's definitely not 200... where's the others?" Aries asked.

"Some may be inside at their posts. But they'll fall within range of the power so they aren't a threat. I did hear that after Agnemetra couldn't find any clues as it were you guys went after the heist she fired a bunch of people. Didn't think it was this many..." Styxx replied.

"Well, the less the better. That dumb bitch really just cut her defences in half right after a heist? Idiot" Pandora snickered.

Everyone on the same page and ready to go, it was time to split up. Haru, Micha and Styxx would go around to the castle and sneak in to open all the doors and windows. That way Haru could make quick airborne escape with the crown to lead Agnemetra out.

"Go, we'll watch for the signal" Aries said.

Haru gave the siren a determined although worried look, putting a hand on their shoulder.

"Be careful" he said.

"I'll be alright, now go" Aries assured.

They turned to split up, right before Styxx ran after them to join them he grabbed Zagreus' and gave it a squeeze.

"Don't get hurt" he said.

Zagreus blushed at the sudden affection, but smiled at him with determination.

"I won't" he replied.

The Naiad ran off to join the boys, the three of them making their way around the castle walls and to the front gates. Two guards stayed there at their posts as expected, but thanks to Haru being able to fly, he could easily get the boys over the wall. Making sure to back up a bit so the guards wouldn't see them, they broke in. Haru picking them up one by one and gently dropping them in the grass on the other side.

"Go through the side, there'll be no one at their posts" Styxx said.

Nodding in agreement the couple followed him, keeping quiet and using the garden to stay hidden form any potential guards who were talking a break from training. They could hear the drill Sargent yelling orders in the close distance but there was no one in sight. Getting to the side doors, they quietly pushed them open and peaked inside.

"No one's here, let's go" Micha said.

Being the smallest out of all of them, Micha lead the group able to hide in tighter spaces. They entered the castle via the laundry room where it seems the maids had already finished their laundry work for the day. Quietly opening the door to the hallway, it was empty.

"Styxx you go left, I'll go right. Haru find Agnemetra" Micha said.

"Got it, don't get caught" Styxx replied.

They split up, going down the halls and up the stairs opening every door and window that wasn't locked along the way. Haru flew up to the ceiling, keeping out of sight by gliding above peoples heads. He only past a few guards who were still stationed at important rooms like the library and archives.

He finally spotted the queen in the throne room, she was reading a book. Seemingly one full of spells, probably looking for some kind of situation to the problem of finding the thieves. His heart raced with adrenaline when he took the chance as she was turned away to quickly slip through the open doors and perch up in the rafters above her. She had no idea, too invested in her spell book to notice the presence of the dragon above her.

He sat, waited.

Micha and Styxx had slipped through the halls finally reaching the top of the castle. Every door and window they could open had been opened. They met in the stairwell, climbing to the top and out onto the rooftop. They could see the group by the walls from the top of the castle knowing they were anxiously waiting for the signal.

"Alright, do it" Styxx said.

Micha knew a lot of spells from all his magic history study. The one he had in mind for this was a simple noise spell. Kind of like a dog whistle, he'd whistle with the intent of only Merfolk hearing it. He put his fingers to his lips, repeating the incantation in his head as he drew in a breath and blew. Styxx couldn't hear it, but he knew the Merfolk could when he saw them all perk up and look over.

Aries gave them a thumbs up, and they quickly rushed back inside to signal Haru.

Down by the walls, it was go time for the Merfolk.

"Alright, go Pandora" Aries said.

She closed her eyes, focusing on the intention of casting the power of illusion onto the gathered guards. Feeling the energy of the bracelet flow through her, she cast her hand out at the guards and slowly but surely they started to show signs of hallucinating.

It started when one turned to look at something that wasn't there. Then one asked what the other said, only to be told no one said anything. Confusion turned to panic when one by one they all started talking to things that weren't there, hearing things no one else could and trying to swing at invisible beings.

"Quick! Let's go!" Zagreus said.

The guards taken care of, they had to get to the coast where the boys would lure Agnemetra out. They rushed around the walls and into the kingdom streets to make it to the coast.

Watching from the windows, Micha saw them rush past and Styxx confirmed the guards were disarmed. He gave the demon a thumbs up who poked his head into the throne room and gave a thumbs up to Haru.

This was it, his time to strike.

He wrapped his tail around one of the beams in the rafters, carefully hanging upside down and stretching his arms out to reach the top of the crown sitting atop Agnemetras head. Micha watched, biting his lip in fear for his boyfriend.

Haru's fingers brushed the crown, he steadied his wings for balance and wrapped his hand around the top of the crown. Holding his breath so Agnemetra couldn't hear him above her, he took a moment to psych himself up.

And in one swift movement he snatched it.

Agnemetra felt it, quickly tossing the book down and turning to face whatever was behind her. She saw nothing, but when she looked up and saw a dragon boy perched in the rafters with her crown she immediately began fuming.

"Surprise bitch" Haru smirked.

"What th- how did you get in? GUARDS! CEASE HIM AT ONCE!" Agnemetra snapped.

"No use, they're all hallucinating to hell and back"

Haru swung through the rafters and closer to the doors for escape.

"You thieving... was it you? The one that stole the grimoire? Of course a savage like you would" She spat.

Haru almost got whiplash hearing that. He really should have expected to hear that from her, but when someone aggressively calls you what was basically a slur to the dragon species, it always takes you aback.

"Woooah lady, I knew you were psycho but damn, we're calling dragons savages now? Like you called the Merfolk primitive fish?" Haru said.

Micha wanted to rush in there and punch her in the face for that comment, but he refrained. No one called his boyfriend a savage on his watch. But right now, the plan was more important.

"Hand the crown back, NOW!" Agnemetra seethed.

"Make me. Huh... I'm not usually the one saying that" Haru replied.

Micha went from wanting to punch Agnemetra to wanting to whack Haru for that comment. Styxx just snickered, just as dirty minded as the dragon. Micha blushed, but stayed focused.

"If you don't hand that crown back, you'll be roasted lizard" Agnemetra threatened.

"You won't, you'll burn down the castle if you use your power in here. So why don't we take this outside Hm?" Haru teased.

Quicker than she could react he jumped from the rafters and took off down the halls, Micha and Styxx following close behind on foot. Agnemetra immediately rushed after them, yelling insults and orders none of them listened to. Weaving through the halls, down the stairs and booking it for the entrance Haru had never flown so fast in his life.

They escaped out the doors, Agnemetra hot on their trail. As soon as she exited the castle she saw the state of her guards. All of them absolutely powerless against the hallucinations they were all having. She stopped in shock for a moment just to look at them all in disbelief. Over 100 people, not one of them of any use to her.

"USELESS! ABSOLUTELY USELESS! I have to do EVERYTHING myself!" She exclaimed, picking up the pace again and chasing after the boys.

They rushed out the gates, turning to circle around the kingdom and to the coast.

Just by the outskirts, the Merfolk could see them approaching in the distance rapidly, and it was now or never.

"Ok, get ready!" Aries ordered.

The group scattered, keeping hidden amongst the trees and rocks.

Aries stood right where the grass started to turn to beach sand and placed their hands to the ground ready to crack it open. The second the boys ran by her, Agnemetra right behind them they channeled all the energy of the ring into the ground and it rapidly began to crack beneath them. Quickly jumping onto the right side of the crack, the ground shook and Agnemetra stopped in her tracks to see what the hell was going on.

Before she knew it, she was trapped on the coast by a deep, sharp crack in the ground.

Haru landed atop one of the trees, holding the crown tightly. The boys coming to a stop beneath him and catching their breath.

"How- wait..." Agnemetra said, catching on.

If the ground just cracked, that means someone else was in on this. A dragon, demon and Naiad didn't have the powers for that. Agnemetra narrowed her eyes, raising a hand and setting it alight.

"There's more of you... show yourselves. Or I'll burn you out!" She prompted.

Taking a breath, Aries was the first to step out.

"Well, looks like you missed one" they spoke up.

Agnemetra turned to face the voice, and immediately she recognised the features of a siren. The eyes fit for the water, the long legs that turned into a tail, the strong core from all the dolphin kick. And of course, the salt water hair.

"A siren... ahahha! Of course it's a FUCKING MERPERSON! I don't know how you survived but you're going to be battered and served with chips when I'm done with you" Agnemetra spat.

Aries lit their own hand up, ready to fight fire with fire.

"Don't give me that you old bitch- you don't deserve that crown, the kingdom, THIS REALM! You had ONES bad experience with ONE person who happened to have a tail and ran with it. The blood of THOUSANDS if on your hands. I NEVER GOT TO MEET MY OWN PARENTS BECAUSE OF YOU! You're the one that's going to burn here, I'm just as firey as the star sign I was named after and I intend to burn you with it" Aries seethed.

Agnemetra gave them an evil grin, completely unaware that three other Merfolk were slowly surrounding her from behind.

"Mhmhm... hahaha-HAHAHHAHAHAA! You? A tiny little siren with some effeminate friends? What a joke! You don't have a CHANCE against me siren" she laughed like a maniac.

Throwing her fire at Aries, she was only met with Aries own fire. Locked into battle to push their flames against each others and reach the other. They watched as the three mustered up their powers ready to strike behind her.

"Hate to break it to you Agnemetra but I have three other Merfolk and KHAOS themselves on my side" Aries smirked.

Icarus took the chance, summoning water and putting out Agnemetras flame. Aries flame immediately shot toward her and it singed her dress just as she backed away and saw the three behind her. She looked like she was going to rage, seeing more of her worst enemies with power she'd never be able to touch.

"Oh you're shitting me... WHERE THE FUCK-" she snapped.

"The human realm, not only are we filthy mermaids but filthy magic-less humans as well. And just so you know I was the who disarmed your guards. Not so powerless Hm?" Pandora spat.

"I have a fucking bone to pick with you, I LOST MY DAD BECAUSE OF YOU! I know he's still out there, but he left me because YOU posed such a threat!" Icarus exclaimed.

"OH I HAVE SOMETHING TO RIDICULE YOU FOR AS WELL BITCH! My family had to leave their own land JUST to keep me safe and raise me. I was always meant to live here in the rivers with all my ancestors. But YOU ripped that away from me!" Zagreus yelled.

Agnemetra was silent for a moment, partly stunned that four Merfolk actually still existed and partly enraged they did. The evil smile grew, as did her laughter. It started as a maniacal giggle, but built up into an unhinged laugh of a true villain.

All the noise, the ground cracking and shaking and the sight of the guards hallucinating had caused a crowd of citizens nearby to form on the other side of the crack. None of them could believe what was happening, they all just watched in silence.

"I hurt YOU! YOUR PEOPLE TORE MY WINGS OFF!" She snapped, summoning you her fire again and tossing it at the Merfolk.

Quickly diving out of the way, the four summoned up their own powers again. As Agnemetra went to toss a flame at Icarus, Pandora summoned icicles up from the moisture in the ground and caused Agnemetra to stumble back to not be impaled by one.

"ARIES GO! WE'LL HOLD HER OFF!" Zagreus yelled out.

Aries immediately went for the shoreline, the closer to water the better. As they quickly drew a sigil in the sand to open up a portal to one of the many empty, dead realms out there, the human-borns kept Agnemetra back.

Agnemetra was so worked up and fuming that smoke was emitting from her skin, her arms were alight and her dress was singed. She went to shoot a fire ball at Aries, only to be stopped by Haru stepping in. From the top of the tree he threw his own fire at her feet to knock her down. Micha couldn't help but watch in awe despite the situation. Haru barely ever used his fire, even though dragon spit was fire proof that allowed them to breath it, the heat was still pretty intense.

To keep her down, Zagreus put his hands to the ground and made it shake. Agnemetra stumbled as she tried to get up again. Infuriated she opted to keep fighting even on the ground.

This time she was sick of trying to aim, and changed her tactic. She summoned her flames, not just in her arms but her whole body this time. Her hair burst up into fire, her arms and legs glowed with flames. Her dress practically completely burnt away and only covering what needed to be covered. She was a mess, she looked dare Haru say it... savage?

She looked right at Aries, who was almost done with opening the portal. If she couldn't get up to run at them, she'd stay down as the ground shook and scamper on all fours. Pandora tried to summon up more icicles to stop her but she was burning so hot they just melted.

Luckily, Icarus had an idea. She'd been practicing this power ever since she fell into that pool...

"Guys! WATCH OUT!" She called out

She held her hand to the ocean, using all her strength to literally grab a wave and pull it from the shore. Everyone watched as this massive heap of water began to tower over them and quickly Pandora and Zagreus rushed out of the way.

Icarus would get wet herself for this trick, but it'd work perfectly. She flung the wave, sending it crashing down over Agnemetra and herself. It immediately put out all the flames on the queen, and rendered her powerless as she was soaked. Icarus fell to the sand, transformed but otherwise ok.

Agnemetra screamed at the loss if her power, right as the portal opened.

"GUYS! WE CAN'T TOUCH HER! WE'LL GET WET!" Pandora called out.

Immediately Styxx and Micha rushed over, holding the soaked and powerless Phoenix down. Aries walked over, stepped on her forehead to keep her down and gave her a victorious grin.

"Powerless Hm?" They sassed.

"Get off DON'T TOUCH ME YOU FILTHY FISH!" Agnemetra screamed, trying to break out of the grip of the boys and Aries.

"You're going to pay for everything you've done. I want my fucking land back, and I intend to take it"

Holding a hand over her heart, Aries looked her dead in the eye with a disgusted look. Micha knew what was next, he'd always wanted to see an ancient spell like this in action.

"a corpore aufer animam, vas non indigens.
caro putrescet, et spiritus vivificabitur" Aries spoke.

Her chest glowed, the incantation taking effect. From that glow Aries closed their hand and pulled Agnemetras soul right out of her body. Her body went limp, no soul driving it meant it wasn't needed. Her body was dead, her soul, her mind, her person was not.

Instead it was held in Aries hand like a balloon floating in the wind. The vague shape that matched her body screamed out, unable to fight back. Aries walked up to the portal, drew their arm back to throw and gave Agnemetra one last look.

"For Izroulia mother fucker..." they snapped.

With one hard throw, they tossed her soul into the portal watching it be sucked in and disappeared into the void of the partly dead realm no one and nothing lived in. The portal closed up, Aries kicked the sand to destroy the sigil and turned back to the scene behind them.

Before heading to the empty body, they quickly used their power to dry Icarus off and pull her up to her feet.

Everyone gathered around the hollow body that was once Agnemetra, unsure what to do with it. They glanced over at the crowd that had been watching, no one seemed to be objecting or rather distressed about what was happening.

"Burn it?" Haru suggested.

"Fitting end" Aries replied.

"Stand back, this will probably be hot"

Everyone took few steps back, Haru held out his hand for Aries to take.

"Ready for this to end for good, bestie?" He smiled.

"I'm SO ready" Aries replied.

Dragon fire being hotter than Aries power, he took a deep breath in and conjured up his fire breath. Spitting it out at the body and watching it catch fire. To speed up the process, Aries manipulated the flame to burn bigger and even hotter and in a matter of minutes, the empty body was reduced to ash.

When the smoke cleared, all that was left was fine ash that would blow away with the wind as soon as a breeze came in from the sea.

They'd done it, the battle for Izroulia was over. And they'd won.