"Harvey?"

Winston looked at Rhea in confusion. Why did she say Harvey? Wasn't Harvey dead? Yet, for a split second, hearing that name evoked a strange familiarity. But the man in the mask stilled, hearing that name as if he recognised it.

"Is that who you wanted to see?" he asked in a low voice, his emotion indiscernible. "Yet again, you disappoint me, Rhea."

Winston watched Rhea intensely. She seemed unaffected by the masked man's words, but he could tell by the subtle shift in her smile that his words hurt. She recognised him; she definitely did. So why did she call out Harvey?

Mi Qi'er grabbed the dull gem on his neck, an object Winston had not noticed previously. It was inconspicuous, but now the man held this gem out to Rhea. "This stone right here holds his soul. Do you want it?"

Those words struck Winston like thunder. Can one's soul be held in a stone? That was complete nonsense, right? But she believed it. Her body trembled slightly, ever so slightly. He saw her reach subconsciously for her neck again and pull down at her skin.

"Do you want to see if it's the real Harvey or not?" Mi Qi'er asked, playing with the stone in hand. Rhea's eyes followed the stone carefully, as if afraid Mi Qi'er would smash it to pieces.

Mi Qi'er pointed at one of the guards dotted around the room, calling for him to come. The guard did as told, and Mi Qi'er pressed the stone against his head. For a second, it felt like nothing happened, but then the guard turned to Rhea.

"Rhea! You need to get out of here! He's not—" The voice was immediately cut off. The voice was completely different, but the tone, the way he pronounced her name, was Harvey's.

Mi Qi'er held the stone above his head, teasing Rhea. "Do you want this stone?" Rhea did not answer. Ever since muttering Harvey's name, she hadn't said a word, and her hair was beginning to block her expression from Winston. "If you want this stone, you need to relinquish your position as Queen." His words were like a stone dropping. Winston reacted immediately, slamming his fist on the table.

"Rhea! Do not listen to him! Harvey is gone! He's dead!"

"Tsk tsk tsk tsk," Mi Qi'er signalled his displeasure at Winston's interruption. "Your puppy is impatient. I just want to tell you, this is the only way Jean will give up on you if you give her everything you own. You can even run away and start your life over. Wouldn't that be amazing?"

"Don't listen to him," Winston said immediately, climbing over the table to get to Rhea. He reached out to touch her, but Mi Qi'er reacted swiftly. He moved so fast Winston could not follow, and his body slammed into the adjacent wall. He coughed violently as he tried to get up. Mi Qi'er was stronger than he expected. This didn't make sense. Was the scorpion king always this strong?

Rhea flinched at the impact, forcing herself to remain still.

"You should have trained him better," Mi Qi'er said. "Now, what will it be? Give up or lose your precious toy?"

Rhea's mind raced. The man in front of her, Mi Qi'er, was unmistakably familiar, yet twisted into something unrecognisable. Her eyes flicked to Winston, struggling to stand, then back to the gem.

Memories of Harvey flooded her mind. His smile, his laugh, the warmth of his embrace. The agony of losing him felt fresh, like a wound that refused to heal. The prospect of him being trapped in that gem was unbearable, but could she risk everything for a possibility?

"Rhea, don't," Winston managed to croak out, his voice pained but determined. "It's not real. He wouldn't want this."

Mi Qi'er sighed dramatically. "Such a dilemma, Rhea. But think of the peace you'll find. No more responsibilities, no more fear. Just you and Harvey, together again."

Winston was scared. Would she really abandon them? Why wasn't she saying No? 

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity she finally spoke. 

"Archie." 

She said it in such a low voice that Winston did not hear her, but Mi Qi'er did. His body went hot at that name. "Do you know what I hate about rabid dogs?" She said again, this time Winston heard her clearly despite her eyes being obstructed from view. 

If he could see her eyes, he would only see bottomless rage thrashing around in her deep brown eyes, screaming to be let out. 

"I always have to put them down." 

Mi Qi'er's reaction was not immediately obvious, but soon he started to laugh maniacally. He reached up to his face to take off his mask. 

Yes, Just like that.

"That's my girl." He said, his face being visible for the first time, "I was afraid you would keep being such a weakling."

The face behind the mask was not a scorpion. 

.

Korrin gritted his teeth, blood trickling down his forehead as he struggled to stand. The massive dragon towered over him, its scales glinting in the sunlight like impenetrable armour. Each attack from Korrin seemed to bounce off its hide harmlessly. His scorpion tail lashed out, but the dragon swatted it away effortlessly, sending him sprawling to the ground once more.

Jean watched from a distance, her laughter ringing out. "Is that all you've got, Korrin? How pathetic. I expected more from Rhea's mate, at this point I'm just wasting my time."

Korrin forced himself up, his vision blurred. He couldn't let them win, not while the Black Wind Tribe was at stake. But the dragon was too powerful. Just as despair threatened to take hold, a familiar voice broke through the chaos.

"Korrin, get up!" Curtis shouted, his form emerging from the shadows. His snake-like body moved with a swift, deadly grace. He slithered to Korrin's side, eyes locked on the dragon.

"Get out of here, Curtis," Korrin panted. "Take Harley and run. This place... it's doomed."

Curtis shook his head, determination burning in his eyes. "I can't do that. Rhea entrusted us with this city. We can't let it fall."

Korrin nodded, understanding the resolve in Curtis's voice. If he wanted to fight then he could not stop him. The two beastmen, half snake and half scorpion, charged at the dragon with renewed vigour. Curtis's movements were fluid, his body coiling and striking with precision. Korrin's attacks were wild and powerful, his scorpion tail lashing out with deadly force. Together, they formed a relentless assault, hoping to find a weakness in the dragon's defences.

But the dragon toyed with them, its eyes gleaming with malicious amusement. It batted them aside like flies, barely breaking a sweat. Curtis managed to land a strike on its underbelly, but it only seemed to anger the beast further.

Jean clapped her hands, her laughter echoing through the battlefield. "Oh, this is delightful! You two are like insects against a god."

Curtis and Korrin exchanged a glance, both realising the futility of their efforts. But they couldn't give up. Not while there was still a chance, no matter how slim.

"Curtis, go for the eyes," Korrin shouted. "I'll distract it!"

Curtis nodded, slithering around the dragon's massive form, aiming for its head. Korrin threw himself at the dragon's legs, trying to keep its attention on him. His tail struck repeatedly, aiming for the joints, hoping to slow it down.

The dragon roared, annoyed by the persistent pests. It reared back, its massive claws swiping at Korrin. He barely dodged, feeling the rush of wind as the claws missed him by inches. Curtis seized the opportunity, launching himself at the dragon's face, his fangs bared.

But the dragon was faster. It whipped its head around, catching Curtis mid-air and slamming him into the ground. Curtis gasped, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He struggled to rise, but the dragon's claw pinned him down, its weight crushing.

"Curtis!" Korrin screamed, desperation in his voice. He lunged at the dragon, trying to free his comrade, but a swipe of the dragon's tail sent him flying. He hit the ground hard, pain exploding in his side.

Jean's laughter was louder now, a cruel melody to their suffering. "This is the end for you. The Black Wind Tribe will fall, and your queen will be next."

Korrin's vision darkened at the edges, but he refused to give in. He crawled towards Curtis, his body aching with every movement. "I can't let you pass" he whispered, his voice strained.

Curtis, pained and bleeding, met Korrin's gaze. 

The dragon leaned in closer, its hot breath washing over them. It seemed to savour the moment, relishing their defeat. Korrin's mind raced, trying to think of a way out, but it seemed hopeless.

Then, in a moment of clarity, Korrin saw it—the faintest glimmer of an idea. "Curtis," he said weakly, "we need to blind it. It's our only chance."

Curtis nodded, understanding immediately. "I'll distract it. You go for the eyes."

With a final burst of strength, Curtis twisted his body, slipping out from under the dragon's claw. He slithered away, drawing the dragon's attention. "Hey, over here, you overgrown lizard!" he taunted, trying to keep the dragon focused on him.

Korrin, struggling to his feet, summoned every ounce of his remaining energy. He charged at the dragon's head, his tail poised to strike. The dragon, enraged, turned its gaze on him, its eyes narrowing.

"Now!" Curtis shouted, and Korrin leaped, his tail striking out with precision. He aimed for the dragon's eyes, hoping to blind it, even if just temporarily.

The dragon roared in pain, thrashing its head as Korrin's tail found its mark. It reared back, trying to shake off the pain. Curtis seized the opportunity, lunging at the dragon's other eye.

Jean's laughter stopped abruptly, her expression turning to one of fury. "No! You can't win!"

But for a moment, they had. The dragon, blinded and disoriented, stumbled back. Curtis and Korrin regrouped, breathing heavily but standing their ground. This was a battle they were destined to lose, but they would not desert their Queen. 

.

Rhea's eyes narrowed, her body tensed with raw power. "Give it to me," she repeated, her voice a dangerous whisper. "Or die."

Yes, look at me with those cold eyes again.

Mi Qi'er smirked, his lips curling in defiance. "You think you can threaten me, Rhea? You've always been amusing."

Her response was immediate, a blur of motion as she sprang from her seat. Her mind was a void, consumed by a singular purpose. She would reclaim Harvey's gem, or she would tear Mi Qi'er apart trying.

The air crackled with energy, the room darkening as Rhea's power surged. A homunculus, a being forged with the essence of artificial life, she was designed to be the perfect warrior, immune to age, an embodiment of wrath and destruction. And today, all her faculties were focused on one target.

Mi Qi'er's eyes glinted with recognition and something close to admiration. He had always known Rhea was powerful, but to see her like this, to feel the weight of her intent, it was exhilarating.

A man gifted by the heavens or the sin created to defy the heavens, both destined to fight till death.