Jean looked at the woman standing in front of her.

Fuck.

How is she still alive? Why was she still alive? Are the heavens really on her side? Why! Why! Why! She was the one whose face was ruined, she was the one with the dragon mate, how the fuck is she still losing?

Rhea didn't even spare her a second glance as she walked towards the enraged white dragon.

Why did she have such raw strength?

Fuck.

She was supposed to win. She was supposed to win!

Rhea stopped her walk and turned back to see Jean who had fallen to the floor, the poison spreading.

"I don't regret what I did, Jean. I only regret not killing you."

Jean wanted to scream and lunge at her, her life was almost ruined once her beauty was gone. If not for that man who found her and helped her stand on her feet again, she wouldn't even have the chance to fight back.

She was a queen to her tribe, and a queen to the true scorpion king. She used her charms to serve her well and even gave up some of her mates to get that dragon. And yet.

She watched as Rhea approached the dragon, unfazed.

What a joke. Jean felt like a cosmic joke; no matter how she raised the stakes, was she still this inferior?

.

Rhea felt the weight of Jean's glare even as she faced the dragon. The beast's eyes were filled with rage, its massive body coiled and ready to strike. The air around them crackled with tension, and the ground seemed to vibrate with the dragon's barely contained power.

"Come," Rhea said, her voice steady. She raised her arms, beckoning the dragon forward. "Let's end this."

The dragon roared, its deafening cry shaking the very earth beneath them. It lunged, its claws slicing through the air. Rhea stood her ground, her eyes never leaving the beast. She moved with fluid grace, dodging the dragon's attacks with a speed and precision that seemed almost supernatural.

Rhea darted forward, seizing an opportunity. She leapt onto the dragon's back, her hands gripping the rough scales as she climbed its spine with determined agility. The dragon roared in fury, twisting and turning in an attempt to throw her off, but Rhea held on tightly, her muscles straining.

As she reached the base of the dragon's skull, she paused, feeling the beast's powerful movements beneath her. She took a deep breath, focusing all her strength and energy. With a final, powerful strike, she brought her fists down on the dragon's skull, crushing it with a sickening crunch.

The dragon's roar turned into a pained whimper, its body convulsing as it fell to the ground. Rhea jumped off, landing gracefully as the massive creature collapsed behind her, its life force ebbing away.

Rhea turned her attention back to Jean, who lay on the ground, her body wracked with pain from the poison. The once proud and beautiful woman was now a shell of her former self, her eyes filled with a mix of hatred and despair.

"Why?" Jean whispered, her voice weak. "Why are you still standing? Why won't you fall?"

Rhea looked at her, her expression unreadable. "Because it's me." she said simply. Because she was Rhea, no other reason. 

Jean's eyes filled with tears, her body shaking with sobs. "I wanted to be strong," she whispered. "I wanted to be like you."

Rhea knelt beside her, her hand resting gently on Jean's shoulder. "In your next life, pray you are born as me," she said softly. 

Jean's eyes closed, her body finally succumbing to the poison. "Rest in hell," Rhea whispered.

.

The Leopard King rushed through the chaos, his heart pounding. Bursting into his private quarters, he found her standing by the window, her back turned to him. "My Queen," he called out, his voice strained with urgency. "We need to leave, now."

The Leopard Queen turned slowly, her eyes blazing with fury. Before he could say another word, she slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed through the room, louder than the distant battle cries outside.

"How dare you?" she hissed, her voice trembling with rage. "How dare you betray Rhea?"

He staggered back, his hand pressed against his stinging cheek. "I did it for us, for our survival! The Black Wind Tribe is doomed, can't you see that?"

"No," she snapped, her eyes filled with contempt. "Does this look like a doomed tribe? Do you know what is worse than a beast king with no territory? A traitor!" It was fine if Jean actually won, but she did not, instead she lost and now she was going to be dragged down by his momentary doubt. Truly, she did not blame him for making the decisions he made, but now that it was the wrong gamble, he could only die. 

His heart sank as he saw the resolve in her eyes. "Please, we can still escape. Start anew somewhere else."

But she shook her head, stepping back from him. "You made your choice, now live with the consequences." She would always have more mates, he only had her. 

Before he could respond, hunters burst into the room, their weapons drawn. The Leopard Queen pointed at him, her face a mask of cold determination. "Take him. He is no longer my king."

The hunters apprehended him, their grips firm and unyielding. He struggled briefly, but it was futile. As they dragged him away, he looked back at his mate one last time, her figure growing smaller with each step. His betrayal had cost him everything.

.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Rhea stood victorious, her breath heavy, but her spirit unbroken. 

Nik reached her first, tears streaming down his face. "Rhea!" he cried, throwing his arms around her. She staggered slightly, her strength returning with the warmth of his embrace.

Korrin was next, his arms wrapping around both of them, his usual stoic expression replaced by raw emotion. "You're safe," he murmured, his voice thick with relief.

Curtis joined them, his grip strong and comforting. The weight of her mates pressed her down to the ground, but instead of pain, she felt a bubbling laughter rise within her. She laughed, a sound of pure joy and release, as she lay on the ground with them.

Looking up, she saw Leo standing a short distance away, his eyes filled with unshed tears. She extended a hand to him. "Leo, come here."

He approached, kneeling beside her. "Rhea," he said, his voice shaking. "I am so glad you're alive." Even in the rubble, it was only her, she was the only one in his eyes. She smiled at him again, and he ran his hand through his hair. 

He always thought being her friend was the only way to win her heart, but now he didn't know if he could be content with just that anymore. 

"How's Harley?" She asked her mates. 

Leo spoke up immediately; he didn't want her to worry. "She's safe with Dali." 

Rhea felt relief. "That's good; she must have been so scared.." 

. 

Winston moved stealthily through the dimly lit corridors of the Flame City prison. Rhea had left him in charge and given him time to heal. But instead of resting, he had something nagging in the back of his mind. The man behind the mask was not the scorpion king he knew, so where was the scorpion king?

The air of the prison was thick with the stench of despair and the metallic tang of blood. He had been searching for hours, he was beginning to think he would not find him, maybe he was dead. 

He paused at a junction, his sharp ears picking up the faint sounds of movement. The walls were lined with cells, each one housing a variety of prisoners – all equally broken by the harsh conditions. Winston's gaze flickered over the occupants, noting their gaunt faces and hollow eyes.

As he turned another corner, he caught sight of a heavily guarded cell at the far end of the corridor. Two guards stood watch, their expressions grim and vigilant. Winston's instincts told him that this was the place. He approached cautiously, blending into the shadows as he assessed the situation.

The guards were alert, but they hadn't spotted him yet. Winston crouched low, moving with the speed and precision of a predator, dispatching the guards with swift, calculated strikes. They fell silently, their bodies crumpling to the ground as Winston stood over them, his breath coming in controlled, steady bursts.

He turned his attention to the cell door, his heart pounding in his chest. Peering through the narrow window, he saw a figure sitting in the shadows, shackled and bound. The man's eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, reflecting his defiance and weariness.

Winston opened the door cautiously, stepping inside. The Scorpion King lifted his head, his gaze locking onto Winston's with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine.

"So, you've come," the Scorpion King said, his voice a low, menacing growl. "I wondered how long it would take for someone to find me."

Winston's jaw tightened as he approached the shackled figure. "How did they do it?"

The Scorpion King chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Winston's spine. "My desperation for a woman was my own undoing."

He was a feral who desperately wanted a mate, and unfortunately, the mate he chose was a viper who bit him and betrayed him with the help of an unknown man. Now she was dead and he had no reason to live. How pathetic. 

"Do you want a second chance?" Winston asked. The true scorpion king scoffed, a second chance? A feral like him? 

"What do you know about ferals?" he spat. 

Winston only smiled and said, "Our Queen, she will welcome you with open arms." 

.

As the dust settled and the battle's echoes faded, Leo approached Rhea, his expression both stern and concerned. He reached out a hand, helping her to her feet.

"Stand up, Rhea," Leo commanded, his voice steady and resolute.

Rhea winced as she rose, the weight of the recent events heavy on her shoulders. She glanced around at the aftermath of the chaos, her heart aching for her people. "I'm sorry for the mess I put everyone through," she murmured, her voice filled with regret.

Curtis stepped forward, his usual stoic expression softening as he reached out to ruffle her hair. "As long as it's your will, I'll stand by you," he said, his tone unwavering. "I always have."

"Hey me too!" Nik interjected. "Don't pretend like you're the only one who fought!" 

"They all feel the same." Leo said, a small smile dancing on his lips. 

She turned to Leo, confused. "They?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Leo smirked, his eyes gleaming. "They all do," he replied, stepping aside to reveal the crowd behind him.

Rhea's breath caught in her throat as she turned around. There, standing amidst the wreckage and ruin, were the people of the Black Wind Tribe. They were bruised, battered, and injured, but their spirits were unbroken. Slowly, one by one, they bowed to her, a voice rose, Leo's voice. 

"Hail the Queen of Black Wind Valley!" He shouted and the crowd roared, their energy taking Rhea by surprise. She nearly brought them to their deaths and yet they still celebrated her?

"Hail the Goddess of Death!" Someone else shouted in a humorous tone. "Who defeated her dragon with her bare hands!" The crowd cheered good naturedly. 

Tears welled up in Rhea's eyes as she looked at the faces of her people, each one filled with unwavering trust. They had never doubted her. She was theirs, and she had promised she would never abandon them. In that moment, she did not feel like she deserved them. These stupidly loyal creatures—she loved them to pieces.

Rhea took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. "Thank you," she said, her voice ringing clear and strong. "Thank you all for standing by me. Together, we will rebuild. Together, we will rise!" 

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices blending into a powerful chant. She stood among them, not just as their queen but as their only god. Their faith in her was unshakable, and it ignited a fierce determination within her.

Rhea, did you know? Your name went down in history. The strongest human, the Queen of Black Wind, the Goddess of Death, the Mother of Ferals.

A/N: I think the comments stopped me from killing everyone. Good job, guys. You can have a happy ending. I will write two more chapters I think.