No, not again. Not like Rydin.

His blood continued to flow, slipping past her blockade and warming her hands. No amount of pressure silenced the voices hollering his end. Rather, the voices summoned the scythe bearing lunatic who reared its ugly head, ready to cleave.

She swatted the pest. Not now, he could not die now. Death solved nothing. Not her pain, not Rydin's death, and definitely not his parents sacrifice. If anything, he needed to live and repent.

"Asterick!" she screamed over the blood curdling cries.

Her gaze shifted frantically for his physique through the throng of fighters. She laid her eyes on each Noble for a mere second before bouncing to the next. Damn him, where was he? Her search quickened as Rein's warm life ebbed through her fingertips.

"Asterick!" Her voice screeched.

"Yes, yes, what is it?" he chuckled, approaching from behind.

Isla craned her neck, watching him kneel beside her. She stared straight, their gazes connecting. "Help him."

His eyes flickered between them, narrowing to slits. "Isla, love. You know I'd help you or any woman in a heartbeat, but this," he motioned towards Rein, "this is different."

"Asterick, he's innocent. He became a God to spy on my father. Please, Asterick."

He sighed. "Very well, I'll try, but don't expect a miracle."

"Thank you."

Isla stood, wiping her bloodied hands and readied her forsaken blade, the tip still dripping red. She would deliver Rein's pain upon Osiris. He deserved as much.

She turned, searching for him and spied Osiris near his throne, defending against Calimitrin's attacks. But Lucifer and Skye disappeared. Her vision extended, checking the crumpled bodies. Where was he?

Isla stepped forward, the black outline of his frame peeking from behind the throne. Three good strides away and Skye leaned back, his wounds grounding him.

She maneuvered to Lucifer through the fighting, her gaze dissecting the damaged area. A wide cut severed his chest plate, lacerating his tanned skin.

"I'm fine," he rasped. "Shallow at best, but he pushed me aside."

"Good, stay out of the way old man," Isla retorted before pivoting, her back to him. She relaxed her fingers entangling her sword's hilt.

"I'm not that old," Lucifer grumbled, "be careful."

She nodded, but continued forward without pause. With full strides, she shifted from walk to run as she approached Osiris. The battles fighting nearby dispersed, the victors licking their wounds and the defeated dead heeps upon the floor. Though quieter, her adrenaline surged and her sights focused.

Isla stormed ahead, her sword directed and descending upon Osiris. He retreated a step, widening his view and created a defensive barrier. On impact, the yellow translucent sphere fluctuated and hummed from their weapons.

Jumping back, she scoured the translucent hindrance. Where could she strike?

"Isla, it's rude to interfere. Hasn't life taught you anything? Wait your turn."

She snorted, but remained poised. "I don't think so."

Osiris lowered his sword, the blade a luminous white, the light blazing stronger than his henchmen's wares. His gaze traveled right, brief but explicit, towards Rein. "You're rushing death, Isla. We see you wish to join him."

"And your point? Only a fool would wait." She tightened her grip, her fingers bleaching. Still, her focus remained. One second more, another shift and a weakness could form.

His head swayed. "Our point? You'll end up like them all. A useless tool."

Isla narrowed her eyes. "Useless, huh? Because risking their lives and dying for your manipulative ass is worthwhile. I'm sure they agree."

"Nonsense." Osiris laughed, widening his frame. "Their small minds have no such thoughts. If anything, their failures are obvious. How hard is it to kill a single girl? Incomprehensible." He paused, dropping his sword arm and raised his free hand. "Ah, but wait. We get it now, you've overpowered our commands. You conniving girl. That's it, isn't it? Isla, that isn't very nice of you."

"You're mad."

"At least I'm not a monster."

"I wonder about that," she mumbled.

Their conversation halted as Calimitrin advanced on the faltering shield. With one strike, the greatsword shattered the barrier. Osiris staggered backwards, raising his weapon and defending against the vagrant blade's tip.

Isla followed, surmounting the steps and striking his side. Yet, her attack confronted another barrier, sprouting from Osiris' palm.

She drew back and strengthened her blade, the magic trickling to her medium. Breathing deep, she lunged forward, her blade glowing blue. She struck the new shield, cracking the protective obstacle. With full strength and her weight, she pushed. The fracture magnified, tiny cuts radiating from her focal point. One more drive, and her sword shattered the defensive magic.

Despite her success, she earned a powerful blast of wind. Quickly, she raised her arms, covering her face. Isla channeled her aura, but the weak flow failed to forge an adequate shield. The wind lacerated her body, shallow cuts tearing through her armor, riddling her arms, legs, and chest.

Lowering her arms, she winced. A minor hardship but not debilitating. She licked her lips, narrowing her gaze. One step, and she rejoined the attack beside Calimitrin.

Yet, before damage could be bestowed, Osiris unleashed a shockwave. The force flung them from the throne.

Air whirled past Isla and she collided into metal coated bodies. Pain blasted her body, her ribs cracking, and her lungs emptying. Her vision swirled, the colors blurred and lines smudged. Shaking her head, she staggered upwards, her balance disoriented.

The room settled and she slinked forward, two steps behind Calimitrin. Yet, Osiris ended his advance with a thin concentrated beam of scalding water. The attack penetrated Calimitrin's front leg, forcing him to a knee.

"Weak," he mocked. "And you call yourself a King?" His finger raised then fell, the action spawning a barrage of high-velocity water bullets.

Isla rushed ahead, pooling her aura and creating a shield. She stood between Osiris and Calimitrin, prepared to absorb the magic attacks.

The pressurized water punched her shield. With each attack, another crevice appeared. An array of circular indentations marked the barrier. The strikes continued their rain, siphoning her stamina and devouring her aura.

"Move!" Calimitrin roared as he shoved her aside.

His push sent her barreling across the cool marble floor. Her body slowed and she twisted around.

She crept upwards, watching Calimitrin ignite into flames, his body a blackened husk beneath the raging inferno. The magic blasts evaporated on impact, fizzling into steam puffs.

Her sight absorbed their fight. Now. Her chance had to be now.

While Calimitrin sustained the barrage, Isla condensed her aura. She gathered the raw energy, the trickle impeding. A poor amount filled her palms. Not enough. She needed more. How could she destroy his defenses with such an inadequate amount?

She groaned as her body strained to draw the aura. More—she needed more. Isla gasped, her breathing shallow. Sweat dribbled down her face, slicking her hair and dampening her brow.

Her bones, muscles and being moaned. The connection points sustaining her body tore, their weakness blasting eerie wails from toe to tip. Her bodies warning rang clear. If she continued to wring her bodies energy, she would crumble.

Isla halted her collection and with a nudge, she directed her aura pickings, enforcing her sword. She imagined one giant powerful blade. One capable of swallowing her father whole and ending it all.

Aura warped and condensed her blade, crafting the construct. The magic threatened to discharge, yanking her and vying for control.

With one last surge, she stabilized the spell and took aim. She relinquished her weak hold and granted the magic freedom.

Osiris' attention shifted, his eyes enlarging. His arms stretched wide, a barrier forming against her and the fire Calimitrin spewed forward.

The constructed blade flew straight and collided with the flaming shield. Sparks sprayed their sight, continuing as the blade delved further, shattering his defenses. He raised his weapon, but the attack's girth surmounted his attempt and the spell gouged his side.

Isla collapsed, her lungs burning. Her throat constricted and she keeled over, clawing the ground. Seconds elapsed as panic rose. No, not yet. She had to ascertain his death. She needed to breathe and survive.

Her breathing hitched then stalled. She renewed the voluntary action, the repetition slower and stable. With another pause, her head bolted upwards and she stared at Osiris. He slinked towards her, his hand covering his injury, the blood overflowing.

"Retreat!" Sinister roared as the room started shaking.

Crevices ripped through the floor, jutting the marble landscape upwards. The haphazard shift continued with crystal coated rain pelting the room's occupants. Ceiling supports crashed down, their free composite filling the air.

Despite the doom, Isla remained still. Her body and mind refused their coordination, their communication disjointed. They clashed, one desiring rest and reprieve, forcing her eyes shut. Her heavy eyelids inched lower, but the other side enforced discipline. She must watch his death.

She watched him near. With each blink, he was one step closer.

Still, her body refused to move. Even as he stood before her, her gaze remained fixated. The walls disappeared revealing an open and welcoming blue sky. But the purest white splashes grabbed her view, not him.

"Isla!" Lucifer screamed.

Her gaze flickered left, but returned straight. He would live. Asterick would stop him. She had to believe.

The floor beneath her heaved and her body shifted. How much longer till their end? Her gaze focused on him.

Osiris dropped, lifting his arms to her throat. "How dare you," he heaved as blood sputtered from his lips. "You've destroyed everything we created. Do you think you're special, you mere second rated witch."

His hands grasped her neck, his fingers light. "Remember, even if we fall, the Gods will never die. You are our blood and our legacy lives on because of you."

"Why did you do this? Why treat me like this?" Isla croaked.

"Because Isla, you are a monster. An Immortal being who will never die. Aren't you glad you gained your mother's curse?"

The last support holding the floor crumbled beneath their weight and air swished past. Behind their falling descent, the once floating capital of Elysium collapsed piece by piece, joining their death. With each passing second, the temperature dropped, chilling her skin. The wind's howl crippled her ears and the sky swallowed her sight.

Osiris continued his hold, but slowly, his arms shifted to hers. The light radiating from his eyes faded alongside the obstructive shadows. Did the binding corruption grant him freedom at last?

He drew her close and turned her head, his breathe near. "Isla," he murmured. "Whatever you do my child, never touch the heart."

She pushed against him, his chest loosening her sealed lips. "What do you mean?" she mouthed, her words broken by their sweeping fall.

His ice-blue eyes lost their light.

"Dammit."

Isla soaked up his features and the delicate creases concealed beneath pale white skin. For once, she relaxed. He was dead. Exhaustion snagged her tension-free body and her eyelids closed. And for once, she accepted the darkness.

A/N: Hello! This marks the end of the book and I'm so happy for those that have stuck around. Thank you so much for your support. I'm sure I wouldn't have finished if it wasn't for those of you who have read, voted and commented. It truly means a lot to me. I'm actually surprised I made it to his point and I'm elated to have finished.

There are a lot of questions that haven't been answered in this book, because there's just so much material. I'm happy to finally update this note to show that the second book has been started called Soul Bound.

https://www.wattpad.com/story/134010313-soul-bound