Timeless Legacy

Bring it down

"Thank you for coming," Elina said softly, her voice full of gratitude as she approached Hades when he entered the room. She wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug. Despite the chains that bound him, Hades managed a small smile at his niece.

"No problem for my niece and daughter," he responded, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. Elina smiled back at him, her eyes reflecting the complicated emotions of the moment.

"Can you wake her?" Ben asked from behind them, his voice tense with urgency. Hades turned his gaze toward Ben, his expression darkening.

"Since when do heroes care about villains?" Hades retorted, his tone laced with bitterness.

"She's—" Ben started to explain, but Hades cut him off with a mocking laugh.

"One of your own? Right." He looked around at the royals gathered in the room, his anger evident. "When you guys try to destroy the world, it's an error in judgment. But when it's one of us, lock 'em up, throw away the key. Right, Beast?" Hades directed the last part at Adam, who responded with a low growl.

Elina sighed and took Hades' hand gently. "I'm trying really hard to change their minds," she said, her voice filled with determination and a touch of weariness.

Hades looked at her with a soft smile. "I know you are. You're just like your mom," he said, pride evident in his voice.

"I'm gonna need to use my hands," Hades then said, raising his shackled wrists. Ben hesitated for a moment before nodding to the guards, who removed the chains.

As soon as he was free, Hades retrieved the ember from his pocket, the familiar blue flames of his hair igniting as he regained his power. "Haven't lost my touch," he chuckled, amused at his own prowess.

Hades walked over to Adam, the two glaring at each other with mutual disdain. "And you fell for Blanc, huh?" Hades teased, eliciting another growl from Adam.

"Uncle," Elina interjected, her tone slightly annoyed but affectionate. Hades glanced at her before moving toward Audrey, who lay unconscious on the bed. Beside her were her grandmother and the Fairy Godmother, both watching nervously as Hades approached with the ember.

He performed the ritual, and slowly, Audrey began to stir, waking from her enchanted sleep.

"Oh, Audrey. You're okay," her grandmother exclaimed, rushing to her side and embracing her. Audrey, still disoriented, looked around the room in confusion.

"Tell me it was all a bad dream," Audrey whispered, her voice trembling as her gaze landed on Elina, Ben, and Maddox.

"I wish I could. But it's over now," Ben replied softly, stepping forward.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to hurt you both," Audrey admitted, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at Ben and Maddox. "I wanted to hurt all of you," she continued, her voice breaking as she looked around the room. Her eyes finally settled on Elina, and she added, "I wanted to lock you up and keep you for myself."

Elina smiled softly, understanding the pain and confusion that had led Audrey down this path. "I should have been there for you more often," she said, gently taking Audrey's hand in hers. Ben stepped up behind Elina, offering his silent support.

"I have owed you an apology for a very long time now," Ben said, his voice filled with regret. "I'm so sorry, Audrey."

Audrey looked at both of them, her tears falling freely now. Her grandmother, standing beside her, also spoke up, her voice filled with remorse. "And perhaps... I... have owed you one, too. All of you," she said, addressing the remaining VKs in the room. She then bowed slightly, acknowledging the wrongs done. "I'm sorry."