How I Married KING Of HELL

Shattered Resistance

Chapter 45

The camp was eerily silent after the creature's departure. The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, their nerves frayed by the strange encounter. Emily stood frozen, her heart still pounding from the weight of the creature's words. The darkness felt like it had seeped into every corner of her being, an ever-present reminder of the King of Hell's claim on her soul.

Cassius sheathed his sword and turned to her, his face lined with concern. "We can't wait any longer. We need to figure out how to break this bond before it's too late."

Emily nodded, but her mind was clouded with doubt. How could they fight something so ancient, so powerful? The bond between her and the King of Hell was not just physical—it was spiritual, woven into the very fabric of her existence. She could feel it pulsing deep within her, like a tether that connected her to the darkness.

"We should talk to Mira," Cassius suggested. "She knows more about ancient magic than anyone here. Maybe she'll have some insight."

Emily agreed, though she couldn't shake the feeling that there was no simple solution to this. As they walked toward the healing tent, the weight of the bond hung over her like a storm cloud, threatening to consume her entirely.

Inside, Mira was tending to a wounded soldier, her hands moving with practiced precision as she bandaged his arm. When she saw Emily and Cassius approach, she finished her work quickly and turned to them, her expression serious.

"You both look troubled," Mira said, wiping her hands on a cloth. "What happened out there?"

Emily hesitated, then explained the encounter with the creature—the warning it had delivered, and the way the bond with the King of Hell seemed to be growing stronger by the day.

Mira's eyes darkened as she listened, her face drawn in concentration. "The King of Hell's magic is ancient and powerful, but it's not invincible. There may be a way to weaken the bond, but it won't be easy."

Cassius stepped forward. "We're willing to do whatever it takes."

Mira nodded slowly. "I know a ritual that could help, but it requires great strength of will. Emily, you would need to confront the darkness within you—to resist it at its core. The ritual could sever the connection, but it will also test your limits. If you falter, the bond may become unbreakable."

Emily's stomach churned at the thought. She had felt the pull of the darkness before, and it had terrified her. But now, to willingly confront it head-on? The idea made her blood run cold.

"What if I can't resist?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Mira placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're stronger than you think, Emily. But this is your choice. No one can make it for you."

Emily closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She thought of Aelios, sleeping peacefully in the tent, unaware of the battle his mother was fighting to protect him. She thought of Cassius, who had stood by her side through every trial. And she thought of the King of Hell, his voice a haunting whisper in the back of her mind, calling to her.

"I'll do it," she said finally, her voice steady despite the fear that coursed through her. "I have to."

Mira nodded and began gathering supplies for the ritual—candles, herbs, and a small, intricately carved bowl. "We'll need to do this tonight, under the light of the full moon. It's when the veil between worlds is thinnest, and when your connection to the underworld will be at its weakest."

As the day wore on, Emily prepared herself mentally for what was to come. She spent time with Aelios, brushing her hand through his hair and whispering promises of love and protection. She wasn't sure what would happen tonight, but she needed to remind herself why she was doing this. No matter the cost, she had to protect her son.

When night fell, the camp gathered in a clearing outside the tents. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the forest. The air was heavy with tension, and even the soldiers, who usually kept their distance from matters of magic, stood nearby, their faces etched with worry.

Mira set up the ritual in the center of the clearing, placing the candles in a circle around Emily and lighting them with a small flame. The scent of herbs filled the air, a sharp contrast to the tension that hung over them like a shroud.

"Emily," Mira said softly, stepping back to stand beside Cassius. "This is your fight now. You must confront the darkness within you and reject it. We'll be here to support you, but only you can sever the bond."

Emily nodded, swallowing her fear. She stepped into the circle, her heart racing as the ritual began. The air around her seemed to thicken, and the faint whispers of the King of Hell echoed in her mind, growing louder with each passing moment.

You cannot escape me, Emily. We are bound together, forever.

She clenched her fists, forcing herself to focus. Mira began chanting softly, the words of the ritual ancient and powerful. The air hummed with energy, and Emily felt a surge of warmth flow through her, like a fire kindling deep inside her soul.

But with the warmth came the darkness. It pressed against her, cold and suffocating, pulling at her from all sides. She could feel the King of Hell's presence growing stronger, his shadow looming over her like a black storm.

Give in, his voice whispered, seductive and dangerous. You cannot fight me. You belong to me.

Emily's knees buckled under the weight of the darkness, but she forced herself to stand, her body trembling with effort. She could feel the bond tightening, the pull growing stronger. But she refused to give in. She thought of Aelios, of Cassius, of everything she had fought for.

"I won't," she gasped, her voice shaking. "I won't let you take me."

The darkness pushed harder, the King of Hell's voice rising to a roar in her mind. You are mine, Emily! You cannot escape!

And then, with a final surge of willpower, Emily screamed, pouring every ounce of strength she had left into the fight. The candles around her flickered wildly, and for a moment, the darkness seemed to retreat, as though the bond was weakening.

But just as quickly, the darkness surged back with a vengeance. Emily's vision blurred, and she collapsed to her knees, her body shaking as the weight of the bond crushed her spirit.

Cassius rushed forward, but Mira held him back, her eyes wide with fear. "It's not over yet," she whispered.

Emily gasped for breath, her heart pounding in her ears. She could feel the bond tightening, pulling her deeper into the abyss. The King of Hell's voice was louder than ever, and she could feel his presence, cold and unrelenting, closing in on her.

But then, in the midst of the darkness, a small light flickered. It was faint, barely noticeable at first, but it grew stronger, pulsing with warmth and love. Emily clung to it, focusing on the light with everything she had.

And then she realized—it was Aelios. His love, his innocence, his pure heart. It was the light that could save her.

With a final burst of strength, Emily reached for the light, pushing the darkness aside. The bond trembled, and then, with a deafening crack, it shattered.

The darkness receded, and Emily collapsed, gasping for breath as the world spun around her. The bond was broken. She had won.

But as she lay on the ground, exhausted and trembling, she knew that the fight was far from over.

The King of Hell would not give up so easily.