"Bond." Ozeroth narrowed his eyes while staring ahead.
"I know."
Atticus nodded before walking past the confused Unive and stopping before the whirling blizzard. The others saw nothing but ice and snow. However, Atticus' golden eyes perceived sothing entirely different.
Atticus slowly stretched out his palm.
Will surged across his arm before converging before his hand and blasting outward. A wave of deep crimson Will swallowed the space ahead.
Within monts, space rippled faintly before beginning to burn apart like paper tossed into flas.
The blizzard faded away like drifting ash, revealing a giant purple castle perched clearly beneath the hill. It was a magnificent sight. Entirely purple, the castle radiated an ethereal and peaceful glow.
Shock spread across the faces of the others. Yet Atticus, Ozeroth, and Ozerra imdiately began approaching the castle.
Atticus hadn't missed the siblings' impatience throughout the journey. Especially Ozeroth. He could feel the maelstrom of emotions constantly surging within him.
Unlike Ozerra, this would be the first ti he ever t his mother.
Atticus found it difficult to imagine. If he had been deprived of eting his own mother for so long… he was certain he would have committed far more genocide than this.
A mont later, Atticus glanced toward Ozeroth.
"You're about to et your mother. How do you feel?"
Ozeroth remained silent for a brief mont, then said,
"…normal."
"You're tense," Atticus said knowingly. "We're bonded, rember?"
"…It's because of her." Ozeroth shrugged lightly before gesturing toward Ozerra, who wore a faintly worried expression. "She's worried about her current state. I'm worried about her."
Atticus sensed the lie instantly.
"You're not worried about how your mother will react to you?"
Ozeroth frowned slightly.
"…what's that supposed to an?"
"What if she doesn't want you?"
Ozeroth fell silent.
Several monts passed as his gaze unfocused slightly before he finally spoke.
"I've lived my entire life without a mother." Ozeroth said, "I can continue living like that."
Atticus quietly stared at him, sensing the emotions flowing beneath his calm exterior.
'Liar.'
He could clearly feel the longing buried deep within Ozeroth's heart. Every word leaving his mouth was nothing more than false bravado.
Eventually, they arrived before the grand doors of the castle. Atticus and Ozeroth stepped forward, golden light shimring within their eyes as they scanned the surroundings for traps. Any they discovered were swiftly deciphered and deactivated. Once everything was clear, Atticus gave Ozerra a nod.
Without hesitation, she kicked the massive doors open with a loud bang.
A vast throne room revealed itself. Ornate chandeliers sparkled overhead with soft purple light, while a long crimson carpet stretched across the floor toward a grand staircase.
At the very top stood a massive throne.
A woman possessing world-ending beauty sat upon it with her eyes closed, both arms resting calmly against the armrests. Golden hair cascaded endlessly down her figure, spilling across the platform in scattered strands. The very air around her glowed faintly, as though carrying life itself. Even from afar, Atticus could feel overwhelming Pride pouring from her existence.
"Mother!"
"My Queen!"
Ozerra and the Queen's Guard cried out simultaneously before rushing forward. Yet Atticus' heavy aura instantly froze them in place.
"Traps."
He spoke simply before exchanging a glance with Ozeroth. Both of them imdiately split apart, moving through the throne room while deactivating the countless traps hidden throughout the area.
'It's him.'
If the purple castle hadn't already confird it, then the sheer complexity of the traps certainly did. This was undoubtedly the Spirit King's work. His Will. His trap.
As for why he had trapped his wife here… Atticus wasn't certain.
Eventually, they reached the top of the staircase. Atticus glanced toward Ozeroth, whose eyes remained fixed upon the sleeping Pride Queen, countless emotions flickering within them.
"Ozeroth."
Atticus' voice pulled him from his daze.
"Can you see it?"
Ozeroth focused his gaze on the thin do surrounding the Pride Queen before slowly nodding.
"…yeah."
Atticus studied it briefly. Compared to the previous traps, its complexity far surpassed all of them combined.
Both of them stepped forward, golden light blazing within their eyes as they pressed their palms against the do.
Silence filled the throne room.
Yet countless calculations flashed across Atticus' and Ozeroth's eyes.
An entire minute passed.
Then suddenly, both their Wills surged simultaneously, spreading rapidly across the do. Within monts, the barrier shattered into drifting motes of light.
All eyes imdiately turned toward the Pride Queen.
Silence lingered briefly. Then slowly… her eyes fluttered open. Her irises were boundless gold that sparkled like starlight itself.
Atticus t her gaze. Within it, he sensed faint recognition alongside overwhelming confidence and pride.
A faint smile gradually appeared on the Pride Queen's face.
"Hmm… you're taller and more handso than I expected. Atticus Ravenstein, I presu?"
Atticus was just about to answer when Ozerra suddenly rushed past him.
"Mother!"
The Pride Queen's expression softened instantly as Ozerra threw herself into her embrace.
"My baby…"
She hugged her tightly before gently pulling her back to get a proper look at her face.
"Hm. You've gotten taller. Is this why you abandoned your poor mother? To run off chasing n?"
As the Pride Queen cast a subtle glance toward Atticus, Ozerra's face instantly flushed bright red.
"O-of course not!"
She imdiately pointed toward Ozeroth.
"I went searching for big brother!"
Ozeroth stiffened the mont the Pride Queen turned toward him. Atticus could sense the overwhelming nervousness surging beneath his calm exterior. Yet Ozeroth still exhaled softly before straightening his posture and giving a calm nod, pretending as though he didn't care.
The Pride Queen gently set Ozerra aside before slowly rising from her throne. Every movent carried overwhelming grace and quiet confidence.
Eventually, she stopped before Ozeroth.
Her slightly trembling eyes stared directly into his.
A mont later, she slowly reached forward and took his hand. A gentle smile appeared upon her face as she gazed at him with affection.
"My little Ozzy…"
Tears slowly welled within her eyes.
"I'm so glad to finally see you…"
Before Ozeroth could even react, she pulled him into a warm embrace.
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