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Chapter 41

Her scream split the sky in two. Her call was so powerful, directed only at him. Just a moment was enough for him to feel strength flowing through his entire body; his wounds began to heal, the pain melted away as if it had never existed. Noah pushed himself up on his hands and turned around. Nari was running towards him, behind her were Ayris and Leo. Behind them, he saw Mai and… his father.

– Nari! – he rushed towards her, – what are you doing here?! Ayris! You promised!

– And you promised you would come back! – the golden-haired boy shouted at him, – and what do I see?! Almost dying here!!!

– Grab them! Immediately!!! – Toneri shouted, – don’t give them a chance!

– Leo! – Nari shouted, – raise the shields!!!

The whistle of blows, the cries of a raging fight. Nari saw this for the first time. She had never been this close to angry Alphas. The air around her was filled with their roars, but she was not afraid. Noah's mark protected her. Ayris was protected by Leo's shields. She touched Noah's shoulder with just the tips of her fingers. But that was enough. Strength overwhelmed his body as his Omega was near.

Together with Mai, they quickly laid Al and Chris on the marble. Throughout this time, Leo continued to maintain the defense around them and protect Ayris. The shield became a flawless cage for the zombified Alphas. It took Noah just one leap to grab Toneri by the throat and lift him off the ground.

– What? What's wrong, Noah?!! – the latter gasped, – you won't kill me! Too soft-hearted!

– I will kill! – Noah shoved Adelson-Senior aside, – long time no see, Toneri!

– Oooo… cough-cough… Sai, darling! How are you?! – Toneri sputtered mockingly.

– Shut your mouth! – Saifer shook him in his hands like a doll, – you will answer for everything!

– He shouldn’t be killed! – Ayris interjected, – killing him will make him a martyr!!! He must answer for his actions before the law! Omegas must see whom they followed!

– I have nothing to regret! – the Sigma leader chuckled, – you will all die when the fog comes! Camelia will take you all!!! And I… will keep living!!! Because the energy of life, my call… you won’t take it!!! And all omegas will see this.

And he laughed. Loudly and cynically. But the moment he set his gaze on Nari, he stammered. As if his throat was constricted.

– I remembered something, – the girl whispered as she approached him, – you said my call was capable of more than just healing.

– Don't come near! – Toneri suddenly screeched, – don’t come near!!!

– You said I could turn an Alpha into an Omega, – she continued, – but can I do the opposite?

Leo raised his hand, closing the shields around Toneri, completely immobilizing him. Saifer stepped back a step just in case. Ayris supported Leo, who had exhausted himself. Nari approached Toneri almost closely, with Noah standing behind her. The girl placed her hands on the Sigma leader's shoulders. A sweet aroma of vanilla and pink pepper filled the air, overpowering all Alpha pheromones completely. Toneri's body glowed; every vein, his eyes, skin, he seemed to transform into a star. A silent scream burst from his lips. Nari stepped back a step, swaying; Noah caught her.

– What have you done?!! – Toneri screamed, – what have you done, you cursed girl?!!

– Don’t worry, – she said coldly, – you are still an omega. Although, there’s no longer any energy of life in your body. I stripped you of your call.

– You will die… – Toneri hissed, – you all will die!!!

One blow to the back of his head and his body collapsed senselessly to the floor. Adelson-Senior disgustedly wiped his hand.

– Scum… – he growled softly.

– No time to relax! – Mai yanked everyone, – the bombs! In the roots! They haven't gone anywhere!

– We'll defuse them! – Nari said, looking at Noah, – together.

– Together, – he said sheepishly.

– We will take care of everything here, – Ayris said, – we’ll get everyone out!

Noah looked at his father. Only now did he notice that he was all torn, beaten, and scratched.

– Where… is Kae? – Nari asked quietly.

– Your father? – Saifer asked without ceremony, – is evacuating people from the Arena. Don’t look at me, of course, he’s alive. We concluded a temporary peace. I promised him to leave you alone. And he promised to save my life.

– He… defeated you? – Noah asked in surprise.

– Neis has always been stronger than me, – Saifer replied, – after all, he always had something to protect.

– You look pathetic, – Noah said mercilessly.

– Maybe you're right, – his father smiled at him.

– I still will never forgive you, – Noah turned his back to him, – never.

– I won't ask for forgiveness, – Saifer said softly, – I did everything to keep the family safe.

– Aí was also your child!

– That’s why I won’t ask for forgiveness, – Saifer looked away, – the past cannot be changed. I can only build a new future.

Noah took Nari's hand.

– Let's go, – he said, – there’s little time.

– Noah!

– Yes?

– Don’t repeat my mistakes, you wretched son!

– I know it without you… wretched father.

And they ran. Down the stairs, as fast as they could. And when they were already in the Arena, near the yellowed flowers… an explosion rang out.

Nari was thrown back by the shockwave. Noah couldn't keep his feet, he tried to shield her with his body. His lungs burned with fiery air. Debris flew, dust soared, smoke rose in black clouds high above the Tree. The dying Tree.

Noah, wounded and scorched, crawled on his knees to Nari. The girl barely opened her eyes. The explosion was right at the roots. It was strong enough to destroy the stage above them.

– We need to run… – Noah forced out, – we didn't make it.

– The Tree is dying… – tears froze in Nari's eyes, – it… is pleading for help…

– We can't do anything anymore!

– No, there’s something we can do… – Nari looked at Noah and he understood everything.

He lifted the girl into his arms. She had a cut on her right leg. The Alpha himself had a lacerated back and a scorched face. He took just a few steps and they both fell by the trunk of the Tree.

– Nari… – Noah touched her forehead with his lips so gently, as if fearing to break it with an extra touch, – I will never… never let go of your hand. I will hold you so tightly, I will embrace you… I will kiss you every day, every moment. Because I am your Alpha, and you are my Omega. I chose you, and you chose me.

– It can’t be any other way, – the girl whispered through tears, – together forever?

– Together forever.

He pulled her close and buried his nose in her pink, thick hair. The cosmos reflected in her eyes. And all the love she was capable of. Their blood mingled and flowed down the trunk of the Tree to its roots. And then… another explosion sounded.