CHAPTER 217: TAKING ANOTHER TIME LEAP

[ A year and a half had passed since Autumn gave birth to her son.

Beyond the reach of maps, in the uncharted wilderness of the Old World, a fortress had risen where no kingdom ever was. It was not built of stone, nor of timber, but of earth, tangled vines, and lightning that had scorched the heavens.

No scout who ventured near returned with answers...only fragments of whispers carried back by fear. Some swore they had glimpsed an army lining the ramparts.Others claimed to hear a low, unearthly chant at night, so deep it rattled the bones of the trees until they bent as though kneeling. ]

Inside that mysterious fortress -

A shrill sound of laughter echoed off the high walls of the enclosed arena.

A little boy squealed as he hurled himself at Orion with all the ferocity of a miniature beast.

"Raaahhh!" the child shrieked, fists pounding against Orion’s broad, hairy chest.

Orion staggered back dramatically, clutching his side. "Oh no! You’ve got me, little prince! I’m done for...help..."

He let out a pretend groan and toppled onto the sand, rolling over with the boy wrapped against him. "Mercy! Mercy, I beg you!"

The boy only puffed his cheeks, his little blue eyes blazing with fire. "No! Dada! Up! Up!"

He climbed on top of Orion’s chest, straddling him, and rained down tiny but furious punches, his face red with effort.

Orion barked out a laugh, shaking his head. "Moon above... You are just like your grandpa, aren’t you? Full of fire. A little Mr.Mischief ."

"Up!" the boy insisted, yanking at Orion’s beard with both fists now.

"Alright, alright!" Orion threw his hands up in surrender, still grinning. "I yield, little terror. You win again."

The door to the arena creaked open, and a presence instantly stole the boy’s attention.

Autumn stepped in.

Her platinum blonde hair shimmered under the faint light, tied back, her features still sharp and resolute...nothing less than a warrior stepping out of legend.A luminous blue sword strapped across her back hummed faintly before she slid it down and set it aside.

She opened her arms wide. "Where’s my big boy? I see you got Orion Dada down already! Good job, love!"

The boy spun around, his blue gaze lighting up as though the world had just been restored. "Mamma back! Mamma back!"

He bolted towards her, but the last few steps he didn’t run...he soared. His little body lifted off the ground, his giggles echoing as he launched himself into her chest.

Autumn caught him firmly, staggering back only a little under the force of his joy. His arms wrapped tight around her neck, and he kissed her cheeks over and over in sloppy,but really urgent smacks.

"Mamma back! Mamma back!" he repeated, his voice almost breaking with happiness.

Autumn laughed softly, burying her face in his hair. "Yes, my heart. I am back. How have you been? I see that you are training well! Let me see your muscles! " He didn’t waste a single moment before he flexed.

Orion pushed himself up, dusting the sand off his forearms and chest. His grin softened as he looked at the two of them together. "Autumn," he said quietly. " You are back? "

She turned to him, still holding her son tight. "I am! "

His expression grew a touch graver. "How did it go?"

Autumn shifted the boy into one arm and straightened her shoulders. "The training went well. I think..." she hesitated, "I can control my powers. Pretty much, these days."

Orion stepped closer, searching her face. "I didn’t mean the training."

Her smile faltered.

"The therapy, Autumn. How did it go?"

For a moment her throat locked, and she glanced down at her son, now happily playing with a lock of her hair.

"I still need to work on that," she admitted, her voice quieter.

Her eyes glazed for a heartbeat...then the images flashed before her eyes.

The vision was infrared.

A forest space lit red.

Hands...rough, clawed...pinning her arms down. Karl’s silver eyes flashing in the dark...feral and cold and filled with hunger.

" I love seeing you weak under me,pretty little thing!" His voice whispered. Fingers tearing at the neckline of her dress, ripping seams, nails scraping her skin, leaving behind claw marks.

Then another flash of him...naked, towering, his weight pressing her into the floor. Her wrists bruising as she struggled, his hand clamping over her mouth as she choked out muffled screams.

Her whole body jolted.

Autumn squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head violently as if to fling the memories away.

"It’s because they infiltrated the sanctuary," she muttered, more to herself than Orion. "It’s their violation... that’s why it’s so hard to fight it in my head. I need more practice... to strengthen my mental barrier...besides...we also need to learn about the source of this intrusion!What gives him so much power over me? Even now. It baffles me! "

The boy lifted his head curiously, sensing her shift in mood, but Orion moved quickly, his palm resting against Autumn’s shoulder. Though his own eyes were dark with worry.

"You will get there," he said firmly. "You are stronger than ever before. There is no force that will be able to match your strength after you are able to harness all your powers. Don’t let dark shadows wear you down." He tapped the side of her temple gently.

Autumn took a deep breath, nodding. "I won’t.It’s only momentary, not forever."

Then, after a pause, her gaze hardened. She kissed her son’s forehead, set him down gently, and looked back at Orion.

"Oh, yes. I almost forgot to mention..."

Orion raised a brow. "That tone doesn’t sound good."

"We will be leaving at daybreak," Autumn announced. "It’s time. We need to meet with all potential allies before the next Blood Moon."

Orion blew out a low whistle, raking a hand through his hair. "You never give me a chance to breathe, do you?"

"Not until we avenge my father, and bring balance back to this world...," she added quietly.