Marcus's gaze remained fixed on the twin blades as he recounted his dream to Morgan. Every detail, every sensation, flowed from his lips. The memory of wielding the swords, the battle, and the presence of Ashur and Deleri were still vivid, etched deeply into his mind.

When he finished, Morgan stayed quiet, his cat-like green eyes distant, as though he were weighing something unseen. Finally, he spoke, his voice soft but heavy with meaning.

"It's real, you know," Morgan murmured. "A legend, as you humans might call it. But to me, it's much more than that. It's a truth our people have carried for eons."

Marcus turned to him, studying his posture. Morgan's finger traced absent patterns on the floor, his sharp talon catching the faint light.

"It's a tale from before the Great Flood," Morgan began, his voice taking on the cadence of a storyteller. "Back when most of your world was covered by our waters. Before the gods departed to the celestial realm, there was a god named Ashur. He was a being of great power, a violent deity whose black eyes stirred fear in all who gazed upon him. He lived alone, deep in the cold, desolate oceans of the north. At least... until he met Deleri."

"The merman from my dream," Marcus whispered, more to himself than to Morgan.

Morgan nodded, his green eyes flickering with something unreadable. "Yes. Deleri. They began as unlikely friends, two beings from entirely different worlds. But over time, their bond deepened, and they became lovers. Ashur's violent nature softened under Deleri's presence, his rage quelled by love. For a time, he found peace."

Morgan's lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile as he continued. "But that peace was short-lived. Deleri's people came under attack by beasts from the east—monstrous creatures that feasted on flesh. Desperate to protect the one he loved, Ashur took it upon himself to defend them. He wielded unmatched power, driving back the invaders and shielding Deleri's people."

Marcus listened intently, the imagery vivid in his mind. "And then? What happened?"

Morgan's smile faded, his features turning somber. "They won. Ashur created a kingdom for Deleri's people, a safe haven amidst the chaos of the seas. It was a labor of love—his gift to the one he cherished most. Ashur, the god feared by all, became a protector. He was in love, Marcus. In love with Deleri and everything he stood for."

A soft chuckle escaped Marcus's lips. "It sounds like a happy ending."

Morgan's expression darkened, his gaze dropping to the floor. "Not quite. Ashur was a god, Marcus. Eternal, unchanging. But Deleri was mortal, bound by time's cruel grasp. As the years passed and Deleri grew older, Ashur made a choice. He couldn't bear to watch the love of his life wither while he remained the same. So, he left—but not without leaving a gift."

"A gift?" Marcus asked, his curiosity piqued. He leaned forward slightly, drawn into the tale.

Morgan nodded, slipping his hand into Marcus's, his touch firm but surprisingly gentle. "Yes. A gift unlike any other. One that has been hidden for centuries, even from the royal family. I think it's time you saw it."

Morgan rose gracefully, his tail swaying as he moved toward the door. "Bring the weapons with you," he said, glancing over his shoulder. "They're part of this story too."

Marcus hesitated for a moment before grasping the twin blades. They pulsed faintly under his touch, the metal cool but alive with energy. Whatever this gift was, it felt as though he was meant to uncover it. He stood, following Morgan, the blades in his hands glowing softly in the dim light.

_________

"I don't understand," Caspian murmured, his dark eyes narrowing as he surveyed the dimly lit, abandoned room. "I've never heard of this place."

Morgan chuckled softly, his tone light but tinged with mischief. "Of course not. That's why I sent Cassio to search for it."

"Cassio found it!" the light fae cried gleefully, pointing toward a strange symbol etched into the wall, previously hidden beneath a thick layer of barnacles. His glow brightened, highlighting the ancient markings.

"And now?" Atlantis asked, his red eyebrow arched in suspicion, his spear resting loosely in his grip.

"The blood of a royal," Morgan murmured, his sharp green eyes locking onto Caspian.

Caspian sighed, his shoulders tightening. Without a word, he drew the small blade he always carried, nicking his finger against its edge. A bead of dark blood welled up, and he pressed it against the symbol.

The reaction was immediate. A deep, resonant groan echoed through the room as the wall shifted, sliding to the side with a grinding noise. The sound reverberated through the space, revealing a dark corridor beyond.

Cassio hovered excitedly, his light glowing brighter. He turned to Morgan, who gave him a small nod of encouragement.

Marcus watched in awe as the tiny fae darted into the passage, his glow illuminating the stone walls. The corridor was lined with intricate carvings, strange symbols etched deeply into the stone. Marcus ran his fingers lightly over them as he passed, the texture familiar in a way that made his stomach churn.

The further they moved into the corridor, the heavier the air felt. To Marcus, it was as though the very stones were alive, watching them, weighing them.

My son...

Marcus froze, his breath catching as the voice echoed in his mind, deep and resonant. It was a voice that didn't belong to anyone in the group.

"Did you hear that?" Marcus whispered, his silver eyes wide as they darted to Morgan.

Morgan shook his head, his expression calm but watchful. "Only you can hear the god's voice," he said softly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Caspian's brows furrowed, his gaze shifting between Marcus and Morgan. "What am I not being told, Morgan?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

Morgan's cat-like eyes glimmered faintly in the dim light. "All in due time, Your Majesty."

The corridor felt endless, stretching into an eternity of shadow and stone. But just when Marcus thought they would never find its end, they came upon a door.

The door was massive, made of black stone polished to an eerie sheen. Gold letters, intricately carved and glowing faintly, encircled its edges, pointing inward to a single central symbol. The symbol pulsed faintly, as though it were alive.

Morgan stepped forward, reading the inscriptions with a furrowed brow. "This is where you come in, Marcus," he murmured, stepping aside and gesturing toward the door.

Marcus hesitated, but then something shifted inside him. He no longer felt in control of his own body. It was as though another force had taken over, guiding his movements.

He raised his hand to his mouth, pressing his index finger against one of his fangs. The sharp tooth pierced the tender skin, drawing a bead of blood. He held his breath, smearing the crimson liquid over the central symbol.

For a moment, silence reigned.

Then, the door groaned and began to move, sliding open with a slow, grinding sound. The air beyond was warmer, almost humid, and carried a faint, unfamiliar scent.

The group stepped inside, and what lay before them made them gasp.

At the center of the room was a massive orb, supported by intricately carved stone columns. The surface of the orb was translucent, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light. Within it, a cluster of eggs rested, each one pulsing faintly as though alive, waiting.

"I know this place," Marcus whispered, his voice trembling as he moved toward the orb. He reached out a hand, his fingers brushing against its tender, almost organic surface.

"What is this?" Atlantis asked, his voice hushed, a rare edge of awe breaking through his usual stoicism.

"It's a womb," Marcus murmured, his hand pressing against the orb. The warmth beneath his palm was almost comforting, but the sensation quickly shifted.

The orb pulsed once, then twice, a jolt of energy racing through Marcus's body. His eyes widened, and before he could pull his hand away, a sharp, searing pain shot through him. He screamed, the sound tearing through the air as he collapsed to his knees.

"Marcus!" Caspian's voice was filled with panic as he rushed to his mate's side.

The orb glowed brighter, its light intensifying, casting long shadows against the stone walls. Marcus's body trembled violently, his mind overwhelmed by a rush of images—memories not his own, a past that didn't belong to him.

********

"Marcus!" Caspian cried, lunging toward his mate's side.

"Caspian, don't!" Morgan's voice was sharp, and in an instant, he wrapped his arms around Caspian's torso, holding him back with Atlantis's help.

"Let me go!" Caspian growled, his muscles straining against their grip.

"Please, Caspian," Morgan murmured urgently into his ear. "The god is bonding with him! If you interrupt, Marcus could be lost!"

Caspian froze, his chest heaving as he watched Marcus. His mate's lips were parted in a silent scream, his body trembling uncontrollably. Marcus's silver eyes were gone, replaced by pools of pure black. Dark veins spidered out around his eyes, and his glowing tattoos writhed across his skin, shifting and forming intricate designs that pulsed with otherworldly energy.

Seconds felt like hours as the transformation continued. Caspian's fists clenched, his heart hammering as he fought against his instinct to rush to Marcus's side. Finally, the glowing tattoos stilled, the dark veins receded, and Marcus's body slumped. The grip on Caspian's shoulders loosened as the others released him.

Caspian was at Marcus's side in an instant, his trembling hands cupping his mate's cheeks. "Marcus," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Marcus's eyes fluttered open, their familiar silver hue glittering with something new—something ancient. "Caspian," he murmured, his voice soft but full of wonder. "Gods do exist."

Caspian let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, a quiet chuckle escaping his lips. He pressed a kiss to Marcus's forehead. "I'm so glad you're okay."

Tears welled in Marcus's eyes, slipping down his cheeks. "Oh, Caspian," he whispered, his voice breaking. "We can have a child of our own."

Caspian froze, his mind reeling. "How? That's impossible."

Marcus shook his head, sitting up with a wince. His gaze turned to the orb, now glowing softly at the center of the chamber. "That orb," he murmured, his voice tinged with awe, "it's a womb. It can grow a child using our seed—yours and mine."

Caspian's gaze flickered to the pulsating orb, his jaw slackening in disbelief. "How?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

Marcus slipped his fingers into Caspian's, grounding him with the touch. "Your patron god, Ashur, gave it to the first king of the Onyx Kingdom. It was his gift to produce an heir."

Caspian's brows furrowed. "But... wasn't there a queen?"

Marcus hesitated, his silver eyes meeting Caspian's. "Ashur and the first king were lovers," he said quietly.

For a moment, the weight of Marcus's words hung between them. Then, Caspian pulled Marcus into his arms, relief flooding his veins. The burden he had carried—the fear of not having an heir, of losing Marcus—seemed to lift. Everything would be alright. Marcus would become his king, and together they would create a family.

Caspian's heart swelled. After so much loss, he finally had something real to hold onto.

"So this is where you've been hiding," a feminine voice rang out, shattering the moment.

Caspian turned, his eyes narrowing as he saw Lilith floating at the chamber's entrance. Her violet eyes gleamed, a smile playing across her lips that sent a chill down his spine.

"Lilith!" Caspian said, his voice filled with warmth despite the tension in the air. "My friend! I have such good news!"

Lilith laughed, the sound cold and hollow. Her hand moved behind her back, and when it reappeared, she held a gleaming knife, its blade curved and menacing. "Good news, you say?" she murmured, her smile twisting into something sinister.

"Lilith?" Caspian's voice dropped, his eyes never leaving the knife. A sinking feeling clawed at his chest. No. Not her. Not you too.

Lilith's gaze turned to Marcus, her expression darkening. "I told your little mate that you were mine," she said, her voice dripping with malice. She took a step closer, the knife gleaming in the light of the orb. "But since he didn't listen, I suppose I'll just have to eliminate all of you."

Her eyes swept over the room, taking in Morgan, Atlantis, Marcus, and finally Caspian. Each word she spoke dripped with venom, a betrayal that cut deeper than any blade.

Something inside Caspian snapped. The betrayal burned like fire in his veins, igniting the beast within him. His body began to shift, his true form emerging. His black eyes darkened further, his features sharpening as power rippled through his frame.

"Traitor," Caspian growled, his voice guttural and inhuman. His massive tail lashed behind him, the chamber trembling with the force of his rage. "I won't let you hurt them. Not my mate. Not my friends."

Lilith hesitated for a moment, her violet eyes widening at the transformation before her smirk returned. "Let's see if the king of the Onyx Kingdom is as strong as he claims," she taunted, her knife gleaming as she darted forward.

Caspian's roar shook the chamber, a sound that was both a promise and a warning. He would protect what was his, no matter the cost.