A/N: Play the song when directed.

Tauren's POV

Meanwhile, in Elysium...

Since Alex, Adrian, Carter, and Caden arrived in the afterlife and joined me and the Deveraux family in Elysium; we've been getting closer to each other. The now-adult sons of my brother and ex-mate grew on me as they shifted into their wolf forms while meeting other adult "pups" who died before they were old enough to be held accountable. Much to my surprise, Alex and Carter were destined to be pups with the same going for Adrian and Caden; but we all knew that if they had survived and escaped the bombing when they were babies, they would've been forced to take females for mates since Trenton and Eric wouldn't allow same-sex pairings.

It's sad that my nephews were never destined to find true happiness with each other or their destined mates in Alex and Adrian. No thanks to Eric, they might've been forced to take on a different and more condemned path if they remained with their dads. Reap what you sow, I guess.

Speaking of the devils' incarnate, it was yet another perfect day in Elysium as Francis and I were currently enjoying a walk alongside the rivers of life when we were greeted by all of the gods. Remembering that we were present in front of the deities, Francis and I bowed low. "Hello," I greeted them.

"Tauren and Francis, I take it that you are both well," Aurora said, granting us a small smile.

"All is well with our souls," Francis replied. "But I take it that this isn't a social call."

"You are correct," Norrix said, his black demon wings fluttering. "Boys, the fates have changed for so many of the remnants of the Red Blade pack under Eric Girbaud's reign."

"How's that?" I wanted to know.

"As you should be aware by now, Tauren, your recent dream-walking visit to Trenton has caused him to take his final breath on Earth," Artemis intoned. "Even when faced with Aurora, he had shown no remorse of what he has done and was sent to the underworld where he is suffering alongside your parents."

Francis shook his head. "I'm not too surprised, given how he treated my best friend and all," he commented, "but I thought that he and Eric would be bringing terror to the exiles living in the Blue Galaxy pack in Oklahoma City."

Candide Hecabe shook her head no, her braided silver hair wagging. "As with the hands of the Fates, the events are slated to change without warning," she said in her silvery Scottish accent. "Now, it will be Eric who will launching his attacks upon the exiles and the members of the Blue Galaxy pack. Many will die by his hands, including Anissa and her mate alongside his family, Nicholas and Emma, even Elisse and her destined mate who is actually Isladora's son."

I turned to the faerie queen, stunned to hear of what would transpire. "I'm so sorry, my liege," I told her, bowing slightly as I was full of sadness for her son's tragic death.

"Don't be," the goddess said as her golden wings fluttered while she came to me. "I told my son that he has to be prepared to give up his life for the greater good regarding your tragic life and the legacy that would follow."

"Does Prince Zechariah know of what will take place?" Francis asked.

"He will once we are finished talking with you both. We are planning to visit him and his family sure enough," Atlantique replied. "He will be the one to finish off Eric himself as we've reminded you earlier."

I nodded. "And how will it all end for Eric?"

Cronus smirked, eyes dancing with mischief. "He said that his life would be better off without you, yes?"

"More times than I could ever count," I replied. "Even more so when he and Trenton joined my parents in beating me black and blue while Anissa was sent to stay with her grandparents in Ada."

"Well, our child, they say that you should be careful what you wish for because you'll end up getting it all and then some you never wanted," Nefertys teased. "Eric will soon see how the statement will truly ring true once Cronus and Rhea will pass their judgement to him."

I had a mind to ask what he meant by that, but something within me to just trust in what was said. "All right," I said. "I trust you all. So, what now?"

Anrus and Norrix stepped forward with the former holding the same orb that I watched Zechariah mourn for me as my body was lying in repose. The orb showed the realm of the underworld where many of the damned souls were burning in agony. I soon gasped as I soon caught sight of my parents and twin brother burning and screaming, the unrelenting flames burning their bodies as they writhed in pain while hellhounds were mocking and sneering at them. One of the hellhounds slapped my father when he begged for me to bring him and the others some water. "Is that...is that them?" I asked.

"It is," Francis breathed. To Norrix, "Why are you showing him this?"

"I believe that it is time for Tauren to give them his final words to them, seeing that they denied him that when Eric killed him after rejecting him," the god of the underworld replied. "And I believe that Tauren could sing to them a sad song that's been lying on his heart."

I inhaled deeply as I heard Mom weeping while hellhounds laughed at her cries. Knowing what had to be done, I took a deep breath. "I do have a song, but I want to make it clear that they cannot be forgiven," I replied. "I mean, I can forgive them, but it's too late for them to make things right. They had their chance when I was alive, but it's too late."

"I can't agree more," Radixx replied as a female djinn appeared with a violin in hand while a male angel and a grand piano joined in. "And I take it that you already know the song?"

I nodded. "It's perfect as I speak to them for what'll be the last time."

The orb glimmered as I soon was able to hear my family screaming in pain. "Tauren! Tauren! We're sorry!" my dad wailed. "We're so sorry!"

The angel began playing the familiar opening bars of the song that Elisse introduced me to before I died. And from there, I began to sing.

A/N: Play the song NOW! "Apologize" by OneRepublic ft. Timbaland.

I'm holding on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground
And I'm hearing what you say, but I just can't make a sound
You tell me that you need me then you go and cut me down, but wait
You tell me that you're sorry, didn't think I'd turn around, and say (that)

"It's too late to apologize (it's too late)."
I said, "It's too late to apologize (it's too late)."

I'd take another chance, take a fall, take a shot for you
And I need you like a heart needs a beat, but it's nothin' new (yeah)
I loved you with a fire red, now it's turning blue, and you say,
"Sorry," like the angel heaven let me think was you, but I'm afraid...

"It's too late to apologize (it's too late)."
I said, "It's too late to apologize (it's too late)."

"It's too late to apologize (it's too late)."
I said, "It's too late to apologize (it's too late)."

I said, "It's too late to apologize," yeah (too late)
I said, "It's too late to apologize," yeah (too late)

I'm holdin' on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground...

The final bars now finished, I soon faced my parents as I was now in the underworld ("You get only three minutes to say your piece," Anrus told me before I was transported). "Mom, Dad, and Trenton," I began. "This song that I sung for you is a final farewell to say that you all had your chance to make things right for me. I did nothing wrong other than being born. I wanted to scorn you, but I was too nice enough to do it. I couldn't hate you because it wouldn't do me any good. I can only pity you all, knowing that I died in believing that I was never worthy of your love- all because I was born an Omega who couldn't shift. You all agreed with Eric when he said that I was doomed to die. And when he rejected me as his mate, you all stood with him and joined in feasting on my remains. We could've been a great family had you swallowed your pride and loved me for me. But you chose evil and handed me my death sentence with no regret. As I sung to you, it's too late to make things right. It's too late to change things. It's too late to apologize. And now, you all have to pay the price. I'm at peace with my death and accepted my fate with a smile on my lips and a calm heart. I have nothing but pity and sadness for you all. I can only hope that you can learn from your experiences on Earth even though you will be denied of a second  chance on Earth. You played your hands. Now let the chips fall where they may. With that said, this is goodbye as I go back to Elysium."

"NO!" all three of my family members screamed in sadness as I was back in Elysium before the orb changed clear again, the vision of the underworld disappearing.

"Nice speech," Francis praised. "And nice putdown."

"I meant every word," I said before a tear fell from my eyes. "I just wished that-"

"Hey, now," Radixx interrupted. "No use crying for the people who never cared for you. They treated you like garbage for being an Omega while you did right by them even when you were cut off from everything. It's them who should be crying for their sins against my brethren and myself as well as you. They're paying the price while you've earned our rest here in Elysium."

"I know. I'm only sad that this had to be this way. I have no regrets on what I said to them, but I hate that more people have to die for my death."

"All will be made well, Tauren," Horus promised me. "Have faith and continue to rest here. Your sisters and those who took pity on you will be rewarded with high honors. As for Eric, he will receive what is rightfully his in due time."

"Thank y'all," I said, bowing lowly.

"Anytime," Anrus said. "For now, enjoy your time here in Elysium and know that you will play a big part in what is to come, Tauren. A little faith can do great magic, a little faith."

With that, he and the other gods and goddesses left as Francis came to my side. "Are you going to be okay?" he asked me.

"I will be," I replied, looking up into the clear sky while a gentle breeze began to blow. "I will be."

Well, how do you like those apples, folks?! Can I cook or what?

Anyway, we're heading to Alhambra in Montana as Prince Zechariah and his family learn what happened to Eric's pack and they're visited by Cronus and Rhea. And that's coming up next, so don't go anywhere!

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