My father's face turned bright red as I ordered Atlas’s release, yet he stayed silent. This would likely be a later conversation if that. I would probably wake up with yet another sin etched into my already damaged skin, but rescuing the dragon was worth it. Yet, just seconds after spending my favor, my father stalked out of the 6th’s imperial box, a menacing grin lighting up his face.

As the minutes passed, the crowd quickly left the Coliseum, preparing for the Imperial Meetings. I was no longer welcome. The Imperial Meetings were for emperors and their advisors only. I was neither. I walked out of the 6th’s box to a crowd of reporters, clamoring for my opinion. But I was Nyx, ever silent and polite. I simply smiled and bowed my head, showing quiet respect, a solemn yet terrifying reminder that any of them could be next. To the press, I was no longer chained by the 4th Emperor’s orders. I was wild and unpredictable in a new, scary fashion. 

I trudged through the sea of reporters, careful to keep my composure. I was a silent shadow, still holding the severed head of The Devil Slayer and dripping in blood. It didn’t matter that I didn’t remember the galeiditara match, it was forever imprinted in the onlookers' minds. They would not be forgetting it any time soon. I was the reason the 4th Empire consistently had the fewest challengers. I had a reputation to uphold. 

I pushed through the sea of nobles, struggling to stay afloat against the movement of the crowd as I moved towards the exit. With every push and shove, I grew more and more desperate to get out of the Coliseum. From my left, the Emerald Duchess shoved me, slamming her elbows in an effort to be the first to get to the after-party. However, on my right, the 9th Emperor’s advisor was openly kicking nobles’ shins, rushing towards the rapidly empty arena. I was drowning in a sea of opulence and wealth, a monster among angels. 

I reached the exit in seconds, yet it felt like hours dodging elbow after elbow. I walked through the marble archway, breathing in my first breath of fresh air in hours. The warm summer air surrounded me as I stepped out into the plaza, the boisterous clamor of galeiditara parties echoing in the distance. The golden glow of the rapidly setting sun illuminated the plaza as servants hurried across the marble tiles, their trays stacked with expensive liquor and ever-blooming flowers. It was going to be a long night. 

I walked across the plaza, careful to avoid the stumbling partygoers, already drunk and ever so loud. My hands started sweating, nervous because of the anticipation of freeing Atlas. 

But I missed my home more than anything in the world. I missed Milo and his smiles, his breakfasts were always the best part of my morning, shining like a beacon of hope in my mess of a life. I missed Icarus’s dirty jokes and his hugs, ever ready to drop what he was doing to help me. And even though I had only known her for less than two weeks, I missed Analina. I missed her strength, how even in the horrific world she was born in she was able to maintain her childlike innocence. 

Just using the word home was new to me. I had never really had a home before, somewhere I was excited to go back to. I had grown up alone and afraid, but now I had so many people who genuinely cared about me. 

I walked into the Great Hall as the last noblemen exited the Coliseum, the plaza growing busier and busier with every step. But I wasn’t focused on the plaza but on the dragon chained to the throne made of knives. 

I rushed over to Atlas and quickly pried off the enchantment gem with the knife from last time, desperate for my plans to come to fruition. Within seconds, Atlas transformed into a humanoid, a soft smile on their face. The dragon quickly grabbed a cloak off of the massive throne as their once powerful chains fell to the ground. I pulled off my mask and hood to match, fully exposing my identity. But I didn’t care. I did not see anyone around, and Atlas needed to know I was the one rescuing them. 

Suddenly, Atlas grabbed my hand and sprinted out of the Great Hall and into the Garden of Roses, excited to breathe the fresh air of freedom for the first time. The Garden of Roses was in full bloom, the myriad of species reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors. The roses seemed to come alive as we entered the garden, their petals preening to be admired by all.

Atlas turned to me, their face wearing a hopeful look that I wished would be frozen in time. 

“You,” they started. “You saved me.”

I smiled, happy for the first time in what felt like ages. 

“Of course I did,” I said. “You think I would leave you stuck with the 6th Emperor? I never break my promises.”

That last part was a lie, but it was one that both Atlas and I needed to hear.

“Zuri,” the dragon said. “What are you going to do next? Aren’t you going to free yourself? Why haven’t you freed yourself yet? I’m not the only one who deserves to live a life free from chains.”

There were moments when words couldn’t quite explain my thoughts. I had never been good with words, but I never really had to be. But this question was something I had been asking myself for ages: why couldn’t I just be free? Because my father was too powerful. He would find me and behead me just like he did with my mother. Because I was scared of living life forever on the run, never able to settle down. Because, even after all of my efforts to be a good person, I was still a sinner, forever damned and forever damaged. 

“I’m,” I cried. “I’m sorry. You can live with me until you have time to figure out who you want to be. But I need time. I-”

I sighed. The sky above us was melting into a canvas of bright oranges and yellows, the sign of yet another day. I could hear the shouting of the careless partying nobles in the distance, their wild laughter unafraid of the coming morning. 

I looked back at Atlas, their eyes shining magenta in the golden light. It was a sight to behold, the dragon backlit by the shimmering white-gold roses. They glowed like a halo surrounding their hair, making them look like an angel from heaven. 

“It’s okay. I understand,” Atlas replied. “But you’re the only thing tying me to this world now. I will go where you go. After being in chains for so long, I’m not sure who I am anymore.”

I didn’t know what to think. To be honest, Atlas sounded like a sappy tavern ballad, one that made my ears bleed. I never was good at dealing with emotions. I could barely handle my own, so there was no way I could empathize with others. But I tried. 

“You are Atlas, a magical dragon among us mere mortals,” I assured them. “You are special, and you deserve to have the rest of your mortal years lived in happi-”

The dragon wrapped their arms around me before I could finish my sentence, tears dripping from their eyes and onto my bloody Nyx uniform. We were a sight, a spot of sadness staining the picturesque gardens. 

“I,” Atlas sighed. “I will never be able to pay you back for saving me from eternal torture. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have rescued me when no one else had given me a passing glance. I will follow you to the ends of this realm until you are free of your father’s chains.”

But I would never be free. Not until I killed the 4th Emperor.