CHAPTER 16

(RHEA'S POV - IN ATLAS' BODY)

"Stay away!"

As I entered the room, my gaze met Atlas's, and I could immediately sense the tremor in his voice, thick with anger and humiliation.

Instinctively, I backed up upon seeing my own body reacting to the fear and distress radiating from my own presence.

It was disorienting, being inside Atlas form yet feeling the emotions of my own body so acutely. Sympathy washed over me as I saw him in such a weakened state, a pang of guilt gnawing at me for the ordeal he had endured.

Then, in a sudden burst of desperation, he grabbed a handful of hay and hurled it at me, his actions fueled by pain and anger.

But the hay fell short, a feeble attempt to defend himself against an invisible threat. I halted in my tracks, raising my hands in a gesture of surrender, a silent plea for peace.

"Atlas, it's me!" I called out softly, my voice trembling with a mixture of reassurance and apprehension. "I’m not going to hurt you, okay?"

I trained my focus on Atlas, gauging