Melissa’s POVThe pieces of the relic glistened dimly in the room's low light, their sharp edges pulsing with unearthly energy. With the largest piece in my shaky hands, I stood in the middle of the group. Dennis, Damon, and the others gathered in a circle around me, their faces displaying a mixture of fear and resolve.Damon broke the stillness by forcefully saying, "This is it." "There is no turning back once we get started."I gave a nod. "There is nothing we can do. Everything for which we have battled will be lost if we do not shut The Void.Dennis took a step forward and spoke more softly. "Are you certain you're prepared for this, Melissa? You might be harmed by the ceremony. Or worse.I looked into his eyes and saw that the remorse was still there. Dennis, I don't have time to question my abilities. We must take action immediately or risk losing everything.Once more, there was silence in the room as everyone felt the impact of what I had said. Like a continuous flame, my wolf
Melissa’s POVThe area was filled with a harsh, otherworldly light as the relic shards' glow grew stronger. I chanted the last lines of the ceremony while standing in the middle of the altar, my voice shaking. The air's force was oppressive, weighing me down like an unseen burden."Remain resilient, Melissa!" With his blade slicing through one of the shadowy creatures that had surfaced from the swirling darkness, Damon yelled from the other side of the chamber.Dennis stood next to him, fighting off another with his daggers flashing. "We've got you covered! Just get this thing done!I ignored the commotion around me and closed my eyes. The energy of the Void flared like a storm on the verge of erupting, loud and ominous.A deep, rich voice roared from the whirling darkness, "You can't stop me."I went cold. The Void itself was now acquiring shape in front of me; it was no longer just energy. An enormous, shadowy apparition appeared, staring into my crimson eyes.It said, "Melissa," as
Melissa’s POVWhen I opened my eyes, I saw a dark, whirling space. I wasn't falling, but there was no earth beneath me. The voices pressed like ghostly fingers against my ears in the heavy, stifling air. As I tried to figure out where I was, my heart raced."Where am I?" As though the darkness itself had eaten my words, my voice sounded odd, almost empty.A chilly voice said, "This is The Void," raising the hairs on the back of my neck.When I turned around, all I could see was the infinite grey and black space. "Who is present?" With a trembling voice, I demanded. "Exhibit yourself!"Out of the darkness, a person appeared. I wasn't, yet it was me. Her eyes were spooky crimson, and this version of myself had a contorted smile. Her presence exuded might and hatred, and her hair sailed as if caught in an invisible wind.The shadowy creature replied, "I am you," in a smooth yet poisonous voice. "Or, more accurately, the potential version of you."I retorted, taking a step back, "That's n
Melissa’s POVIt was difficult for me to breathe in The Void since the air felt like ice against my chest. My dark mirror, the shadowy creature in front of me, grinned with a perverted assurance. As if she could see every secret I attempted to conceal, her bright red eyes stared right into mine.Her words echoed in my mind as she whispered, "You're not ready for this." "You’ve always been weak, Melissa. Always doubting yourself, always afraid."I clenched my hands and stepped forward. "I’m not afraid of you."The sound of the Void Queen's laughter was icy and hollow. "Oh, but you are. I am every doubt you’ve ever had, every mistake you’ve made. Fighting me is fighting yourself. And you know you can’t win."I was shaken by what she said, but I refused to show it to her. "You’re just a shadow. I’m stronger than you think.""Prove it," the woman growled.She sprang at me before I could respond, moving more quickly than I could follow. Her claws brushed my arm, which I just managed to avo
Melissa’s POVStrangely, the air in The Void writhed and twisted around me, shimmering as though it were alive. I knelt on the disintegrating dirt, breathing heavily, my heart thumping. With every second, my legs grew weaker and my arms felt heavy.I strongly convinced myself that this was not how it would end. I'm not going to give up. Not right now."Still fighting, are we? You can't win, Melissa. You're just delaying the inevitable," the Void Queen said, her mocking laughter echoing about me.Anger was rising in my chest as I glanced up at her. She was a perfect, warped replica of me, standing tall with fiery red eyes."You don’t know me," I clenched my teeth and muttered. "And you never will."My mind raced back to my pack's memories: Dennis's steadfast devotion, Damon's determined visage, and how the pack stood by one another during the worst of times. She would never be able to take away my strength, which was my relationship with them.I reached inside myself and closed my eyes
Melissa’s POVBefore me, the portal's whirling light glowed and flickered like an ambiguous flame. In my head, my wolf's voice was keen as she urged prudence."We don't know what's out there, Melissa. You might lose everything, or worse, you might bring something uncontrollable back.I inhaled deeply while gazing into the bright void. "The pack won't survive if I don't do this. Dennis, Damon, and everyone else are currently battling for me. I can't let them down.Dark tendrils clawed closer as The Void rumbled menacingly behind me. It felt as though the air itself was crashing down on me. I looked back, my pulse pounding as the darkness drew closer. Time was of the essence."I must have faith in myself," I said.I took one more, reassuring breath and entered the portal.I felt a searing ache as soon as I stepped inside the door like my entire being was being pulled apart. My body felt both weighty and weightless as colours blended into dazzling light. I could feel my wolf straining to
Melissa’s POVWhen I left the pack house, the temperature was lower than usual. Whispers appeared to infiltrate my head along with the unnatural chill of the wind. In the back of my mind, my wolf growled softly but steadily as she stirred nervously.Her words, "Something isn't right,"Silently, I nodded as the region began to feel the weight of the unease."Melissa!" Emily rushed toward me, her breathing laboured and her face white. "You need to see this."I went to the training fields after her. The once-vibrant area where wolves trained and sparred had devolved into a chaotic spectacle. A strange fog clung to the ground, the grass was wilting, and trees were charred.I questioned sharply, "What happened here?"Damon came over, his face serious. "The Void’s energy is leaking through the crack. It’s infecting the land, Melissa. And it’s not just here."A spine-tingling howl resounded from the trees as if at the same moment. A wolf, its eyes flashing an odd green and its fur matted, st
Melissa’s POVTension permeated the air. The dark figure of The Void's servant towered over us, standing still. It was difficult to breathe because of the weighty energy that radiated from him as if it were pressing against my chest.The servant's voice was smooth and uncannily serene as he remarked, "Melissa, you don't understand the gift you've been given." He fixed his bright eyes on mine. "You're not supposed to battle The Void. It is supposed to be ruled by you.I took a step forward without flinching. "You're incorrect," I firmly stated. "I don't share your darkness. I will never accompany you.A disconcerting smile grew across the servant's face as he cocked his head. You already have, though. Do you not sense it? The shadow inside of you? It is becoming more powerful every day.My wolf was stirring uneasily inside me as I clenched my hands. He said something that both she and I didn't like.Melissa and her group belong here! Damon snarled and moved to stand next to me.The ser
Melissa’s POVThe earth underneath me trembled. Once full of stars, the sky had become a whirling mass of red and black. I had never seen anything like the full form of the Void, which loomed over us. It was a shapeless shadow that seemed to extend across the sky, a hideous, writhing monster with sharp teeth and flashing crimson eyes.Damon gripped my hand more tightly. "This thing is destruction, Melissa."I took a deep breath. Then we put an end to it. Together.Waves of darkness broke against the shield of our combined force as the Void shouted. With the help of our light, Damon and I managed to push back.Behind us, in formation, the pack channeled the force of the rite by raising their hands. The air was filled with golden symbols that glowed brighter as they infused us with their vitality.Even though he was tired, Eldric's voice was loud and clear. "Hey, Melissa! Make use of the power! Attack its very center!I concentrated as the energy rushed through me. In my palms, a golden
Melissa’s POVFrom within Damon and me, a golden, bright light burst forth. It pushed the darkness aside as it rushed outward. The Void flinched for the first time.I gasped as I sensed our strength entwined, our spirits united. My brightness became Damon's, and his power became mine. We were invincible together.The Void screamed, its dark shape contorting. "Not possible! You can't disobey me!Damon grinned. "It appears that we just did."As the darkness faded, the pack behind us cheered, their spirits rising. Hope flashed for a minute.The Void, however, altered its strategy.Rather than attacking us, it turned to our fighters. The gang stumbled abruptly as a dark pulse sped across the air. Their eyes grew wide with agony.I let out a gasp. "What's going on?"Eldric clutched his skull and yelled. "Our link is being attacked by the Void! It is cutting off our relationship with one another!Damon's face grew serious. "No. It is attempting to separate us from the group.I felt the conn
Melissa’s POVThere was anarchy on the battlefield. Everything in their path was devoured by the shadows that slithered across the earth. The sky was now a whirling pit of blackness.Grasping the shimmering relic tightly, I could feel its warmth pulsing in time with my beating. I understood what needed to be done; the truth had become ingrained in my chest.The Void inside my light needed to be sealed.I glanced at Damon, my fingers shaking. I uttered, hardly raising my voice above a whisper, "I know how to stop it."Damon scowled. "What are you talking about, Melissa?"I inhaled deeply. "I must cage the Void inside of me to put an end to this. I can control it if I unite with my light. However, I will not be able to return.His gaze grew gloomy. "No. Not at all.I took a step toward him and touched his chest. "I can do this, Damon. I must complete this task.With a solid yet desperate grip, he took hold of my shoulders. "You're not giving up anything. I will not allow you to.My eyes
Melissa’s POVThe ground underneath us trembled with a thunderous roar. As the sky grew completely dark, I staggered, barely maintaining my equilibrium. Our planet was completely infiltrated by the Void.As they slithered across the terrain, shadowy tendrils ate everything in their path. Before the onslaught started, the trees withered, the air became dense with a suffocating gloom, and an unsettling hush descended upon the pack's area.First came the creatures. Monstrous, twisted forms sprang from the darkness, staring at us with luminous red eyes."Keep the pack safe!" Damon's voice echoed, firm and powerful.The beasts persisted despite the efforts of our troops. Growls, cries of agony, and claws slamming into teeth reverberated throughout the night. I made a feeble attempt to call forth my light.Panic rising, I muttered, "No... not now."I lifted my fists and pushed energy out. One of the things recoiled when a little flash of light touched it, but the exertion left me exhausted.
Melissa’s POVEldric stood in the middle of the circle, his voice rising in an old chant, and the air crackled with energy. With their hands clasped together and their eyes closed in intense concentration, the pack encircled him. A glistening gap that glowed dimly like a tear, in reality, itself started to form in front of them.My breathing was labored, and I gripped my chest. Weaker than ever, my Celestial Flame dimmed. I was exhausted from the battle.Damon stood next to me, his teeth clenched. "We need to move now, Melissa."A dreadful scream reverberated throughout the domain of the Void. The twisted forms of the shadows writhed in rage as they slithered closer.The voice of the Void bellowed. "You believe you can get away from me?"A wave of darkness smashed upon us, and I flinched. With his claws cutting through the closest shadow creatures, Damon jumped in front of me. "I'm sick of these things!" he snarled.Eldric's gaze flickered. "Avoid them! The rift is still unstable.My
Melissa’s POVThe heavy, oppressive darkness whirled about me. The golden glow of the Celestial Flame flickered like a candle in the wind as I held it tightly in my hands.The Void was different. It had developed shape and was no longer only a collection of shadows. A massive, purely dark figure with empty eyes blazing with insatiable desire loomed before me."Madela, you are nothing." The voice of the Void thundered like a tempest. "Every light bearer before you has been eaten by me. You'll tumble just like everyone else.I forced my fear down with a firm gulp. "How many you've taken doesn't matter to me. I am the one who ends it.The Void chuckled. "What a dumb girl. What has existed for all eternity cannot be stopped.The shadows surrounding us contorted into shrieking faces as it lifted its enormous arms—souls imprisoned in its never-ending hunger. My heart tightened. If I failed, would I end up like this?No.I lifted the Celestial Flame while clenching my teeth. The murky cloud
Melissa’s POVI had the impression that the ground was neither solid nor airy. Above, the sky shifted between angry crimson and deep darkness, twisting in strange ways. Here, time seemed to be fractured, with seconds seeming to drag into hours.All around me, a chilly voice said."Hey Melissa, welcome home."I balled my fists up. "My home is not here."I experienced glimpses of a future in which I stood alone on a throne of darkness while the shadows grew darker and created shifting images. Everything around me was destroyed by fire.Additionally, II was the Void now.Staring back at me was a picture of my face, twisted in the gloom."Fate is beyond your control," the Void said.I gave a headshake. "This isn't real."The vision shifted. Damon was kneeling in front of me, broken. His previously vibrant eyes were now lifeless.The Void went on, "You will ruin everyone you care about." "It is unavoidable.""No!" With my light flashing, I yelled. "I decide my destiny!"I felt the darknes
Melissa’s POVIn my palms, the relic pulsed, its illumination alternating between eerie darkness and golden light. From within came a whisper, a voice old and powerful."Child of light, you're looking for solutions. I am the truth.I took a deep breath. "Tell me."The world around me abruptly changed when the air changed. I found myself in a wide area of whirling shadows and dim light instead of the battlefield. The relic glowed like a fallen star, floating before me.Once more, the voice spoke. "I am more than just a tool of authority. I am a piece of the Void's very center that was left over from the first fight, which took place ages ago.I gasped. "A… a piece of the Void?""Yes. I was made as a test, a means of determining whether mankind was deserving of existence outside the realm of the Void.I gave a headshake. "That isn't rational. Why would something that may be utilized against the Void be left behind?"Because the cycle needs to finish. You must put me back in the core of
Melissa’s POVI could still hear Damon's cry. I glanced at the place where the shadows had pulled him into the abyss, my hands shaking. Something inside of me stirred, even though my heart hurt and the pain was intolerable.A fire, no, a warmth, flared in my chest. My light wasn't the only one. Something deeper, something more powerful.Then from the item beside me came a hushed voice."The Celestial Flame is being reawakened by you."I let out a gasp. “The Celestial Flame?"The voice hummed quietly. “A power your ancestors never reached. A light that may burn away even the deepest darkness.”Like flickering flames, a golden radiance rose from my fingertips. It was fire, not just light. My veins throbbed with heat, more intense than I had ever experienced.I balled my fists up. "I will use this if it can help me defeat the Void."The voice faltered. "The Flame is not so easy to wield. You have to go through a soul trial to manage it.I scowled. "A trial?""You have to face your demons