Melissaās POVEvery step we took felt like we were travelling through a nightmare because the blackness around us pulsed with its own life. The air felt like it was attempting to drag us down; it was heavy, frigid, and thick. Aelric, Dennis, Damon, and I pushed onward, encircled by shadow creatures that appeared to emanate incessantly from the far ancient being. The insignia on my skin glowed with an odd, unsettling light, burning brighter the closer we came.Damon yelled, "Melissa! Behind you!" in a quick, urgent voice.A shadow thing with its claws extending lunged for me as I turned around just in time. I raised my hand without thinking, and the sigil exploded into light. With a screech, the thing vanished into ash. The strength was like a wildfire burning inside of me, overwhelming.Damon hurried to my side and asked, "Are you okay?"Despite my beating heart, I nodded. "Iām fine. Letās keep moving. We donāt have time to waste."Aelric took a step forward, his expression serious. "
Melissaās POVAs I gazed at the Void thing, the surrounding air felt oppressive and heavy. Dark energy flowed from its huge, pulsing body, and it had Damon in its clutches. He was lifted off the ground by shadowy tentacles that encircled him. As I heard the entity's voice, his face contorted in agony.Decide, Melissa. I'll have you if you can save him. If you don't, he will be lost forever.I felt my heart thumping like a drum. I had to keep Damon alive. Not in this manner. The evil force tugged at me, suggesting that the price would be high, but the sigil on my arm flashed with heat. Too high."Hey, Melissa! Despite the tension in his voice, Damon's blue eyes met mine. "Avoid doing that! Keep it from winning!"I trembled in dread and anger, clenching my fists. My voice broke as I murmured, "I can't lose you." "I refuse to."The commotion was broken by Aelric's voice. "There is an alternative! He produced a gleaming, antiquated artefact in the shape of a dagger from his cloak. The gol
Melissaās POVI could feel the pressure of the world inside the rift collapsing around us, making it difficult for me to breathe. I yelled, "Keep moving!" despite the fatigue burning my legs.I could see Damon racing close next to me, his expression determined but strained. The earth trembled furiously behind us, and fragments of the dark walls of the chasm started to fall away into thin air. From all sides, shadow creatures hissed and attacked, their dark bodies contorting strangely."In this manner! As he slashed through a beast with his weapon, Aelric shouted from the front. He moved with accuracy, and it was obvious that he was determined. In the distance, he was guiding us toward the dim, fading light of the exit.With a little limp, Dennis turned and hurled a fire blast from his hands, containing a group of animals. "Go! I'll take care of you!""No one is abandoned! I grabbed his arm and yanked him forward as I snapped. Dennis, we all make it out!"We lost our balance when the g
Melissaās POVMy heart sank as we got closer to the pack territory. The once-luxuriant, vibrant trees have turned twisted and dark. Ash and sadness filled the air. The sigil on my arm pulsed softly, and I stopped dead in my steps, holding my chest."How are you, Melissa? As he supported me, Damon's voice was worried.I forced myself to stand up straight and gave a feeble nod. "I'm all right. However, take a peek around.Damon looked at the devastation in front of him with his keen blue eyes. "The corruption of the Void is rapidly spreading. We must move quickly.Behind us, the others fell silent. Dennis, who was standing next to me, gripped his staff more tightly."This is more than just damage," he stated somberly. "Darker things have taken root here."I inhaled deeply. "Leave now."We stepped over splintered branches and crushed stones as we cautiously entered the area. With shadows that seemed to move like living things, the once-bustling clearing had almost become unrecognizable.
Melissaās POVThe pack was so tense that it was nearly oppressive. The formerly bustling grounds were now a place of doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty. Even though the inquiring eyes were staring back at him, Damon's voice remained strong and steady as I stood next to him as he faced the pack."We're not going to give up! With his hands clenched at his sides, Damon declared. "Even if the Void believes it can shatter us, our unity makes us stronger. We'll fight, and we'll prevail!"There was a murmur among the people. While some exchanged suspicious looks, others nodded in accord. Bryce, one of the senior pack members, moved forward with a sombre attitude."Damon," Bryce stated in a sceptical tone. "Are you certain that we can resist this? We've already lost so much to the Void. Why do you think we can withstand another assault?"I started to get angry, but before I could say anything, Damon raised a hand. He stated firmly, "Because we have no other choice." "We fight because it's the on
Melissaās POVExcept for the steady hum of resolve in the air and the repetitive hammering of fists against targets, the training grounds were silent. I watched from the corner as the pack put in endless effort to get ready for the impending conflict. However, I was more focused on the decision that was hanging over me like a threatening storm cloud than I was on the training.The artefact weighed heavily on my mind. Even though I had already decided to give myself up, my willpower weakened every time I saw Damon's face. How could I abandon him? Get rid of them all?However, if I didn't"Hey, Melissa! My rambling thoughts were interrupted by Damon's voice.I glanced up in time to see him approaching me with a worried expression on his face. "Are you alright? You've been there for a long time.I forced a little smile and lied, "I'm fine."His eyes narrowed. "No, you're not. That look is familiar to me. What are you thinking about?"I paused. It would only get worse if I told him about
Melissaās POV The silence in the woodland was so eerie that it made my skin crawl. Through the silent darkness, every twig crack beneath our feet reverberated louder than it should have. With my heart racing in my chest, I firmly grasped the dagger's hilt. "Dennis couldn't have gone very far," Damon stated in a firm yet quiet voice. "Remain vigilant. He is dangerous because he is desperate. I looked around the dark woods and nodded. Dennis's treachery still ached like a new cut. I wanted to stop him before he could do more harm, but I also needed answers. One of the pack members, James, who was going directly in front of us, snarled, "We shouldn't have trusted him." "Pay attention, James," Damon snapped. "We must locate him, not blame him." The air was heavy with tension. Dennis had known us for years, and we all sensed it, even if nobody wanted to express it. Who else could have secrets if he could betray us? The air became colder and the shadows appeared to stretch and twist s
Melissaās POVThe first sensation I experienced was the oppressive weight of the air weighing down on me. I tried to open my eyes, but the darkness was too great. Not only was it black, but the shadows seemed to be alive, moving and writhing. With my head whirling, I forced myself to stand."Hey? I yelled, my voice hardly audible above the deafening quiet.No answer. The air was filled with the sound of faint murmurs. At first, they were faint, nearly inaudible, but as they got stronger, they could be heard everywhere."You lack sufficient strength.""You'll let them all down.""You are not needed by Damon."I gripped my head tightly as the sounds pierced my thoughts. "Stop it! I yelled, but all the whispers did was laugh, cruelly and icily.Although my legs felt like Jello, I made myself stand. The earth under me was a moving, unending vacuum with grey and black swirling together, unlike anything I had ever seen. Only the strange glow of the vigils on my arms was visible; there was n
Melissaās POVI felt the weight of the truth like a mountain.This cycle had begun with me.Everything: the suffering, the loss, the never-ending cycle of fateāI was solely to blame.My hands were shivering as I sat on the chilly stone floor.Damon had not returned.I was by myself thinking.And I heard the voice of my former self."You are unable to change who you are."No.That was not acceptable to me.I needed to figure out how to shatter this.However, how?I felt my heart thumping and gripped my chest."What should I do?" I said.A sorrowful, quiet voice answered."You have to make a decision."I pivoted.In front of me was the oracle.Time itself weighed heavily on her beautiful blue eyes, and her long silver hair flowed like water.I took a deep breath. "What do you choose?"She took a step forward."You have to rewrite the past to break the cycle," she stated.I scowled. "Rewrite?"She gave a nod."You have to take back what you did."My thoughts were racing as I blinked.Wa
Melissaās POVDarkness.ThenāA gentle wind.Slowly, I opened my eyes.Everything around me had changed.I was no longer in the temple.I was in a magnificent hall that was higher than anything I had ever seen. Overhead, I could see golden chandeliers glimmering across the marble floors. Strange symbols were engraved on tall pillars that lined the walls.I lowered my look to myself.My outfit was heavy, with gold embroidery and luxurious silk.My fingertips were coated in jewels.I wasn't myself.I let out a gasp. "Where am I?"Behind me came a strong voice."My Queen."I whirledāand stopped.Damon was standing there.However, he was... unique.He wore a platinum clip to secure his longer hair. His eyes were colder and darker. He was dressed in an armour-lined robe of gold and black that shone in the candlelight.Unreadable, he looked at me.I got a chill from something about him.He stepped closer and said, "Melissa," with ease. "Are you ill?"I stepped back. "I..."What should I hav
Melissaās POVThere was silence in the air.I was having trouble breathing.Damon's golden eyes were dimly gleaming as he stood in front of me.He remained still.He merely looked.Through me, not at me.I took a measured stride forward. "Damon?"No answer.His fingers twitched as if he were struggling with something inside of him, and his body tightened.Then all of a suddenāHis body gave a powerful jerk.His breath came in rough gasps as he gripped his chest.Deep within him sounded a rumbling growl.I hurried over to join him. "Damon, what is going on?"His jaw was so clinched that it appeared painful when he shook his head.āIāā He gulped and clutched my arm as if it were a lifeline. It's excessive. I have no control over it.I could feel the heat rising beneath his fingers.He got burns on his skin.Despite my wince, I didn't back down.I begged, "You have to fight it."His breath became laboured. "I don't know who I am anymore, Melissa."Fear took hold of my chest."You're Damo
Melissaās POV"Damon!" I shook him as I yelled.He was chilly. He breathed shallowly.āRemain with meāno, no, no!ā Even when I applied pressure to his wound, his blood continued to flow.He hardly moved his chest. He fluttered his lashes.The world seemed to be sliding away from me.My voice broke as I said quietly, "You must wake up." "You said you would."Damon made a feeble attempt at a smile. "I'm exhausted, Melissa."I shook my head, "No." "You are not allowed to feel fatigued. You cannot abandon me.I gave him all of my energy in an attempt to heal him.My hands sparkled with golden light. HoweverāIt wasn't functioning.The injury persisted.His complexion became paler.I was in a panic.I made another attempt, pushing harder and using all of my remaining strength.Nothing."No," I said.In the wreckage of the temple came a slow laugh.The Harbinger watched from the shadows. Unmoved.With ease, he stated, "He cannot exist in this world." "His destiny has already been decided."
Melissaās POVAll around us, darkness swirled. With their hollow eyes shining dimly and their whispers filling the air, the lost souls emerged from the emptiness.I clenched my chest, attempting to ignore the unsettling whispers. Every syllable sent shivers down my spine like ice."I lost... I forgot. Doomed.Damon gripped his blade more tightly. "Remain close, Melissa."Like a tide of hopelessness, the lost souls glided toward us rather than walking. Their spectral hands grabbed for my flesh, and as soon as they made contact, memories that weren't mine exploded in my head.The scream of a lady.A fighter going down on his knees.It was an already lost war.I gasped and staggered back.Damon took hold of my wrist. "Hey, Melissa! What's the matter?With blurred eyesight, I gripped his arm. "These soulsāthey're more than just spirits." I trembled when I spoke. They resembled us. Warriors from earlier cycles.Damon tightened his jaw. "Then they didn't succeed."The closest lost soul scre
Melissaās POVA chilly, stinging wind slapped my skin, and I struggled for breath. I opened my eyes and discovered that I was on firm ground. Grass. Trees. The scent of rain. We had returned."Damon?" With my heart racing, I turned to my side.He moaned and sat up next to me. "I'm here," he said. There was a spark of bewilderment in his silver eyes. "Are we... home?"I took a look around. As we left it, the city appeared in the distance. However, something seemed... strange.I said, "We should go," and got to my feet. Despite my trembling legs, I pushed forward. "We need to see ifā"Damon took hold of my wrist. "I'm Melissa. There's a problem."I understood his meaning perfectly. The air had a new feel. Less heavy? More substantial? I was unable to tell.We made it swiftly to the city gates, but my breath caught when we entered.It was too quiet on the streets. The colors were brighter, and the stores appeared more recent. Nobody glanced at us as they passed us.Damon tensed up next t
Melissaās POVMy surroundings became hazy, fluctuating between darkness and brightness. As though the realm itself breathed around us, the air seemed heavy.And my mother was in front of me.It was so unbelievable to me. "You... Have you visited here? All this time?Both sadness and warmth were in her eyes when they met mine. "Yes, my kid. I have kept an eye on you from a distance.My throat constricted. "Why? Why didn't you return?With a sigh, she took a step forward. "Because I was unable to."Damon, standing next to me, stiff. "What do you mean?"She ignored me, lost in the infinite emptiness of this world. "Melissa, this is a prison. A place of the forgotten. There is no way out once you're inside.A shiver went down my back. "So, how have we arrived here?"She faced me once again. "Because you are unique."I scowled. "In a different way?"She lowered her voice. "You weren't supposed to go down the same route as your predecessors. You were supposed to make all the difference.I g
Melissaās POVI felt weightless as soon as the portal engulfed us.Everything blurred as cold air rushed past me. Even though we didn't move at all, it felt like we were falling.I firmly grasped Damon's hand. "Where are we heading?"His resolute golden eyes locked with mine. "I won't let go, wherever it may be."Light burst around us before I could reply.We were jerked forward by a sudden pull and hit soft ground with a hard thud.I sat up, gasping. Something I couldn't identify was heavy and thick in the air. Beside me, Damon moaned and rubbed his head."Are you alright?" I inquired.He nodded, pushing himself up. āYeah. But where the hell are we?āI took a look around.The sky was a deep shade of violet, streaked with gold. Strange silver trees surrounded us, their foliage shimmering softly. A tranquil river flowed close, reflecting the glittering sky.It was beautiful. Butā¦ incorrect.Everything was too still. Too perfect.I took a swallow. āThis placeā¦ it feelsā¦āDamonās gaze cl
Melissaās POVAs he held the sword over Damon's heart, Astrael's golden eyes shone. Thick and oppressive, the dark energy flowed all about us. My hands were shaking, and I was breathing quickly and shallowly."Make a decision, Melissa." Even though his voice was gentle, I shuddered at the malice in it. "Watch your beloved perish, or be my queen."Damon's face contorted in agony as he fought against the magic that restrained him. "Don'tā" says Melissa.My eyes were burning with tears. I yelled with all my strength to save him. However, I was aware that allowing Astrael to win would result in my permanent loss of identity.I balled my fists up. No.With a louder voice than I had anticipated, I declared, "I won't let you control me."Astrael's forehead raised. "Is that correct?"As he brought the sword closer to Damon's chest, the air crackled. "Then, I hope you're ready to face the repercussions.""No!" Something snapped inside me as I screamed.Deep within my spirit, a powerful wave of