Melissa’s POVThe jungle towered over us like a pitch-black, never-ending tunnel. The branches of tall trees entwined to block out most of the light as they extended into the sky. Every sound made my heart race, even as my boots crunched on the dried leaves on the woodland floor. The faint pulse of the sigil on my arm served as a continual reminder of the curse I was carrying. Dennis followed a little behind, murmuring to himself about maps and old predictions, while Damon strolled next to me, his keen eyes searching the darkness.Damon pointed to a dim trail that wound through the trees and remarked, "We're close." "But we must remain vigilant.""Remain vigilant? I gave him a suspicious look. "Do you believe that the creatures of The Void are pursuing us?"Damon gave a sombre nod. They didn't stop. To them, the mark on your arm is like a beacon.I took a deep breath. Fantastic. Exactly what I required.Then, out of the darkness, came a deep growl. My breath caught in my throat as I f
Melissa’s POVUnease permeated the air around the packhouse, making it feel heavier than usual. My heart thumped in my chest as I walked to the council room. I had seen the sidelong glances and heard the whispers. I was tormented by the betrayal I had heard, but I had to face the traitor before the rifts in our togetherness deepened.The place was quiet as I walked in. One of our reliable spies, Marcus, caught my attention. His eyes darted anxiously, and he stood stiffly. Dennis and Damon stood on either side of me, providing comfort but unable to quell the storm that was building within me."Marcus," I said in a calm yet icy tone. "We must speak."His shoulders sagged as he gulped forcefully. "I, Melissa..."I stepped closer and interrupted, saying, "Don't." "You were heard. I heard everything. You were addressing The Void's servant. You have deceived us.The room echoed with gasps. Marcus looked away, his hands shaking. He muttered, "I didn't mean for it to go this far." They put my
Melissa’s POVThere was a lot of bustle in the packhouse. Wolves frantically prepared for what appeared to be an insurmountable battle. Strategies were whispered, weapons honed. But the air was heavy with tension, like fog.My mark, that damned symbol, pulsed faintly beneath my skin as I stood in the middle of it all. With every second that went by, it felt heavier, as if it were living and becoming stronger. I tried to concentrate, but my mind was racing. There was not much time left.I saw him gathering a group of fighters by the training grounds and cried out, "Damon." "We need to rally everyone," he said, turning as his face softened upon seeing me. Right now.As firm as a rock in a storm, he strolled in my direction. "Melissa, we are making every effort. However, morale is low.I gave a sad nod. "I understand. We can't give up, though. Not right now.Dennis showed up with a dusty old book in his hands before he could reply. “I think I found something you need to see, Melissa,” he
Melissa’s POVThe emblem on my arm burned like a flame beneath my flesh, and my entire body hurt as I stepped outside the packhouse. Since yesterday, the mark's eerie light had gotten brighter, telling everyone including myself that I was no longer just any wolf. But my concerns were more pressing now. At the brink of our frontiers, a stranger who claimed to be an ally stood.Despite my stomach churning, I said firmly, "Who are you, and what do you want?"Slowly and deliberately, the man took a step forward. His steel-sharp, calculating eyes glinted. "My name is Aelric," he introduced himself. "I’ve fought The Void before. I know what it wants and how to stop it."Damon protectively stepped in front of me and hissed, "You’ve fought The Void?" "How convenient. And you just happen to show up now?"Despite his wrath, Aelric's eyes shifted to Damon. "I’ve been watching. Waiting for the right moment. Now that Melissa has been marked, time is running out. If you don’t act, The Void will con
Melissa’s POVThe air was heavy with smoke, and I could hear my packmates howling. Like a never-ending flood of blackness, shadow creatures surrounded us, their crimson eyes blazing with rage. I felt the heat from the glowing symbol on my arm as I tightened my hands. It filled my veins with an unexplained intensity that pulsed like a heartbeat."We must immediately patch up the rifts! I shouted, trying to get my voice heard above the commotion.At my side, Damon slashed down a shadow beast that sprang at us, his blade gleaming. "We're outnumbered, Melissa. We will never prevail in this battle if that creature continues to cause divisions!"I looked toward the biggest gap, a whirling whirlpool of violet and black energy that hung in the air like a real-life wound. With each pulse, it spat out more shadow beings. Like it recognized the energy gushing out of that emptiness, my mark throbbed in response."We cannot give up," I firmly stated. "I believe I can close it if I can."Damon took
Melissa’s POVThe biggest rift, whose edges were blazing with a throbbing, unsettling light, loomed before us like a huge wound in the ground. Dark truths that I couldn't comprehend but could sense in my bones were whispered by the swirling shadows surrounding it. My mark seemed to be answering the rift's call because it was burning brighter than before.Aelric stated, "We have to go in," in a steady yet solemn tone. "If we don’t destroy the source, these rifts will keep opening until there’s nothing left of this world."I scowled at him while crossing my arms. "And what exactly is your plan, Aelric? You’ve been vague about everything so far."Aelric's tone remained composed despite the annoyance flashing in his golden eyes. "The Void’s power has a core living entity that’s creating these rifts. If we destroy it, the rifts will collapse, and the shadows will lose their foothold here."Damon approached me and said sharply, "Destroy it?" "How? With what? You can't just walk into a rift
Melissa’s 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. "I’m fine. Let’s keep moving. We don’t have time to waste."Aelric took a step forward, his expression serious. "
Melissa’s 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
Melissa’s POVThe sound of singing birds awakened me.My skin was touched by the warm air.The air was heavy with the aroma of flowers.I sat up slowly.Under a clear blue sky, I lay on a verdant meadow.It was all quiet.However, something felt off.I scowled as I looked about.Where had I gone?Had I not been... somewhere?Had I not been battling?My heart was squeezed against a faint aching.However, nothing came to mind when I tried to recall why.Nothing except emptiness.I inhaled deeply.Perhaps it was only a dream.I might have been dreaming.I forced myself to stand up and took a look around.I could see a small village beyond the grass.Red-roofed houses.Stores with wooden signs.People are grinning and laughing as they go down the streets.It felt... typical.As though this was how things had always been.Like there had never been any damage.With an oddly rapid heartbeat, I set off toward the settlement.I had no idea where I was heading.However, I felt that I was suppos
Melissa’s POVI was unable to sense my body.It was all spinning together, light and dark.Then suddenly—I stood.Damon was at my side.Above us, Aetherion hung, his golden radiance blinding.Our surroundings were collapsing.Aetherion declared, "This is over." Like a hurricane, his voice reverberated. "Your life is over now."I turned to face Damon.Determination blazed in his eyes.He made a move for my hand.Something inside of me stirred as our fingers connected.An emotion.One of the memories.Every life we have already led.The previous cycles.Our lost love.The fights we had engaged in.All of them remained within us.Energy surged through my veins, and I gasped.Damon's hold became more firm.He sensed it, too.Aetherion called forth golden light with his raised palm."Fate is unavoidable."Damon took a step forward."Observe us."The first to strike was Aetherion.A golden fire blazed in our direction.I raised my hands, and all of a sudden—A shield developed.Not me.Fro
Melissa’s POVPower crackled in the air.I was immobile.I was having trouble breathing.Aetherion, the entity, was in front of us.He seemed unreal, like he was something incomprehensible, as his figure alternated between dazzling brightness and unending shade.His voice reverberated in the atmosphere."Everything must go in its intended direction."My heart was thumping in my chest."No," I said.Aetherion looked across to me.His eyes were power-filled emptiness.He remarked, "You have broken the cycle." "You have disregarded destiny. This is not acceptable.Damon was standing next to me, his fists clenched.Damon stated, "We didn't break the cycle." "We're working to make it better."Aetherion's head cocked.It was crushing to be around him.As if the entire cosmos were bearing down on us.He declared, "The cycle is not broken." "The cycle never ends. It is unchangeable.I gave a headshake."That isn't accurate," I stated. "We've witnessed it. We have experienced it. This is a jai
Melissa’s POVI was surrounded by a time-frozen environment.Trapped between the past and present, the royal room flashed.My former self was still standing there, observing me with icy, amber eyes.Damon gripped my hand.He said quietly, "Melissa, you must make a decision." "Should we maintain what we have or break the cycle?"I experienced heartache.I might lose Damon if I choose to end the cycle.Everything is gone, including our love and memories.But history would continue to repeat itself if we didn't.More suffering. More loss.Forever.My eyes welled up with tears.I said, "I don't want to lose you."Damon lightly touched my cheek."But you also don't want this curse to last."I balled my fists up.It was unfair.For what reason did love have to cost so much?I looked back at myself."You made the wrong decision," I said quietly, trembling. "I refuse to."My former self grinned."Then, let's test your strength."From her hands, a golden surge of power sprang forth.I let out
Melissa’s 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 fate—I 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
Melissa’s POVDarkness.Then—A 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 whirled—and 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
Melissa’s 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 sudden—His 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.“I—” 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
Melissa’s POV"Damon!" I shook him as I yelled.He was chilly. He breathed shallowly.“Remain with me—no, no, no!” 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. However—It 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."
Melissa’s 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 souls—they'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