The temple continued to crumble around us as Ryder and I faced off. The air crackled with energy, a mixture of my newly balanced light and shadow powers and Ryder's dark force. I could sense the power surging within me, but it was chaotic and unruly. Managing it felt like attempting to steer a furious river using only my hands.“You believe you've gained something, right?” Ryder scoffed, his red eyes shining with a spiteful delight. “You have no clue how to harness that power. You're just a kid messing with things you can't grasp.”I clenched my jaw, attempting to concentrate. “I might not entirely understand it yet, but I know enough to halt you.”With that, I launched myself at him, channeling my energy into a blast of combined moonlight and shadow. Ryder met it with a wave of darkness, and the two powers crashed together in a dazzling blast that made the temple floor shake.For a second, I felt like I was winning. But then Ryder's laughter filled the room, making me feel really col
I stumbled through the thick woods, feeling my body hurt with each move. The things that happened in the temple kept coming back to me – fighting with Ryder, the strange wolf helping me, and the terrible time when Ryder caught my rescuer. I felt bad and wanted to continue, even though I was exhausted. Out of nowhere, I noticed a change in the atmosphere. The unseen wall that kept me away from my group was gone, and I was near our campsite. I felt happy, but also exhausted. My legs couldn't hold me up anymore, and I fell down. “Aurora!” Xander's voice broke through my pain and tiredness. He was by my side in no time, holding me in his arms. His familiar smell – like pine trees, dirt, and home – made me cry. “Call the healer!” Xander yelled, his voice shaking his chest. “Hurry!” As gentle hands tended to my wounds, I recounted everything that had happened in the temple. Xander listened intently, his expression growing darker with each word. “A mysterious wolf?” he asked, his brow fu
I needed to be stronger. I needed to be more in control. Ryder and his rogues are a threat, and the wolf's fate is uncertain. So, I went to a quiet part of our pack's land and started to practice and improve my recently discovered skills.Time passed as I sat meditating, my eyes shut in focus. I could feel the energy flowing through my body, ready to be used. I concentrated on that subtle balance, attempting to strengthen my bond with it, to grasp its complexities and details.The noise of crushed leaves and broken branches caught my attention, and I opened my eyes to see Xander coming closer. His gentle brown eyes filled with worry.“Aurora, sweetheart please, you need to rest,” he urged. “This rigorous training is affecting your health. You need to ease up.”I shook my head, my chin firm with resolve. “I can't, Xander. I have to be ready. That wolf is counting on me, and I can't let them down. I have to stop Ryder once and for all.”Xander's expression shifted, a mix of frustration
I felt a sudden burst of energy, a mix of bright light and dark shadows reacting to my command. Ryder's rogues surrounded me, their eyes showing a strong desire for a fight, but I was prepared. The careful control of my recently acquired skills was buzzing under my skin, ready to be used.When they charged, I moved quickly and smoothly, dodging their attacks. My long practice and improved senses helped me predict their moves before they happened. I turned, barely escaping a pair of very sharp claws, my heart beating loudly in my head.“Is that all you've got?” I taunted, my voice steadier than I felt.Sensing an opportunity, I gathered my strength and unleashed a pulse of pure light energy. The burst exploded outward, momentarily blinding and disorienting the rogues. Their howls of confusion and pain filled the air, giving me a fleeting sense of satisfaction.In the confusion, I saw a chance to escape. I didn't think twice and ran as fast as I could, hoping to get away. But then, some
I woke up with a start, my head pounding and my body bruised. When my eyes had become used to the dim light, I found that I was inside a cave, the smell of air was wet earth mixed with something threatening. I tried to get up, but my wrists and ankles were tied with chains that felt like they had strange energy. These chains weren't normal; they were making me feel powerless and exposed.The noise of approaching footsteps in the cave caught my attention. Ryder entered, flanked by his followers. My heart raced as I saw the items they carried: ancient artifacts and ingredients that reeked of dark magic. Whatever Ryder had planned, it couldn't be good.“Ah, Aurora,” Ryder's voice dripped with false warmth. “So glad you're awake.”I tried to break free from the chains, but the chains just clinked without helping. “What are you planning, Ryder?” I spat, trying to mask my fear with defiance.Ryder's mouth twisted into a mean grin as he started to draw a complicated pattern around me. The sh
It wasn't until then that I finally woke up and realized I was lying in a small, dark cell. Heavy air hung low with the smell of damp rock, accompanied by a hint of something else: a scent both far too familiar, yet somehow too out of place to be captured by my memory. My body was sore all over from the traumatic experience of what Ryder had attempted with that ritual. Despite the pain, I made myself take in the scene around me.That's when I saw him—the mysterious wolf we had been trying to rescue. He was chained to the opposite wall, his fur matted and his body bearing signs of long captivity. But it was his eyes that caught my attention. They seemed to bore into me with an intensity that felt… familiar.“Aurora,” the wolf called out, his voice weak but carrying a tone that sent a shiver of recognition through me. “Aurora, is that really you?”With an effort, I struggled to my feet, my body aching. My heart was racing as I moved toward the wolf chained there.“Who are you?” I whispe
The silence in the cell was deafening as Asher stood before us, his presence as unexpected as it was confusing. My thoughts were going fast, trying to understand why our group's next leader was here, in Ryder's protected place. Next to me, I could feel Aiden getting ready, prepared to act if needed.Asher shut the door behind him, looking at both Aiden and me. It was obvious he was struggling with something, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling both mad and puzzled.“What are you doing here, Asher?” I demanded, my voice trembling slightly. “Are you… are you working with Ryder?”Asher took a deep breath, his shoulders sagging slightly as if a great weight were being lifted. “No, Aurora. I'm not working with Ryder. At least, not in the way you think.”I felt Aiden shift beside me, his voice low and warning. “Be careful, Aurora. We can't trust him too quickly.”Asher's eyes flickered to Aiden, a look of recognition passing over his face. “You must be, Aiden. I've heard about you.”“Ex
We dashed through the woods, and everything seemed like a fast-moving picture. We were running fast, trying to escape from Ryder. It felt great to be free, but I knew we had to stay careful. We weren't out of danger yet.Aiden was beside me, looking determined but also worn out. I was happy to see my brother again after such a very long time, but still, it was easy to notice that being held captive had changed him. He was running not as easily as before and was breathing heavily.Finally, Aiden caught his foot in one of those roots lying on the ground and was about to fall. I managed to catch his arm just in time and not to let him drop on the ground.“We need to go slower,” I said, really concerned about him. “Aiden's still weak from captivity.”Asher, who had been leading our small group, looked back with a worried frown. “We can't afford to stop completely. Ryder's men won't be far behind.”I agreed, realizing how serious our situation was. Suddenly, a thought came to me, so I shut