Arms crossed, Dominick leaned against a downed tree and stared at Dorian. Across from him stood the scarred messenger, his hollowed face illuminated by the campfire. The tension between Dominick and Dorian was still present, but the pack had scattered to be ready for their next move.Dominick responded sharply, "So, tell me." "Why now? Why do you tell us about yourself?Using a stick, Dorian prodded the fire, sending embers soaring into the pitch-black night. With a flat tone, he stated, "Because time is running out." "Eryndor doesn't waste time moping about his injuries. He's on the move. Quickly."What is his desire?" Lisa, seated next to Dominick, inquired. Even though she was still frail, her resolve was unwavering and she refused to stay behind.When Dorian's eyes strayed to her, doubt obscured his face for the first time. "Manage. Strength. He differs from the rogues you have previously encountered. Eryndor wants an empire, not just mayhem. Additionally, he is beginning with the
Beneath the twisted roots of a huge tree that appeared to claw at the ground like a creature defending its victim, the sanctuary's entrance was hardly discernible. Dorian squatted close to the aperture, clearing away rubble to uncover a staircase leading down into the shadows."This is it," he murmured in a low, almost respectful manner. "The Shadow Sanctuary."With her eyes focused on the shadowy space below, Lisa tightened her hold on Dominick's arm. "It seems... incorrect," she said.Dominick gave a nod. The atmosphere surrounding the door was thick, suffocating, and tinged with a subtle hum that made his senses tingle. "Remain near me," he stated in a quiet but firm voice.Dorian gave them another look. There is no way out once we are inside. This place is alive, not just old. It will put us to the test."Test us in what way?" Lisa inquired in a cautious tone.Dorian looked at her glumly. It thrives on dread. It will reveal things to you and cause you to question yourself. It will
As he moved in front of Lisa, Dominick murmured in a broken voice, "Don't do this, Lisa." His golden eyes begged with hers as his hands tightened over her shoulders. "There must be an alternative.""There isn't," Lisa stated in a shaky yet determined voice. "You listened to the guardian." We are defenseless against Eryndor if we do not have this knowledge. Because we're scared to take chances, I won't allow more people to perish."It's more than just a chance!" Dominick became quite irritated. It's your life! You have no idea how this trial will affect you.Despite the confusion all around them, she gently cupped his face. "I am aware of the stakes. And if I fall, I know you'll get me back."That's not good enough!" he yelled, his voice resonating throughout the room. As though physically holding her would prevent her from sliding away, his grip became more firm. "Lisa, I can't let you go. Never again.Unshed tears glistened in Lisa's eyes, but her will remained unwavering. "I'm doing
When Dominick and Lisa returned, the packhouse was unnaturally quiet. Instead of the normal commotion of voices, footfall, and laughter, there was a heavy strain that lingered in the air like an impending storm.Marcus greeted them first, his face displaying a mixture of worry and relief. "You've returned. Give thanks to the Moon Goddess.As they entered, Dominick nodded and tightened his hold on Lisa's hand. "All people should come to the hall. We must speak.Marcus looked at Lisa and saw the tiredness in her eyes and the pale sheen on her skin. "Are you..."Lisa interrupted abruptly, but her voice faltered, "I'm fine." "There isn't time for inquiries. Just get everyone together.They were left alone in the entrance as Marcus nodded after he hesitated. Dominick's eyes softened as he turned to Lisa. "You must take a break. That trial.She interrupted him once more, saying, "I'll rest when this is over." When she noticed the concern engraved on his face, her voice grew softer. "I'm all
The tension in the clearing was palpable as the rogue packs gathered. Dominick stood at the center, his stance firm, his voice calm yet commanding. The rogue alphas exchanged wary glances, their wolves bristling with unease.“This alliance is not about trust,” Dominick began, his voice cutting through the murmurs. “It’s about survival. Eryndor won’t stop until he destroys every one of us. If we don’t unite now, there won’t be anything left to fight for.”A grizzled rogue alpha, a scar running down the side of his face, stepped forward. “You expect us to follow you after what your pack has done to us in the past? You think a few fancy speeches will erase years of bloodshed?”Dominick met his gaze, unflinching. “I don’t expect you to forget. I don’t expect you to forgive. But if you think Eryndor will spare you because you’re not part of my pack, you’re a fool. He doesn’t care about your grudges. He’ll crush you just the same.”The rogue alpha growled low in his throat, but another voic
As the pack paused at the boundary, their breaths visible in the chilly night, the air was heavy with tension. Ahead, the foreboding rustle of the trees blended with the lingering smell of blood and ash. Dominick paced in the front, watching for the first movement in the shadows."Remain alert," he yelled. "They will arrive quickly and forcefully. Remain firm. Defend one another. Nobody fights by themselves.Marcus gritted his jaw and gripped his blade tighter. "Earlier, I estimated that they had at least 100 members. There are most likely more lurking in the shadows.Dominick gave a somber nod. "Then we make every hit matter."As the first renegade wolves appeared from the treeline, their eyes crimson and their snarls vowing death, a low growl echoed across the pack."They're here," Chelsea said in a strained voice.Dominick signaled silence by raising his hand. With a harsh tone, he said, "Wait for my command."Slowly, with deliberate, predatory movements, the rogues moved forward.
Only the gentle murmurs of those caring for the injured and the occasional muffled sob broke the deafening silence in the pack house. Every soul felt the weight of their loss, and the air was thick with sorrow.With his hands clenched at his sides, Dominick stood in the middle of the room. He looked about at his people, who were tired, hurt, but yet alive. For the time being.Marcus came over, his arm in a homemade sling, his face injured. "Everyone has been accounted for. There were 26 fatalities and 40 injuries. Dom, we are only half as strong as we once were.Dominick's voice was a low growl as his jaw tensed. Eryndor desired to communicate. He stated unequivocally that he is after all we stand for, not just us.Sitting close by, Chelsea scowled at the ground while wearing a bandage over her forehead. "This is not how we can fight him. Not directly.Dominick stated firmly, "We won't." "But we're also not giving up."With shaky steps but unwavering resolve, Lisa walked into the room
As Dominick guided the group through the thick underbrush, the moonlight created long shadows that cut through the strangely quiet forest. With her jaw clenched and her eyes searching the shadows for any indication of danger, Lisa stepped next to him. Marcus, Chelsea, and three of their most reliable fighters trailed behind them, moving silently and cautiously."From the edge of Eryndor's territory, we're about a day's journey away," Marcus whispered, his voice hardly audible. "We will arrive at the stronghold by nightfall tomorrow if we continue at this rate."Dominick looked straight ahead and nodded. "We follow the plan. No needless dangers. If something seems strange, we instantly reorganize."Feels off?" Chelsea's voice was dry as she mumbled. "Everything seems strange. Marching directly into the backyard of Eryndor? What might go wrong?"Enough," Dominick stated sternly, his voice unyielding. We all concurred on this. This is the moment to go back if you have any doubts.Chelsea
Lisa felt it again the ever-present pull of darkness, thrumming under her skin like a beating of its own. The mirror had shown her a truth she hadn’t been ready to face, and now it felt as if the very shadows of the Moon Goddess were wrapping themselves around her, smothering her. Every breath was harder than the last, and the fight to keep herself in control was becoming unbearable.She stood by the edge of their camp, looking into the forest’s darkness, trying to calm the chaos whirling inside her. Dominick had insisted on staying close, despite her protests. He hovered behind her now, but she didn’t turn to face him. She couldn’t."I can feel it," she whispered, though she wasn’t sure whether she was speaking to him, or to the darkness that clawed at her thoughts. "It’s like it’s alive in me, Dominick. It’s getting stronger with every passing moment. I don’t know how much longer I can fight it."Dominick stepped forward, his movements light but filled with haste. He reached for her
Lisa stood at the edge of the old ruins, her heart pounding as the weight of their task pushed down on her. Dominick was by her side, his presence a steadying force, but even he couldn’t deny the unease that had settled over their pack.They had come here to find answers, but the ruins were steeped in silence, their old stones worn by centuries of neglect. The air was thick with an eerie energy, and Lisa could feel it in the pit of her stomach something dark, something old, was waiting."Are you sure this is the right place?" Lisa asked, her voice low, almost respectful.Dominick glanced at her, his eyes filled with purpose. "It’s the only place left, Lisa. The old books... they all point here. The answers are hidden in these ruins. We just have to find them."She nodded, but doubts remained in her mind. The pack’s trust in her was weakening. They didn’t say it, but Lisa could feel the strain. She had once been their center, their guide, their link to the Moon Goddess. Now, without th
The first thing Lisa felt was warmth. It wasn’t the kind of warmth that could be mistaken for sunlight or the heat of a fire, but the kind of warmth that pulsed deep within her chest, spreading through her limbs, wrapping around her like a protective embrace.She blinked, slowly opening her eyes. The world around her was blurry at first, fading in and out of focus. But as her senses began to sharpen, she could feel it—the weight of Dominick’s arms around her, holding her close. The familiar scent of him, of the pack, surrounded her, grounding her. And yet, something was wrong.Something was very wrong.Lisa sat up with a sharp gasp, her body trembling from the sheer effort it took to move. She looked around, eyes wide, searching for an answer. The pack was gathered around them, silent, watchful, and… worried. They looked as though they were waiting for something waiting for her."Lisa?" Dominick’s voice was scratchy, filled with a quiet desperation she hadn’t heard before. "Are you ok
As Dominick's hands hovered above Lisa's motionless body, they shook. Even though the combat was done, it seemed like the conflict had only just started. He stared at her chest, looking for some indication that she was still alive. His anguish made every breath feel heavy and shallow. Her face had turned pale and lifeless. Everything he didn't want to know was revealed to him by the blood stains on her clothing."You can't leave. In a ragged echo of the man, he once was, Dominick muttered to her, "You just can't." Leaning down, he brushed a lock of hair away from her face, allowing the tears he had been suppressing to finally fall."Please, Lisa. Get your eyes open. Return to me.Around them, the pack had gathered in stillness. Even though they had prevailed in the fight, it felt meaningless. His evil power had been broken, and Eryndor's citadel had collapsed, but at what price? With her heart as frigid as the stone under her, Lisa, their ray of hope, lay still.Marcus's face was unre
There was a lot of darkness in the room, and the shadows were thick and moving around them like living things. The stone floor beneath Dominick was stained with blood as he lay unconscious, his body broken and battered. With tears in her eyes and her heart racing, Lisa knelt next to him, but there was no time for sorrow. She was thinking of only one thing.They all needed to be saved by her.In front of them, tall and victorious, Eryndor's eyes were full of vile laughter. "Lisa, you believe you have won, but the game is far from over." The air felt oppressive, and his voice was like ice. "There is no force or power in this world that can defeat me."Lisa's heart ached as she felt the warmth of Dominick's pulse wane with every second that went by, and her hands shook as she reached out to touch him. Even though she still had a close bond with him and the pack, it wasn't sufficient. Not quite yet.Then something changed within her.Her inner wolf spirit awoke with a roil, its restless e
The pack was positioned before the imposing gates of Eryndor's stronghold, which appeared to have impenetrable walls and a dense, oppressive, and dark aura. The weight of the approaching conflict made the air motionless. With the resolve that had brought them this far, Dominick's eyes were hard and his mind was keen. They would put an end to this now.“All units, move out!” he ordered, his voice like a razor slicing through the quiet.With ferocious determination, the pack charged ahead, their warriors trailing behind. Standing by Dominick's side, Lisa felt the strength of the black magic emanating from the fortress walls, her heart pounding and her thoughts turning into its own battlefield.They were nearly instantly struck by the first wave of rogue wolves, their eyes blazing with the strange light of Eryndor's might. The pack was more than ready, but they were swift, vicious, and unrelenting.With her claws cutting through the air and tearing through the rogue wolves that approache
The vista in front of them was a never-ending length of rocky land and forest that led to the impending fortress of Eryndor. With the burden of the trip bearing down on him, Dominick led the way. The strain in the air was evident, and each step felt like it may be his last. The odds were stacked against them in the impending last fight.Lisa followed closely behind him, her steps steady but her thoughts focused on the future. They both understood the seriousness of the situation, and their closeness was strong despite their inability to express it verbally. Although they all had a part to play, nobody could foresee the cost of winning.Marcus kept up with the others despite the emotional and physical strain of saving Chelsea. Even while his expression was fixed on stern determination, his eyes would occasionally flicker with the wounds from the ambush, both the ones on his body and the ones still present in his heart. Chelsea was almost lost to him. He would not permit such to occur o
Dominick stood at the edge of the camp, surveying his warriors' faces while the wind howled all around him. He felt as though the entire universe was resting on his shoulders. The moment had arrived. They were at their breaking point. Eryndor was too near his objective, too risky. In his bones, Dominick knew that the last battle was coming.The tension in the air was broken by Dominick's voice as she said, "We can't wait for more signs, more opportunities." "Now we fight. We battle together.Though there was a hesitancy and a sense of trepidation, the pack stirred and whispers of agreement rippled through them. They had suffered a great loss. They were still grieving over the loss of their siblings in the previous conflict.Chelsea stepped forward from the crowd and said, "Dominick." Her voice was steady, but her eyes were rimmed in red. You want us to put everything on the line. After everything we've lost... after everything we've endured...Dominick responded, his eyes hardening, "
The tension in the camp was high due to the weight of Chelsea's capture. Marcus paced, anger and hopelessness swirling in his head. His fists were clinched at his sides, and his eyes were bloodshot. He was being tormented by the idea of losing her and failing her.Lisa murmured softly, "Marcus," moving into his direct line of sight.He halted his pacing and looked at her, his jaw clenched. "I'm pursuing her." I can't just sit here doing nothing.The unadulterated agony in his voice made Lisa's heart hurt. She was aware of Chelsea's importance to him. "I get it, but we can't just show up without a strategy, Marcus. We shall be met by Eryndor.Marcus shot back, his voice strained and low, "I don't care." There's Chelsea inside. She cannot be left to rot in that hellhole by me.Lisa paused, fully aware of the dangers. After that, we'll travel together. However, we must consider this. Dark magic guards Eryndor's stronghold, and he won't make things simple.For a minute, Marcus's eyes soft