Amelia's POVAs the dim light of the cell flickered, casting long shadows across the stone walls, Gonzales's eyes transformed into pools of ethereal silver, a testament to the ancient power coursing through his veins. The room itself seemed to respond to his command, the air thickening, becoming charged with a palpable energy that tethered Isaac to the spot. His resistance, once a burning fire, seemed to ebb away under Gonzales's penetrating gaze, dimming to mere embers as if his very will was ensnared. It was fascinating to watch - but only because Gonzales was on my side as it were."Tell me," Gonzales's voice was calm, commanding, "who do you work for?"Isaac, his figure slumped, his defiance crumbling, parted his lips to speak. His voice, no longer laced with the sharpness of treachery, became a mere vessel for the truth, stripped of any facade. "The Silver Hands," he confessed, the words heavy with implications. Even though I had long since figured that part out, I still held out
Hazel's POVAs I stood in the dimly lit chamber, concealed within the shadows, my gaze fixated on Zion and the other physicians as they worked tirelessly on the corrupted. It had been merely a week since I had acquired Zion through means of coercion, yet the progress they had made in taming and controlling the corrupted was astonishing to say the least.Zion moved with a sense of purpose, his brow furrowed in concentration as he directed the other physicians in their tasks. Because if he did not then, well. The air was heavy with the scent of herbs and incense, a concoction carefully crafted to soothe the volatile nature of the corrupted mind as I've been rold.Zion gestures to one of the physicians, who carefully approaches the corrupted with a bowl of scented incense. The air is thick with tension as they cautiously proceed with their demonstration. I watch intently, my gaze flickering between Zion's confident demeanor and the subdued movements of the corrupted.I observed silently
Hazel's POV"Excellent work," I said, my voice carrying across the room with an air of authority. "You have surpassed my expectations."Zion inclined his head in acknowledgment, a faint glimmer of relief in his eyes. "Thank you, Alpha King," he replied, his tone respectful yet guarded.I returned his nod with a nod of my own, my gaze sweeping over the assembled physicians. "Continue with your efforts," I instructed, my voice echoing through the chamber. "There is still much to be done, but I have every confidence in your abilities."With that, I turned and made my way out of the chamber, leaving Zion and his team to their work. The old man really was a game changer. With him under me, I knew that nothing could stand in the way of my ambitions. And anything that does would not stand there for long........As I emerged from the depths of the underground chambers, the cool air of the palace proper greeted me, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere below. My footsteps echoed through
Hazel's POVAfter a brief nap, a sudden realization jolted me awake with renewed purpose. Zion's knowledge could hold the key to unlocking the secrets of corruption, and I could not afford to delay in seeking his expertise. It was a rather sudden realization and so with a sense of urgency, I attended to a few mundane matters to avoid suspicion before slipping out into the woods.The afternoon sun cast dappled shadows across the forest floor as I made my way through the winding paths, my senses alert for any signs of surveillance. Only when I was certain that I was not being followed did I veer off the main trail and navigate through the dense undergrowth towards Zion's secluded cottage.As I approached the quaint dwelling nestled amidst the trees, I could hear a faint commotion emanating from within. With a quick glance around to ensure my solitude, I rapped sharply on the door, the sound echoing through the quiet woods.There was a commotion inside, followed by the hesitant footsteps
Hazel's POVZion's gaze flickered with a mixture of guilt and fear as he met my gaze. "Because I know the dangers that lurk within the darkness," he confessed, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I have seen what happens when mortals meddle with forces beyond their comprehension."I scoffed at his words, my patience wearing thin as I dismissed his warnings with a wave of my hand. "Oh zip it with your cryptic warnings, old man, and cut to the chase," I snapped, my voice dripping with disdain. "I have no time for your superstitions."But Zion refused to be dissuaded, his eyes pleading with me to heed his words. "You must understand, my lord," he insisted, his voice growing urgent. "The greater rituals are not to be trifled with. They hold the power to unleash forces that could destroy us all."I brushed off his warnings with a scoff, my arrogance blinding me to the dangers that lurked within the shadows. "I will not be swayed by your fearmongering, Zion," I declared, my voice drippin
Mia's POV...And iT was oLd... SO OlD... DeATh... BlOOd... INSANITY!!I jolted awake, my heart pounding in my chest as the remnants of a nightmare clung to the edges of my consciousness. My breath came in ragged gasps as I struggled to shake off the lingering sense of dread that had enveloped me in my sleep.As I blinked away the last vestiges of the dream, I found Mabel standing beside my bed, her expression one of concern. "Mia," she said softly, her voice breaking through the silence of the night. "Are you okay? You were tossing and turning."I forced a weak smile, my attempt to reassure her falling short as the memory of the nightmare faded into the recesses of my mind. "I'm fine, Mabel," I replied, my voice tinged with uncertainty. "Just a bad dream," I said, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears. "Nothing to worry about."But Mabel wasn't convinced, her eyes searching mine for any sign of the truth. "You've been having these nightmares for weeks now," she said, her tone
Mia's POVAs I made my way back towards the base, the weight of the curfew imposed by Alpha Fenrir hung heavy on my mind. The streets were deserted, the only sound the soft echo of my footsteps against the pavement. Despite the late hour, the moon cast a gentle glow over the city, bathing everything in its ethereal light.As I neared the base, a flicker of movement caught my eye, and I looked up to see Lycidas sitting on the roof, his gaze fixed on the moon above. There was something mesmerizing about the way he gazed up at the moon, his expression thoughtful and somewhat unnaturally contemplative.A pang of curiosity stirred within me. Without hesitation, I made my decision—I wasn't quite ready to retreat to the confines of my bed just yet. Before I knew it, I found myself climbing the nearest tree, determined to join him.With each handhold and foothold, I felt a rush of adrenaline course through me, my muscles straining with the effort of scaling the tree. But as I reached the top,
Mia's POV I struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the loss, the thought of practically everyone in the Sulfur Hands falling victim to such a brutal fate sent a cold chill through my veins."And they kept it from us," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "All this time, they've been hiding the truth from us."Lycidas nodded grimly, his expression mirroring my own turmoil. "They wanted us to have a calm before the storm I guess," he explained, his words tinged with bitterness. "To keep us unaware until the blood moon comes, so that we'd be ready. The blood moon is ever closer than it has been in years."I clenched my fists at my sides, frustration and anger simmering beneath the surface. "So that's why they've been keeping things from us," I muttered, my gaze fixed on the forest floor below. "But it doesn't make it right. We have a right to know what's going on."Despite Lycidas's reassurances and Mabel's praise of my progress, I couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy that
Mia's POVA stone struck true, pulverizing the creature's eye with a sickening crunch. With a howl of agony, the wolf collapsed to the ground, its lifeblood staining the earth beneath it. As the last vestiges of life faded from its eyes, I breathed evenly and transformed back. Running up quickly, I jumped and kissed my mate. The flames on his hair were hot but they were not unbearable and they died down as he held me and kissed me back. It took all my willpower to break free from him and let us breath. Strands of sticky saliva trailed our lips as we parted and I was flushed up to my ears, breathless."Mia?" He breathed, looking at me in surprise.I would have grinned at him if I were not too busy being stunned."Xavier?!" I exclaimed. "What in the world?! How? I thought...""You never did see me without my turban," he teased. And he was right come to think of it."So the memory loss...""I did lose my memory," he said, shaking his head. "But I guess could say that an eyeball helped me
Mia's POVHe was no corrupted - he was much worse.In a desperate bid to end the chaos, I shifted into my wolf form, my white fur shimmering in the dim light of the throne room. With a newfound agility, I darted around the monstrous creature, my speed unmatched as I evaded its savage blows.But Hazel was relentless, his attacks coming fast and furious as he sought to overpower me with sheer brute force. With each passing moment, the battle grew more intense, the clash of claw and sinew echoing throughout the chamber.I ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding each blow as I fought to keep the creature at bay. But despite my best efforts, I could feel my strength waning, the relentless pace of our battle taking its toll on my weary body..The battle raged on, each blow striking home with deadly precision as I fought to bring Hazel to his knees. With a primal snarl, I launched myself at the creature once more, my claws tearing through its flesh with savage ferocity.With one final, decisiv
Mia's POV"Yeah," I grinned at her. "Now please someone tell me what is going on? How did everyone get here?""There is little time for that," Amelia said, a scary amount of hope alight in her eyes. "Alpha King Hazel has gone mad and he is turning people left and right corrupted." I could see that everyone was surprised to hear this. But the forest itself whispered to me that she spoke the truth. "But he also has a way to cure the corruption. It is a wand in beneath his throne."I smiled at her and gazed out at the Sulfur Hands gathered. I did not see Lycidas but that was not a problem. I was certain he was alright."Well guys, it is the night of the blood moon. I have to tell you that I've got a castle to storm so come on out all of you and get away already. You've all done your part for me. Let me do mine for you."I saw them off and turned to face the vague direction of the palace.The eyeball (I could not get its name) had told me; Blood Moon prophecy Layer 5: The Inheritor shall
Mia's POVWith a surge of adrenaline, I plunged the knife into the creature's main body, my hands steady despite the trembling of my limbs. The blade sank deep into its flesh, eliciting a guttural roar of pain as the creature thrashed and writhed beneath me. Each movement was a dance of desperation, a desperate bid for survival against an opponent that seemed unstoppable.But even as I fought with all the strength and skill I could muster, I could feel the tendrils of exhaustion creeping into my limbs, sapping my strength and clouding my thoughts. How many times had I faced this creature? How many times had I died, only to wake and face it once again?The creature's death throes were violent and chaotic, its massive form convulsing with the last vestiges of life as it fought against the inevitable. But I was relentless, my resolve unshakeable as I drove the knife deeper and deeper into its flesh, refusing to let up until the creature lay still and silent beneath me.With a final, ragg
Hazel's POVAs I stand in the dimly lit chamber, the vial of corrupted blood held delicately between my fingers, I can feel the weight of expectation bearing down upon me. Zion's eyes bore into me with a pensive gaze, his expression unreadable as he observes my every move. The air is heavy with anticipation, charged with the possibility of what is to come.With a steady hand, I bring the vial to my lips and drink deeply, allowing the thick, viscous liquid to slide down my throat. The taste is metallic, tinged with a hint of something dark and otherworldly. But as the last drop passes my lips, I feel no surge of power, no sudden transformation. I am not surprised.I never expected the corrupted blood to grant me any sort of supernatural abilities. My purpose in drinking it was not to gain power, but to align myself with the prophecy, to force my way into its narrative. And in that regard, I believe I have succeeded.As I lower the vial, I meet Zion's gaze with a sense of calm resolve.
???'s POV Amidst the vast expanse of the celestial realm, I found myself floating among the stars, my consciousness adrift in a sea of cosmic wonders. Suddenly, a commanding voice reverberated through the void, pulling me from my reverie with its otherworldly resonance."Little thing," the voice called out, its words echoing through the cosmos like the distant rumble of thunder. Startled, I responded tentatively, my voice barely a whisper in the vastness of space. "Who... who's there?"I was ignored as the voice continued to speak. I listened intently as the voice spoke of the troubles that plagued mortals, of the ebb and flow of life, and of the chaos that reigned in the mortal realm. The voice seemed to ramble on for a while, its words swirling around me like a whirlwind of cosmic energy. It spoke of mortals and their endless troubles, of how they always seemed to find new ways to bring chaos and destruction upon themselves. It seemed rather easy to notice that it was the 'eyeball'
???'s POVI opened my mouth to protest, to demand answers to the questions that burned within me, but she cut me off with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I don't want to hear it," she said coldly, her gaze hardening as she turned away from me. "Just go. Leave me alone. Go do whatever you want to. I don't care. My Lycidas is not here. Please, just... Stop. You truly are not Lycidas. I do not know who you are, but you are not my beloved."I stood there in stunned silence, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air between us. Part of me wanted to press her for answers, to demand to know what she meant by all of this. But another part of me knew that it was futile – that she would not deign to repeat herself. And even though I could not claim to know much else, I knew somehow that she was hundred percent certain that I was not Lycidas. And not in a character or behavioural kind of way. As in, I was fundamentally not Lycidas.With a heavy heart, I turned and walked away, the sound o
Lycidas' POVThe soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle illumination over Mia's room as I sat by her bedside, my fingers intertwined with hers as if holding onto a lifeline. The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest was the only indication of life, her face serene in slumber as she lay unconscious before me.I never realized how much I would miss her until now – the absence of her laughter, her vibrant energy, leaving a gaping hole in my heart that seemed impossible to fill. And yet, here she lay, so close yet so far, trapped in the grasp of an unknown darkness that threatened to consume her whole.I squeezed her hand gently, willing her to wake up, to return to me so that I could see the light in her eyes once more. But no matter how fervently I wished for her recovery, she remained still, her breathing steady but shallow, a silent reminder of the fragility of life.My mind drifted back to that fateful night when the ritual had gone awry, the memory of t
Amelia's POVI sat in the room with Alpha Gonzales and the injured Alpha Fenrir, my mind consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and worries. The conversation between the two Alphas drifted in and out of my consciousness, the words fading into the background as I struggled to focus on the present moment.My thoughts kept returning to the letter I had received just before setting off with Alpha Gonzales—a missive that had filled me with a sense of foreboding unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The words were etched into my mind, haunting me with their ominous implications.In my mind's eye, I saw the image of the small mouse, my faithful messenger, as it hurried into my room with urgent purpose. Its tiny paws had trembled as it presented me with the letter, a sense of urgency emanating from its very being. With trembling hands, I had broken the seal and unfolded the parchment, my heart sinking as I read the words inscribed upon it.The once cryptic message had become alarmingly