The darkness seemed infinite. It bore down on me, weighty and stifling. I could hear soft murmurs, resembling echoes in a deserted cave, yet I couldn’t discern the words. My body hurt, and my mind was filled with pieces of the last memories I could remember. Fenrik's bellow. The light of the Elders. And afterward… silence. I abruptly opened my eyes and inhaled sharply. I was resting on chilly, irregular terrain. The soft blue light of the runes had returned, yet the chamber was unsettlingly silent. “Dahlia?” I shouted, my voice quavering. "Is that you, Kai?" No reply. A wave of panic hit me in the chest as I quickly stood up. My head felt dizzy, yet I steadied myself against the wall. The runes glimmered softly, as if they were fighting to remain vibrant. "Dalya!" I yelled once more, more loudly this time. A moan issued from a point to my left. A wave of relief washed over me when I saw Kai, leaning against a shattered pillar. "Kai!" I hurried to him and shook his shoulder. His
The black wolf's leap culminated in a violent thud when Kai jumped at it in mid-air. The two tumbled across the rugged cave floor, fangs and claws gleaming. I rushed away, my heart racing in my ears. “Kai!” I yelled, my voice echoing against the walls. “Keep your distance!” he shouted, keeping the wolf at bay with all his might. The shadow wolf growled and lunged at him, but Kai was swift, evading every attack with intense resolve. I desperately looked for a weapon, a strategy, anything, but the cave contained only scattered rocks and the illuminated pool at its center. Kai hurled the wolf away from him, yet it landed elegantly, its scarlet eyes fixated on me. “Oh no, you won’t,” Kai snarled, positioning himself between us. The wolf hunkered down, poised to strike once more, as a chilling voice resonated throughout the cave. "Sufficient." The atmosphere became frigid, and the wolf halted, its ears pinning back. Kai and I both turned quickly to find Dahlia leaning against the w
The world seemed unbalanced as I gazed at the burnt earth where Dahlia had disappeared. My chest rose and fell, not due to fatigue but because of the overwhelming pressure of the recent events. Kai’s grip on my arm was the sole thing anchoring me. “Daisy,” he uttered, his tone subdued, nearly worshipful. “We have to leave.” At this moment. “She's left,” I murmured, my throat parched. "Dahlia's" "She's still alive," he interrupted, his gaze sweeping over the silent, fearful crowd. “Yet no matter what that light was, it was not of natural origin.” "We don't have a lot of time to sort this out before someone starts blaming others." The whispers from the group increased in volume, agitated. The aroma of fear and uncertainty lingered in the atmosphere, blending with the odor of burnt wood. “What shall we do?” I inquired, eventually pulling my eyes away from the broken tree. Kai acted without hesitation. “We locate the Elders.” “If there’s anyone who knows what that was, it's them.”
The world appeared as a haze of darkness and murmurs while I fought my way back to awareness. My limbs and legs felt as heavy as iron, and the chill crept into my bones. My head was in excruciating pain, pulsing with each heartbeat. “Daisy, get up!” Kai's voice pierced the haze, clear and pressing. I opened my eyes, straining to see through the dim, unsettling light enveloping us. The broken tree stood close, its light faint and foreboding at this moment. However, there was an issue; Kai was not by himself. Dahlia was next to him. I hurried to stand up, my body remaining slow. “Dahlia?” I breathed in sharply, feeling a sense of relief envelop me. "You're here again!" She faced me, her expression impossible to decipher. Her eyes appeared distinct, more frigid, more unyielding. The comfort I recalled had vanished. "I warned you not to seek me out," she stated, her tone unsettlingly serene. "I wasn't able to abandon you there!" I lost my temper, moving a step nearer. “You’re my si
The woods were hauntingly silent as we navigated the dense undergrowth, with the moonlight faintly filtering through the heavy treetops overhead. Each step seemed burdensome, every noise overly sharp. Dahlia’s treachery was a new injury, and her words reverberated in my thoughts like a persistent echo. Kai’s hand lightly touched my arm, bringing me back to reality. “Daisy, concentrate.” "If we want to monitor her, we must continue to move." I agreed, compelling myself to set aside the tempest of feelings. "She can't be far away," I remarked, uncertain if I was trying to persuade Kai or myself. "She isn't by herself," he reminded me. "There's something strange about those rogues." I was unable to dispute. Their actions were eerily in sync, their presence filled with a disturbing energy. And then came Dahlia’s recently discovered power. The light she had used back then was something I didn't recognize. It seemed...off. “Do you believe it's linked to the Veil?” I inquired as we ente
The cave trembled around us, the atmosphere infused with the sharp odor of smoldering rock. My heart pounded as I looked at Dahlia or whatever she had transformed into. Her eyes shone with a malevolent red, and a dark aura wrapped around her like animated fog. She moved ahead, her grin piercing and unsettling. "Alright, Daisy, you've finally reached us." "Can you share how it feels to be so... tiny?" "Dahlia," I stated, my tone unwavering even with the tempest brewing within me. "This is not who you are." "You are under control." “Controlled?” she chuckled, a sharp, empty noise. "Not at all, sister." For the first time, I’m liberated. Liberated from the group, liberated from their demands, liberated from you.” Kai positioned himself before me, adopting a protective stance. "This is not liberation." "This is the Shadows contorting you into their tool." Her eyes darted to him, contemptuous. "Keep away from this, wolf." "This is a matter between Daisy and me." She lifted her hand,
The forest blurred around me as I ran, the ground trembling beneath my feet. Behind us, the cavern collapsed with a deafening roar, dust and shadows spewing into the air like an angry storm. “Keep moving!” Kai shouted, his voice sharp and urgent. Dahlia stumbled ahead of me, her steps uneven. She was pale, the lingering shadows clinging to her like smoke. I grabbed her arm, pulling her upright. “I’m fine,” she muttered, but her voice lacked conviction. “You’re not,” I snapped. “But we’ll deal with it later. Just keep running!” Elias darted ahead, his sharp senses guiding us through the dense woods. The monstrous roar from the cavern echoed again, closer this time. Whatever had emerged wasn’t going to let us escape easily. “Do you even know where we’re going?” I called out to him. “Not yet!” Elias shot back, his tone tight. “But anywhere is better than here!” The trees thinned as we reached a clearing. My lungs burned, and my legs felt like lead, but we didn’t dare stop
The forest was unnervingly quiet as we pushed forward, the chaos of the rogue camp fading behind us. My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath, but there was no time to rest. Dahlia leaned heavily against me, her steps faltering with every stride. “You’re slowing down,” Kai said, his tone sharp but not unkind. “She needs a break,” I shot back. “No time,” Elias growled, scanning the trees with sharp eyes. “That thing is still out there, and we’ve already drawn too much attention.” “I’m fine,” Dahlia whispered. It was a lie, and we all knew it. “You’re about as fine as a broken bone,” I muttered, but kept moving. We finally stumbled into a small clearing. Elias held up a hand, signaling us to stop. “This spot is defensible,” he said. “We’ll rest here for a moment.” I helped Dahlia sit against a fallen log. Her face was pale, and beads of sweat glistened on her forehead. She avoided my gaze, her guilt practically radiating off her in waves. “Don’t start,” she said bef
The clearing was still, unsettlingly so, following the burst of light that had engulfed Dahlia’s last effort. A hollow sensation filled my chest as I reeled back to join the others. The Rogue King had vanished into the darkness, leaving me solitary with the burden of what had just occurred. The campsite was in disarray. Wolves were disputing, arms being honed, and it felt like everyone recognized the delicate brink we were teetering on. However, there was something amiss, something I couldn’t quite identify. Rowan encountered me midway, his complexion ashen. "Daisy, can you tell me what occurred?" "Where is Dahlia?" I was unable to find the right words. "She... she remained back." “To halt them.” He stood still, his jaw clenching. “And you simply abandoned her?” “I had no options!” I broke down, the guilt already overwhelming me. “People always claim that,” he mumbled, yet his gaze softened when he noticed the tears forming in my eyes. "We'll bring her back." “We must.” Before
The deafening roar of the Forgotten Ones echoed as they entered the clearing. I stopped, trapped between anxiety and the burden of my previous choice. Dahlia pushed me back behind her, her eyes glowing with resolve. “Keep your distance,” she commanded, her voice slicing through the turmoil like a knife. “Absolutely not!” I objected, advancing forward. "We're in this as a team!" She spun around, holding onto my arm firmly. “Not this occasion, Daisy.” You must have faith in me. "I will keep them at bay." "Dahlia" "No debates!" Her tone allowed no possibility for disagreement. "Reach the Rogue King." Have him battle for us. "If he fails to do so, everything here is irrelevant." I tightened my fists, resenting how fear surged in my chest. "You can't accomplish this by yourself!" “Look at me,” she said, an intense grin pulling at her mouth. She glanced at the Rogue King, who was a few steps away, arms crossed as he watched the turmoil. "This is your chance," Dahlia shouted to him.
The growl of the Forgotten Ones shook my very bones. I recoiled, the earth quaking below me as they came down in a tempest of sparkling rage. Dahlia clutched the luminous orb firmly, her knuckles pale as she gazed at the heavens. “Dahlia, please say you have a strategy!” I shouted, my voice hardly cutting through the disorder. Her eyes locked onto me, her complexion wan. "I never considered this in advance!" “Fantastic!” "That's reassuring," I whispered, pivoting to confront the approaching danger. The atmosphere buzzed with electricity as the Forgotten Ones descended in a semi-circle around us. Their shapes glimmered, coalescing into entities of ethereal elegance and malevolence. The leader moved ahead, the identical figure we had met in the room. “You’ve roused us,” it declared, its tone cutting and frigid. "Now demonstrate your value." "How can it be proven?" I inquired, attempting to conceal the quiver in my voice. The figure's radiant eyes fixed on me. "Endure." The earth
The feeling of falling did not cease. My body whirled through a realm of light and darkness, while Dahlia's hold on my hand was the sole connection keeping me grounded in reality. "Where are we headed?" I called out amid the tumult of the unfamiliar. “Where it all started,” Dahlia stated enigmatically, her complexion ashen yet resolute. "Can you be more specific for once?" I snapped in response, fear rising beneath my words. Before she had the chance to reply, the void expelled us, and we fell onto firm earth. My knees struck the ground, and the metallic scent of the air assaulted my senses like a blow. I glanced up, anticipating greater disorder. Instead, we found ourselves encircled by massive black stone columns inscribed with old runes. A thick, haunting fog wrapped around the base of every monolith, shimmering softly with an unnatural glow. "Where is this location?" I inquired, getting back on my feet. Dahlia remained silent. Her gaze was fixed on the horizon, where the sk
The clearing seemed vibrant, thumping with a heavy, oppressive force. Dahlia was tied to the altar, her golden eyes flashing with fear and agony. The Rogue King hovered next to her, his red eyes piercing through me, challenging me to act. "Release her," I insisted, my voice shaky yet resolute. He laughed softly, a quiet, derisive noise. "And spoil my grand finale?" “I believe not.” “Daisy,” Dahlia whispered, her voice faint yet piercing. "You must go." Currently. "I’m not going anywhere," I retorted. My hands tightened, and I sensed the golden light awakening inside me, eager to be set free. “Moving,” the Rogue King remarked, moving nearer. “However, you don’t grasp it, young Luna.” This is not solely about you or your sibling. “This concerns fate.” “I have had enough of destiny,” I retorted. “I choose for myself.” “Then make a choice,” he stated, extending his arms broadly. "Attempt to rescue her." However, you will not succeed. “And when that happens, the eclipse will claim e
The shadows closed in on me, thick and stifling. My ears buzzed, and every inch of me felt hurt and damaged. I blinked, attempting to understand the indistinct forms moving in the dim light. “Daisy!” a voice shouted. It sounded muted and far away, as if listening to someone yell underwater. I sighed, lifting myself up. My fingers grazed the chilly, rough surface, rock instead of frost. Where am I? "Can you hear me, Daisy?" It was Lucian, and his voice was now more distinct. "I'm present," I said, even though my throat was sore. A hand took hold of mine, providing stability. I glanced up to find Lucian’s face, marked by dirt and concern. “It's all right,” he exhaled, a sense of relief washing over his face. "I believed we had lost you." “What occurred?” I inquired, grimacing as I rose. “The blast.” Seraphine appeared next to us, her complexion wan yet resolute. “The shadow being… it has vanished." “At the very least, I believe it is.” Departed? That didn’t appear to be correct
The battlefield was quiet, the heavy kind of quiet that follows a disastrous event. I inhaled in quick, shallow breaths while I fixed my gaze on the place where Dahlia stood just moments earlier. The enormous shadow stretched above us, its shape contorting and squirming like a waking terror. It bellowed, trembling the earth under my feet. “Dahlia!” I yelled, my voice breaking. There was no response. Lucian seized my arm, yanking me away as the shadowy being approached. "Daisy, we need to hurry!" Currently! I pulled my arm loose. "Absolutely not!" "She's still inside there!" "She has left!" Lucian shouted, his tone edged with urgency. "If we remain, we'll perish as well!" "I couldn't care less!" I shouted in response, the golden light within me igniting. “I won't abandon her!” Seraphine stood beside me, her complexion light but resolute. “If Dahlia is alive, we will locate her.” However, at this moment, we must come together again. "That object is excessively strong." The shad
As Dahlia rushed towards the Rogue King, it seemed as if the world paused in suspense. Her actions were precise and intentional, as if she had anticipated this battle for her whole existence. I remained paralyzed, conflicted between hurrying to help her and allowing her to manage this herself. My golden light flickered softly in my chest, compelling me onward. Yet Dahlia didn't so much as look at me. Her attention was laser-focused on the Rogue King. "You’ve erred, girl," the Rogue King growled, his red eyes squinting. "Do you believe you can oppose me?" Dahlia grinned, her self-assurance icy. "I do not believe." I understand. Her voice gave me a chill down my spine. The Rogue King attacked first, with shadows swirling around him like a sentient tempest. Dahlia smoothly dodged, her claws gleaming as they sliced through the shadowy tendrils. “Is that everything you've got?” she teased, her voice casual, nearly fun. The shadows struck at her, yet she twirled and rotated, her acti
The shadow engulfed me entirely. It wasn't merely in my surroundings; it infiltrated my skin, winding through my veins, murmuring both promises and threats simultaneously. The golden glow that had served as my protection dimmed feebly, its heat diminishing. However, I couldn't yield. “Daisy!” Lucian’s voice shattered the dark emptiness. I could hardly make him out, yet his presence was sufficient to ground me. I tripped ahead, my arms extended. "I'm present!" “Time is slipping away from you,” echoed the Rogue King’s low, sneering voice. His laughter resounded like a thunderclap. “Decide, small Omega. "Will you accept the darkness or allow it to devour all that you cherish?" I clenched my jaw. “I will select… neither.” “Naive girl,” he growled, his scarlet eyes blazing in the darkness. "Do you believe you can withstand this force?" You’ve previously sampled it. It exists within you. “It’s you.” The shadows struck, entangling my wrists and dragging me to the ground. They weren't