This time ….
In the briefest of moments, the only thing that crossed Vione’s mind was to return to the Amerotha Forest. She wanted to escape all the pain that now bound her body. She was suffering, and for reasons she couldn’t understand, she was sure her torment would be eased there.
Vione remembered years ago, when she was little and often accompanied Addy and Hilary on patrols, there was always a sense of peace that accompanied her there. She felt like she was supposed to be there. She felt like she was coming home.
But life went on. Vione could no longer accompany Addy and Hilary on their patrols in the Amerotha Forest. She had a job, and gradually that feeling was pushed aside.
Strangely, a sudden longing arose. As her body was covered in wounds and blood continued to flow, Vione remembered those times. It was pleasant, and one unforgettable memory was when she and Usher roamed the Amerotha Forest.
Vione would never forget that day. A quiet and soothing day. It was just her and Usher and the nature that embraced them with warmth. There were no quarrels, wars or even jealousies to disturb them. It was just them, and everything was so beautiful.
Vione didn’t ask for much. All she wanted was to take Usher back to the Amerotha Forest. She tried to raise a hand to reach Usher’s cheek. “I …” But her hand fell limp. She couldn’t fight gravity anymore; she didn’t have the strength. “Y-you ….”
Usher looked extremely panicked. He quickly grabbed Vione’s hand and held it tightly. “Don’t speak, Vione. You’ll be all right. Please, hold on. Hang on for me, Vione. Please.”
Vione wanted to comply with Usher’s request. She wanted to nod, but then she just stopped moving. The pain she had endured finally overwhelmed her consciousness.
“Vione?” Usher’s face grew pale. He held Vione’s cheeks and shook her gently, but there was no response. “Vione!”
*
Indeed, there was chaos not only at the place where Vione and Mireya Lark-Phillip Arbuckle had been exchanged, but also at Frostholm Palace. Everything was as Usher had suspected, the Nimbria Pack was indeed untrustworthy. It was obvious that the Nimbria Pack had taken advantage of the absence of the Frostholm Pack’s Alpha and Beta-Usher Thorne and Garth Morris-to launch a sudden attack.
Fortunately, Cora Webb-the Gamma of the Frostholm Pack-and the others had anticipated various negative possibilities. They knew the history, the tales of the Nimbria Pack’s cunning, and had prepared thoroughly.
Cora hoped that the Nimbria Pack would not breach the boundary. She was confident that Berg Jenkins, as the leader of the guards, had kept his men on high alert with disciplined vigilance and a well-thought-out strategy. Berg had always been a reliable figure in such situations, not only because of his experience, but also because he knew the ins and outs of the Frostholm Pack’s defenses.
A loud, thunderous noise in the distance startled Cora. She turned and stared. She saw Berg and the guards being pushed back by the warriors of the Nimbria Pack.
Cora shook her head. “Impossible.”
To Cora, it seemed completely inconceivable to see Berg retreat and pull the guards back. She was certain that something was wrong and wasted no time in making a decision.
Cora took her position immediately. Behind her, the palace warriors prepared, and she roared orders.
The palace warriors responded to Cora’s commands with enthusiastic roars. Then they all ran at incredible speed, leapt, and in an instant transformed into great wolves, fangs and claws ready to crush the Nimbrian warriors.
Cora, in her wolf form, led the charge. Every leap and attack she made was filled with power and precision. She merged with the battlefield and charged mercilessly, creating hard blows that shook the ground.
A high leap followed by Cora moments later. Then she slammed into a Nimbria warrior who tried to attack her from the side. She growled, and her sharp claws sunk into the warrior’s body with full force. The warrior was thrown backward, roaring in pain before collapsing as she moved on to the next enemy.
The battle grew fiercer, erupting with intensity. The sounds of growling and pounding footsteps filled the air. Fangs met fangs, claws struck bodies, and the roar of battle continued to color the scene.
The air was heavy with the smell of earth being turned and blood flowing from wounds. The intensity of the battle increased. The echoes of the attacks reverberated. Nimbria warriors came from all directions, trying to surround them. But Cora and the palace warriors fought with fervor and bravery, keeping the Nimbria warriors from penetrating deeper into Frostholm territory.
For a moment, the situation seemed even. Though the Nimbria Pack continued to attack relentlessly, the Frostholm Pack managed to hold their own, slowly pushing them back.
This balance did not last long, however. Ten minutes later, it was clear that the Frostholm Pack was beginning to struggle against the Nimbria Pack.
Cora leapt from the battle circle. Her claws sank into the ground as she surveyed the situation around her.
There was something strange. Cora could sense it, and it affected not only the palace warriors, but herself as well.
Cora looked down at her claws and heavy legs. Her movements were not as nimble as before, not as quick as usual, and it might be the same for the palace warriors.
A thought crossed Cora’s mind. She looked at Berg and the guards, who were desperately fighting. The anomaly she had sensed earlier regarding their ability to be pushed back now had a clear cause.
Cora snarled with realization. Something was wrong. It must have something to do with Mireya.
Anger flared in Cora’s chest. Her hatred for Mireya intensified, but there was nothing she could do now but fight with all her limitations.
Cora howled loudly, trying to keep the morale of the palace warriors high. Then she returned to attacking the Nimbria warriors, fighting against the weight that weighed on her legs and the stiffness that bound her body. All of these limitations seemed insignificant as Usher’s command echoed in her mind; she would protect the palace and not allow any of the Nimbria Pack warriors to breach it.
The thunderous sound of heavy footsteps interrupted the battle. All attention turned to a group of wolves that had suddenly appeared and charged into the battlefield.
Cora felt the tension rise. She held her breath until she realized the wolves were Garth and the others.
*