In the end, Walter would indeed die, whether by Vione’s hand or his own. After all, Vione had made his choice. A death sentence was the only fitting punishment he deserved. But suicide was another matter. And now the guilt weighed heavily on Vione.
I shouldn’t mourn what happened to Walter, Vione told herself. She let out a long sigh. He deserved to pay for what he did with his life.
Vione pushed the thought of Walter out of her mind. The root of the problem had been dealt with and now she would concentrate on the next step. She needed to quickly come up with a plan to retake Frostholm Keep and defeat the Nimbria Pack.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t that simple. Even though Vione had discovered the cause of the pack’s weakness, it didn’t mean that the problem was solved. The pack was still unable to fight, and their only hope now rested with Rowena.
“Can you heal them, Ma?”
Rowena’s expression was one of helplessness. Her gaze was somber. “I can, but it will take time,” she replied in a low tone. “The longer someone is poisoned by Bernathra magic, the longer it takes to neutralize it.” She looked uncertain. “We don’t know how long Walter has been poisoning the pack. But from what I can see, it’s been going on for more than twenty years.”
Vione closed her eyes dramatically. The guilt that had briefly plagued her over Walter’s death vanished. Hatred surfaced, and she cursed Walter over and over in her heart.
“Is there really no other way, Ma?” Vione asked, full of hope. Tears filled her eyes, ready to fall at any moment. “It’s not just that we have to fight the Nimbria pack, but I can’t let them suffer, endure endless pain. They must be healed.”
Rowena clearly understood the deep concern that filled Vione’s mind, for she felt the same. Even without Vione asking, if it were possible, Rowena would undoubtedly do everything in her power to heal the pack. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that simple. She could heal them, but they depended on one crucial thing that couldn’t be forced: time.
“I’m sorry, Vione,” Rowena said, shaking her head weakly. She couldn’t bear to see the burden Vione was carrying, but she had her limits. She steeled herself to give the answer Vione didn’t want to hear. “There is no other way to cure them.”
Vione bit her lower lip, and now tears streamed down her cheeks. Her hope was shattered; Rowena couldn’t heal the pack. The glimmer of hope that had briefly appeared was now meaningless. Discovering Walter’s betrayal seemed to be in vain. There was still nothing they could do to change the situation.
“Oh God, what am I going to do?” Vione cried, her sobs growing stronger. Her chest tightened and she struggled to breathe, pounding her chest repeatedly. “I’m completely useless. I’m a Luna, but I can’t do anything to save the pack.”
Rowena quickly took Vione’s hands. She tried to calm her, even though she knew there was nothing in the world that could erase the despair Vione felt. “Vione,” she said, her voice carrying a similar sense of hopelessness. “You have done all you could, but fate has already spoken. There’s nothing more you can do.”
Vione winced and held back sobs. “Fate?” She shook her head repeatedly. “What kind of cruel fate tortures hundreds of innocent lives like this? What kind of fate?”
It was then that Rowena realized that Vione was truly distraught. Despair, hatred, anger, and sadness had all mixed together, causing Vione to curse fate endlessly.
“This is not fate, Ma. This is the end. There’s nothing I can do to change it,” Vione screamed, her voice cracking with frustration and emotion. Her hands trembled with a surge of anger, then clenched as if ready to strike, but a second later they fell limply to her sides. She looked utterly powerless within the confines. “Everything is ruined and all I can do is hide here like a coward.”
Rowena knew how much the situation was tearing Vione apart. Vione was truly in despair, and as a mother, Rowena couldn’t bear to see Vione continue to blame herself. If anyone knew how much effort and sacrifice Vione had made, it was her.
Rowena’s heart ached. Not only did she have to bear the pain of Ivan’s death, but she also had to stay by Vione’s side. She was all that Vione had left. She had to strengthen Vione, no matter what.
Rowena tried to calm Vione, whispering words of comfort, but it was in vain. Vione was completely lost in a sea of despair.
“I don’t know what to do, Ma. Everything I’ve done is worthless,” Vione moaned, her voice filled with suffering. Her shoulders shook violently as sobs ravaged her body. “What good am I in this world if I can’t save the pack?”
Rowena froze. Vione’s words stirred a deep fear in her. “Vione, don’t say that.”
“I’m really desperate, Ma,” Vione whispered, her voice hoarse and heavy. Every word she spoke was a burden she could no longer bear. She wiped her face, trying to erase the traces of tears, but it was useless. Her crying only intensified. “I don’t know what to do. Every path seems blocked, and all I want is to change fate.”
Rowena stood still, stunned. Vione’s words hit her and her expression changed instantly.
“I want a second chance.” Vione closed her eyes, her condition growing more pitiful with each passing moment. Her body weakened and she collapsed helplessly in Rowena’s lap. “I want to change this fate.”
Vione continued to wail in grief, lamenting her fate, unaware that her words had shocked Rowena all along. Rowena seemed frozen, as if something had filled her mind and made her tense.
In a moment, Vione noticed the change in Rowena’s demeanor. Rowena’s unusual reaction-remaining silent while Vione continued to blame herself and her fate-struck her as odd. Her sobs stopped and she raised her head. She narrowed her eyes, a sudden thought flashing through her mind. Of course. Mama is a witch. Mama is a powerful witch.
Vione swallowed hard. She took both of Rowena’s hands and asked, “Mama, you know how, don’t you?” She looked at Rowena with hope in her eyes. “You know how I can change my fate, don’t you? You know how I can get a second chance, don’t you?”
*