Chapter 31: The Reckoning
Melissa’s POV
Except for the hum of dark energy pulsing from the artefact in the middle of the lair, the room was eerily quiet. I turned to face Damon, whose smirk was etched with ruthless confidence, and my heart pounded in my chest. The power of the artefact caused the shadows around him to twist strangely.
“So,” he said in a mocking tone, “you’ve come to stop me.” Melissa, do you truly believe you are strong enough? Or have you remained the timid young girl who no one needed?
His remarks struck a point I didn’t want to admit, and I tightened my fists. I answered, “You’re wrong,” but my voice faltered.
The huge space resonated with Damon’s laugh. “Am I? Don’t you sense it? The reality. You can feel it in the call of the artefact and your blood. You and I, Melissa, are connected. This power isn’t just mine it’s yours, too. Embrace it, and you’ll see.”
I took a step back, the weight of his words sitting hard on my shoulders. Could he be speaking the truth? No. I shook my head, attempting to filter out the poisoned ideas.
“I’ll never be like you,” I said firmly. “I won’t let you win.”
Damon’s grin grew as he cocked his head. “We’ll check on that.”
The ground shook suddenly, and I could feel the artefact’s pull growing stronger. I felt as though it was alive, beckoning me in closer. I had to brace myself to avoid falling when my knees gave way.
“Don’t you sense it?” Damon spoke in a quiet but threatening tone. “You are recognized by the artefact. It is aware of your strength and heritage. Melissa, you were destined for this. You were born to be more than you could have ever dreamed.
“Stop!” My voice broke as I screamed. “I don’t desire your authority. This is not what I want!
Damon hissed, his eyes shining, “Lies.” “You crave it. The power, the strength. Deny it all you want, but deep down, you know I’m right.”
I was about to respond when the door burst open behind me. Kane’s voice rang out, strong and commanding.
“Melissa!”
I turned to see him leading the pack into the lair, their faces grim with determination. Relief and fear surged through me at the same time.
“Kane!” I called out, my voice filled with both hope and dread.
He reached me in a few swift strides, his eyes scanning me for injuries before narrowing at Damon. “Get away from her,” he growled, stepping protectively in front of me.
“Ah, the ever-loyal knight,” Damon sneered. “How touching. But you’re too late.”
The room erupted into chaos as Damon’s loyal followers charged toward us. The pack met them head-on, the clash of bodies and the growls of wolves filling the air.
“Kane, the artefact!” I shouted, but my voice was drowned out by the noise.
He turned to me briefly. “Stay close. We’ll end this together.”
But even as he said it, I felt the artefact’s pull growing stronger. It wasn’t just calling to me-it was commanding me. I took an unsteady step toward it, unable to resist.
“Melissa, no!” Kane’s voice broke through my concentration, and he grabbed my arm, dragging me back.
“I… I can’t help it,” I mumbled, tears spilling down my face. “It’s too strong.”
“You’re stronger,” he said, his grip firm. “You’re not alone in this.”
I nodded, swallowing hard. “Okay. I’ll try.”
As the struggle carried on, the item began to flash brighter, its energy throbbing in waves that shook the lair. Damon stood at the heart of it all, his laughter echoing like thunder.
“You’re too late,” he whispered, extending his arms as the artefact’s power surged. “The ritual is nearly complete. And when it is, no one will be able to stop me!”
“We must stop him, Kane!” I screamed, but Damon released a burst of evil energy before we could move. Kane flew across the room after it struck him in the chest.
“No!” I ran to him and screamed.
Blood was leaking from a wound on Kane’s side as he lay on the ground, breathing slowly. I went to my knees beside him, panic threatening to encompass me.
I begged, my vision blurred by tears, “Kane, stay with me.”
He opened his eyes, pain engraved into every feature of his face. “You… you have to stop him,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “Don’t be concerned about me.”
With a broken heart, I said, “I can’t just leave you like this.”
“You have no other option,” he said, holding my hand feebly. “Melissa, you are the only one who can stop him. For the sake of all of us, do it.
My legs trembled as I stood, but my will was stronger than ever. I turned to look at Damon, who was smugly observing us.
“Touching,” he said with a slow clap. However, it’s useless. I can’t be stopped.
Even though I was terrified, I answered, “We’ll see about that,” in a firm voice.
The energy of the artefact pulsed once more as I approached it, almost knocking me down. I clenched my jaw and pushed myself to go.
Damon lifted his fists in preparation for another blow, but I was prepared. I threw my energy into the air and confronted him. The battle shook the lair’s base and sent shockwaves through it.
“You’re not going to win!” Over the thunder of the energy, Damon yelled.
Maybe not, I said in a firm voice. “I can still fight, though.”
I could sense the artefact’s power reaching a breaking point as its brightness became dazzling.
I was about to launch one last blow when Damon’s laughter broke the tension. With a tone full of hate, he asked, “You think you’ve won?” “Allow me to reveal the truth to you.”
He waved his palm, causing the artefact to emit an immense pulse, and the shadows came together to form a new and horrifying thing. When I realized how big the war was going to be, my heart fell.