Chapter 33: The Goddess Awakening
Melissa’s POV
As if the walls themselves were living and enclosing us, the lair appeared to become darker with each breath I took. With its enormous body pulsing with Damon’s foul magic, the monster stood in the centre. Its eyes, if they could be called eyes, gleamed with a horrifying intensity as its twisted, dark figure loomed above Kane and me.
“Come back, Kane!” I pushed him behind me and yelled.
With a raspy but determined voice, he replied, “Melissa, you can’t face that thing alone.”
“I have no other option,” I said, afraid to look away from the thing.
It screamed, causing my bones to jiggle and my chest to vibrate. Its strength was overpowering and primal, and it pressed down on me like a tidal wave. However, I was unable to let dread control me. Not right now.
“Come on,” I said to myself, using all my last power.
With its enormous claws cutting through the air, the creature rushed. The wind from its onslaught whipped past me, and I barely dodged it.
“Elissa!” I stopped Kane by holding out a hand when he yelled out.
“Remain back!” I yelled. “This is something I can manage!”
I hoped I could, however.
The thing’s form shifted and writhed like a living horror as it returned its focus to me. I concentrated, reaching further into my inner well of strength. I sent a burst of energy in the direction of the dim glow that encircled my hands.
The monster hardly flinched when the assault struck its target. It roared again, this time with a hint of anger and grief, maybe.
“Have I caused you any harm?” With my heart thumping, I whispered.
Damon broke the tension with his laughs. He smirked as he watched the mayhem play out from a distance.
He mocked, “You think you can stop it, Melissa?” I’ve become a part of this beast. The artefact’s component. You are up against something that is much more complex than you can comprehend.
I choose to ignore him and concentrate on the thing. Although it was strong, there was something uncertain about the way it moved, as though it wasn’t sure of itself.
With a firm voice, I yelled over my shoulder, “Kane.” “Leave this place, pack. I’ll take care of this.
“No!” he objected. “I won’t abandon you.”
I pleaded, my voice breaking, “Please.” “I must know you’re secure. That everyone is secure.
He paused for a second. The agony in his eyes almost shattered me, but then he nodded. He responded, “Don’t you dare die on me.”
Even though I wasn’t sure I could follow through on my promise, I said, “I won’t.”
The thing lunged once again as Kane backed away. I was ready this time. With the force emanating from deep within me, I called up a shield of light. Sparks flew as the creature’s claws rubbed against it.
Damon’s sneer faded a little as he continued, “You’re stronger than I thought.” “But you can’t be saved by strength alone.”
I chose to ignore him and concentrate on the fight. The creature hit repeatedly, causing my barrier to tremble with each strike. Sweat trickled down my cheeks as my arms shook.
“This cannot continue indefinitely,” Damon added. “Why don’t you simply quit? Embrace your destiny.
“Never,” I spat, using all of my strength to repel the entity’s onslaught.
Then something changed. I had a power rush that was beyond anything I had ever felt. I felt like I was being flooded with power and brightness by the very essence of my goddess ancestry awakening.
The thing stumbled, its shape wavering briefly. I seized the chance and struck, sending it reeling backwards with a surge of force.
Damon remarked, “Impressive,” but his voice was tinged with annoyance. However, Melissa, you’re tinkering with forces you don’t comprehend. There is a price for that power.
I was also aware of the physical strain and the toll the power was having on me. My eyesight clouded and my hands trembled. But I was unable to stop. Not right now.
With another roar, the thing’s body reformed and grew even bigger. The artefact above Damon brightened as he lifted his hands, supplying the creature’s strength.
His voice was harsh and icy as he replied, “Let’s see how you handle this.”
The group, which was backing away toward the exit, caught the creature’s attention. When I learned about Damon’s plan, my heart fell.
“No!” I yelled and hurried ahead.
With horrifying speed, the creature slammed into the pack, sending many wolves flying. The others frantically retaliated, but their assaults hardly caused any damage.
“Stop it!” I let out a scream, releasing yet another surge of energy. This time, the explosion knocked the beast back by striking it squarely in the chest.
Damon, however, persisted. “Melissa, you cannot save them all. All you’re doing is postponing the inevitable.
With anger raging in my breast, I turned to confront him. “If it’s my last act, I’ll stop you.”
Damon grinned again. “Oh, I don’t believe so.”
The item pulsed once again as he lifted his hands. It emitted a dark, oppressive, and overpowering vibe that was unlike anything I had ever experienced.
With a roar, the thing shifted and twisted until it was standing right in front of me. Everything appeared to freeze for a second.
Kane’s voice, weak but urgent, screamed out, “Melissa.”
I lied, “I’m fine,” even though my legs were shaking.
I readied myself to protect myself as the beast rushed. Then it halted, its enormous body looming above me. Its eyes, those bright, frightful eyes, appeared to change, to soften for a second.
Then it started talking.
“Help me,” it said in a tremulous, high-pitched voice.
I went cold. Not only was the voice recognizable, but it was also unmistakable. My child’s voice was heard.
“Help me, Mommy.”
My heart felt as though it had stopped racing, and my blood was cold. “No, that isn’t feasible.”
“Mommy,” the voice said again, in agony and terror.
I was immobile. I was having trouble breathing. The power I had called out flickered out like a fading flame as my hands dropped to my sides.
The sound of Damon’s laughing filled the lair. “What’s wrong, Melissa? Can’t resist it any longer?
I glimpsed the tiniest hint of something… human when I gazed at the beast, its hideous shape looming over me.
It repeated, “Mommy, please,” and this time the sound broke my heart.
The thing reached for me, and I stood still, powerless to resist. I was stunned by the inconceivable truth of what I was hearing, not by terror, as its brilliant eyes met mine.