Chapter 52: The Return of the Goddess
Melissa’s POV
Damon’s growing strength caused the chamber to quake, the Heart of Creation pulsing like a live thing. On the chilly stone floor, Kane lay still, breathing shallowly. My hands trembled as I tried to suppress the fear. I felt like I was about to crumble under the weight of it all, but I refused to give up. Not right now.
I knelt next to Kane and brushed his hair off his sweaty brow. With tears in my eyes, I muttered, “Stay with me.” “Kane, please. I need you.
His eyes were foggy but determined, and his eyelids flickered open. He rasped, “You… can’t… give up.” “This is nothing compared to your strength.”
Like the first rays of morning, a surprising warmth pierced the suffocating blackness and filled the room. A figure appeared in the whirling light, and I turned, frightened. It was her, the goddess I hadn’t sensed since the last conflict.
Her voice echoed around the room, calm but authoritative. “The moment has arrived for you to make your decision, Melissa.”
I gazed at the glowing image in front of me, the goddess who had previously given me the abilities I believed would determine my fate. Her voice was calm now, but it carried the weight of an order.
I replied, my voice shaking with rage and bitterness, “You left me when I needed you.” “During my most trying times, you left me helpless. And now when the world is collapsing, you return?
Her bright eyes grew softer and flickered with something I couldn’t quite identify, maybe remorse. “Child, I never left you. I couldn’t offer you the strength you needed. You were prepared at this moment by the difficulties you encountered during your journey as a mortal. I always had faith in you.
“Have faith in me?” I repeated, letting out a sour laugh. “I hardly made it without their abilities. The pack and Kane, two people I care about, suffered as a result of my lack of strength.
The goddess moved closer and said, “And yet you persevered.” “Your tenacity is what qualifies you. But be aware that obtaining the authority you desire comes at a price. You have to embrace your heavenly ancestry completely if you want to wield it once more.
I went cold. “What is meant by that?”
She said, “You will become one with me.” “A guardian of the realms.” But you will rise above mortal bonds in the process. You won’t be walking among them like you do today.
Her remarks struck like a lightning strike. It was like losing myself to lose my humanity, my bond with Kane, and my position in the pack.
Kane’s feeble voice broke the stillness before I could say anything. “Melissa, you must do this if it’s the only way to stop Damon.”
His expression of pain and resolve made my heart break as I turned to face him.
Her invitation echoed in my ears as the goddess’ radiant presence felt like it was pressing down on me. I was having trouble breathing through the emotional maelstrom, and my pulse was pounding in my chest.
I murmured, scarcely raising my voice above a whisper, “You’re asking me to give up everything.” “To give up on the life I’ve worked so hard to defend.” How do you think I’ll decide on that?
The goddess’ face remained unwavering. Because there is a much worse alternative. There won’t be much left to defend if Damon uses the Heart’s power unbridled.
Despite my heart’s resistance, her comments made sense. I looked at Kane as he lay hurt on the stone floor, his eyes steady but his face pallid.
“Kane,” I said as I knelt next to him. Tell me that this is not what you want me to do. Inform me that there is an alternative.
With a gentle yet comforting touch, he grabbed my hand. His voice was raw with passion as he replied, “Melissa, I can’t lose you.” “However, you must do this if it is necessary to save the pack and us.”
My vision was distorted by tears as I looked for hesitation or uncertainty in his expression, but I couldn’t find it. Even when my faith wavered, his remained steadfast.
My voice broke as I said, “I don’t know who I’ll be if I do this.” “What if I become someone else?”
“You won’t,” Kane firmly stated. “You’ll remain Melissa. Powerful. Courageous. My beloved woman.
With serene assurance in her eyes, the goddess held out her hand once more. “You have a choice, Melissa. Nobody else can make it for you.
Torn between obligation and terror, I closed my eyes. A spark of resolve grew somewhere deep within.
Kane’s bleeding hand touched mine as he reached out. “Melissa,” he murmured in a shaky yet determined voice. “No matter what, I have faith in you.”
I was kneeling next to him, grasping his hand tightly, tears clouding my vision. “I’d rather not lose you.”
“You won’t,” he said in a whisper. “No matter where you are, you will always have me.”
With a mixture of hope and sorrow in her gaze, the goddess held out her hand. Melissa, the moment is here. What are you going to pick?
With my heart thumping like a drum, I inhaled deeply. “I’ll do it if this is the only way to save Kane and everyone else.”
The goddess nodded, her body brightening as she approached. Melissa, you are courageous. And we will remember what you gave up.
Her hand brushed mine, and I felt a rush of power that was both exciting and searing. A flood of memories, strength, and purpose rushed over me as I felt her soul combine with mine, filling the room with a blinding brilliance.
Damon’s voice, which was a mix of dread and rage, was the last sound I heard before the light overtook me. “What are you doing?”
As the light dimmed, I was a towering figure, brimming with divine vitality. As he took a step back, Damon’s face was a mixture of surprise and anger. “This is not over,” he snarled, getting ready to attack.
However, I was prepared. Calm and steady, the goddess’ words reverberated inside me. “It starts right now.”