Chapter 57: The Collapse of the Heart
Melissa’s POV
As the Heart of Creation went awry, the air was thick and pulsating with primal power. Its luminous surface was cracked, allowing streams of unstable energy to seep into the sanctuary. The walls moaned as though they may collapse at any moment, and the ground underneath me shook.
“We must relocate!” I grabbed Kane’s arm and yelled. “The entire place is going to collapse!”
Although Kane’s gaze was resolute, he winced and gripped his side where blood was leaking through his shirt. “How about the others?”
I looked in the direction of the door. Outside, I could hear distant screams and battle cries, but I knew we were running out of time. The energy from the Heart was spreading too quickly, and every moment we hesitated increased the risk to everyone.
My voice was shaking as I said, “They’re still fighting.” “We must alert them. Should the Heart burst
“Everyone will be affected,” Kane said somberly. “Leave now.”
The ground was trembling as we hurried through the sanctuary. Beams of energy erupted from the Heart, causing ragged holes in the walls as pillars collapsed.
It was someone calling, “Melissa!”
Members of the group were hurrying at us when I turned around. Their commitment was unflinching, but their faces were white with terror.
One of them yelled, “Alpha!” toward Kane. “What’s going on? The Heart
With a strong voice, Kane declared, “It’s collapsing.” “We must leave. Right now!
The pack members paused, looking back toward the entrance to the sanctuary. “But Damon’s troops”
“I don’t give a damn about Damon’s army!” I lost my temper. “None of us will live if we don’t depart!”
They appeared to be jolted into action by that. They gathered everyone who was still standing and turned to shout commands to the others.
Damon stood with his shoulders down in front of the Heart as we returned to the centre chamber. He no longer had the same imposing aura; instead, he appeared lost and broken.
“Damon!” My voice echoing, I called. “We must leave!”
He did not turn. Rather, his eyes reflected the Heart’s erratic vitality as he gazed at it. “It’s too late,” he said. I’ve overdone it. This cannot be fixed.
“There is always a method!” I pressed, taking a step forward. But if we’re dead, we can’t accomplish it. Please join us.
For the first time, I noticed remorse on his face as he turned to face me. “I believed I had control over it,” he whispered. “I believed my strength to be sufficient.”
Kane took a step forward and spoke firmly. “This can yet be fixed. Assist us in keeping the heart stable.
Damon gave a headshake. “No. I have to clean up my mess. Both of you must leave.
“What are you discussing?” With my heart racing, I demanded.
With a firm voice now, Damon answered, “I can hold it back.” “Enough time so you can get everyone out.”
“No!” I shook my head and yelled. “There must be an alternative!”
“There’s not,” he stated plainly. “I can only make amends for what I did by doing this.”
I grabbed Kane’s arm and said, “Kane,” with urgency. “We must evacuate everyone. Right now.
Despite his hesitation and clinched jaw, he nodded. “Let’s go.”
Shouting for the flock to follow, we turned and ran. Humans and wolves alike clambered through the deteriorating sanctuary, avoiding energy bursts and falling rubble.
“Keep going!” Kane shouted, his voice rising over the commotion. “Don’t stop!”
I helped a young pack member who had stumbled to his feet by grabbing him. “You’re fine,” I said in a soft yet strong tone. “Go. Do as the others do.
With desperate but determined movements, the pack spilt out of the sanctuary. I made sure no one got left behind by staying at the back.
“Elissa!” From the door, Kane called. “Go on!”
My heart twisted when I turned around one more time and saw Damon standing by himself in front of the Heart. He met my gaze as he looked over his shoulder.
He mouthed, “Go.”
I turned and ran, but my vision was obscured by tears.
The ground gave way as soon as we were outside. The once-grand walls of the church were falling into dust.
“Is everyone present?” My voice was tremulous as I asked.
With his arm firmly around my shoulders, Kane nodded. “We succeeded.”
I turned to see the Heart gleaming brighter than ever as a roar erupted from the sanctuary. Everything seemed to be drawn toward it as its energy spiralled upward in a vortex.
Subsequently, I experienced a powerful surge that brought me to my knees. My skin crawled at the intensity of the crackling and humming energy in the air.
“Come back, Melissa!” With a cry, Kane drew me away from the crumbling building.
But I was unable to turn away. As I watched Damon lift his arms, his body bathed in light, my pulse raced.
With a quivering voice, one of the pack members questioned, “What is he doing?”
I muttered, scarcely able to speak, “He’s stabilizing it.”
Damon’s figure started to disappear as the light got brighter.
The Heart appeared to be relaxing, but then its energy exploded outward in a dazzling wave of light.
To protect my eyes, I threw up my hands, but the impact knocked me back and left me sprawled on the ground.
The sanctuary vanished as the light dimmed, to be replaced by a huge crater. The weight of what had just transpired was bearing down on all of us, and the air was strangely quiet.
“Damon.” With my voice breaking, I whispered.
However, there was no time for mourning. I was horrified to discover that the Heart’s energy was not contained but rather was spreading as the ground beneath us started to crumble.
“Kane!” I scurried to my feet and yelled. “We must relocate!”
His eyes were wide with terror when he took hold of my hand. “Where are we going?”
The ground under us shifted before I could respond, and the light engulfed us.