Chapter 74: The Last Offering
Melissa’s POV
As the dark energy spread outward, the chamber was filled with a deafening quiet. My throat tightened with each breath. Our pack, the sanctuary, and even the outside world would be gone if this beast were to be let loose.
There was nothing I could do.
I closed my eyes and drew on all my remaining strength, reaching deep within. The cold terror that was tearing at my chest was pushed back by the warmth that crept through my veins.
I muttered, “Hear me, goddess.” “Give me the courage to put an end to this.”
A golden light burst from inside me the instant I spoke. I pushed forward, lifting my hands toward the encroaching darkness, even though my body burned, and my soul was stretched thin.
The chamber echoed with the enemy leader’s laughter. “What a dumb girl! You can’t keep it in check!
However, I had to.
I pushed forth my energy, confronting the dark power directly. In a ferocious tempest of light and shadow, the two forces collided in the air. Despite my muscles screaming and my bones hurting, I refused to let go.
A recognizable voice then cut through the confusion.
“Melissa!” Behind me came Kane’s roar.
My vision became blurry as I turned my head slightly. Kane was on his feet, beaten and bloodied, but more determined than ever. Behind him, warriors streamed into the chamber, teeth bared, ready to attack.
“Hold on!” Kane shouted. “We’ll finish this together!”
I clenched my teeth, pushing harder. The dark orb shuddered under my force, but it wasn’t enough. I needed more.
Kane faced the fighters. “Attack!”
When my pack lunged at the enemy, the room exploded into mayhem. Growls resounded, claws clashed, and the air was heavy with the smell of blood. I had time to put an end to this craziness, and they were giving me time.
However, I had no idea how long I could endure.
The battle continued outside the stronghold. Our men were pushed back by the overwhelming numbers of the enemy forces, who were unrelenting.
With a snarl of his own, Alpha Tobias tore through an opposing soldier in one swipe. Lydia battled beside him like a devil, her actions precise and piercing.
“We can’t hold them forever!” Dodging a strike, Tobias snarled.
Lydia whirled and cut the throat of an opponent. “Then we die trying!”
The battlefield was suddenly filled with the sound of a trumpet. After a brief period of hesitation, the opposing forces charged forward with even more ferocity.
Beta Caleb swore. “They’re bringing in reinforcements!”
A huge figure, a monster wolf with crimson eyes and black fur as night, loomed out of the darkness. It was the enemy’s covert weapon and one of their most formidable fighters.
The ground underneath them trembled as the beast roared in terror.
Lydia gripped her blades more tightly. “We need to hold the line!”
Tobias snarled. “Then we fight to the last breath!”
Our warriors prepared themselves as the enemy forces surged, understanding that their fight was not just for their own lives but also for Melissa, Kane, and everyone else who depended on them.
My body shook as I repelled the evil energy back in the room. My limbs felt heavy, and my vision became blurry, yet I was unable to stop.
The leader of the enemy grinned. Melissa, you’re strong. Yet not enough powerful.
Raising their hands, they called forth yet another surge of gloom. The blast struck me right in the chest before I could even react.
I was flung backward, slamming into the chilly stone floor as pain erupted inside me.
“Melissa!” Kane’s voice was scared and far away.
I tried to push myself up while gasping for air, but my limbs remained immobile.
The leader of the adversary towered over me, triumphant on their face. “You’ve lost.”
No.
I couldn’t allow things to finish this way.
I took a trembling breath and made one final, deep-seated reach. Despite its weakness, the goddess’s power’s warmth persisted.
I concentrated on it, holding on to what little light remained.
“Not yet,” I said in a whisper.
Slowly at first, then like a tidal wave, a golden glow poured out from my hands.
The leader of the enemy’s eyes widened in surprise. “Impossible!”
With every second that went by, my strength returned as I forced myself to stand. As the light intensified, it encircled me like armor.
In a moment, Kane stood at my side, his eyes brimming with ferocious resolve. “Let’s end this.”
We charged together.
The enemy leader screamed as soon as my energy hit them. Light leaked through the cracks in their skin, causing their body to tremble.
“No!” they screamed, their voices full of anger. “This isn’t over!”
Then they broke into dust with one last jolt of energy.
There was silence for a minute.
Then the earth shook under us.
Kane took hold of my hand. “Melissa-something’s wrong.”
With a sinking heart, I turned to face the center of the room. The enemy’s power source, the Heart, was disintegrating. The energy of the luminous orb unraveled as it flared erratically.
The walls shattered and there was a deep rumble throughout the room. Stone fragments fell from the sky.
Kane screamed, “We have to leave!”
I attempted to move, but something stopped me. Like invisible chains, the crumbling Heart encircled me and drew me in.
I was filled with panic. “Kane-!”
He grabbed my wrist and lunged forward. “Hold on!”
However, the draw was too great. The energy of the Heart encircled me more tightly, threatening to devour me, and the golden light surrounding me grew dimmer.
Fear darkened Kane’s eyes. “Melissa, don’t let go!”
I clenched my jaw, resisting the power, but I was losing strength.
Before the light engulfed me, the last thing I saw was Kane’s frantic countenance.
Then
Darkness.