CHAPTER 10
1111 Words
The forest shook every time the big shadow moved. The air felt heavy and thick, like breathing through water, just by being there. The howls of the scared wolves could be heard all through the open. There was a lot of doubt and fear in Darius's pack about this new power.
As I took a step forward, my chest felt tight and my hands gave off a faint glow from the silver energy I was slowly learning to control. The Guardian Moon beat above me, making me feel like my heart was beating again. Even though my knees were shaking, I couldn't take a step back. Not while that shadow was around and my power was still strong.
The huge, gray form of Kael stood next to me. Its fur stuck out and its muscles were coiled up like springs ready to snap. He growled in a low, mean voice, "Selene, don't take it easy." He gave me such a hard look that I had to pay attention. "Don't let fear take over. You have power, but you need to learn how to use it."
I agreed and swallowed. My heart was beating fast. "I..." A soft voice said, "I'll try."
As the shadow moved, its huge limbs bent and its claws scraped the ground. Its fiery red eyes were fixed on me, and I felt like I knew what it was. Before my mind could react, my body did. Silver light burst from my veins and wrapped around my arms, legs, and even my chest, drawing power from the Guardian Moon.
"Kael!" Thorne! Please help me!I yelled even though I knew I had to do it by myself.
Thorne moved first, and his golden eyes were very sharp. In the middle of his step, he changed into a wolf. It came out of him like melted gold. As he jumped at the shadow and hit it on the side, his claws cut through the air. Sparks of red and silver lit up the night as they hit each other.
Darius stayed at the edge of the forest and smiled a little. When his golden eyes met mine, I felt a rush of anger and fear. He said, "Impressive." "But not enough." "Not yet." He wasn't here to help, that much was clear. He watched me, tested me, and maybe even tried to get me to do something.
The shadow howled, and the ground shook where I stood. It hit the ground hard with its big paw. There was a shockwave that threw Kael and Thorne back. Trees broke and dirt flew everywhere. My silver energy got very angry and shook like it knew what to do. The shadow was pushed back a few steps by a flash of light that came from my hands.
Once more, it let out a low, scary roar that made me know it wasn't just any dog or animal. It was smart. It was very old. It pushed me, tested me, and dare me to fail because it knew how far I could go.
"Selene, pay attention!" "Kael barked, getting up on his feet, his wolf form tense and wild." Feel it!"Take charge of it!"
I took a deep breath to center myself and calm my heart. The Guardian Moon, a pulse of energy that connected me to the world, the forest, the wolves, and even the shade, was hovering above me. It wished to be seen, honored, and obeyed.
I put out my hands and felt the silver energy coil like it was alive. I could see it: light beams reaching out to the dark and mixing with its red glow. There were sparks and a burst of energy when the two forces hit each other. Everyone was thrown backwards.
Before I hit the ground, Kael growled and caught me. "Be careful! Don't push too hard! This much power isn't good for your body."
Being scared and excited at the same time, I yelled, "I... I can't stop it!" My hands got brighter, and silver energy swirled around like a storm. The shadow growled and took its first small step back. I could feel its anger, hunger, and calculation as its red eyes got hotter.
His words cut through the noise. "Yes..." "Moonbound, let it flow." "Show me what you can do."
I was furious because he wasn't helping me and wanted me to have a hard time, maybe even fail. I glared at him, my anger rising. "Your praise isn't necessary!"I yelled.
When the shadow roared again, it ran at me faster than I could see. Kael charged at it with his teeth bared and hit it in the middle of its jump. Thorne then hit it with his golden claws, and Draven moved quietly behind it to hit it from a different angle.
I focused all of my power into a single flash of silver light that hit the shadow directly in the chest. It hit the shadow's red aura, which sent a shockwave through the clearing. The ground cracked, wolves howled, and Darius's eyes grew bigger with shock.
The shadow stopped for a second and stumbled, its red eyes moving back and forth between us. That's when I knew there was a link. The shadow wasn't being stupid; it wasn't just attacking; it was responding to me.
I knew it was trying me to see if I was strong enough, if I could make it, and maybe even to see if I could control my power without letting it take over.
"Sethe!""Kael shouted. "Don't be scared of it!" It thinks you're not strong enough."
To calm down, I closed my eyes and let the silver energy flow easily. I didn't try to fight it or control it; I just let it go with me and do what I wanted. The energy formed a wall that pushed the shadow back slowly, inch by inch.
The shadow roared and dug its claws into the ground. As trees broke and dirt flew, I felt the power inside me rise even more. I wasn't just defending myself; I was shaping and bending the energy.
"All right... I mumbled to myself, "That's it." I felt stronger than I ever had before. The Guardian Moon above lit up the clearing and showed everything: the wolves, the trees, the broken ground, and the shadow that was still in front of me.
The shadow moved again, and this time it was faster than I thought it would be. It jumped high into the air with its claws out.
And hit Kael hard.
"No!"""I screamed and ran as fast as I could, silver light flooding around me like a storm.
- Writer
