CHAPTER:16
1089 Words
The piercing cry started again, now louder and more terrifying than before; it echoed through the trees, freezing us all in a place. It wasn’t just a scream or ordinary cry; it was filled with pain, rage, and something else… a warning sign.
Caden grips my hand so tightly. “Stay close,” he murmured, his golden eyes looking sharply into the dark forest.
Then the remaining followers of Ronan marched in, standing in a loose formation, their faces twisted with anger. Some were holding weapons, while others raised their hands, dark energy crackling around their fingertips.
“You think you’ve won?” One of them sneered, coming closer. He was tall and huge; his face was half-hidden under a hood, but his voice dripped with fury and hatred. “Ronan’s fall is only the beginning. He still lives on through us!”
My heart pounded, but I refused to let them see my fear. “You followed a man who nearly destroyed everything in this pack,” A ruthless and heartless man. I said firmly. “Well, the curse is broken. The people are free now. This fight is over.”
Some of them looked surprised while glancing at each other. Doubts were written in their eyes. But the hooded man laughed sharply.
“You’re wrong, Serenity,” he spat. “Ronan’s power isn’t gone and can never go just like that. It’s waiting. And when it returns, you’ll all suffer from its riots.”
Caden came forward, facing the huge man without fear; his voice was cold and commanding. “Leave now immediately, or you won’t live to see that day.”
For a brief moment, no one moved an inch or even said anything. Then, without warning, the hooded man lifted his hand, and a wave of dark energy shot at us. I barely had time to react before Caden pushed me aside just in time, and the attack hit the ground where we had been. Sending dust and rubble into the air.
“Attack!” someone shouted.
Everything happened at once.
Ronan’s followers charged furiously, with their weapons raised. Our warriors met them head-on, the sound of clashing steel ringing through the air. I turned, my heart racing so fast, and lifted my hands. A familiar warmth spread through me. I smiled within myself. That's my healing magic. But this time, I directed it outward, and a wave of light burst out from me, striking the first few attackers. They stumbled back, shielding their eyes.
Caden was already in motion, moving like a force of nature. He blocked a blade aimed at me before twisting and knocking his opponent to the ground with a single blow.
“Serenity, behind you!” He shouted,.
I spun just in time to see another enemy lunging at me. I ducked, sweeping my leg out, and they hit the ground hard. I pressed my palm to their chest, sending a burst of light into them. Their bodies went limp; they were unconscious but not dead.
The battle raged on, but something felt scary and strange. The air grew heavy and thick with a hidden presence that was unseen. Then, from the trees, another figure appeared.
A woman.
She moved with a strange grace, her dark cloak flowing around her. Her eyes were empty and black, and when she smiled, a cold shiver ran through me.
“Enough,” she shouted, her voice smooth but filled with power and hatred.
The fighting stopped instantly. Even though Caden stood still, his muscles were tense.
The woman came closer to me; she was looking me directly in the eyes. “Serenity Rhoane,” she murmured, tilting her head. “You carry the light, but you also carry the past. Ronan’s power has left a mark on you, hasn’t it?”
I stiffened. “Who are you?” And what, Mark, are you talking about?
She smirked. “Someone who knows the truth. Do you think Ronan was the root of all evil? No, my dear. He was just a piece of something greater. And now, with him gone, you’ve created an even bigger problem.”
Dread twisted in my stomach. “What do you mean?”
She lifted her hand, and suddenly, I felt it. A pull deep inside me, something cold and familiar stirring beneath my skin. My breath caught flashes of memories I shouldn’t have filled my mind with. Ronan’s voice. His power and his rage.
“No,” I shouted.
The woman smiles broadly. “Ah, you feel it right, don’t you? The remnants of his curse didn’t just disappear, Serenity. They attached themselves to you. And if you’re not careful enough, they will consume you.”
Caden came in front of me, protecting me with his body “You’re lying.” And who are you to tell her that?
“Am I?” She gently said it to my ear.
I find it very difficult to breathe. The air I was inhaling felt thick, like it was suffocating me. Could it be true? Had I unknowingly taken Ronan’s darkness into myself?
“I can help you,” the woman said. “But you must be willing to see the truth.”
I clenched my fists. “And what truth do you want me to see? What do you want in return?”
She let out a soft chuckle. “Only time will tell.”
Then, just as quickly as she had come, she raised her hands. A dark wind swept through the battlefield, forcing me to shield my eyes. And when I looked again, she was gone.
The remaining followers of Ronan saw what just happened, hesitated, and then turned and fled, disappearing into the trees.
A heavy silence followed. Our people stood, panting; their faces were filled with exhaustion and unease.
Caden turned to me. “Are you alright?”
Yes, I'm good, I answered him even though my heart was still pounding so hard. “I don’t know what just happened now.”
He exhaled deeply, brushing a hand through his hair. “Neither do I; I'm just confused. But believe me, we’ll figure it out. Together,” Caden said.
I wanted to believe him. But deep down, fear twisted inside me. Because for the first time since this war began, I wasn’t afraid of losing the battle.
I was afraid of what I might become.
And as I looked at the darkened sky, I knew one thing for certain: this war was far from over.
- Writer
