24. ELOWEN
Chapter 24
ELOWEN
The air crackles with foreboding energy.
The enemy pack, the Dark Moon Pack, emerges from the treeline, their bloodthirsty howls echoing through the forest.
My heart hammers a frantic drumbeat against the backdrop of chaos.
Thorne stands beside me, his fur bristling in a display of dominance. His eyes lock on mine, a silent reassurance passing between us.
We may not know what the coming battle holds, but we will face it together.
The clash of claws against metal signals the start of the war.
The wolves of our allied packs surge forward, a tide of fur and fury against the encroaching darkness.
My own pack, led by the formidable Koda and my father, joins the fray with a savage battle cry.
But a part of me remains anchored to the spot, a chilling realization dawning on me.
The night sky, once bathed in the soft glow of the full moon, is now shrouded in unnatural darkness—a suffocating blackness that obscures the stars, leaving us in an eerie twilight.
Oh no!
Panic claws at my throat.
My power. The amplified strength I could bestow upon the wolves. It's useless without the moon's light.
The prophecy, the belief that my abilities would be the key to victory, is shattered by a single act of utter darkness.
"The moon!" I scream over the din of battle. "It's gone!"
Thorne whirls around. Understanding dawns on him in an instant. Someone – a traitor in our midst – must have tipped off the Dark Moon Pack about my dependence on moonlight.
A primal growl erupts from Kain, who stands beside us, his dark eyes blending seamlessly with the encroaching shadows. "A spy!" he snarls, his fangs glinting in the dim light. "We need to find them, now before they do more damage!"
But amidst the chaos, searching for a traitor feels like a futile endeavor. Our focus needs to be on immediate survival. Without the moon, our advantage is gone.
Despair threatens to engulf me, but I force it down. Panic will not win this battle.
Thorne throws me a reassuring glance. "Elowen," he barks, "we need another plan. Find the source of the darkness. That's our key to victory."
His words spark a glimmer of hope. If we can disrupt the source of this unnatural eclipse, the moon's light might return and, with it, my power. But where do we even begin?
My mind races, searching for answers.
The darkness feels oppressive, like a living entity. I focus on that sensation, trying to use it as a guide. With a deep breath, I close my eyes, tapping into the raw energy pulsing around us.
Images flash before my inner vision—swirling darkness, tendrils of shadow-like writhing serpents, and at the heart of it all, a figure cloaked in obsidian robes, chanting in a guttural language.
The chanting—that's the key.
The darkness isn't natural. It's a spell. A dark magic being channeled by someone powerful. And if that's the case, then there must be an anchor, a source of power for the spell.
Opening my eyes, I find Thorne and Kain staring at me expectantly. "There's magic at play," I explain. "A dark spell that's blocking the moon. We need to find the anchor, the source of the magic."
Thorne looks determined. Kain lets out a low growl, his claws scraping impatiently against the earth. "Then lead the way, Elowen.”
I try to lead the way, but the way is through a tunnel of snarling fur and flashing steel. Thorne and Kain surge forward, clearing a path through the chaos.
My legs pump, fueled by a frantic desperation. We can't win without the moon's light, and without the moon's light, I'm just another terrified and useless wolf caught in the middle of a nightmare.
I am not the source of a prophecy. All of the trauma Thorne and I have been through will have been for nothing.
A wolf slams into me, sending a jolt of pain through my shoulder.
I shove him aside, adrenaline momentarily overriding the sting.
A flash of silver catches my eye—a glint of metal tucked inside the dark fur. It's Kain, a whirlwind of fangs and claws, carving a route for us.
Thorne fights with a controlled fury, his eyes gleaming with a deadly focus.
My vision blurs at the edges, the constant movement and the overwhelming scent of blood threatening to pull me under.
We have to get away from the battle, away from the noise, away from everything so I can focus.
Suddenly, Thorne throws me a sharp look. "This way!" he barks over the din.
He veers off the main path, plunging into the shadowy depths of the forest.
The undergrowth whips at my face as I follow, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. Branches snag at my clothes, tearing at my already frayed nerves.
Each rustle in the undergrowth sends a fresh wave of panic crashing over me.
Is it another enemy? Worse—is it the traitor who betrayed us?
Thorne weaves through the tangled vegetation with ease, his movements a blur in the dim light.
Kain flanks us, his dark form silent and swift.
We move silently, driven by the knowledge that time is running out. With every passing moment, the darkness strengthens, its suffocating tendrils reaching out to steal the very hope from our hearts.
The once lush greenery gives way to a grove of ancient oaks. The trees here stand like silent sentinels, their gnarled branches clawing at the shrouded sky. The forest floor is carpeted with a thick layer of decaying leaves, muffling our footsteps.
An unnatural stillness hangs in the air, broken only by the occasional snap of a twig or the rustle of unseen creatures.
A shiver runs down my spine despite the overbearing heat that hangs heavy in the air.
This place feels different, wrong. Fear threatens to paralyze me, but I clench my jaw, forcing myself forward.
We're so close. I can feel a prickling sensation on my skin, a pull towards something dark and powerful.
Then, without warning, the air crackles with an energy that sets my teeth on edge. The hairs on my neck stand on end, and a primal fear washes over me.
We've found it.
A clearing emerges from the dense undergrowth, bathed in an unnatural green glow.
It’s the source of the darkness. In the center stands a lone figure, their face obscured by the hood of their obsidian robe.
The air thrums with an oppressive energy, a malevolent force that threatens to suffocate us. My breath catches in my throat as recognition slams into me.
The figure raises a hand, the green light swirling around it like a hungry vortex.
It's him.
Varis, the rogue mage who has plagued our lands for years.
Was he the Dark Moon’s Alpha?!
How?!
Since when was he a werewolf?!
I can sense the energy in him. His presence is the anchor for the eclipse, the reason the moon is hidden from sight.
Hatred and determination mix a fiery cocktail within me.
He's responsible for all this chaos, the fear, the potential loss of everything we hold dear. We have to stop him.
"So, it's you?" Kain growls, his voice low and dangerous. A flicker of recognition crosses his features, quickly replaced by a cold fury.
Varis throws his head back and lets out a chilling laugh, the sound echoing through the clearing like the screech of a dying bird. "Indeed, Kain," he rasps, his voice distorted by the hood. "Fancy meeting you here after all these years."
There's a history there, a tangled web of betrayal and banishment. I remember the tales. Kain's pack had the misfortune of knowing Varis before he became the twisted creature standing before us.
The laughter fades, replaced by a cold, arrogant smirk. "You cast me out," Varis continues, gesturing towards the green glow swirling around him. "Deemed me unworthy of your precious pack. Well, look at me now. Bathed in power, the darkness, my loyal companion."
His words drip with venom, a bitter testament to the years spent honing his dark craft. My fists clench, the urge to lash out at him burning strong within me.
He's the reason the moon is hidden, the reason my power lies dormant.
He's the architect of our current misery.
A tense silence settles over the clearing before Varis raises his hand, the green light intensifying. "And now," his voice resonates with power, "I will use this darkness to claim your lands and plunge them into eternal night!"
He lunges forward, a dark wave of energy radiating from his outstretched hand.
We react instinctively.
Kain lets out a furious roar, transforming into his massive wolf form in a blur of fur and fangs.
Thorne, eyes blazing with righteous anger, shifts as well, his coat shimmering like molten gold.
The battle explodes in a cacophony of snarls, growls, and the clash of claws against magic.
With a feral roar that echoes through the clearing, I launch myself into the fray.
Varis, momentarily distracted by Kain's relentless assault, turns towards me with a surprised sneer.
His arrogance is my opening.
As he raises a hand to unleash another blast of dark energy, I slide beneath it, using the momentum to propel myself towards him.
He throws his weight back, attempting to backhand me away, but I anticipate the move. Twisting mid-air, I bring my knee up, connecting with his exposed abdomen in a sickening crunch.
A surprised grunt escapes his lips as he doubles over, momentarily stunned.
Kain seizes the opportunity, launching himself at Varis with renewed vigor. Their forms collide, the sound of snapping teeth and tearing flesh filling the air.
Thrilled by the momentary advantage, I press my attack. Landing behind Varis, I grab a handful of his cloak and yank him backward.
He stumbles, his hood falling back to reveal a face contorted with rage and surprise.
Years of practicing dark magic have etched lines around his eyes and hollowed out his cheeks, but beneath it all, I recognize the arrogant sneer I remember from whispers and campfire stories.
Before he can react, I launch myself at him again. This time, I aim for his exposed throat, hoping to land a crippling bite. He throws his arm up in a desperate block, the force of my attack sending him staggering back.
The fight erupts into a frenzy of claws, teeth, and frantic strikes.
Varis may be wielding powerful dark magic, but his arrogance leaves him open to my primal attacks. Every blow I land fuels my determination.
But Varis isn't about to go down easily.
With a surge of dark energy, he throws me back with a telekinetic blast.
Pain explodes in my shoulder as I slam against a nearby tree, the impact momentarily stealing my breath.
Thorne growls in anger and attacks with savage fury. Kain flanks Varis, his movements swift and precise as he maneuvers around the blasts of dark energy.
Frustration gnaws at me. I want to do more, to use my power to help them. But without the moon's light, I'm just another target, another body to be thrown into the fray.
Suddenly, an opening appears. Varis throws a fireball toward Kain, momentarily distracted. Seeing the opportunity, Thorne lunges, aiming for a bite at Varis' exposed shoulder.
A surge of relief washes over me.
Thorne will stop him!
He'll break the spell, and the moon will return!
But before Thorne's fangs can connect, Varis whips around, a cruel smile twisting his obscured face. He raises his other hand, and a wave of dark energy slams into Thorne with a sickening thud.
My world grinds to a halt. A scream tears from my throat as Thorne goes flying through the air, a broken puppet tossed aside. He crashes into a nearby tree with a sickening crack, his golden fur now stained crimson.
"Thorne!" I roar. Panic claws at my throat, threatening to suffocate me. No. Not Thorne. He can't be hurt.
Ignoring the primal scream of fear echoing within me, I surge forward. I may not have my full power, but I have my anger, my desperation, and my love for Thorne. What does Varis have? Power? Arrogance. I will make them his undoing.
As I charge towards him, fueled by a desperate need for revenge, a wave of dark energy slams into me. The impact sends me flying like a ragdoll through the air. Pain blossoms across my back, the breath momentarily knocked from my lungs.
I crash against the ground, tasting dirt and blood. Dazed, I struggle to my knees, my vision swimming. Varis looms over me, a dark silhouette against the green glow.
"A brave attempt," he scoffs, his voice dripping with disdain. "But ultimately futile."
He raises his hand, preparing to deliver the final blow. This is it. This is where it ends. I close my eyes, accepting the inevitable.
But the blow never comes. Instead, I hear a guttural roar, followed by a clash of teeth. Opening my eyes, I see Kain locked in a brutal fight with Varis.
Disoriented and driven by a surge of renewed hope, I push myself to my feet. Ignoring the throbbing pain in my back and the dizziness clouding my vision, I scan the clearing for Thorne.
And then I see him.
He lies sprawled beneath the tree, unmoving, his fur matted with blood. My heart stutters to a halt, a cold dread creeping into my limbs.
"Thorne!" I scream, the word a desperate plea ripping through the air. My plea seems to slow everything down. Time stretches, each second an agonizing eternity—until everything falls still.
Thorne doesn't move. He doesn't even breathe.
Terror explodes within me. Ignoring the burning pain in my lungs, I stumble towards him, my legs threatening to buckle beneath the weight of my grief.
Reaching him, I fall to my knees beside his still form. My hands tremble as I reach out, brushing a bloody lock of fur from his face.
"Thorne," I whisper, my voice cracking with despair. "No. Please, no."
Tears stream down my face, blurring my vision. His golden fur, usually so vibrant, now lies dull and lifeless. There's no rise and fall of his chest, no flash of sapphire in his eyes.
Despair threatens to engulf me. I can't breathe, can't think.
The world shrinks down to the cold, unmoving form beneath my touch.
He's gone. Thorne is gone.
And it's all my fault.
Out of the stillness, a harsh roar erupts from across the clearing.
My head snaps up, eyes darting towards the source. Kain and Varis are still locked in combat, but something has shifted.
Once radiating with dark power, Varis now seems weakened, his movements sluggish.
The green glow surrounding him before is flickering erratically, losing intensity.
When his eyes met mine, they flashed a glimpse of fear – the first sign of vulnerability I'd seen from him all night.
Suddenly, a strange sensation washes over me. Amidst the crushing weight of grief, a faint warmth sparks within me. It's subtle at first, barely a whisper, but it's there.
And then I see it.
A faint silvery glow spreads across the clearing, pushing back the oppressive green hue. The faintest sliver of moonlight peeks through the dense canopy, a tiny beacon of light.
The darkness is receding.
Slowly, painfully, but unmistakably, the moon is returning.
A strangled gasp escapes my lips.
Hope surges through me. The moon… my power. I can save him. I can save Thorne.
With a strength born of desperation, I pull myself away from his unmoving form and scramble to my feet.
The moonlight spreads across the clearing, bathing me in its silvery light.
The strength I thought lost courses through my veins, a powerful current.
Ignoring the tremors shaking my body and the tears streaming down my face, I focus. I focus on the raw energy surging through me and the connection between myself and the moon.
I focus on Thorne. I focus on life.
With a whispered word, I channel the moon's energy into a healing pulse.
A warm light emanates from my fingertips as I reach down, placing them on his chest.
The energy flows from me into him, a desperate attempt to mend the damage, to coax him back from the brink.
A tremor runs through Thorne's body, a glimmer of life returning to his eyes. They flutter open, a hazy blue staring up at me. Relief floods my veins, so powerful it almost knocks me off my feet.
"Elowen?" he rasps, his voice weak.
"Thorne," I choke out, tears streaming down my face. "You're alright. You're awake."
He tries to push himself up, but he groans in pain. His golden fur is matted with blood, and a nasty gash runs along his side. But he's alive. He's breathing.
"Don't waste your energy," I plead, gently pushing him back down. "I need to heal you."
"No," he gasps. "The others… the battle… you need to use your power on them."
A wave of guilt washes over me. The clearing, once chaotic, is now eerily quiet.
The battle seems to have ended, with our allies emerging victorious. But the cost must have been high. Thorne's right. There are others who need my help.
But I can't… I can't let him go. Not now.
Tears blur my vision as I look down at him, his face pale and drawn. "I can't... I can't lose you, too," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
He reaches out a shaky paw, brushing away a tear from my cheek. "You won't," he assures me, his voice barely a whisper. "You'll save them all. And you'll save me… indirectly. Use your power, Elowen. Don't let me die knowing it could have saved our people."
His words pierce through my grief, sparking determination within me. He's right. My grief can't cloud my judgment. The battle may be over, but the wounds run deep. My pack, our allies—they need me.
"I… I love you," I choke out.
He smiles weakly, his eyes filled with a love that mirrors mine. "And I love you," he murmurs.
Taking a deep breath, I steel myself.
This isn't about me.
This is about protecting everything we hold dear. With a silent apology to Thorne, I close my eyes and focus.
The moonlight bathes me in its soft glow, and I channel it, amplifying its power. Then, I reach out, searching for the injured wolves scattered across the clearing.
I anchor my power to them, sending healing energy in waves that wash over their wounds.
The process is grueling. It drains every ounce of strength from me, my body screaming in protest. But I push on, fueled by a desperate need to save them all.
Groans and whimpers fill the air as wounds begin to close, bones mend, and strength returns.
I watch Thorne through blurry eyes, his form lying still beside me.
Is he watching me? Can he feel the drain on my energy? A silent prayer escapes my lips, a plea for him to hold on.
As the last wave of energy leaves me, relief washes over me in a crushing wave.
The clearing is silent. The only sound is my ragged gasps for breath. My eyelids grow heavy, the moonlight fading.
And then, darkness.
Goddess, help me.
Help Thorne.