Aurora stood at the grove's heart, her hand gripping the celestial fragment as it pulsed with searing energy. The Lycan King loomed before her, his towering form wreathed in shadows. The crystalline structures of the grove trembled, the balance between light and dark tipping precariously as Aurora channeled her power.
"You'll burn yourself out, little Luna," the Lycan King sneered, his eyes glowing with malice. "You're not strong enough to stop me."
Aurora ignored his words, summoning the Pact's energy in a desperate surge. A brilliant light burst forth from the fragment, washing over the grove. The Lycan King growled in pain, his shadows recoiling under the celestial glow. For a moment, the grove's sacred energy seemed to stabilize, the trembling crystals radiating a fragile balance.
Cassian and the wolves used the opportunity to push back the shadow beasts, their unity a testament to their bond. Anica hurled luminous glyphs, and Nathan's claws tore through the creatures with feral precision.noveldrama
But Aurora's strength was waning. The Pact's power burned through her veins, leaving her breathless and trembling. She clutched her abdomen, feeling the strain ripple through her body-and through the life she carried.
The Lycan King recovered quickly, his fury palpable. He raised his hand, a vortex of shadow magic spiraling into existence. With a guttural roar, he unleashed it.
The wave of darkness crashed into the grove like a tidal wave. Cassian threw himself in front of Aurora, his blade glowing faintly with residual Pact energy as he tried to deflect the attack. The force sent him flying, his body colliding with a crystalline pillar before crumpling to the ground. "Cassian!" Aurora screamed, her voice breaking.
The wolves scattered under the onslaught, their formation shattered. Shadow beasts surged forward, capitalizing on the chaos. Anica was forced to retreat, their defensive glyphs barely holding the line.
Aurora's light flickered, the celestial fragment trembling in her grip. She stood alone now, the weight of the Pact's energy pressing down on her as the Lycan King advanced.
"Foolish," he said, his voice cold and calculating. "You can't fight me alone. Surrender, and I'll make your end merciful."
Aurora's knees buckled, but she steadied herself, the flickering light in her hand casting faint shadows across her pale face. "I'll never give up. Not to you."
The Lycan King smirked, his dark aura swelling as he prepared another attack. Aurora's breaths came shallow and fast, her power dimming as exhaustion crept in.