Davina's gaze locked onto Alexander, her heart sinking as the reality of his condition struck her. His eyes, devoid of irises and seeming like mere white orbs, betrayed the chilling control exerted over him. Her rage flared, a mix of sorrow and fury twisting her features. She muttered under her breath, her voice seething with anger. "Bloody old hags... They might've done something to him."Her voice erupted into a thunderous shout that resonated across the battlefield, slicing through the oppressive silence. "You cowards! You bloodthirsty old hags treat others like puppets, manipulating and erasing memories to suit your whims. You think you can just kill whoever you want and tamper with lives as if they were nothing but playthings! "Her eyes, blazing with wrath, swept the shadows, searching everywhere . Her voice cracked with intensity, each word dripping with contempt. "You claim to be all-powerful and mighty, yet you cower in the shadows, avoiding any direct confrontation. You condemn me as evil for merely fighting to protect what's left of my humanity. Is this how you wield your so-called power? To destroy and manipulate? To brand anyone who resists as a monster you've created? If you have any courage left, step out of the shadows and face me yourselves! Stop using your own people as pawns to kill me and sacrificing their lives! I welcome you to kill me yourself ."A profound silence enveloped the forest as everyone, except Davina, began to leave one by one. The bodies of those she had slain had vanished, reduced to ashes. The sky, as if in response to her defiant challenge, darkened with ominous fury. Thunder crashed like a war drum, and lightning tore through the heavens, striking the earth with fierce intensity. Trees splintered under the relentless force, and the winds howled, a tempestuous frenzy enveloping the forest. The once-clear night was consumed by a thick, eerie fog, obscuring everything in an oppressive shroud.Amidst this maelstrom, a voice boomed with a raw, almost physical power that seemed to shake the very ground beneath her. "Kneel!"The command was overwhelming, a force so commanding that Davina felt her body betray her. It was as though the voice was an invisible hand pressing her down, forcing her onto her knees. She fought against it with every ounce of her willpower, her muscles straining and her teeth gritted. Despite the oppressive force that bore down on her, she managed to maintain a semblance of defiance, her eyes burning with unyielding resolve."How dare a mere demon child question us?" the voice continued, each word resonating with ancient, unassailable authority. "Do you not grasp the gravity of your defiance? You are but a fragment of chaos in our meticulously crafted world." The words echoed through the trees, imbued with the weight of centuries, leaving no doubt of their origin.Davina's struggle to remain upright was a battle against an intangible yet all-encompassing force. The voice was a relentless tide, pushing against her with a pressure that seemed to seep into her very core. Her pride and resistance burned fiercely, even as her body quaked under the weight of the command. The conflict between her unyielding spirit and the voice's overwhelming might created a tense standoff, her defiance a beacon of light in the enveloping darkness .
There, within the swirling darkness and blinding lightning, stood Alexander's father. But he was no longer the man she had seen before; now he radiated an aura of divine terror, as though possessed by an ancient and malevolent deity. His eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and his presence exuded a chilling blend of awe and dread.
The old man's voice, though deceptively calm, carried the weight of centuries. "You stand in no position to question us. It was your parents who ignited this conflict, and you were meant to resolve it for the greater good."Davina squared her shoulders, her eyes flashing with unyielding defiance. "You speak of a grand design, but all I see is tyranny masquerading as order. You hide behind your so-called wisdom, manipulating and destroying lives for your own amusement. What right do you have to judge who deserves to live or die? You see me as a monster because I refuse to be a pawn in your twisted games. But tell me, what makes you any better? Are you still hiding behind your wolf form, or are you too weak to confront the chaos you claim to control?"The old man's lips curled into a soft, mocking smile as he turned away, disappearing into the mist. "Ten. Just ten of them. If you can defeat them, you are more than welcome to find us." His voice echoed through the forest, a taunting challenge that seemed to come from every direction.As the intensity in the forest reached a fever pitch, the storm reflected the arrival of strange and formidable creatures. Out of the ten, only nine were there while no one resembled wolf; these nine were an assortment of bizarre, powerful beings, each more menacing than the last."Those cheats, what are they?" Another voice, familiar and laced with a hint of amusement, echoed from Davina's left. She smiled inwardly, recognizing the voice and the ally it signaled.