Gazing at the forest below me, I knew there was a possibility I wouldn't come back to my beloved. Yet, to protect her from those who wish to harm her, I'd dive into the inferno of war. While the others around me wanted nothing more than the glory of a fight, I desired to stay on this ship.
Around me, others began to jump into the evergreens below as a voice reached me.
"Fenris!" Lilith cried behind me, making every fiber of my desire turn to her.
But if I see you again, will I pull away? Ah… who am I kidding… Just one look won't…
However, when I shifted my gaze towards her, it felt like my world was sent asunder.
Oh… I'm not strong enough to handle this. How do I stop myself from running to you?
"Please, come back to me! Promise me! Swear it to me!" Lilith pleaded, scrunching her blue eyes as they filled with tears, quickly streaking down her cheeks.
Oh… Lilith… How can I promise something I can't guarantee?
I never knew that forcing myself to smile for you could hurt this much.
"I love you." Was the only thing I could say before allowing myself to fall off the airship.
You'll be safe if you stay. Please… stay and wait for me. I will try to come back to you or die trying.
Saying goodbye to her was the hardest thing I had ever done. Even though her warmth was still present since the prior night, it was never enough. Mid-free fall, my body morphed into that of a wolf before landing safely on some coverage nature elves had made for us.
"Fenris, we're ready." A fellow howled, itching for blood.
Ever since the festival, old wounds had resurfaced, making sure each wolf present wanted some type of
"Fill your anger for battle, but leave those who surrender unharmed." I sighed.
It wasn't like I didn't share their sentiments for blood, but the woman I loved was one of them. If she was on the other side, I could only hope someone found it in their hearts to let her live.
"No! They didn't do the same for us!" He growled as others followed with the same remarks.
"Fen," Liam called for me, having followed me down.
Unable to turn to him, I focused on the unrest before me. These wolves wouldn't be beast while I was at the helm.
"Just because someone jumps, do you do it?" I asked, taking a step to the wolf as he took one back.
"What?" He mumbled, tilting his ears downward.
"If someone takes a knife to a child, does that mean you will?" I continued to question, taking another step towards it.
"No, I wouldn't…" He shook his head, tail tucked under his pants.
My power always responded to my emotions, and my body usually shimmered before I even realized it did. The only reason I knew it happened was because of everyone's reaction to me. Lilith was the only one who never flinched, even when I did.
"Just because they're merciless doesn't mean we shouldn't be. We need to be better but don't get me wrong. It doesn't mean we should be the same! We're more than just beasts." I growled as he hurried away towards the others.
I quickly turned towards the others, "Does anyone else have other concerns? Once inside, there isn't much time to chat, but I'll be watching." I huffed.
"No, sir!" They saluted me as I smirked.
"Then let's get moving!" I stepped forward, only for Liam to suddenly grab me from behind.
"Wait a minute, Fen!" He huffed, gazing at me intently.
"What is it?" I sighed as the others began to move into the forest grounds.
"That wasn't right, Fen. She was bawling. Is that the last memory you want her to have? If this goes sideways?" He growled, standing his ground.
"You think I don't know that?" I winced, shaking my head. "You think I don't want to hold her until she knows everything will be fine?!"
The tone in her voice alone made me want to climb back into that ship and hold her, yet I couldn't. Out of everyone, if I wanted Lilith to stay out of the fray, I had to be in it. No one else could match Alijah, which was optimistic for me.
That wolf… has more experience under his belt than I do.
"Why didn't you just promise her you'd come back? You could've at least eased her a bit." Liam sighed.
"Ah… I don't ever want to lie to her." I bit my lip, shifting my eyes towards the forest as magical spells started to erupt out of them.
"Hah… You and your pride. It was the same when you didn't know if you could be with her when you ascended. That's not something I agree with." He huffed, grabbing onto both my shoulders. "Well, I promised her I'd make sure you make it back. So, don't make me into a liar now."
Of course, you did. I wish you hadn't, but..
"Hah… I have no intention of dying today. I want to marry her and see my kids grow." I assured, triggering him to smile.
"I got your back, brother." He tapped my chest with his fist.
You've always been there, pushing me to be confident in everything I do. You are my right-hand confidant and friend.
"Thank you, Liam," I said, feeling lighter with each step with him by my side.
"Hey! Don't forget about me." Ezra huffed, coming out of the forest where the others had gone in to.
"Who could? How about we get things done and return home to those waiting for us?" I smirked, placing the specialized earpiece for Lycans on.
"Yes, sir!" They both answered as we headed into the unknown grounds of the howling forest, where fates would meet.
Ripping through enemy lines was a breeze with my power as it shut down any magical spell within a certain radius—something I had developed thanks to Shade's relentless spars. This made our foes resort to physical attacks, which were easy for us to handle.
Even though I had hoped they would surrender, barely any of them did. The taste of blood had overwhelmed my senses as my hands were drenched in it.
Is… This still doesn't reach you, does it, my love?
"Command center, I need a ground report." I relayed this to the communication hubs on the ships.
"Copy. The enemy seems to be retreating to the West side of the forest. All squads are steadily progressing, with minimum casualties." An elf informed.
Those words should've brought me relief, yet…
Something isn't—
"Fen, something isn't right." Liam came from the corner, shifting into his human form.
He was covered in blood, too. We all were. These witchcraft users were like lambs to a slaughter.
"Yes, it's like they're luring us somewhere," I answered as others could be heard chasing further into the west of the forest.
"But why?" Liam asked, using a tree for better support as this location was secure.
"Fenris! Do you copy?!" My brother's voice echoed through everyone's earpiece.
"Ben?" I responded, unsure of why he sounded so desperate to find me.
"Lilith is gone! We can't find her!" His words echoed in my mind, turning everything into a blur.
"What?" I breathed, feeling my world shake in ways I never knew it would.
Lily… You… Why?
It was the red moon all over again.
"She broke a hole in the ship, and we don't know where she went!" Amelia took over for Ben.
"Melody wanted to look for her, but Amy stopped her." My brother sighed, taking the radio off her.
"What? No, keep her up there! She doesn't know any combat!" Liam's voice cracked, shaking his head.
"I know, Mel isn't going anywhere, but Lilith… I'm sorry. So sorry, Fen." Ben's words made me feel like my world suddenly froze over as I turned to my bracelet, triggering it to shine.
The simple thought of wanting to see her would guide me to her.
"Fen, go. I'll—" My faithful friend started but wouldn't finish when another voice came from our earpieces.
"No, both of you go. I'll keep the others in line and the chase alive. There is barely any more resistance anyway. The vampires are taking most of the fun in the front." Ezra announced, leaving me biting my lip.
"Hah, you wolves are just too slow." Tania cackled as if it were light out; they reigned supreme in a field of blood.
"Thank you." My voice trembled as Liam nodded.
"Good, get your baby momma, boss." The grey wolf's encouragement was all I needed to bolt out of there and toward where fates would clash again.
I don't think I've ever run so fast, but I'm coming for you, Lilith. Please, be okay when I get there!