Chapter 29: War's Toll
Third person POV
The war between Cassius' army and Sabine's forces had raged on for three agonizing days, leaving in its wake a trail of devastation that seemed to stretch on forever. Blood-soaked battlefields, once-green fields now churned into muddy graveyards, stretched as far as the eye could see. The air reeked of death, the stench of rotting flesh and the acrid tang of smoke hanging heavy over the landscape.
Ava stood atop a hill, her eyes scanning the horizon as if searching for a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Her heart felt heavy, weighed down by the crushing grief that threatened to consume her. So many lives lost, so many families torn apart. The thought alone was enough to drive her to despair.
Kael's reassuring presence beside her helped calm her nerves, but even his steady gaze couldn't chase away the darkness that had settled over her soul.
"Ava, your safety is our priority," Kael whispered, his voice barely audible over the din of clashing steel and the screams of the wounded.
But Ava knew she couldn't just stand by, not when her unique connection to the ancient magic could be the key to ending this senseless war. She felt a spark of determination ignite within her, a flame that flickered to life despite the despair that threatened to engulf her.
"Elian, I need to speak with Sabine," Ava said, her voice firm.
Elian nodded, leading her through the chaos to where Sabine stood, her eyes fixed on the battle-scarred landscape.
"Sabine, I think I can help," Ava said, determination etched on her face. "My connection to the ancient magic... I can use it to weaken Cassius' powers."
Sabine's gaze snapped to Ava's, a glimmer of hope flickering to life in her eyes.
"Explain," Sabine said.
Ava took a deep breath, the words tumbling out in a rush.
"I've been having these visions, dreams that feel more real than my waking life. In them, I see the ancient magic, a power that's been dormant for centuries. I think I can tap into it, use it to weaken Cassius' hold on his army."
Lyra, Kieran, and Arden exchanged hopeful glances, their faces set in determined lines.
"The Triad can amplify your magic," Lyra said.
Together, they devised a plan, one that would require Ava to tap into the depths of her power and risk everything to end the war.
As they spoke, the battle raged on, the clash of steel on steel, the screams of the wounded, and the dying cries of the fallen echoing through the landscape. Ava felt her heart break with each passing moment, the weight of her responsibility crushing her.
Casualties mounted:
Sabine's Forces: 300 dead, 500 wounded
The moonwhispers pack has also lost warriors
The numbers swirled in Ava's mind, each one a face, a name, a life lost. She knew that she had to act, and fast, or risk losing everyone she held dear.
Will Ava's plan succeed, or will Cassius find a way to counter? Ava's heart hung heavy with the knowledge that the lives of those she loved rested squarely on her shoulders.