Chapter 17
The fierce noise of flesh tearing apart filled my ears, prompting my instincts to contract my body, seeking relief from the agony.
However, surprisingly, the sound didn’t originate from any physical contact with my skin.
In an instant, my eyes opened, revealing the fatigued figure of Bash standing above me, accompanied by the lifeless body of the gray wolf at his side. The wolf’s throat had been mercilessly slashed, a fact confirmed by the sudden transformation of Bash’s glove into a crimson hue. He stood before the dimly lit sky, like a god of war adorned with filth and blood.
Amidst this, his dazzling golden eyes shone among the scarlet stains that covered his face.
It dawned on me that these two wolves had met their demise at the hands of this man, all to safeguard me from the third assailant. Undoubtedly, he possessed an awe–inspiring prowess. I could only hope that the blood adorning his skin didn’t belong to him. Subsequently, he knelt beside me, gasping for breath, and diligently proceeded to assess my injuries. It was evident that exhaustion had gripped him, much like it had me, yet he remained resolute in ensuring my well–being.
“…I apologize,” I murmured softly, my voice feeble and hoarse. He remained silent, his concern for my injuries surpassing any words. He tore his shirt and swiftly fashioned it into makeshift bandages. It was only then that I noticed the deep claw marks adorning his lower abdomen, the wounds oozing blood in a grotesque manner.
“What? Just tend to your wounds first!” I exclaimed. Yet, he simply
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shook his head, forcefully pushing away my hands that were
applying pressure to my own wound. Despite the bandages being uneven and oddly shaped in certain areas of my body, he managed to wrap them tightly enough to provide some relief until we reached the hospital–at least, that was my hope.
Initially, I presumed our plan was to await the arrival of the warriors. Although they were conspicuously absent during the battle, they should be arriving soon, right? I couldn’t help but wonder whether Mrs. Newman had successfully convinced them or not. A dreadful sensation gripped my stomach, a sinking feeling, as I realized that we would be stranded in this place unless Ava managed to seek help from others, in case Mrs. Newman’s attempt proved fruitless.
Uncertainty clouded my mind, as the prospects of surviving without proper medical attention seemed bleak. The realization of my gradual deterioration washed over me, making it arduous to remain conscious, yet I fought against the urge to succumb. To my horror, Bash lifted me up in his arms and struggled to rise on his unsteady legs.
“Hey, what the hell are you doing?!” I exclaimed, fear gripping my voice as I yelled at the top of my lungs.
“I’m… not… going to… let you die here…,” he stammered, his words faltering as he began to walk away.
I started to contemplate the reasons behind his actions during the battle. Was it something he said about Benjamin? If that were the case, he was jeopardizing his own life in vain. Benjamin wasn’t the kind of person to initiate a conflict merely out of disdain for
someone.
However, it did raise questions about the earlier pronouncement of
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the Goddess. She had urged me to avert my demise. I assumed she was referring to my shift into Luna, following the unjust accusations I had faced. Would a similar fate await me if I were to die once more? Was her warning about me jeopardizing the lives of all werewolves a genuine concern?
In the present moment, Bash struggled to navigate the dusty path, his every step appearing precarious, as if he might stumble at any moment. The extent to which he pushed himself surpassed what I deemed humanly possible. I yearned to rise and relieve him of my weight, but my condition resembled that of the lifeless gray wolf- limp and helpless. I acknowledged my complete vulnerability, recognizing that my sole task now was to cling to life.
“Look there!” A voice exclaimed from ahead. Turning my head, I discerned several figures hastening toward us, though my vision remained foggy.
“Warriors,” Bash uttered, and a wave of relief washed over me. We were finally safe. We were going to make it. As tranquility settled in my heart, my eyesight progressively blurred. I felt like I needed a brief slumber, and everything would be alright after that.
“Winona, stay awake!” murmured Bash. His legs gave way, and we both tumbled to the ground. Yet, he managed to cradle me securely in his arms, preventing me from hitting the earth. In truth, he need not worry. I intended only to indulge in a short nap. It would last a mere few minutes, at most.
“Winona….” Then, darkness engulfed everything. The surroundings turned cold, and I found myself in utter obscurity. Despite the lack of sight, a strange familiarity pervaded.
Had I been here before? Suddenly, realization struck me–I was in the Abyss. Was I… dead?
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In a mere span of four days, I had met my demise once again. Would I be compelled to return, as I had been before? Countless thoughts raced through my mind. I knew from previous encounters that the Abyss offered no escape until it deemed fit to release me. I would have to endure the solitude, the darkness, and the vacant
void.
Unexpectedly, a brilliant light streaked past me, and I found myself back in the trial grounds, gazing up at the council who held the power to determine my fate. It mirrored the previous occurrence, with a few minor differences. Benjamin stood before the elders, his back turned to me, while Isabella coiled around him like a serpentine, her smile unveiling her true face–a demon at me.
The sky loomed somber, adorned with two full moons: one a vivid crimson, the other a dazzling silver. Their presence distorted the scene before me, casting dual shadows upon everyone. I glanced down at my own shadows in front of me, and discovered their peculiar and distinctly disparate nature. The smaller one
possessed a lighter, silver hue, and a rounder form, while the larger one exhibited a crimson tint and towered considerably. Suddenly, Benjamin’s voice broke the trance, drawing my attention back to him.
“The charges against you have resulted in a verdict of guilt,” Benjamin began. Isabella gradually retreated, her unwavering smile. revealing her anticipation for my demise. Her appetite for death seemed insatiable, as if she struggled to restrain herself from personally ending my life.
“Therefore, I, Benjamin, the Alpha of the Lock Heart Pack, use my authority to sentence you, Winona Granger, the former Luna of the Lock Heart Pack, to death!”
As I lifted my gaze to meet his eyes, a surprising sight greeted me
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-it wasn’t Benjamin who I saw. It was Bash. He held the broadsword in his hands, displaying a familiarity with the weapon that suggested he had wielded it countless times. Within his golden eyes, I detected the same icy glare that Benjamin had always directed at me–a look tinged with resentment.
“Bash… why are you here?” I managed to speak, finding my voice at last. Yet, he paid me no mind, as if the events unfolded precisely as they had in my original recollection. It seemed futile to believe I could make a difference, for everything appeared predestined.
“You are about to receive your sentence.”
“Bash… please, stop. You’re not him. You’re not Benjamin.”
Regardless of my pleas, he continued to advance toward me with the blade, unaffected by my words. I tried to scream, to express how unjust this was, how it was never meant to happen, but my voice inexplicably vanished. Each attempt to speak felt like being choked, and every effort to rise and flee was met with the refusal of my own body. And so, without a moment’s pause, I rested my head upon the block.
In that pivotal moment, he took a decisive step forward, his hand propelled in a swift motion. Casting a final glance behind him, I observed Isabella fixating her gaze upon me with an insatiable hunger, almost drooling in anticipation of the fatal strike. However, she was not alone. To my utmost surprise and dread, I caught sight of the Goddess herself standing at his right side.
In this scenario, her presence was that of a silent spectator, unmoving and devoid of any expression, as she observed the impending events without a trace of remorse. She had assured me that I would not be alone this time, yet her lack of remorse following my demise was apparent.
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As Bash lowered the sword towards me, I locked my gaze with his. This time, I was determined to keep my eyes open, refusing to succumb to the darkness as I had in my previous encounter. The effect was swift, as he swiftly carried out the task with a single, decisive blow.
Finally, the familiar darkness enveloped me again.
