Eclipsed Destiny

The pack moved quietly through the forest, their steps silent, their senses attuned to every rustle of leaves or snap of a branch. Aziel led the group, his movements precise and purposeful despite the lingering pain from his injuries. Celia stayed close behind him, the mark on her arm tingling faintly as if reacting to the tension in the air. The weight of the prophecy weighed heavily within her mind, and the cryptic words would not let her be in peace.

She looked over at Aziel, his broad shoulders a reassuring presence in front of her. Most of the injuries inflicted by the rogue Alpha had healed, but she could still see the tension in his movements, the cautious way he carried himself. It reminded her of everything he bore: not merely the physical scars, but the load of responsibility in protecting the pack and guiding them into an uncertain future.

The forest grew darker as they ventured deeper into the rogue territory. Trees were twisted and gnarled, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decay, and the faint sound of whispers seemed to echo through the shadows.

"Aziel," Marcus said quietly, falling into step beside him. "Are we sure this is the right way?"

Aziel nodded, his face grim. "The energy of the monolith remains. The rogues may have retreated, but they left traces behind. We must know what they were doing and why.

Celia's stomach churned at his words. The rogue Alpha's disappearance hadn't felt like a victory. It had felt like the beginning of something far worse. And the mark on her arm-the blessing-seemed to agree. Its faint glow pulsed in time with her racing heart, a constant reminder of the power she carried and the responsibility that came with it.

As they crested the rise and reached the clearing, the whispers grew louder and began to take on a faint form that made shivers crawl up Celia's spine. The choice is not yet made. The balance hangs in the hands of the keeper.

She froze, her breath caught in her throat. The pack turned to look at her, concern etched on their faces.

"Celia?" Aziel said, his voice low and steady. "What is it?

She shook her head, trying to push the whispers aside. "I. I don't know. It's the blessing. It's reacting to something."NôvelDrama.Org © content.

Aziel's gaze hardened as he stepped closer to her, his presence a comforting anchor. "Stay close," he said. "We don't know what we're walking into.

A huge stone altar dominated the clearing, upon which in dim light had been carvings of all sorts: Celia felt somehow drawn towards it, she thought a feeling from within, as her blessing realized something that emanated from within the

stone.

"This is it," said Aziel, filled with foreboding in his tone. "This is where prophecy began.

Celia stepped forward, brushing her fingers over the carvings. As she touched it, energy bolted through her, and everything around her melted into light.

7---

The view started clearing once and found Celia in open space under silverly colored lights. The grounds upon her steps were smooth and cold; in time, air was very sensitive and felt timeless. Taking slow turns, heart raced looking ahead of what she can take.

"Celia, she heard a low gentle voice.".

She turned to see a figure approaching, its form shifting and glowing like moonlight made flesh. As it drew closer, she saw it was a woman, with silver hair flowing like liquid light, her eyes filled with a wisdom that seemed to pierce through Celia's very soul.

"Who are you?" Celia asked, her voice trembling.

The woman smiled, a sad but understanding expression that made Celia's chest tighten. "I am a guide," she said. "A remnant of the blessing's origin, left to ensure that its keeper understands the weight of their role." "The prophecy," Celia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "What does it mean?"

The woman's face grew dark, and she swept her hand toward the air around them. The silver light flexed, taking on forms that hung in the air like photographs come alive. Celia saw wolves fighting, their forms vague in shadow and light. She saw the rogue Alpha standing before the monolith, his eyes blazing with power. And she saw herself, standing at a crossroads, the blessing radiating from her like a beacon.

The blessing is a gift and a curse," the woman said. "It holds within it the possibility of great good-or unseen destruction. The choice is yours now, Celia. You are the holder, and it will be your decisions that determine the fate of all who live in your world.

For Celia, the words of the woman weighed heavy. "But what if I choose wrong?" she spoke through a voice that trembled. "What if I end up failing?

The woman stepped closer, her eyes firm and filled with compassion. "You will find trials, Celia. You will be tested in ways you cannot yet imagine. But remember this: the blessing chose you for a reason. Trust in yourself and trust in those who stand beside you.

The silver light dissipated, tugging Celia back to the waking world. She stretched out, desperation clawing at her chest. "Wait! What do I do? How do I choose?"

The woman's voice echoed faintly as the vision dissolved. "The path will reveal itself in time. Trust the bond."

7---

Celia woke with a start, her body quivering and her heart pounding. She was once again in the clearing, with the pack surrounding her, concern etched in their faces. Aziel knelt beside her, his hands steadying her shoulders. "Celia," he said, his voice filled with urgency. "What happened?"

She took a deep breath, the memory of the vision still so fresh in her mind. "The prophecy," she said. "It's real. And it's tied to the blessing in ways we don't understand."

Aziel's jaw tightened, and he helped her to her feet. "Then we need to move quickly," he said. "If the rogues know about this place, they won't stop until they've exploited it.

Marcus moved forward, his jaw grim. "The scouts reported an anomaly at the northern border, could be a rogue team."

Aziel nodded, his eyes glinting with a dark aspect. "We will divide into two, Marcus. Take half the pack and secure the border. The remaining half will stay here guarding the clearing." "What about him?" Marcus asked, his face swinging toward Celia.

Aziel's expression softened as he turned to her. "I'm staying with Celia," he said firmly. "If the prophecy is tied to the blessing, then she's the key to all of this. And I'm not leaving her side." Celia's chest tightened at his words, the bond between them pulsing with a steady rhythm. She felt a flicker of hope despite her fear and uncertainty. Whatever lay ahead, she wouldn't face it alone. As the pack spread out, Celia and Aziel remained by the altar, the light of the carvings illuminating in dim patterns in the floor. The forest was silent; however, a tinge of tension settled in the air. "Do you think this prophecy is to be true?" Celia asked, low and quietly, keeping her eyes fastened to the altar.

Aziel shrugged, his features unreadable. "I believe in you, and that's all that matters to me."

She looked up to him, her heart full of thanksgiving and determination. She had no idea what tomorrow brought, but she knew one thing: the blessing wasn't going to be given to the wrong hands. 7---

The moon climbed above the forest, and howls echoed in the distance. Celia felt chills run down her spine as Aziel's body tensed beside her. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the shadows.

They are coming," he said, his voice low but steady.

Celia's mark flared with heat and she clenched her fists; there was no room for her fear anymore. The time for hesitation was over as the prophecy unfolded.

She would fight-for the blessing, for the pack, and for the bond that tied her to Aziel.

1---

As the first rogue emerged from the shadows, with red eyes glowing with malice, Celia felt the blessing surge within her, more powerful than ever. The whispers of the prophecy echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of the choice she would soon have to make.

Would she embrace the light-or succumb to the darkness?