Eclipsed Destiny

The forest was alive with shadows.

Celia was standing in the very heart of the camp, illuminated with a soft light cast off her mark from beneath her feet. Rogues let out their howls which had grown louder each and every second that passes, while wolves run toward the set positions. Commands sharp with Aziel resound as they await the attack to follow:

Stay with me," Aziel said firmly, his hand brushing her arm. His blue eyes were intense, the bond between them pulsing like a tether of light and energy. "Whatever happens, Celia, don't let them separate us. She nodded, her hands clutching the cloak tighter around her shoulders as she forced herself to remain calm. The mark tingled faintly, an ominous rhythm that seemed to mimic the pounding of her heart. Marcus approached, his sword gleaming in the firelight. "The patrols report movement on all sides. They're surrounding us."

Aziel's expression darkened. "They're trying to force us into a corner. Marcus, take a small group and hold the southern perimeter. I'll take the north."

"And what about Celia?" Marcus asked, his gaze darting toward her.

Aziel didn't hesitate. "She stays with me."

Marcus nodded and disappeared into the chaos, barking orders to the wolves as they spread out through the camp. Celia turned to Aziel, her pulse quickening. "You don't think this is just another attack, do you?"

"No," Aziel admitted, his voice low. "They're after something or someone."

Celia swallowed hard, her mark flaring in response. They're coming for me.

7---

Minutes later, the rogues appeared.

They came like a shadow wave, emerging from the forest to red eyes gleaming and night air split by snarls. The Crescent Moon pack wolves rushed forward as the battle began, a chorus of defiance howls.

Celia stood next to Aziel, her mark blazing as she released bursts of energy to push the rogues back. The blessing's light cut through the darkness like a blade, blinding and deadly, but with every rogue she struck down, two more seemed to take its place.

Aziel fought beside her, a blur of claws and steel as he tore through the enemies. His moves were deadly and precise; his presence was like an anchor that kept Celia steady amidst the chaos.

"Stay close!" he shouted, his voice carrying above the din.

Celia nodded; her breath came in gasps as she unleashed another blast of light. But then-

A figure emerged from the shadows.

At first, Celia thought it was another rogue, but as the figure stepped closer, her mark flared painfully, the energy surging through her like a shockwave. The rogue lieutenant stood at the edge of the clearing, his red eyes locked onto her, his expression calm amidst the storm of battle.

"Celia," he said softly, his voice carrying across the chaos.

Aziel spun to face him, his teeth bared. "You're not getting anywhere near her."

The lieutenant smiled faintly, his gaze never leaving Celia. "You can't protect her forever, Alpha. Sooner or later, she'll see the truth."

Celia's hands shook as the mark on her arm burned hotter, the energy flaring wildly in response to the lieutenant's presence. "What truth?" she demanded, her voice trembling.

The lieutenant tilted his head, his red eyes narrowing. "You don't know yet, do you? Poor little Celia. They've been keeping secrets from you."

Aziel stepped forward, his sword raised. "Enough."

The lieutenant's grin expanded, but he neither stirred nor moved. "You are wasting your time, Aziel. The bond will snap. And when it does she'll come to me willingly."

"Over my dead body," Aziel sneered and lunged forward.

The lieutenant raises a hand, and darkness surges up from the earth, encasing him. Aziel's blow cracks into the shadows; power crackles, the two impacts sending shockwaves into the clearing. Celia steps back, her mark burning brighter with the reaction of the blessing to their clash of power.

"Celia!" Aziel shouted sharply into the urgency. "Go!"

"No!" she cried, but the energy within her surged violently, knocking her off balance. The shadows around the lieutenant swirled, growing darker and more oppressive as his laughter echoed through the clearing.

"You can't fight me forever," he said, his voice a low, mocking whisper. "The truth will come out. And when it does, you'll see who your real enemy is."

Celia's vision began to blur as the brand on her arm flared to burn with a searing fire. The blessing surged to life inside her, trying to break free.

"Celia, stay with me!" Aziel's voice cut through the haze, grounding her in the present.

She gulped, the energy retreating a little as she strained her mind to focus. She could see the lieutenant's shadows coalesce as he stepped back. The red eyes glowed like embers. "This isn't over," he said softly, his gaze lingering on Celia. "Soon, you'll see the truth for yourself."

With that, he disappeared into the darkness, his presence fading like smoke.

The battlefield fell silent.

Celia fell to her knees, her body shaking as the blessing's energy finally settled. Aziel was at her side in an instant, his hands steadying her as she struggled to catch her breath. "Are you all right?" he asked, his voice rough with concern.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Celia nodded weakly, though her chest still ached. "What did he mean?" she whispered. "What truth?

Aziel's face grew set, his jaw locked tight as he looked out into the forest. "I don't know," he said finally. "But I swear to you, we'll find out."

Later that night, the pack gathered around the fire, their faces lined with exhaustion and worry. They had won the battle, but it hadn't felt like a victory. The rogue lieutenant's words hung over them like a dark cloud, sowing seeds of doubt that no one could ignore.

Celia sat beside Aziel, her hands wrapped around a cup of hot tea Luna had given her. The warmth helped, but it did little to ease the chill that lingered in her bones.

"What do you think he meant?" Marcus asked, breaking the silence.

He shook his head, his expression grim. "Whatever it is, it's intended to split us. He wants us to doubt one another."

"And it's working," Marcus said, darkly scanning the pack. "People are frightened. They're starting to question each other."

Aziel's jaw went taut. "Then we remind them who we are. We stand together or we fall apart. That's how it is.

Celia looked at him, her heart breaking with the weight he carried. He was trying so hard to keep them together, but cracks already were showing. "Aziel," she said softly, getting his attention. "We have to find out what he's talking about. The truth. We can't fight this blind.

Aziel met her eyes. Blue, hesitant flicker there, and then, he nodded finally. "You are right. But we'll do it careful. Rogues play their games and I will not give in to that.

Celia nodded, but part of her could not dismiss the feeling that the renegade lieutenant's words had already done their damage. The pack was divided, trust was fraying, and the truth-whatever it was-felt closer than ever. 7---

As the flames crackled, Celia's mark flared suddenly, a sharp burst of heat that made her gasp. The world tilted, and for a moment, she saw it-

An entity shadow-sited, watching her. It can be seen that her eye-lids opened, and that Aziel's voice could pull her back. "Celia? What is it?" She peered at him, quivering. "We aren't alone."