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Would it be best for us to shift?
Xiao would be able to catch the foreign scent which would make it easy enough for us to reach the culprit. Then I could shift back and use the aid of Lily to take down this being, who was clearly one step ahead of us.
“That would be the smartest decision,”she agreed, and we shifted our focus to Xiao, who was ready to get to work.
Leaving this part to you, Xiao!
“WOOF!” she howled in pride and charged forward. I relaxed my body for the approaching seconds, knowing I was about to shift. There was the sound of my bones cracking out of place and my vision became altered until I was witnessing everything through the eyes of a wolf.
A howl escaped our throat. The sound was so loud that it vibrated in the air and echoed far and wide. The sensation of being in wolf form was so different in comparison to how tired and weak I’d felt from the lengthy swim.
It was like I’d been rejuvenated with new life, and the burning excitement to remove our marked prey was what pushed Xiao forward as we began to race into this new world of majestic discovery.
The objective was clear, but it was so hard to not get distracted by the internal beauty this serene place had protected all this while. The unique trees of black were covered with various shadows and illuminated with shades of purple and blue.
Various bugs like fireflies and dragonflies roamed the skies as they buzzed, glowing when they sensed my swift approach. Purple butterflies and even mystical-looking foxes caught my attention as we raced and enjoyed the moment of freedom this world delivered for us to run and explore. I could only imagine what it would be like to adventure through this sacred place with those I cherished in this new pack life.
To run through these blessed lands of darkness with Malifer and those who’d never lost faith in us.
It was a dream, like many of the thoughts I’d had since embarking on this mission to locate my destined mate, but I felt so much closer to obtaining it.
Only a little more, and I’ll finally have everything I wish…
Xiao suddenly skidded to a stop, forcing me to focus as she began to sniff the air. I could smell what she did, and the thick sensation of smoke only reminded me of the ongoing flames that we’d just left behind so I could discover the crown and Malifer.
The mere idea of this place being burnt and destroyed by those ongoing flames made Xiao growl lowly before she was running at full speed. Her urgency mixed with mine as I urged this world of tainted beauty to aid us in our new conquest.
As if hearing my internal call, the ground beneath our feet began to shift and move, as though we’d gotten upon some sort of ride that could direct us in the right direction without interfering with our speed.
Everything was becoming one big blur as we pushed to our fastest speed. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d run this hard, but I knew within my very soul that if I made it too late, I’d regret it.
This is our valley! I can’t let anyone destroy what’s so precious to Malifer…and me.
That prime moment of uncertainty and hidden despair made me realize just how symbolic Demon Valley was. It was the catalyst to change in my life, and though I’d fallen into its grasp as a sacrifice, it really had become the safe haven I needed to be set free from years of captivity.
I won’t let anyone destroy my sanctuary of acceptance.
The scent grew stronger and I knew that the intensity of their aura would leave me riddled with goosebumps if I was in human form, but I was running solely on adrenaline as Xiao’s desire to reach the culprit behind this scent pushed us past our limits.
Our body burned — markings illuminated against our fur and made us glow profoundly in the blurring darkness. It further empowered us to move even faster as our surroundings shifted into a huge lake.
It took me a moment to realize we were running along a single stone trail that was appearing —and disappearing —as it headed toward a miniature island that was completely pitch black. The only illumination in this part was the massive moon of pink and twinkling stars of white and purple that hovered in the sky. Around the moon’s surface was a black aura that seemed to empower it with magnetizing power that would pull anyone’s attention to acknowledge its alluring beauty, but my resolve was still as strong as ever, which was why we were able to tug our eyes away and keep them on our grand prize.
The island…
We were only a few strides to the shore of the island when we caught onto the single flicker of fire that burned from some sort of match.
I urged the world to shield us immediately, and our approach was suddenly silent as the waters swiftly lifted and spiraled around our body as if to surround and blend us perfectly with our surroundings.
It felt like I was invisible, which I was grateful for, seeing as I wished to save the blanket Colton had made for later if I reached a state of needing rest.
What we were confronting now was an enemy that needed to be eliminated, but the priority right this second was getting rid of that flame. My sensitive hearing picked up on the individual's mumbles as the cloak that hid their identity began to elevate thanks to the intensity of the magic that began to ooze out of them in waves.
“You think you can win? That you can have your happy ever after? Nonsense. Utter nonsense.”
Every strand of fur stood at that voice while our paws pushed with all their might to send us soaring through the air. The darkness bubbled around us completely, silencing my shift back as Xiao pulled back entirely, which rewarded me with the sound of my bones clicking back into place.
“I’m your master. Your ultimate creator. If I can’t have you…well…” the person paused, followed by a deep chuckle, “no one will.”
