Chapter 38
Screaming, screeching of swords, burning bodies, and blood everywhere. I found myself standing amidst the chaos, watching everyone die in front of me. I had no idea what was happening. All I could see was people screaming for their lives. In the center of it all, I saw myself holding a dagger. My eyes were red, and so was my hair. A man stood before me. He looked like Titus, but different. His eyes were b**dy red, and his claws were black and sharp. What stood in front of me wasn't His Majesty-it was a monster. My feet were rooted a few feet away from them, as if I were watching the scene unfold right before my eyes.
"What's happening? Where am I?" I murmured, hoping someone could give me an answer. I gasped for air and covered my mouth when I saw the woman, who looked exactly like me, stab the man in front of her.
The world around me spun, the horrifying vision playing out in gruesome detail. The woman's eyes-my eyes-gleamed. with a sinister light as she drove the dagger deeper into the man's chest. Blood gushed out, staining the ground with dark, crimson pools. The man's face twisted in pain and fury, his monstrous features contorting grotesquely. Desperation and confusion clawed at my mind. I tried to move, but my body refused to obey. I felt trapped, and my were glued to the ground. The screams grew louder, and agony and despair pierced my very soul.
feet
Teet
"Why is this happening?" I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "What have I done?" I stared in horror at my hands, covered in blood. The man lying in front of me, Titus, was lifeless. "No, no, no. This can't be happening!" My knees buckled, voice breaking. and I collapsed to the ground, cradling his body. "This isn't true," I whispered, my
"It isn't," a mystical voice interrupted my sorrow. I looked up to see a red wolf standing before me. "Not yet," she added.
Selene,
I called out, recognizing my wolf. "What's happening?" I begged, desperate for answers
"This is the future, Sage, your future. This is what's bound to happen," she answered. "Now that your wolf has awakened, you have to prepare yourself."
I shook my head in disbelief, my grip tightening on Titus. "No, there's no way I'd kill him. I have no reason to do so."
The scene shifted, and I found myself standing over the bodies of the fallen. The stench of death hung heavy in the air. Flames licked at the edges of the battlefield, casting an eerie, flickering light over the carnage. I looked down at my hands, stained with blood. The dagger felt cold and heavy in my grip. "Titus holds a a great
danger inside him. And it's only a matter of time until his body collapses," Selene continued. "Once the vessel is destroyed, you have to do
"What do you mean?"
"His body has become a vessel for the past decades," Selene continued, her voice heavy with the weight of the truth she bore. "It has held the evil inside, preventing it from bringing chaos onto the earth. But even the strongest body can only bear so much for so long. Despite being a powerful lycan, he has his limits.
I stared at her, my mind reeling. "You mean His Majesty has been containing this evil all this time?"
"The burden he carries is immense, and it was deemed necessary to keep it a secret to protect everyone. But now, hist strength is waning. My appearance is one of the signs that the chaos is about to be unleashed."
Suddenly, the world around me began to dissolve, the horrific imagery fading into darkness. I felt a strange pull, dragging
me
38
me back to reality My senses returned slowly, and I found myself lying on the floor of my room, drenched in sweat, my heart pounding in my chest. Selene was gone, and I'm back in my room.
"That can't be true." I gasped, struggling to catch my breath. My mind raced, trying to make sense of the vision. It felt so real and so vivid
I sat up, my hands still shaking. The book lay open beside me, its ancient pages filled with secrets and mysteries. The red wolf the prophecy, the bloodshed-it all doesn't make sense. I was glad that I finally got my wolf, but at what cost?
Tm destined to kill His Majesty," I murmured to myself. How will I manage to continue staying here, knowing that fact? Should I tell him so we can prevent it from happening?
was lost
lost in my thoughts when the door to my room suddenly opened. My eyes widened in surprise as His Majesty strode
to act normal
How long have I been out? Though weak, weak. I tried to
He eyed me suspiciously. "You look pale, he commented.
!
Before I could respond. Her Majesty arrived a few minutes later. "Your Majesty, I didn't know you were here," she said, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
Yes,
my queen. I I was going t to visit you right after
after this, but it seems I don't have to," His Majesty replied. "What brings you here?" he asked, his tone cold and calculating.
"I was just going to check on Lady Sage, she answered, her voice wavering slightly.
"Check if she's still alive," e," he asked sharply. Tve been informed that you ordered Lady Sage to be locked in her room without food or water. May I ask why?" His tone was cold and threatening, sending a chill down my spine. Her Majesty faltered, her her composure
His Majesty's eyes narrowed, not buying. 1... I was merely trying to protect the peace in the inner court. She deliberately disobeyed the protocols, and I was compelled to set her as precedent so the others wouldn't do it."Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
her explanation. "I I find it hard to believe that starving a member of the court is standard procedure."
"Your Majesty, I assure you- she began, but he cut her off.
"Enough," he he said,
his voice like ice. "Lady Sage is under my protection now. You will cease any further actions against her without my explicit permission"
Her Majesty's face paled, and she glanced at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and fear. "Of course, Your Majesty. I meant no harm. It was a misunderstanding" "Ensure it doesn't happen again," he warned, his gaze unwavering. "Now, leave us.""
Her Majesty hesitated for a moment before curtseying and exiting the room; her steps were hurried.
Once she was gone, His Majesty turned back to me, his expression softening slightly. "Are you alright, Sage?"
you
Í needed, though the weight of everything was pressing down on me. T'm fine, Your Majesty. But how about you? Are you okay?" Tasked, my worry evident in my voice. He chuckled softly. "What do you mean? I'm fine, he replied.
"I-That night..." I stammered, still in disbelief over the events.
"b" he said as realization dawned on him. "It happened?" He forced a smile on his face before blowing out a loud sigh. "I
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usually don't have any collection whenever it happens. Why did something happen?" he asked. t know about the mark. He didn't remember anything
He
didn't
"N-Nothing, Your Majesty. I'm just relieved that you're okay, I said, forcing a smile onto my face.
He studied me for a moment, concern flickering in his eyes. "Sage, if something does happen, you must tell me. I need to know everything"
"I will Your Majesty," I assure him.
"Now, we need to check
NOW
eck up on you: How long have you've been staying here?" he asked.
to answer because, clearly, even I have no idea how long I've been out.
I couldn't bring myself to
"Anyone there?" he shouted outside the door, and his aides quickly came to his aid. "Call the doctor and have Lady Sage checked" he ordered, which they quickly followed. Tm really fine. Your Majesty. You don't need to do that. But if you don't mind, I'd like to have some time alone, I insisted. The worry gnawed at me. With my wolf now manifesting, it wouldn't be long before His Majesty discovered this hidden part of me. eded time to think, t to plan, and to ensure I was on the right path.
He looked puzzled, his brow furrowing in concern. For a moment, I feared he would insist on staying, but then he relented.
"Okay, as you wish," he said before immediately leaving my room. His tone was dissatisfying, with a hint of frustration evident. However, eded this space to figure out my next move.
I took a deep breath, pacing the room as thoughts raced through my mind. eded to find someone who could give me answers. The palace held too many eyes,
Leaving the palace at this rate will be risky, especially now that prying eyes were all on me right after what happened in the grand hall. However, I don't have much choice. Time isn't in my favor.
I remember
wise witch that my father used to consult with. She lives on the outskirts of the kingdom. She might have the answers I sought.