Prologue
Greece, Lycoa - 373 B.C.
Lying on the hard marble floor of my home, the echoes of destruction reverberated through the air. The sight of my once beautiful city now engulfed in flames and crumbling before my eyes, was absolutely heart-wrenching. The pain and despair were palpable as I gazed upon the aftermath of the battle. My sword, a loyal companion throughout the fight, lay beside me, a symbol of the courage and strength I had summoned. But despite my efforts and the countless Lycans I had cut down, it was too late. The damage had been done, and my city, my home, was reduced to ashes.
“Lytus,” I whispered, my voice barely audible amidst the chaos and destruction. He appeared before me, my mentor and friend, and took in the devastating scene. He walked towards me, his steps deliberate and measured, until he knelt down and met my gaze at eye level. In that profound moment, I uttered just one word, filled with a mix of exhaustion, sorrow, and longing. “Selene.”
I couldn’t help but keep my gaze fixed on Lytus, my mentor and the man who had been with me through thick and thin. As he shook his head, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. With the flames consuming our city, it was hard to ignore the weight of the situation. Lytus had always been there for me, unwavering in his loyalty and guidance, but now, in this moment, something felt different. The doubts swirled within me, questioning his actions and intentions. “You knew.”
He looked at me and did not say a word, but his silence said it all.
I give a small laugh and look away from him, “She knew.”
My friend looks over to me and whispers, “By the time I had found out, it was too late. The deed was done.”
My eyes gently closed as I allowed myself to be consumed by the searing pain that etched deep within my being. In the darkness behind my eyelids, memories of my beautiful mate and our precious daughters flooded my mind. Their radiant smiles, bursting with love and joy, illuminated my world every time I returned home. I can still taste the delicious meals my mate tirelessly prepared, pouring her heart and soul into each dish.
To think that after centuries of solitude, I had been blessed with such a profound and breathtaking gift, only for it to be mercilessly snatched away before my very eyes. And by whom? My blood, my own son, turned into a monster that would forever haunt the corridors of my heart. The devastating truth of their brutal demise lingers like a gaping wound, a ghostly spectre that refuses to fade.
Every detail of that dreadful night relentlessly replays in my mind’s eye - the piercing screams, the scent of blood mingling with the acrid stench of betrayal. It feels as though the walls of my world crumbled, crashing down in a crescendo of despair. The weight of grief settles like an everlasting burden upon my chest as I grapple with the unimaginable tragedy that has forever altered the course of my existence.
But through the ache and the anguish, I hold on to the memories. I cherish the moments we shared, the love that flowed between us like an eternal flame. They may be gone physically, but their spirits reside deep within me, guiding me through the darkest of nights. And though the pain is raw and relentless, I find solace in the thought that their light will forever shine, even in the midst of this impenetrable darkness.
“What am I to do Lytus? My home has been destroyed, my family was taken away from me, and my son is gone with more than half of our people, set on destroying the humans.”
Lytus stands and turns towards me, with a determined look on his face, “The destruction of your city is not the end; your people live. Your family may have been taken from you in this lifetime, but there are many other lifetimes for them to come back to you.”
Lytus sticks his hand out, “You give up now, and you will never see your people or your family again.”
I raise my gaze, meeting Lytus’s eyes with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, “What are you talking about?”
“The fates enjoy games, especially with those who they believe slighted them. You may have lost everything on this day, but I can only tell you this, you will regain everything you have lost, I promise you this.”
He takes a step closer to me, “Now get up and fight.”
I gaze at his outstretched hand, my mind swirling with conflicting emotions. Should I grasp it, allowing him to guide me through this torment, or should I succumb to the overwhelming pain that engulfs me? Deep within my heart, I recognize the truth. I understand that despite the odds stacked against me, I must summon the strength to keep fighting, even if victory seems impossible. With a firm grip, I clutch onto my friend’s hand, feeling the surge of strength as he effortlessly lifts me up. As I rise, I reach for my sword, using it as a makeshift support to steady myself.
Lytus places his hand gently on my shoulder, and a radiant glow emanates from his touch. The luminous energy begins to envelop my body, spreading warmth and healing throughout every fibre of my being. In an instant, the excruciating pain and the life-threatening wounds vanish, replaced by a renewed sense of strength and vitality.
I pause for a moment, taking in the sombre scene that surrounds me. The once lively and joyful hall now stands as a haunting reminder of the despair and dread that has befallen us. Memories of laughter and feasts flood my mind, a stark contrast to the lifeless bodies that now lay before me.
But then, amidst the stillness, movement catches my eye. Without thinking, my hand instinctively rises, and I find myself gripping the throat of a man suspended in the air. Anger and pain surge through me, fueling my grip as I squeeze. At that moment, I was consumed by a mix of emotions, unable to fully comprehend the weight of my actions. “I missed one.”
The man starts clawing my hand, “Nyctimus! Please.”
I close my eyes and look into the mind of this depraved being. I can feel the weight of those memories, the pain and the anger. It’s hard to even put into words how it felt when those traitors barged into my home, catching my mate and daughters off guard. I watched as they fought with all their might, taking down enemy after enemy, but it was an impossible battle. The sheer number of them overwhelmed us. I saw my mate, standing tall and fearless, prepared to sacrifice everything, only to be subjected to unspeakable torture and raped in front of our daughters. The same fate befell each of them, one by one.
I open my eyes, locking my gaze with the man standing defiantly before me. Fear dances in his eyes, a reflection of the imminent danger he senses. In a moment of raw intensity, I tighten my grip around his throat, feeling the power coursing through my veins. I release my hold, and with a swift and decisive movement, I swing my sword and cut the man in half. Two pieces of his body fall to the ground, and blood overflowing out of the body. I lift my sword and clean the blood off with my sleeve, “What’s next?”
I hear Lytus speak behind me, “Selene and Axiom were able to get those who were loyal to you to safety. Only I know of their location, and they have been instructed to keep moving until told otherwise.”
“Axiom?”
I could hear the finality in his voice, “Dead.”
Lytus walks up to me and stands behind me, “Periphetes believes you are dead. Use that. Bide your time until you are strong again until your people are strong again.”
I turned to my mentor, my friend, letting him see the pain and anguish I was under, “Then what? I have lost everything. My mate, my daughters, my home. I will never get what I once had back.”
Lytus places his hand on my shoulders, his voice filled with wisdom and compassion. “We are mere threads in the vast tapestry of life,” he says, “and as individuals entrusted with strength, it is our duty to protect the vulnerable, even if it means sacrificing those closest to us. But fear not, for the fates are not unjust. What has been taken from you will be returned in one way or another.”
I hear those words echoing in my mind, their resonance growing stronger with each repetition. “What has been taken will be returned,” I murmur softly as if trying to weave them into the very fabric of my being. It becomes my mantra, a guiding light in the depths of darkness, a beacon of hope in the face of despair. Their meaning becomes deeper, more profound, as I contemplate the complexities of life and the mysteries of destiny. The weight of centuries seems to rest upon my shoulders. Yet, I find solace in the belief that the universe will eventually restore what has been taken from me.…
