CHAPTER SIXTY

ELENA'S POV

The figure emerged from the darkness, his twisted smile growing as he saw our astonished expressions. With a racing heart, I held Stefen's hand.

"You didn't think I'd make it so easy for you to figure out the prophecy's secrets, did you?" His icy, derisive voice reverberated around the room.

Anger was evident in Stefen's quiet voice. "How did you come across us?"

The figure's eyes glinted as he laughed. "Alpha, the prophesy guides me. Despite your best efforts to conceal, fate always finds you.

With a dreadful determination on his face, Kieran moved between us. "So you won't get out of here alive."

Amused, the figure cocked his head. "Are you able to stop me? I have more authority than any of you do.

Leila transformed into a wolf and hissed. We have battled more valiantly than you. Go ahead and do it.

Dark energy swirled around the man as he suddenly lifted his hand. He let it loose with a terrible force, and we only managed to avoid it as it crashed against the stone walls, scattering dust and debris all about us.

Through the mind-link, Kieran's voice was clear and urgent. Split up, everyone. He is unable to battle us all at once.

We hurried around, dispersing around the room. Stefen remained beside me, circling the guy with his gaze fixed on him.

With a firm voice, Stefen mocked, "Your power doesn't scare us."

The person scoffed. "If you believe that your strength is sufficient, you are a fool."

Without pausing, Stefen sprang at him with swift, accurate moves. Stefen was thrown backwards by the figure's counterattack, which was deflected by another burst of energy.

Kieran entered the battle, striking from the side with his claws cutting through the air. However, the figure moved quickly and avoided every blow with such ease that it scared me.

With my pulse racing, I watched as Leila swooped in and snarled at the figure. With a smug smirk on his lips, he waved his hand to divert her onslaught.

"Is this the best you have, really?" He made fun of it.

I became so angry that I rushed forward and said, "You talk too much for someone who's losing."

The apparition narrowed his eyes and stared at me. "Aha, courageous remarks, Luna. However, courage won't keep you safe.

Dark energy crackled around his hands as he sprang for me, but Stefen was there in a flash, growling fiercely to block his path.

Stefen said in a rage-filled voice, "You'll have to get through me first."

The figure's eyes gleamed with hatred as he laughed darkly. "With pleasure."

Their motions were hazy as they engaged in combat with a vicious intensity. Stefen matched the figure blow for blow, refusing to back down in the face of tremendous might.

With his claws cutting through the figure's shields, Kieran launched an attack from behind. I noticed a gap when the person stumbled, temporarily taken by surprise.

"Now!" I grabbed a shattered stone and threw it at the figure as I yelled.

He lost his footing as the stone hit his shoulder. Leila took advantage of the situation and sank her teeth into his arm.

He screamed in rage and slammed her into the wall. Dazed but unbroken, she tumbled backward.

With an eager voice, Stefen reached for me. "Remain near me, Elena. Don't allow him to keep us apart.

The man looked at us, his grin fading as his eyes darkened. "I underestimated your might. You can't win, though.

With a calm voice, I took a step toward Stefen. "We'll check on that."

Kieran pounced at the figure, knocking him to the ground as he lifted his hand again, ready another blow. They strove for dominance, their motions intense and urgent.

However, the figure persisted. He sprang up with a grim smirk and shoved Kieran off him with a burst of vigor. "You haven't stopped me, even though you have delayed me."

The resolve in Stefen's voice was evident. "After that, we'll fight until you're done."

The creature chuckled, deadly enjoyment shining in his eyes. "Oh, I'm not done yet."

Dark energy swirled around him, thickening and intensifying as he raised his hand. The air was thick with strain, and the room appeared to tremble with the force.

He was ready to use his power, however, when the silver wolf appeared, its eyes burning with a terrible glow. It turned to face the person and snarled, its posture uncompromising.

The stranger paused, doubt flitting across his face. "You... How did you get here?

Strong and steady, the silver wolf's voice reverberated in my head. We are powerless against your darkness. This is over.

Anger took over the figure's face. "You believe you can disobey me?"

With its teeth bared, the silver wolf pounced at him. The wolf lunged with dizzying speed, hitting the figure with such power that he crashed into the wall, even though the man had raised his hand to block.

Stefen took a step forward, resolve shining in his eyes. "It's finished."

However, the man only chuckled, his tone defiant. "This is not at all finished. Even if you triumphed this time, the prophesy will still come.

Before we could respond, he lifted his hand and disappeared, leaving just quiet behind.

My pulse pounding, I released a trembling breath. "Is... is it truly over?"

Kieran grimaced and shook his head. "For the time being. However, he will return. And he'll be stronger the next time.

Stefen put his arm around me and drew me in. "We'll be prepared after that. We'll keep our family safe.

Leila transformed back into a person, resolve shining in her eyes. "We must ensure that he doesn't approach us in the future."

I nodded, my determination growing. "We'll figure out how to stop him. For good and all.

With a determined expression on his face, Kieran gazed at us. "We'll collaborate. Anything necessary to prevent him from carrying out the forecast.

Stefen steadied his voice and clasped my hand. "Then let's get ready. This is only the start.

A hint of evil energy persisted in the atmosphere as we emerged from the tombs, serving as a warning that the darkness was far from vanquished. And he was waiting for his next move someplace, in the dark.