The parks aid

The parks aid
Melissa’s POV

The wolves circled me as I stood in the middle of the pack's holy place, my heart racing. Their bodies were stiff with resolve, and their eyes burned dimly.

An elder wolf named Garrick declared, "We have discovered a method." His voice was full of urgency and wisdom, and his fur was stained with silver. Melissa, we'll give you our energy. Your light will be strengthened by our spirits.

Feeling the weight of their trust, I took a deep breath. However, the corruption of the Void is permeating every one of you. Will not this link endanger you?"

"We're already in pain," Garrick remarked somberly. "We will all succumb to the darkness of the Void if we do nothing. This is our only chance.”

With resolve blazing in their eyes, the pack members nodded in agreement.

With his hand on his sword, Damon stood next to me. "Are you certain about this, Melissa?"

I inhaled deeply. "I must be. I can't say no if their energy can aid me in my battle against the Void.

The wolves' voices blended into a strong hum as they started to chant. A golden radiance arose from the earth and enveloped me like a cozy hug. Their energy surged into me, illuminating every part of my body, and I gasped.

Hope sparked in my chest for the first time in a long time. I felt stronger as the light drove back the blackness of the Void.

But then I thought of something else. Visions of the pack's agony, with the wolves writhing in agony and their bodies contorting due to the corruption of the Void. I could hear their screams of pain.

I gripped my chest tightly. "No, this is excessive."

"Melissa, they need you," Damon added. "Don't let the discomfort deter you. Remain resilient.

I balled my fists, making myself put up with it. The pack trusted me to save them, so they were giving me everything. I wouldn't disappoint them.

"I swear," I muttered, my voice trembling. "I'll keep you all safe."

However, the air became thick before I could fully absorb their force. A shiver swept across the hallowed ground.

The wind carried a deep, bone-chilling sound. You dare to disobey me, then?"

We had been felt by the Void.

Dark forms twisted into hideous creatures as they slithered out of the wreckage. The Void had sent its forces—to destroy the pack and shatter our hope.

The creatures lunged at us, their bodies made of pure shadow. Their red eyes glowed like fire as they snarled, claws extended.

“Everyone, hold the circle!” Garrick shouted.

The wolves didn’t hesitate. They roared and surged into battle, their fangs digging into the black beasts. The shadows, however, moved quickly. They retaliated, spreading their corruption while clawing at the wolves.

Damon drew his blade and cut through the shadows. "Don't cut the connection, Melissa! That light is essential!"

I made an effort to concentrate, but the conflict raged all around me. The energy link wavered. I felt the agony of the wolves' struggle against the Void.

There was a sharp cry.

I turned just in time to see Garrick slump, his body twitching as dark tendrils wrapped around him.

"No! I ran at him and screamed.

He lifted his head weakly, his eyes already darkening. “Melissa… take my strength… use it to defeat the Void.”

I shook my head violently. “I can still save you”

“There’s no time,” Garrick murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Then, with one more snarl, he released a flood of golden light from his body and poured it into me.

The strength struck me like a bolt of lightning, and I gasped. However, Garrick's body vanished into the shadows.

He had left.

My eyes were scorched by tears. I balled my hands into fists. I felt like screaming and collapsing.

Damon took hold of my arm. "Hey, Melissa! Right now, we can't stop. His sacrifice had a purpose.

I forced myself to get over my sadness and stand up straight. "No, it wasn't."

With my heart steeled with resolve, I brushed away my tears and turned to face the battlefield.

The air shook then. The darkness throbbed.

The Void’s booming voice roared, full of malicious laughter. “Foolish mortals. Do you believe you've won anything? You have only given me food.

As the darkness deepened, it whirled into a whirlpool.

With greater strength than before, the Void arose from the darkness. “Now, I will use the energy of your precious pack to fuel my resurrection,” it grinned.

As the Void's laughter reverberated through the ruins, the ground shook underneath me. I sensed the energy of my pack being drawn into the whirling mass of darkness that pulsed with terrifying strength.

"No," I muttered as my chest constricted. "You're consuming them."

The enjoyment radiated from the Void's eyes. "Yes, Melissa. Their relationship and love for you inspire me. They become mine each time they try to assist you.

I balled my fists up. I had a close bond with the pack, but now I realized that it was a two-edged sword. The Void turned their energy into its might the more they attempted to fortify me.

Damon took a step forward, his blade in hand. "You must cut the connection, Melissa."

I turned to look at him. "No! I'll lose their support if I do that. I must have them!"

But have a look at them! Damon gestured toward the wolves that surrounded us. Dark tendrils had wrapped around some, causing their bodies to spasm as they slumped. Others continued to fight, but their strength was ebbing away and their movements were slow. "They will all perish if the connection is not severed!"

My heart was racing. How could I decide? I might lose my sole chance to fight the Void if I broke the link. However, my pack would be eaten if I didn't.

The Void laughed. "Melissa, you cannot save them all."

I tightened my jaw. No. I wouldn't allow it to prevail.

I inhaled deeply and sought within, looking for the brightness the pack had provided. I could still feel it pounding in my center.

Then I screamed sharply and broke the connection.

My chest erupted in a bright light that sliced through the darkness's tendrils. I sensed the pack's vitality ebbing away as the bond broke.

The Void's grip on the wolves relaxed, causing them to gasp and jerk. They were free, albeit some fell on the ground from exhaustion.

The Void let forth a howl of rage. "You dare?"

I stumbled, my knees nearly collapsing. The strength I had depended on vanished along with the power I had extracted from the bag.

I was about to fall, but Damon caught me. "You made the correct decision."

I blinked back tears as I swallowed hard. Therefore, why does it seem as though I've lost everything?"

The Void's shape changed, but its strength remained the same. "You have weakened yourself, even though you may have rescued them. And now you're left with nothing.

Deep and victorious, the Void's laughter reverberated across the ruins. My body was exhausted, and my legs trembled under me. They had been spared when I severed the pack's link, but I was left exposed.

Standing guard in front of me, Damon said, "Melissa, we have to back off."

I tightened my jaw. "No, it will only get stronger if we run now."

The Void, however, wasn't holding out. Thick tendrils of darkness encircled Damon as it pushed forward. As the darkness closed in on him, he struggled and gasped.

"No! I sprang forward, but the energy of the Void pulled me back.

Damon's determined gaze locked with mine. Keep going, Melissa! You must complete this!"

I balled my fists up. "I won't abandon you!"

The deep voice of the Void rumbled with laughter. Melissa, you have to make a decision. Either save your dear Damon or carry on with your stupid mission.

My heart was racing. Damon was now trapped, but the pack was free. The Void would become even more powerful if I wasted time attempting to release him.

A voice spoke in my head as the golden artifact at my side surged abruptly.

"You can't afford the price of the power you want."

I took a deep breath. Did that imply that I could vanquish the Void if I utilized the artifact's full potential? But how much does it cost?

Damon flinched as the shadows grew closer to him. "Don't listen to it, Melissa! Remain focused!"

My eyes were burning with tears. Already, I had lost so much. Would I also have
to risk losing him?

With a smile, the Void's shadows closed in on Damon. “So, what will it be, little warrior? Your love… or your destiny?"