Chapter 123
Ivan's POV
Zeus delved deep into the canyon's heart, arriving at the place where Chloe and I had once fought side by side.
The air still carried the scent of devil's vine scorched by thunder.
I lifted my head and howled at the sky, my voice piercing through layers of storm clouds and echoing through the canyon. Each howl tore at my throat, but I didn't care.
I needed Lightning to hear my call.
"Lightning!" I shouted in my mind. "I know you can hear me! I need your power!"
The thunderclouds in the sky began to churn violently, lightning bolts weaving through the clouds like some kind of response.
I continued to call out, my voice hoarse with desperation: "I'm not here to conquer you, but to protect the one I love!"
Within the thunderclouds, that wolf-shaped silhouette composed of pure lightning slowly emerged.
Lightning descended from the sky, landing twenty meters in front of me, electric currents dancing across the ground with sharp crackling sounds. It tilted its head, looking at me with eyes made of lightning that glimmered with ancient wisdom.
You've returned, Black Wolf. The elemental spirit's voice resonated directly in my mind. Last time, you and that she-wolf saved me. What do you want this time?
"My mate is being threatened, my life is running out..." I moved closer slowly, each step filled with respect. "I have no choice."
Lightning didn't retreat, only watched me quietly.
I continued: "You are the guardian of freedom, you protect this land... and I want to protect my mate."
Inheriting elemental power requires passing the Trial of Thunder. Lightning's voice grew solemn. Almost no one comes out of it alive. Are you certain you want to do this?
"Please... lend me your power." I lowered my front legs in submission. "Even if it's just a portion, even if it destroys me..."
---
Tyler watched the lightning elemental spirit appear, greed flashing in his eyes. He made a gesture, and the beast tamers began chanting spells. Complex magical array patterns emerged on the ground, slowly spreading outward with Ivan and Lightning at the center.
"Alpha, will that Ivan... die?" Ethan asked in a low voice, a hint of unease in his tone.
Tyler sneered coldly: "Just a rogue wolf. If he dies, it's his contribution to the pack." He paused, his gaze growing even more sinister. "Besides, he covets Chloe! He deserves to die."
The magical array's glow grew brighter, beginning to slowly contract inward, forming a massive cage.
One of the beast tamers chuckled quietly: "Once the elemental spirit is trapped, we can refine it into a weapon. Imagine it—a divine artifact that can control lightning..."
Tyler's eyes darkened: "When that time comes, the entire Thunder Wolf Pack will rise through the power of lightning." He turned his head toward the canyon depths where Ivan was enveloped in thunder. "As for that waste... let him turn to ash in the trial."
---
Lightning saw the determination in Zeus and me. It slowly raised its front paw and placed it on my forehead.
Blinding lightning burst forth—I felt an unimaginable surge of energy flooding into my body, every cell burning, every nerve screaming.
The Trial of Thunder officially began!
I transformed back into human form, slowly being enveloped in a magnetic field of thunder. Electric currents crawled across my skin, drilling into my flesh, attempting to tear apart every inch of my existence.
Just then, countless magical chains shot up from the ground, trying to bind both Lightning and me simultaneously.
Lightning roared in fury, the lightning around it becoming violent, but those chains were clearly designed specifically for elementals—its power was being suppressed.
Focus on the trial! Lightning's voice exploded in my mind. Leave the rest to me!
I wanted to open my eyes, wanted to see what was happening, but the thunder's energy had completely enveloped me.
I could only hear the sounds of battle outside—the clash of magical chains, Lightning's roars of rage, and... human laughter full of malice.
"Thank you for luring it out, Ivan."
That was Alpha Tyler's voice.