Chapter 70 The Shadow Siege
Amara’s POV
With a roar, the darkness fell apart.
The air was filled with the hiss of flames, the clashing of metal, and screams.
My chest heaved as I stood at the inner camp's edge. Lilith's army had arrived, and the shadows were shifting like a tide. Her sorcery had twisted and blackened the wolves, and they rushed to the gates.
"Amara! "We need you!" exclaimed a lady, holding two kids at her back.
My entire body trembled. My soul knew I couldn't run, even though my heart longed to. I took a step forward, hands shaking.
I said quietly, trying not to break my voice, "Stay behind me."
From a distance, Rowan's voice roared. "Remain on the line!"
Kian's roar answered him. "Drive them away!"
However courageous they may have sounded, the attack was causing the pack walls to moan.
I lowered myself to my knees and pressed my hands to the floor. Beneath my flesh, the soil was scorching. Like a storm, the force within me stirred.
I said in a whisper, "Spirits." "Please... for them, not for me."
The dazzling, blinding energy exploded out of me. The children and families sheltering inside the camp were shielded by a dome of glistening light that stretched wide. Arrows hit it, but they bounced off without harm.
Around me, gasps were heard.
With tears streaming down her cheeks, the mother said, "You protected us."
But I immediately felt the price. My chest tightened as though the shield were removing the oxygen from my lungs, and my brain ached.
"Amara!" Rowan's voice was heard. His blade was oozing blood as he ran toward me. "You're exerting yourself excessively!"
"I don't give a damn!" Sweat trickled down my temple as I yelled. “They will perish if I stop!”
He took hold of my shoulder. "Let me assist you"
However, a loud crash rocked the ground before he could. A huge shadow beast slammed my shield. My light wavered.
The kids let out a scream.
"No!" I poured more of myself into the shield and pressed further into the ground. I had the sensation that my body was disintegrating.
"Listen, Amara!" Rowan squatted next to me, his voice desperate. "Avoid exhausting yourself—"
"Go, Rowan!" I lost my temper. "You're needed out there!"
Despite his hesitancy, Kian's voice rang clear from the battlefield.
"Rowan! Stop praising her and start a fight! She is capable of handling it!
Rowan nodded and sprinted back toward the conflict with his sword raised, despite my observation that his jaw tightened.
As he broke past the opposing lines, Kian's eyes briefly shifted to mine. His expression was steely, not soft. But I saw trust in that steel. I could hold the shield, he thought.
The shadows pressed closer, and I held fast to that belief.
My bones rattled with each impact. My arms were burning. My thoughts begged me to relax. However, each time the shield flashed, I noticed the frightened expressions on the faces of the families, the elderly, and children. I was unable to.
"Remain resilient," I said to myself. "Remain resilient, Amara."
A young youngster peered over his mother's shoulder. With amazement, he remarked, "You're glowing."
Blood was dripping from my nose, yet I managed a feeble smile. Then continue to observe. I refuse to let the light go out.
Outside the dome, the roar of the fight became louder. Kian's and Rowan's voices clashed as they both ordered their warriors to stay put.
Trapped in the middle, I did everything I could to keep the shield in place.
Then—the atmosphere changed. The darkness deepened and grew colder. Sharper than ever, a cold went through my body.
There was worse to come.
And I had a gut feeling that this was just the beginning.
I stumbled to my feet, the barrier still shimmering behind me. I had to observe what was going on outdoors, despite my body feeling feeble.
In the confusion, I caught a glimpse of Rowan and Kian through the tiny veil of light.
With his thunderous voice and lightning-sharp blade, Rowan was a storm. "Go ahead! Keep them from gaining ground. His fire raised his men's spirits, and they surged with him.
Kian was unique. Silent and lethal, he moved like ice. When his blade struck precisely, all of his enemies fell. Grim and shrewd, his recruits obeyed, their discipline unwavering.
"Drive them to the east flank again!" Kian yelled, his eyes blazing with resolve and his voice icy.
I was unable to quit observing them. Despite their differences, two forces are fighting for me. For the group.
But Lilith's army was limitless, regardless of their might. Two more shadow wolves sprang from the shadows for each one that fell.
"Amara!" Over the altercation, Rowan yelled. "More time is needed! Can you hold the shield?
I touched the dome with my hand. "I'm making an effort!"
Kian yelled, "Don't just try," and slashed an adversary across the chest. "Take action. Lives are at stake!
I understood, but his harsh comments stung. He was telling me that weakness couldn't prevail in this situation, not that he was being mean.
Abruptly, the ground trembled. Gasping, I staggered back.
"What was that?" Rowan turned and demanded.
A spray of fire and stone erupted from the eastern wall. Shouting like devils, shadow monsters flooded through the opening.
"No!" I yelled and tried to plug the gap by putting both hands against the shield and stretching it wider.
However, it was too far. I was unable to get there.
"Kian!" Rowan let out a shout.
"I see it!" With his team in tow, Kian ran for the breach.
Rowan looked at his soldiers again. "Remember this line! Please don't allow them to pass!
With their blades flashing and bodies dropping, both commanders flung themselves into the centre of the enemy.
But the darkness grew even more intense as they battled.
Then—
A horrible chuckle shattered the air.
A voice screamed, "Little wolves." "Did you think I could be excluded?"
All of my hair stood on end. My heart stopped.
Lilith emerged from the shadows as they parted.
She had crimson eyes. Like vapour, her robe moved. The creatures snarled and bowed to her as she waved her hand once.
She moved through the debris with composure, as though the conflict were merely a game.
She said, "At last," as her eyes met mine outside the shield. "What's mine is what I've come for."
For a heartbeat, the pack was silent, fear gnawing at each wolf.
It was broken by Rowan's trembling, angry voice. "Combine forces! Keep the camp safe!
With his blades out, Kian stood beside him. "No one allows her to pass."
Lilith, however, just smiled. And she flicked her palm, shattering the inner wall.
Around me, the shield flickered furiously. My knees gave way.
"No." With my heart racing, I whispered.
The nightmare had just broken the pack's heart.
And she was coming directly at me.