Chapter 71 The Duel of the Witch
Amara’s POV
Around me, the village was on fire. Sparks flew from houses as they split and collapsed. There were screams. In the streets, wolves and shadows engaged in a fight. Blood and smoke filled the air. My heart pounded like it was about to explode, and my chest heaved.
Then—she emerged from the flames.
Lilith.
Her smile was as sharp as a dagger, and her long, dark gown shifted like liquid fog. She had ruby eyes that were more radiant than the fire. She gave me the impression that the mayhem was all a game.
"At last," she purred. "The tiny goddess chooses to confront me."
I clenched my fists, encircling my hands with light. I tried to keep my voice firm even as it trembled. "You will no longer harm them. I am the one who stops this.
Lilith cocked an amused head. "Very brave of you, Amara. However, courage without authority is just rhetoric.
Shadows rushed forward like smoke-breathing wolves as she waved her hand. I shielded the escaping kids behind me with a light. The darkness shattered against it, disappearing in a sizzle.
She squinted. "Not too awful. You've matured.
I retorted, "Not enough to bow to you."
The sound of her quiet laughter was unnerving. I'm still holding onto my defiance. Are you even aware of who you are? Why does your soul hurt? Why do you make both Alpha boys bleed?
I didn't want to reveal how deeply her comments pierced me. I stared at her. "What you think of me is irrelevant to me. I'll keep my pack safe—my relatives.
Lilith took a step forward, her pale face flashing in the firelight. "And when they scream as they die? Will you continue to act like you're strong?
I shuddered. The vision from the spirits, Rowan and Kian lying dead as a result of me, rushed across my head. I shook my head, but my breath caught. "No. I refuse to let that happen. Never again.
Light shot out as I raised my hand. In the flaming square, the fire curved away from me to form a circle. After shouting behind me, the villagers moved farther away, leaving her and me alone.
With her teeth white against the black, Lilith smiled. "All right. So, a duel. You and I alone.
She spread her arms, drawing shadows from the wreckage as the ground trembled. Like armour, they encircled her. I whispered to myself, "I can do this," and steadied my position. I have to.
"Amara!" Rowan's voice pierced the fire. Blood was streaming down his arm as he fought close by. When he attempted to run toward me, I said, "Remain back! I own this!
He obeyed, pulling Kian along to battle the shadows outside the circle, even though his eyes were burning with dread and rage.
Lilith laughed once again. "They really adore you. It's nearly inhumane.
Light pulsed in my chest as I looked at her. "Let's get this done."
Lilith was the first to strike. A spear of darkness flew at me as she cut her hand through the air. Sparks exploded as light and shadow met, and I was able to raise my shield just in time. I gritted my teeth and pushed harder, even though the force threw me back a step.
I spat, "You'll have to do better than that."
She smiled broadly. "With pleasure."
Shadows sprang skyward like sharp spikes as she stomped her foot, causing the ground underneath us to shatter. Leaping aside, I rolled and blasted light beams to break them. Stones cracked in the village plaza as it trembled. As it fed on her spell, fire blazed upward.
I pushed both of my hands forward, aiming a beam of light directly at her. It briefly consumed her, and I believed I had won—
Then her icy, ruthless chuckle reverberated within the light. She brushed ash from her garment and went out unharmed. Lovely. You're almost ready, actually.
Sweat trickled down my neck as I panted. My arms shook. "What are you ready for?"
Her eyes were burning crimson as she raised her hand. "To completely awaken me."
A shadowy whip swung out and encircled my wrist. I let out a cry as I tugged on it, my flesh glimmering with light. She pulled me in with a yank. Her breath was cool against my cheek, and our faces were inches away.
"Don't you sense it?" She said. "That inner strength." I own it—a fragment of myself, preserved in your blood. You are therefore caught between duty and affection. Between the dark and the light.
"No!" My entire body erupted in light as I yelled. I gasped and staggered back as the whip snapped.
She chuckled once more, with greater volume. Indeed! That's it! You're waking up.
The ground trembled more. A cage of fire and shadow surrounded us as flames twisted into wolves, snakes, and claws. My light retaliated, but each blow seemed to energise her even more.
From the brink of the fight, Rowan's voice yelled. "Hold on, Amara!"
Kian's roar slashed down shadows that attempted to enter the circle. "We support you!"
My heart ached as I looked at them. I wanted to grab them and hold them, but I was unable to do so. I was the only one fighting this battle.
With both arms raised, Lilith cleaved the ground in two. Darkness surged out, attempting to engulf me. Light poured into the crevices as I slammed my palms to the ground. The square shook like thunder from the blast. Houses fell apart.
We both stumbled and looked at one another through the smoke. She smiled slowly, wickedly, and contentedly.
She said, "You're almost ready to awaken me," her voice resonating with an eerie, ancient quality.
My breath caught, and my heart raced. "What are you saying, exactly?"
Her body glowed with shadow fire, and her eyes became brighter. "Amara, you are the key. And I will fully rise when the lock breaks.
It felt like the world froze. My stomach sank as icy terror overcame me. Fire blazed, shadows howled, and the villagers shouted all around us—
But her voice was all I could hear.
Her smile turned into an unnatural one. And you will decide whether to let me loose, tiny goddess. Or perish attempting to stop me.