Chapter 76 Ready for the End
Amara’s POV
As I stood on the slope and watched my pack labour, the air was thick with the smell of ash and earth. Others hauled sharpened stakes into position, while wolves dug trenches until their hands scorched. The camp was packed with voices shouting, hammers slamming, and shovels scraping.
"More profound!" Rowan's voice was sharp as he barked. "The enemy will immediately climb over the trenches if they are not deep enough."
"I'm making an effort!" Sweat trickled down the face of a young warrior who was panting.
I moved forward and knelt next to him. I touched his arm and said, "You're doing well." Breathe. Then exert more effort. Right now, we need every ounce of strength.
Lips squeezed firmly together, he nodded and continued to dig.
Others were erecting barricades behind us, and the clang of metal reverberated. For some who hadn't eaten in days, food was warmed by low-burning fires. The same shadow of fear was present on every face I saw, but there was also something more powerful determination.
The beating of paws made the ground vibrate. Before I heard the call from the sentry tower, my heart was beating.
"Comrades!"
Everyone paused to observe. A line of wolves, their banners flapping in the wind, emerged from the northern hills. The Pack of Crescents. And the Silverclaw and Shadowfang Packs behind them. We were approached by dozens of warriors.
Rowan drew a deep breath. "At last."
Kian narrowed his brows and moved to my side. "We requested their assistance, but I didn't think they would show up."
"They arrived," I said as my chest constricted. "It implies that we are not alone."
The wide, silver-haired ally Alpha moved forward. "Pack Obsidian," he called. "We support you."
Rowan firmly gripped his hand. "Then we'll do this together."
The camp was filled with cheers, but I was still feeling a lot of weight on my chest. Too many graves remained to be excavated for every face that had joined us.
Torches flared along the trenches as darkness fell. The sky turned blood red as I stood in the middle of the camp.
"Amara," said Rowan softly as he put his hand on my shoulder. "We're getting ready for the battle of our lives. But I need you to be strong.
I swallowed hard as I looked into his eyes. "I'll be. I have no other option.
Kian's voice was distant and quiet, coming from behind. "None of us do."
I observed the hundreds of wolves honing their weapons, praying in low tones, and setting traps. They had faith in me. Having faith in us all. And I prayed that we wouldn't let them down.
The sky was dreary when morning arrived. The temperature was too low for the time of year. As I looked at the gathering assembled before me, my heart ached.
They weren't combatants. They were farmers, healers, children, and seniors. Some held rusted blades, some ancient spears. They had big, terrified eyes.
I spoke louder. "Pay attention to me. I am aware of your fear. You don't want to fight, I know that. But Lilith won't spare you if she comes here. You have to learn how to defend yourself.
A small child, shaking, held up her hand. "Is it going to hurt?"
My throat constricted. Indeed. It pains to fight. It hurts more to be unprepared, though. You can save not only yourself but also the people you care about if you learn.
Kian and Rowan watched from the sides while I demonstrated basic manoeuvres to the group. The process of blocking. How they would run if they had to. How to steady a blade with trembling hands.
I said, gently separating an elder's feet, "Keep your stance wide." "You won't fall as easily that way."
The senior smiled at me, a faint, weary one. "It sounds like you're teaching me how to dance, my granddaughter."
Despite having a sad heart, I laughed quietly. "Then dance as if it were your last."
Hours went by. Their faces were dripping with sweat. Some sobbed, some collapsed, and some got back up. Yet they tried. They tried again.
I summoned them all together as the sun began to set. I said, "I'm proud of you." You might not feel prepared. But feeling prepared is not what courage is all about. In any case, it's about standing.
Everyone in the group bowed. While some pressed their hands together in prayer, others said their gratitude.
A sudden gust of wind, however, sliced through the camp. As though invisible eyes were observing, my skin pricked. Whispers that only I could hear made me tense.
Amara
The voices came up from the darkness like a hiss, harsh and chilly.
There will be a call for sacrifice.
My heart thumping in my ears, I froze. Rowan took notice and moved in my direction. "What is it?"
Dry-mouthed, I swallowed. "The spirits... they communicated with me."
"What were they saying?" Sharply, Kian inquired.
My chest tightened in fear as I looked at them both. "They stated that sacrifice would be required."
As my words circulated, silence fell over the camp. People's faces went white. Fear enveloped each of us like a blanket of oppression.
I also felt in my heart that the spirits were always truthful.