Chapter 81 Queens in Conflict
Amara’s POV
Lilith's body glowed darkly as she climbed further into the air, causing the battlefield to tremble. Her voice was overlaid with the Hollow Witch's power, making it more than just her own.
She yelled, "Obsidian Pack!" as her laughter pierced the early morning sky. "Your courage is lies, and your walls are dust." See how I demolish all you've created!
The air broke. The world seemed to be engulfed by the swift roll-in of dark clouds. There was black lightning tearing through the sky. Winds tore banners, tugged at cloaks and hair, and shrieked.
As the connection mark burned, I gripped my chest tightly. I said, "No, she's feeding on the storm itself."
Strong and angry, Rowan's voice sounded from below. "Remain calm! Keep from breaking! The wolves gathered around him as he raised his glowing blade.
Kian was standing next to him, catching the little light that came through the storm with his knife. He said, "Amara, we need you!" but the wind almost smothered his voice.
Despite the moon being obscured by the storm, I held up my hands to capture its light. I was answered by a dim glimmer. However, it was insufficient.
Lilith burst out laughing once more. The storm grew thicker as she raised her arms. The trenches we had built were struck by black lightning. Defences we had spent days constructing were ripped apart in a matter of seconds, and wolves wailed as flames and fire burst forth.
"No!" I sobbed. "All of our labour is gone."
"Not all," Rowan yelled in response. "We remain here. You remain here!
The Hollow Witch's words came through Lilith's lips as she turned to face me. Do you see now, little star-marked girl? Everything you defend is feeble. Everything you construct breaks down. I alone am immortal.
I felt a wave of anger. My people and my pack wouldn't fall this way. “You will not take them!” I yelled back.
Silver light pierced the storm, carving a single hole in the black clouds as I threw my hands forward. Moonlight briefly touched the battlefield. The wolves' spirits rose as they responded with howls.
Lilith, however, merely smiled calmly and cruelly. "The hurricane cannot be defeated by a candle." The winds blasted against the ground as she brought her hands together, shattering one of the wooden barricades into splinters and tearing trees from their roots.
I nearly went down on my knees as I stumbled. My breath was erratic, and my chest felt heavy. I was having trouble holding the light.
Kian came running over and grabbed my arm. "Remain alert, Amara. Keep her from seeing your frailty.
"I'm attempting," I exclaimed. "However, her power seems limitless."
Lilith hovered over us, her eyes glowing red. "Child, you can't stop me. Observe how your defences crumble. As your pack shouts, observe it. You were always destined for this fate.
The wail of her storm became louder. It was as though the sky would burst. Every heart in the pack was beating in terror, and I could feel their trust faltering.
My body trembled, but I made myself stand up straighter. I said to myself, "I will not give up." "Not right now. Never.
However, even as I was speaking, her harsh, piercing voice crept into my thoughts.
"Amara, you're already breaking."
I knew in my heart that she was correct.
Even though the storm was as thick as chains, I managed to push my hands up. I strained against the darkness as silver light flowed from my skin once more. Even though my arms were shaking, I pushed harder and spoke to the moon, even though I couldn't see it.
"Come to me," I said to myself. "Please... I need you.
Then, very dimly, I sensed the moon responding. Like a cloak, a cool, gentle radiance enveloped my body. Beams of light sprang from my mark, burning brighter and pushing back against Lilith's storm.
From below came Rowan's voice. "She is violating it! Everyone, hold on!
The wolves' voices rose with hope as they howled once more. Shields steadied, spears lifted. The battlefield appeared to be balanced for a moment as light battled darkness.
However, it was broken by Lilith's laughing. “What a dumb kid!” she cried. "Do you believe that eternity can be stopped by your tiny light?"
Black lightning struck the ground around me as her hands lifted out of the storm. The earth trembled violently, and fissures appeared like dark veins.
My chest felt double the pressure. I bent my knees. My light wavered.
Kian remained by my side. "Amara, stay with me! Don't allow her to break you.
I tightened my jaw. "I can't stop right now." Even though my arms hurt like fire, I forced them up higher. "Everyone falls if I fall."
The storm collided with the brighter flood of light. The earth shook as a thunderclap exploded over us.
Rowan's voice was raw with determination as he called up to me. "Amara, you're stronger than her! Remember who you are!
"I'm making an effort!" Tears stung my eyes as I yelled. "But I'm being torn apart by it!"
Lilith's maelstrom grew more tightly wound around me. The Hollow Witch was talking and teasing me, pressing against my mind.
"Give it up," she said quietly. "Let me shoulder the load. This power is too small for you. Not strong enough to hold it. Give in.
My radiance faltered in response to her remarks. My heart pounded and my body trembled uncontrollably.
"No," I said. Then, more loudly, "No! I refuse to give in!
I gave one final burst of moonlight, everything I had. It exploded forward and struck Lilith. She stumbled for a moment—just a moment—the storm around her shattering like broken glass.
From the pack below came gasps. Rowan yelled, "You injured her! You can defeat her!
Lilith, however, straightened and curled into a ruthless smile. She laughed and wiped a patch of blood from her lips.
Her voice reverberated around the field as she stated, "Without him, you're not strong enough."
The words were sharp as a sword. My heart stopped beating. Dangerously, my light wavered.
Not with him? Who was she referring to? Rowan? Kian?
Or... another person?
As I stood motionless, those words blazing in my head, the storm roared louder around us.
Furthermore, Lilith's laughter simply hinted at greater suffering.