CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Elena's POV

Everything paused for a moment as the dazzling light pierced the night. As I attempted to make sense of what was happening, my heart raced. As though time itself had stopped because of the light, the figures and the dark energy appeared to be frozen.

"What is this?" The lead figure's eyes narrowed in confusion as he hissed.

Beside me, Stefen moved, his body tensed. "Ellen, stay behind me."

Even though I couldn't take my eyes off the light, I nodded. Although it was strong and overwhelming, the energy didn't seem to be the same as that of the rogues. It was a strange feeling.

Abruptly, a man appeared from the light. towering, commanding, and exuding strength. It wasn't twisted or gloomy like the others. This was a very different matter.

The main character stepped back, his face hardening. "Who are you?"

The new figure took a while to reply. Rather, it moved forward, staring at the rebellious leader. "You've overreached yourself."

I got chills from the authority of the voice, which was deep and commanding.

Stefen narrowed his eyes and gave a deep growl. "Who is this?"

The figure held up its hand before anybody could respond, and a surge of energy shot forward, colliding with the renegade leader. Immediately, the gloomy aura that surrounded him vanished, and I noticed terror in his eyes for the first time.

Struggling to stand, the lead figure growled, "You… you're one of them."

"Whose?" I said, but nobody responded.

Beside the new figure, the silver wolf's body continued to shine softly. It appeared to know who this was.

The main character scoffed, his self-assurance wavering. "This has no effect. The prediction has already begun to come true.

A blazing light radiated from the new figure's eyes. "You cannot control the forecast."

The lead figure suddenly leaped toward the newcomer, dark energy turning around him. However, the figure dodged the attack and struck the rogue leader in the chest with a fist, moving with rapid speed.

With a terrible thud, the rogue leader crashed into the trees after being flung across the clearing.

The new figure turned to face Stefen and me, and we watched in startled silence.

The figure's voice was calm yet firm as it repeated, "You must depart immediately."

Stefen transformed back into a human, distrust shining in his eyes. "Who are you?"

The figure did not provide a direct response. "I'm here to keep the prophecy safe."

Stefen's mouth tightened. "Keep it safe? From where?

The figure's unreadable look changed as its eyes shifted to me. "From those who intend to destroy it."

I moved forward, my heart racing. "What does the prophecy actually mean?"

The rogue leader growled angrily and pulled himself to his feet before the figure could respond. "You believe that you can stop me? Do you believe that fate can be stopped?

The figure's eyes brightened as it turned back to face him. I don't have to thwart destiny. All I have to do is stop you.

With dark energy swirling about him, the rogue leader roared with wrath and charged at the person. As their forces clashed with a force that shook the ground, the air crackled with tension.

Stefen took hold of my arm and dragged me away. "Elena, we must relocate."

With a shaky voice, I declared, "I'm not leaving." "Not until I understand the true situation."

With a deep snarl, the silver wolf stood guard between us and the battle.

Leila transformed back into a human, her eyes keen but her body bruised. "This place is unsafe for us. They may have been temporarily deterred by the light, but we must reorganize.

Despite my feelings of anxiety, I nodded. Where do we go, though? They will continue to come after us.

With firmness, Stefen remarked, "We return to the pack." "We assemble our troops. We get ready for whatever comes next.

Once more, the rage-filled voice of the lead figure reverberated around the clearing. "The prophecy cannot be stopped. I'll have the child.

The new figure remained still. "You've lost already."

The figure slammed the renegade commander into the ground with a last, devastating blow. Around him, the gloomy energy broke apart and vanished into the night.

Everything was silent for a while.

As we observed the event, Stefen drew me up close, his body tight.

On the ground, the renegade commander lay still, his body shattered. His eyes sprung wide, brighter than ever, just when I thought it was finished.

"No!" I took a step back, gasping.

With a venomous yell, the rebel leader stumbled to his feet. "You believe this is where it ends? Do you believe you can avert what is about to happen?

The figure's eyes become stony. "This is the end of your time."

The renegade commander, however, merely grinned, his body shaking with strength. "You don't realize what you've let loose."

The rogue commander unleashed a surge of dark energy that knocked us all back before anyone could react. I was knocked out of my breath when I hit the ground hard.

"Elena!" Stefen yelled as he stumbled to his feet and hurried over to join me.

I tried to catch my breath by coughing. Even though my body hurt, I managed to say, "I'm fine."

Cold and cruel, the rebel leader's chuckle reverberated around the area. "You've failed. Nothing you do will prevent the prophecy from coming to pass.

With a steady stare, the new person stood tall. "You will not survive to witness it."

The renegade leader was hit in the chest by a ray of light that suddenly sped at him as the figure raised its hand. As his body broke apart and the dark energy vanished into thin air, the rogue screamed one last time.

There was silence for a while.

The figure then slowly turned back to us. "There is no longer any immediate threat. However, the threat still exists.

With a sour face, Stefen assisted me in standing up. "What do you mean?"

The eyes of the figure met mine. It's a true prophecy. And you don't realize how deadly it is.

My heart pounded. However, what is it? For the youngster, what does it signify?

After a brief period of silence, the apparition said in a quiet, solemn voice. The child is a powerful force that has the capacity to either create harmony or devastation. Those who pursue it will do whatever it takes to keep it under control.

Stefen balled his fists. "And how are we to proceed?"

The figure's eyes grew a little softer. "You keep it safe. You keep her safe.

I gulped forcefully, my thoughts racing. "How? They continue to arrive. We are unable to combat them all.

The figure's voice was firm but calm as it replied, "You're not alone." "The packs have to coordinate. This is not a one-pack fight. This conflict is one of survival.

Pale but resolute, Leila took a step forward. "We'll battle. We will collect the packs.

The figure gave a nod. "All right. But watch out the next group is more powerful. More brutal. You will require every possible ally.

The ground shook and a loud scream reverberated through the trees as the figure turned to go. My blood frozen.

With a voice full of fear, Stefen said, "They're already here."