142: Power Array
Hayley's POV
We trudged back to the camp at dawn. Light must have been just filtering between trees with the object firmly nestled against my chests. Cool to the touch, but pulsing an energy that reverberated within me. As I walked, the power of it increased with every step, and I felt its potential weighing down in me.
By my side, Aiden followed, his eyes wary and contemplative towards the sigil. "How are you feeling?" he inquired, softer now, with a shade of worry.
Unsure how best to express the emotional shitstorm churning within me, I hesitated. "It's... overwhelming," I admitted. The power is unlike anything I've ever experienced.
Finally, his hand closed around mine in a soft grip. The important thing in this is that you are not alone. We are all here to help you manage that.
Yes, I said, and I thanked him. That was the abundant, evolving bank of strength that I could always tap back into a gentle but powerful nudge against my spine to keep me upright whenever faced with uncertainty.
Then we heard movement in the underbrush, and suited up is not speaking any English, so she was acting almost like a bloodhound. You could follow her nose as it swung from tree to bush, snagging every last scent of whatever just went by. Our eyes widened as the guardians reappeared, their eyes burning passionately once again on the artifact in my hand.
Lucas stepped forward defiantly, "They will not allow us to leave easily.
Zoe and Mia stood at his sides, determination stark on their faces as well. "Roll for combat then," Zoe said flatly.
The growls from the guardians barked off in the distance as they continued to close in. The artifact twitched in response, live with crackling energy. My pants were on fire, and I was scared out of my mind.
"Keep the artifact in check, Hayley. We'll handle the guardians."
Well…gah, fine, my voice cracked miserably as I whispered assent and closed my eyes and went seeking with the power of mind to bind the artifact.
It was alive and exuded a force of energy, as if it vibrated in tune to every thought or emotion I seemed to have.
There was the sound of war around me as Aiden and his people clashed with the guardians. I pressed on my work; the teeth and claws behind me clashing in the sounds of snarls turned to battle.
The artifact hummed to my touch, alight with power that rushed through me like smiling moonlight. It was exhilarating-a heady rush of power that I had never known, but it felt elusive and slipping further by the second, doing nothing but turning on me.
Then Aiden cut through the chaos, his voice grounding me to now: "Stay with me, Hayley."
I fought my own breath, focused harder with the bond between us steadying me. Gradually, the tide of energy started to give way and submit to my control.
The guardians hesitated, slowing as the ancient influence exhaled into the clearing. I could feel their reluctance, the encumbrance of a tug-of-war in dual orders.
"Now, Hayley!" MARRY HIM, Aiden yelled for the time being.
Summoning the last of my strength, I poured out a tide of power and informed them to be at ease. They stopped at once, and their eyes turned dull as they withdrew.
I opened my eyes again, doing so breathless and trembling, the world snapping in once more. The forest had grown silent again with the guardians having disappeared, but an unease still lingered.
Aiden wrapped his arm around me and said, "You did it. It was warm and comforting-a healing touch to my frazzled nerves.
I laid my head on his chest and gently whispered into the echo of our connection, "And I couldn't have done it without you."
He lifted my chin up, his eyes shining with pride and something more. Hayley, you are tougher than you know. And I'll remind you of that forever.
Our world blurred a minute there, with only the two of us remaining in celebration. His lips touched mine softly, a kiss of consoling and congratulations all at once.
As we separated, the weight of our mission took hold again. The artifact was incredibly powerful, but also chaotic. It was something we had to master if it were going to pose any threat against the rogues.
The pack was waiting with bated breath back at the camp. Liam came forward first, searching our expressions for traces of triumph or retreat.
"Thank God," he said with relief, thereby signaling me back to reattempt the same line.
"Which we did." Aidan looked down at the artifact resting in my embrace. It is going to be a while before anyone knows how to control it safely.
Liam considered this for a moment, then nodded. "We'll do whatever it takes. The rats aren't going to wait around for you.
When plans were being made and tactics refined, I could sense this artifact in the same way you feel wind on your skin like a living thing, its energy humming endlessly underneath my flesh. Now the task was to tame it, to make sure that instead of being a disadvantage for us.
That night, as the camp slept in fitful half-awake naps, Aiden and I sat together under the stars. We rode out on a tapestry of light and shadow, the sky stretching infinity above us.
His arm around me, he said, "We will find out. Together."
I could feel his warmth, but leaned in anyway, needing the assurance of something solid. "I know. It's just... so much."
He pressed his lips to my forehead and placed a gentle hand on me. "One step at a time, Hayley. But we have beaten the odds before and emerged even stronger.
His belief was a salve for the skeptical jerkiness at my fingertips and around back in my head.
I felt powerful with him at my side, able to control power greater than that of the artifact.
We fell asleep to that, me holding fast to the notion of a great tomorrow. There was danger and uncertainty waiting for us, but though Aiden and the pack were there, I knew that we could beat it.
The artifact was alive and powerful; it spoke to us, begging for use-an unfathomable tool. And in its stead, we began to carve our own way-one of victory and hope.