UNDER THE BLOODLIT SKY

UNDER THE BLOODLIT SKY
Chapter 165.

Claudia's pov.

The time had arrived for us to move. I wished I had slept a little longer, but my nerves kicked in like  a soccer ball on the field, it couldn't stop. 

We moved out in stealth, with the darkness as a cover, and a fool moon as our only source of light. 

The witches had come up with a spell but a test subject was absent along with time and so we were working with our eyes blindfolded and could only hope it worked, or else…….

We sprinted through the woods, the trees whipped so fast, they blurred at the corner of my vision, intentionally, I slowed my pace so as not to leave them behind.

Witches rode and wolves and for the first time in centuries, we saw a collaboration that has never been witnessed before.

I could hear the sound of my heart beating so loudly, despite the wind that breezed past my ears, scared would be an understatement.

Croft was a large figure, mutated, bigger, more skilled in combat and has an army backing him, and I just learnt to accept my wolves two days ago.

Croft's last image flashed through my mind and a shiver ran down my spine at the monster, with a blood moon high above the sky and the darkened gloom of a castle.

After running for such a long time, we had finally come to a stop by the border of the brimstone pack, I looked on solemnly, changing a glance at Warren who stood on my right.

He gave me a slow nod of encouragement and I bobbed my head in return, the core leaders made a brief circle as we went over the plan once more.

Finch for the witches, alongside Kyle, then there was Melissa and Melinda for the werewolves.

“My guess is, Sage already knows we are here, no matter how subtle we try to be,” I started, “The witches would begin to place the runs at a section of the palace while the werewolves would shield them until they are done,”

“It would take at least thirty minutes to an hour before we get to our stations and begin to draw the runes, they must be ready at the same time, so once they are done we would give the signal,” Kyle chipped in.

Finch furrowed his brows, “What about you?

What about me?

“I'm going to find croft, put an end to all of this once and for all,” I stated with a determined resolution, “we all know I'm the only one that can stop him,”

An uncomfortable silence settled between all of us when Warren stepped up, “I'm coming with you, you need some watching your back,”

My mother wasted no time in agreeing with Warren, “It would be best if Keto joins in as well, you might be the only one who can stop him, but that doesn't mean you have to do it alone,”

I stared at her for a moment longer and could understand her fears mirrored in her eyes and I couldn't say no, Celeste also agreed to this as well.

Bobbing my head, I accepted, “Everyone needs to be careful, and no one is dying tonight,” 

We ran up some more and there weren't any more preparations to consider and it was time for us to put an end to this madness once and for all.

The groups split up instantly and we were off, infiltrating the once bustling city of brimstone pack, now, over the few weeks had become abandoned.

Families were split up, lost their homes, all because of the greed of a man, I would never understand what Croft truly stood to gain by the amount of power he seeks to possess.

I shook my head as I pedaled through the city, the mud sticking to my shoes like it had rained a few nights ago.

My breathing was noticeable, my eyes scanning every movement within my vision and a few yards up ahead.

I let out a breath when I noticed the first wave of mutants, “Their coming,” I whispered, but loud enough for my group to hear.

I took a defensive stance, it would take them at least a couple of minutes before they reached us. My group had, other than me, Warren, keto, and a separate group of at least three wolves and three witches which we would be leaving behind.

“Everyone, get ready,” I signaled for keto and Warren to do the same as well, as we would be breaking away from them.

I waited for them to get at least a mile closer; “Now,” I sprinted away, saying a silent prayer that everyone would be okay at the end of the day.

The three of us kept sprinting, like a race and our goal was to get to the castle. Every second we wasted, the others were fighting for their lives, we needed to put an end to this.

But it proved to be just as difficult the closer we got to the palace, two wolves came rushing towards us, stopping us in our tracks.

Warren sprang forth using his powers, he neutralised them, “Lets keep going, it would only stay for a few minutes,”

“You guys go ahead,” Keto suggested, “I'll be right behind you, if they do break loose I can take care of them, lead them to the site,” 

Keto had a broad smile on his features, “Don't worry, I'll be fine,”

“I'm not worried,” I lied as I nodded towards him, “I'll see you later,”

With that, we were running again, the palace was just out of reach, and with every step I took, I felt a weight in my shoulder slowing me down.

The fears were creeping into me, like plants sliding up my legs and holding me in place but I knew this was all in my mind.

I was so in over my head that I didn't notice the presence around us until Warren stopped me, “Wait!!”

A figure in a dark cloak walked out of an alleyway.

I noticed the cloak however, it was quite similar to the witches who assisted Jacob in his infinite cleansing spell.

“I'm afraid this is as far as you go dear,” A masculine voice said and a smirk appeared from under his hood.