THE LAST STAND UNDER THE MOONLIGHT

THE LAST STAND UNDER THE MOONLIGHT
Chapter 173.

Claudia's pov.

I was terrified, this wasn't how I wanted it to go down, frantically I called out to Sage, trying to get her to change her mind, “Sage please, don't…..do this,”

My energy was depleted as I struggled, going in and out of consciousness, I could only manage to choke out a few words.

“I know……the wolves haven't been the best neighbors,” my chest heaved breathlessly, “But…..taking out your anger on all of them isn't the way to go,” 

If I couldn't stop her physically, perhaps I could talk her out of it. 

That plan went down the drain as the sounds of Sages chuckled drifted into my ears, “Wolves shouldn't be trusted,” 

“They are impulsive and I am taking it upon myself to rid the world of such abominations before they cause havoc once more,” 

“So you can save your breath, I'm sure you would need it for the end to come,” her smile was chilling.

A deep pain resonated in her eyes which couldn't be explained. I thought for years, there was no trauma compared to what I had encountered.

I guess I was wrong.

Her slow changes filled the air like a sire machine, gradually increasing while the energy was being sucked out of me.

Tossing and turning in pain, groaning in agony as it was draining me of what I had left.

This wasn't how it was meant to be. I was meant to save the people, not vanquish them from the face of the earth. The tears rolled down the side of my cheek.

I was angry, hurting and in pain, not just physically, but for the mere fact that I had failed everyone, my parents, my pack, and….

….. Warren.

It didn't look like there was anyone coming to save me this time, and so I let the top of my lids fall to a close, this was my fate, it had always been my fate to bring destruction.

I had seen it in my dreams and visions, it had been prophecies even before my birth, and my existence was just to make it come through.

The tears poured even more profusely as I let the energy surrounding me consume me. “please,”

“Forgive me,” I whispered into the night.

Ready to meet the moon goddess, even though I had failed as her servant.

The energy built up like a crawling weed, creeping from the pit of my stomach to my chest and to my neck, practically consuming me in every sense.

But then it all stopped, or rather halted.

I frowned, peeling my lids open once again, staring at the night sky dusted with specs of stars.

My breathing heavy, as a sheen of sweat trailed down the side of my face, glancing around confused, until I spotted Warren to my side, a long sigh escaped my lips, “Warren?” my voice quivering.

I couldn't believe he was standing next to me, or perhaps this was an image the afterlife promised and it may as well be all I want.

“Are you good?” 

Honestly, I wasn't, but he didn't look that good either. This wasn't a dream, this was real.

Blood painted half his face and yet he still managed to smile in such a situation. He surged forth his powers once again, blasting a werewolf that closed in on him.

I sat up with my elbow, at least I managed, taking a brief glance at the field and I finally understood what had happened.

What I never believed would have happened.

Back up.

Sage struggled to her feet, enraged because she had been taken off guard, her eyes scanned the crowd like a crazed maniac until they settled in on the one person who challenged her.

Finch.

I was worried. He did make us promise not to harm his daughter if we found her, not like it was something we could visibly do.

“Don't worry about it, Finch can handle it,” Warren assured me while he kept down beside me, trying to assess my injuries, “....we would all handle it,” 

It was only at that moment that I realised they were all around me, all of them. They had made a circle and tried to fight the mutants away.

Although bruised and battered, could have been either their blood or the blood of their enemies. My mother, keto, Rita, Kevin, the wolves, the witches.

They were all present.

I felt so overwhelmed and guilty watching them fight without giving up, and here I was about to let it all go to waste.

I was ready to throw it all away.

Warren cupped my cheeks, slowly turning my head towards him, “It's not over yet,”

He wiped the tears from my cheek with his thumb, “I know what I have to do,” 

I could see the worry in his eyes, I knew his thoughts. Yes I wasn't in the best condition to go through with this, but neither was anyone in the field at the moment, and yet they are still fighting.

If anything, I owe it to all of them to do this, “To put and end to it all,” 

A smirk made its way to the corner on Warren's face as he nodded, “Alright then, I'll cover you,” he went over to check in the two girls from earlier, they had been kept unconscious by Sage the entire time.

I nodded to the both of them as a show of encouragement, “Whatever happens, until this is over, don't stop, we do this, once and for all,” 

It would be easier because Sage had started the process, they would only have to complete it in the way they knew best.

They both nodded enthusiastically, determined, grabbing my hands on either side of them, kneeling on the dirt.

I sent a silent nod towards Warren before he was off taking another wolf head on, I realised just how powerful Warren truly was.

Taking on a witch all by himself and was still alive to tell the tale, and now it was my time.

The field covered in crimson blood, and it would be the final stand.