Chapter 93 Control switch

Chapter 93 Control switch
Chapter 93: Asher

Nathan’s words struck me. I didn’t think something like that could ever come out of his mouth after everything I have done…

“If we are going to get Scarlett and Axel out of here, we need everybody to be focused…” he added, finaly dropping his firm grip on me. “And that includes you!”

I wanted to grumble. I wanted to tell him something that would make it seem like I didn’t care. But I couldnt.

My words simply failed me.

“Come on! They have cleared a path. Let’s go get your wounds treated!” Nathan said, pulling me along with him.

He was leading me back to the line of defense our men had formed behind us and for the first time since the battle started, I took a moment to take note of everyone’s position.

Albert had manned the east side while Greg had his men on the west. The shadows seemed cornered and for a moment, it looked like victory was on our side.

The shadows were stronger and definitely difficult to kill but our men were more tactical. As much of ours were going down, twice the number of shadows followed.

But my attention wasnt on the numbers. It was on Bee and Fiona.

I could no longer see them on the around, and that alone sent my heart ramming with panic. Last time I recalled seeing them, they were around the entry points of the palace.

Did they get in? Were they safe? Had they found Scarlett?

Fear crawled deeper into me and before Natha even realised it, I broke away from his hold and went to Albert’s direction.

“Albert!” I yelled above the war cries. “Albert!”

I slashed down a shadow that had found its way to the line and pushed towards Albert.

“My king!” He called, finally setting his eyes on me. “Goddess! What have you done to yourself— medic!” He started yelling but I grabbed his hands, stopping him.

“That won’t be necessary!” I dismissed with a hiss. “Where is Fiona and Bee? Have they found a way in? Do we have communication with them?”

Albert swept his eyes over me, clearly not listening to my questions. “Asher, you need to see a healer. You are hurt badly—“

“ALBERT!” I roared, my voice thundering heavily to the point of having not just his attention but almost every man within radius.

“WHERE THE FUCK ARE THEY?!”

Shocked by the urgency in my voice and the fierceness burning in my eyes, he swallowed before quickly pointing a finger at a section of the entrance they had managed to secure.

“They have gone in… in fact we have reason to believe they have made contact.”

A heavy breath instantly escaped my lips as his words sank in. My knees felt weak with relief.

“Lady Emily also went in with them… but you need to take—“

“Good. Since they are safe, I only have to worry about Willow!” I growled more to myself than him.

“Asher— my king, you are in no condition to fight anyone. You need to get treated!” Albert repled the worry on his face morphing into horror.

But I wasnt waiting around to listen to him. My mind was made up.

Before he or anyone else could stop me, I slipped through their grip and headed to the opposite direction— the spot where the shadows heavily mounted.

The logic was simple, if they were protecting that spot so much, then it was either their control was there… or if I was lucky, Willow herself could be there.

“Asher!”

“My King!”

Albert called behind me, but I didnt plan to stop. I continued moving, my aim clear.

But once more, Nathan appeared in my path.

Irritated, my eyes narrowed as I pushed him aside with renewed strength. “I am not going to stop, Nathan—“

But my words hung as he placed a sleek silver sword before me.

“If you are going to play suicide hero, then you should at least have the right gears.” He growled and passed me the sword. “These shadows here have thicker skin. Your lycan claws won't do much harm.”

I was shocked by his action but I still took the sword from him. “Thank you,” I mouthed as I tested the sword in my hands.

Then like a team, we struck the enemies.

The old kingdom trembled under my feet as we tore through the shadows. But even as we moved, my eyes continued searching.

And like the goddess was finally answering my prayers, I saw her.

Willow.

She was draped in black steel that shimmered like oil. And for the first time, she didn't use a veil.

Her scar shimmered alongside her armor like she had taken the time to oil her past as well. Her hair was bound behind her giving her the sickening aura of power she craved so much.

And to make it all worse, she was smiling, like the world belonged to her now.

‘Well not on my watch Willow!’ I growled in my head as I ran towards her.

As if she had long sensed me, she moved her fingers and the shadows cleared the path like they were just specs of dust she could bend to her will.

And it became clear… she was the control switch!

My hand tightened around the silver sword as I marched towards her, ready to put an end to the madness once and for all!

“The party is over, Willow!” I roared as I got to her line.

The smile on her face enlarged as she faced me squarely.

“You came crawling back to me, my dear little boy king,” she drawled, tilting her head like a predator toying with prey. “How sweet…”

I felt every energy left inside me surge with full strength as my anger toppled with menace.

Even though my wolf was still absent, I still had fury.

And that was enough.

“Your games are over, Willow.” I spat, stepping forward, ignoring the ache tearing through my body. “For everything you’ve taken… for everything you’ve destroyed. This ends tonight...”

Her neck dramatically turned to the side as she broke down in an unsettling laughter.

“Oh dear sweet Asher… always so desperate to be the hero…” she cackled.

I was boiling with anger and everything inside of me screamed at me to attack. But I knew that she wasnt stupid.

If I was going to beat her, then I had to strike once and get it right. So i watched her, mock me.

“Oh Asher,” she went on. “Have you forgotten that deep down you are no different from me.”

My eyes narrowed as her words cut deep inside of me. “I am nothing like you!” I spat out.

“Please stop playing the perfect son-in-law they wont even hear you… Tell me, how many lies did you tell your precious mate before she finally broke? How many lives did you gamble away for your selfishness?”

Her words cut deeper than any blade from the shadows could. The truth in those words were like salt to my injuries.

“You’re wrong,” I growled.

“Oh am I?” She chirped, watching me with distasteful delight.

“I am not you Willow!” I repeated. “You will burn your own people alive just to prove a point. I will bleed myself to death to prove that same point!”

Her smile widened as if my words were the exact same ones she was waiting for.

“Then let’s see how much you can bleed for them!” She hissed and then lunged at me.

Her first strike was like lightning.

Shadows surged from her fingertips, forming spears that cut through the air, almost blinding me.

I twisted just in time to escape an attack. Then my blade slashed through one, shattering it into smoke, but another sliced across my arm.

“Fuck!” I cursed as the spot burned like acid.

The pain shot through me, but I didn’t stop. I threw myself at her with a roar and my sword slashed across her chest.

The blade met the hard surface of her armor and she grinned.

“Touche!” She laughed, throwing another wave of shadows at me.

This time, I couldn't counter the attack.

It hit me like a moving train, sending me sprawling across the cracked marble floor of the old palace.

Dust exploded around me, and blood filled my mouth.

“Pathetic,” she hissed, stalking closer. “You weak little fool! You have lied to your people for too long! Today, I will expose you!”

Without giving her a response, I pulled myself off the ground, wincing as every part of me screamed for a break.

“Deal with her, Asher! We’ll handle her pets!” Nathan yelled from somewhere around us.

“They can kill them all if they wish… but I am unstoppable!” They hissed, pulling at my rage.

My vision flashed red and with a roar, I finally got to my feet.

I let my Lycan half erupt… it was the only thing I had.

As soon as I felt the full charge, I slammed into her when she least expected it. Hard.

We slammed against a pillar, the stone shattering at the impact.

My claws tore at her armor while my blade continued piercing till I finally broke through, sinking deep into flesh. 

She screamed, and her shadows tried to get close but Nathan and our men were already at them.

There was no window for failure…

This was our victory!