Chapter 301

Chapter 301
Lira's POV

"I'm getting you out of here," I tried to help her stand steady. "We'll figure this out together."

Sophie shook her head, an unusual light gleaming in her eyes. "No, it's time for me to make a sacrifice. I need to expand my vision so everyone can see what the world would be like without you."

A chill crawled up my spine. Sacrifice? What is she talking about? "Sophie, there must be another way—"

"Don't stop me," she said firmly. "And don't let Cole come... he'll try to stop me. I love him too much to let him do that."

I looked to Stella for help, but her expression told me Sophie was serious. Damn it, this isn't a joke!

"The coven will help you," I finally said, though my heart felt like ice. "We'll be with you."

"I love you, Lira," Sophie said softly, smiling with tears in her eyes. "You've been my best friend since our first day of college."

My throat tightened, tears welling in my eyes. "No matter what happens, I'll always love you." Please don't do this, Sophie...

We had barely left the stables when I heard Nathan calling my name anxiously through the crowd. He looked so vulnerable, so human, completely unlike his usual composed self.

In that moment, a massive feral werewolf lunged at him from the side, claws aimed for his throat. Derek appeared in front of Nathan almost instantly, shielding the deadly attack with his own body. The werewolf's fangs sank deep into his neck, blood gushing out like a fountain.

"NO!" Nathan's roar tore through the air as he blew the feral werewolf's head off with a single shot, then dropped to his knees beside Derek, pressing both hands against the spurting wound.

"Hang on, Derek!" Nathan's voice broke. "MEDIC! SOMEBODY HELP HIM!"

I rushed toward them, seeing Derek's life draining away at visible speed. God, no... he can't die!

Derek swallowed with difficulty, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "I was... always... meant to... go this way..." His voice was weak but clear.

"Shut up, don't talk," Nathan commanded, but tears already glistened in his eyes. "We'll find a doctor."

Derek shook his head slightly, his eyes already losing focus. "Take care of... our... tribe. And... protect... Lira—" He coughed violently, more blood splattering out. "Tell... Elena... I... love her..."

As the last word fell, his chest stopped moving. Those eyes once full of wisdom became empty. Nathan's shoulders trembled as he gently closed his friend's eyes.

My heart ached as if torn apart. Derek died for Nathan... for me... Tears blurred my vision.

Stella's hand on my shoulder pulled me back to reality. "Lira, we don't have time to mourn. Sophie needs our help, now."

I forced myself to focus and nodded. "You're right. We need the power of the elements."

I quickly gathered the elemental representatives: Lily for air, Zoey for wood, Austin for fire, and Erin for metal. As each responded to my call, power surged through my body in waves.

This is incredible! Can I really control these powers?

"And spirit," I closed my eyes, feeling the energy swirling deep within me. "That's my power."

Energy coursed through my entire body like electric current, both exhilarating and terrifying. I looked up at Sophie, who stood in the center of the elemental circle, ready.

"Elements, protect Sophie, amplify her power, let everyone see the vision," I instructed, my voice trembling with energy.

Sophie began to glow, first a faint halo, then growing stronger until her entire body became a brilliant source of light. Colored rays shot from her fingertips, spreading in all directions.

Cole burst through from somewhere, trying to break through our barrier. "SOPHIE! DON'T!" he shouted desperately, his eyes filled with fear and love.

But it was too late. Sophie's light reached its peak, and in an instant, everyone—including myself—fell to the ground, pulled into her vision.

Darkness suddenly enveloped me, thick smoke filled my lungs, and I heard screams of death and desperate cries. The world was collapsing, the earth splitting open, the sky dominated by a pair of massive red eyes—eyes that coldly looked down upon the destruction below, emanating an ancient and evil presence. Is this the Moon Goddess's brother? Fear nearly suffocated me.

I saw people killing each other, supernatural creatures reveling in pools of blood, human cities reduced to ruins. And at the center of it all was my own corpse, chest carved open, heart missing.

When I snapped out of the vision, I found myself standing at the center of the crowd, but I no longer felt like myself. I could see Nathan's terrified expression as he stared at my eyes—I knew they were glowing purple. The Moon Goddess was speaking through me.

"What you just witnessed is life after my brother Richel takes the power of the magical stone..." the goddess's voice came through my lips, completely unlike my own. "Lira and her unborn child must be protected. This child will become the barrier against my brother... this is my warning to you."

The purple light gradually faded, and I regained control of my body. Through my dizziness, I heard a heart-wrenching cry—

"SOPHIE!!!!"

Cole's voice was filled with despair. I turned to see Sophie lying motionless on the ground, blood flowing from her eyes, ears, and nose. Cole knelt beside her, pure agony on his face.

No, no, no! Sophie can't be dead! I rushed forward, but Victoria was already kneeling there checking for vital signs.

"No pulse..." Victoria's voice broke, tears glistening in her eyes.

Cole cradled Sophie's small body, his voice shattered by sobs. "Doctor! Someone help her!"

My legs gave out, and I collapsed to my knees. It's all my fault... she sacrificed herself to protect me... Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. "She was supposed to be protected... she shouldn't have gone like this..."

Forest Guard medics arrived, trying to revive Sophie, but from their expressions, I knew it was already too late.

Oh God! Sophie!