Scattered events, coming together

Selene's body, Aria’s to be precise, lay in a glass coffin at the center of the coven. The witches sat in a circle around it, holding hands and linking their hair, humming an ancient prayer, it was almost haunting.

Their eyes were closed, faces serene yet intense,frowns on their forehead showed how hard they were concentrating,as if they were channeling all their power into the ritual.

The glass coffin glowed faintly, reflecting the faint light streaming through the high, arched windows. Selene looked almost peaceful, her pale face as if merely sleeping. But the slight azure shimmer around her hinted at the powerful magic keeping her in this suspended state.

Outside, a storm raged, lightning illuminating the sky in flashes, thunder echoing the witches' deep hums. The ancient prayer seemed to grow louder, vibrating through the very stone of the coven's chamber, weaving a protective web of enchantment around Selene's resting place.

None of them noticed the muffled sound of the crying baby in the rumbling of the thunder storm as Brianna sneaked out from the back.

She looked back a couple of times, as if hesitant to take the leap but finally she pulled her hood over herself and the baby as she made a dash towards the werewolf territories.

***

“NOOOOO! THIS WAS MY ONE SHOT AT FREEDOM! THIS CAN'T END LIKE THIS! ”

The dark dimensions had temporarily collapsed.

The mingling chaos of adulterated magic had interfered with Oedipus’s master plan.

He wreaked havoc on the nearest object available.

“Goddamn it, woman!" Lucas roared, his voice echoing through the dark chamber. "This is all your fault! I had it all under control until you distracted me!"

Seraphina cowered on the floor, clutching her swollen belly, her eyes wide with fear. "I'm sorry, Master... please..."

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't fix this mess!" Lucas shouted, kicking a nearby chair over in fury, snapping it into two. "Do you have any idea what you've cost me?"

Seraphina's voice trembled. "Master, please, the baby…”The crowning was prominent and it was impossible for her to carry-on with the conversation.

"The baby?" Lucas sneered, grabbing her by the hair and yanking her head back. "You think I care about that right now? You ruined everything, you useless wench!"

Tears streamed down Seraphina's face as she whimpered, the pain from her contractions mingling with the terror of Lucas's wrath. "I... I didn't mean to..."

"Shut up!" Lucas spat, slapping her across the face. "You exist to serve me, to do as I say, and you couldn't even manage that!If only I was busy f*cking that sagging p*ssy of yours…”

Seraphina sobbed, her body wracked with pain. "Master, I'm so sorry…”

“ Shut it! I don't want to hear one word from you! " Lucas hissed, his grip tightening on her hair. "You're nothing but a distraction, a burden. Maybe I should have just locked you in the dark dimensions."

"Please, no, Master," Seraphina begged, her voice barely a whisper. "I'll do anything, please..."

Lucas released her roughly, causing her to collapse on the floor. "Pathetic. I can't even do that now!You'd better pray this child of yours is worth something. Otherwise, you're both expendable.”

And then came the wail of a newborn along with the gushing fluids. Seraphina fell back. She didn't even have the strength to look at the child.

Lucas leaned over the crying baby, curiously.

He touched it with one finger, tossing and turning it as his eyes grew wider.

“ It's a girl… ” He mumbled as a curious smirk spread across his lips. “ But what kind of a creature is this?”

He pulled the baby up by her feet, dangling her upside down as its cries pierced through the doors.

***

The Ragnar stood at the border of the sacred lands.

He could feel the presence of his wife beyond the border, her spirit lingering in the place where her remains were laid to rest.

He knew she hated him so much that even in death, she would not let him come close.It wasn't his first time trying to breach that shield but this time was somehow different.

“ Helga, you know she is back, don't you? You hated her passionately, like you hate me… ”

He scoffed.

“ Look at me, ” He looked down on himself.

“ What have I become? A soul sucker leeching off those werewolves… Damn, Helga! You know how they trembled at the mere mention of my name.

But it's a struggle to even survive these days! Damn your son, damn you daughter! ”

His voice cracked, the pain of his confession evident. "I have done terrible things. I have hurt people, innocent people, and I have driven away everyone who ever cared about me. I am a shell of the man I once was. But losing you... losing you was the worst of it all.”

He remained there, on his knees, staring into the sacred lands where his beloved Helga rested, his heart shattered but his soul, for the first time in years, feeling a tiny sliver of release.

“ Helga, my life is cursed for eternity. It wasn't something that I chose but I wanted to harness it. But at times, I think I kind of liked the pause… it was… peaceful! ”

“ Are you telling me, you want to die! ”

He had sat there many times, ranting and chatting with himself. Never did he ever hearback any voice.

“ Helga! ”

He was up on his feet. “ Is that you? Helga? ”

His voice was tinted with confusion, fear, happiness and skepticism.

“ Yeah, it's me! Since your bitch is back stirring up trouble for my kids, I could not stay dead, could I? ”

A predatory youthfulness grazed over his face as she stood up with a wide grin.

“ You are talking to me! What do I take this for, Helga? Have you forgiven me? ”

There was no response for a while. And then a cool gentle breeze, mixed with sea mist and the scent of lavender, brushed over The Ragnar's face, almost shoving him back, making him lose his balance.

***

Alpha Sebastian and Ester, flanked by a small Lycan army, followed Elara's lead through the dense, shadowy forest. The moon hung low, casting an eerie glow over the twisted branches and rustling leaves. They had been wandering for what felt like an eternity, their patience wearing thin with each passing moment.

"This is gettin' us nowhere," growled Sebastian, his eyes scanning the dark horizon. "We've been chasin' shadows. Where the hell are David and Aria?You said you can access the dark dimensions.Why are we looking for them in this forest! ”

"We'll find 'em, Sebastian. Elara's got some thing here.She sensed something."

Just then, Elara halted abruptly, her ears twitching. "Shh... Its close'.”

The dense forest offering no clues, no signs of David and Aria.

"This is gettin' ridiculous," Sebastian growled, frustration evident in his voice. He halted, his hands clenched into fists. "We've been searchin' for hours, and we've got nothin' to show for it."

Ester, always the calm to Sebastian's storm, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Patience, Sebastian.”

Though her own senses were telling her otherwise.

Elara had her nose to the ground, every muscle in her body taut with concentration. She raised her head, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. "There was a struggle here, not long ago. I can smell fear and blood."

Sebastian's frustration turned to concern. "David and Aria?"

Elara nodded. "And others. Someone unfamiliar.And the witches!”

“ Witches?”

Ester and Sebastian exclaimed in unison.

They moved on, following Elara's lead, their senses heightened. The forest was alive with sounds, but none that gave them any clear direction. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, making it harder to track.

"Split up," Sebastian commanded. "But stay within earshot. We can't afford to lose anyone."

The group fanned out, moving silently through the underbrush. The hours dragged on. Just when it seemed hope was slipping away, Elara's ears perked up, and she signaled for the group to stop.

"Over there," she whispered, pointing to a faint figure moving in the distance.

Sebastian squinted, his keen eyesight picking up the outline of a hooded figure carrying a child. Her movements were fluid and silent.

“ Who does there? ”

Ester moved forward without waiting to give orders.

"Brianna?" She muttered, more to herself than anyone else. "What the hell is she doin' here?"

As she finally caught the face in the moonlight.

The figure looked back, as if sensing their presence, and then bolted, the child clutched tightly in her arms.

"She's runnin'!" Ester exclaimed. "After her!”

Brianna's figure darted between the trees, quick and desperate, but the Lycans were faster, their enhanced senses honing in on her trail.

"Brianna, stop!" Sebastian shouted, his voice echoing through the forest. "We just wanna talk!"

But Brianna didn't stop. She weaved through the trees, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. The child in her arms whimpered and then yelled.

Ester was the first to close in, her agile form barely making a sound as she moved. She reached out, fingers just grazing Brianna's cloak before Brianna dodged, slipping away again.

"You're only makin' this harder, Brianna!" Ester called, frustration tinged with concern. "Whatever you're running from, we can help! "