ONE HUNDRED AND SIX

-

"Ace, I-I can't. My powers are gone," Ellen vibrated, her hands shaking out of fear, her eyes teary.

I glanced at the beasts who had already reached us and I pushed Ellen to my side so my body was facing them.

She started to shake her head, trying to stop me from my thoughtless decision but I was hell-bent on protecting her.

With her powers gone, it was even more dangerous for her to be close to these beasts.

I would rather die than watch her face that fate. In despair, I prepared for whatever was coming, determined to fight even to death.

Just as they growled, attempting to jump at us, I felt a familiar presence and her voice echoed through the cave when she spoke.

"Acantha!" I heard Ellen exclaim in excitement. I turned to find Acantha emerging towards us, holding a staff in her hand that radiated a great amount of power. The strength that exuded out of her alone was enough to cease the beasts' steps.

Calmly analyzing the situation, she stepped in front of me, facing the beasts who had now retreated a bit. From their reaction, I could tell they had encountered a power greater than theirs.

Acantha began muttering spells, and with advanced sorcery; she began communicating with the wild beasts. She engaged in a dialogue with them, and I watched in awe as they seemed to understand her words.

"... they are just travelers harmlessly trying to pass the night here; they had no idea they were invading. On their behalf, I apologize," she explained. Their deeply furrowed brows relaxed as they listened to her.

"If you don't mind, can we at least stay to treat our wounds? We will leave in no time and not touch anything of yours. They are both very important to me and I cannot let you harm them."

She seemed to have established a resonance with them because they eventually gave us a safe distance, regaining their normal posture.

They nodded in rhythm, turned around, and exited the cave. With my jaw slightly dropped, I watched them disappear into the forest

"Ace," Ellen immediately faced me and Acantha walked up to me, her expression stoic.

I was unsure if she felt glad seeing the son of her tormentor experiencing torments or if she was indifferent for Ellen's sake.

"Let's get him out of the way first," she said. With their assistance, I moved to a different spot; breathing heavily.

"You'll be okay, Acantha is going to help you," Ellen poured out words of encouragement even though her eyes showed how scared she was.

Acantha took out some herbs, muttered words into them, and began applying them to every injury I sustained. It carried a stinging pain with it, but I swallowed every one of them; I didn't want Ellen to become more worried than she already was.

After some minutes of application, she stood up.

"It will take a while for him to be completely healed but the pains will dissipate gradually in a few minutes."

Ellen breathed out, her lips finally curling into a smile as she gazed at me.

"You heard that, you'll be fine," she said, this time without fear." She kissed my fingers, my blood getting on her beautiful face. "Acantha, you're a genius!" She shot her thumb up at her grandmother and then rushed her into a hug. I saw the old woman smile. It was just like Ellen's.

"I only practiced what I learned. I can teach you too since you partly belong to my kind," she offered proudly.

Ellen nodded readily, disengaging. "How did you know we were in danger and how did you arrive just in time to save us?"

"I was worried about you, I kept getting a strange feeling the moment you left. It was so strong, I couldn't ignore it so I followed you both secretly. My plan was to leave after I had confirmed that you both arrived safely at the border of your pack," Acantha explained.

Ellen's face fell, "I think my powers are gone. I tried but I couldn't help Ace."

Acantha pursed her lips, "I figured. I suspected that the flower of destiny extracted it in place of my life. I knew it was unlikely for it to just let us go."

"So my powers are gone forever?" Ellen asked softly.

Acantha said nothing but that already answered the question. "I will see what I can do to bring it back to you."

"No," Ellen shook her head at once in refusal. "If you're planning to do something crazy and risk your life again, then don't. I'd rather lose my powers than lose you. It came from the moon goddess to me as a descendant, so if she decides to take it away from me then maybe I don't need it anymore."

I beamed, watching Ellen speak. Her experience with Ryker and everything else had evolved her mindset. I could still remember how she made a fuss, worried that the pack members might hate and dethrone her when Ryker tried to take her powers away from her. Seeing how it no longer bothered her gave me a sort of joy.

"I only need Ace, and you. And I want everyone that I love to be hale and hearty, that is all that matters to me."

I intertwined our fingers, feeling super proud.

Just like Acantha predicted, the pain soon started to dissipate and I gradually started to feel a lot better.

Ellen left to arrange some fresh clothes for me while Acantha kept a distance, doing her witch stuff.

She turned to me and pushed a leaf cup towards me, "Drink, it'll keep you hydrated. You need to stay hydrated to heal quickly."

"Thank you," she nodded once and turned away. I downed the liquid in the cup and breathed out.

"Acantha, can I talk to you?" I hesitated before deciding to speak up.

She tilted her head to face me, her expression revealing nothing about her thoughts.

"Why? Do you feel an unusual pain?"

She was concerned, that was a good hint.

"No, not at all; thanks to you," I eased her mind. "I just want to say thank you again, for everything.."

"I did everything that I did for my granddaughter. If she wasn't involved with you, I would not have bothered to interfere in your life or business," she was quick to ruin my ease.

"I understand, and I don't mean any harm. I genuinely love your granddaughter and I want to be with her for the rest of my life."

"I believe you," she narrowed her eyes, "I watched you attempt to give your life for her. I am appeased to know that she is in safe hands with you."

"I will not give you a reason to worry about her, ever. That's a promise."

With a slight beam, she nodded. "I will remember that."

I continued, baring my thoughts, "Also, I understand your dislike towards me and my people; it is justified. Ordinarily, I do not care about such feelings when it comes to others but you are different. You are Ellen's grandmother and I do not want you to hate me. I'm not asking you to get rid of your past or brush off what my father did to you but for Ellen's sake, I hope you can try not to hate me too much.

From what I've heard, my personality sucks, and you might hate me more if you try to like me for me, so don't do that; just do it for Ellen. We will spend the rest of our lives together, and with the thick hate hanging between us, it could get a bit uncomfortable for her later on. I know you don't like that, I don't want it either because I care a lot about Ellen, and that includes the people around her, so for her sake, I genuinely hope you can hate me less."