Chapter 66 Spirit Test
Amara’s POV
It was too quiet in the forest. I tried to slow my heartbeat by pressing my back against a tree while my breath rushed out in short spurts. The bright eyes I had seen a few seconds before were no longer there. However, the quiet seemed oppressive, nearly lifeless.
The air then changed. Whispers were carried by a chilly breeze that blew past me. My skin pricked.
"Amara."
I gave a start. There was nobody. Still, the voice was all around me—near, quiet, resonating in my mind.
"Who's there? With a quivering voice, I inquired.
Between the trees, shadows moved. Glowy figures moved forward one by one. Their eyes were as bright as stars, yet their faces were blurry, and they were tall and transparent. Spirits.
My chest constricted. "No, this isn't true."
One spirit replied in a quiet, serene voice, "It is real." "Our voices are those of the people who came before us. The protectors of destiny. And you have to be put to the test, Amara.
"Tested? I took a step back and shook my head. "This is not what I want. This is not what I asked for! "
One said, "You have the bond of two alphas." And that link carries a burden. You have to establish your value, or you risk ruining them both.
My knees were weak. "Please don't force me to make a decision."
The ghosts moved about me, getting brighter. Like a hurricane, their voices overlapped.
"You have to confront the truth."
"You have to confront your heart."
"You have to accept loss."
My eyes were scorched by tears. "Why me? I lack the necessary strength. I'm not unique. I'm not capable of this! "
One of them took a step toward me, lowering itself until its dazzling eyes locked with mine. "The key is you. The balance is you. And there is a cost to balance.
I angrily shook my head. "I am unable to. I am unable to! "
“So you fail,” the ghost said quietly.
"No! I yelled while gripping my chest. "I'll give it a shot. Don't take them away from me, please.
Their voices sounded like drums as the spirits ascended higher. Then observe. Observe what awaits you if you continue to be afraid.
Light burst all around me before I could move. The woods disappeared. My body was drawn into a vision, into something else.
The globe whirled. I stood in a clearing when it stopped.
Rowan was present. His clothes were stained with blood as his body sprawled on the ground. He had a pallid face and closed eyelids.
"No! I ran at him and screamed. I shook him and fell to my knees. "Rowan! Get up! Wake up, please! "
He remained still. He didn't lift his chest. I held his hand as my tears fell upon his cheeks. "Remain with me. I can't let you go either. Please.
However, his hand felt icy.
"And if you choose him…" a voice said quietly behind me.
I turned around. There stood Kian, or what remained of him. His mouth was blood-stained, and arrows had punctured his torso. His eyes dimmed, and he staggered.
"Kian! I scurried to him and sobbed. His weight was heavy in my arms as I caught him as he fell. "Please stay with me! Don't leave me, don't do this! "
His mouth quivered. "You lost us both because you were unable to make a decision."
"No! I shook my head and wept. "That is untrue! I—I can make this right! "
But he was out of breath and his eyes were closed.
I glanced down. Rowan's dead body. Kian's dead body. Both are at my feet. They're both gone.
"No, no, no! I let out a yell. Nothing changed even though my voice ripped through the vision. Death was the only sound in the quiet wilderness.
The ghosts then reappeared, circling me. Their murmurs were like blades on my ears.
"Observe the consequences of your indecision."
"Two hearts. Two lives. They both lost.
“They will be destroyed by your weakness.”
I rocked back and forth, clutching my head. "Cease! Stop, please! I am unable to watch this. I am unable to! "
However, the images persisted. Rowan's eyes were vacant. Kian's fractured body. My soul was etched with both images.
The voices of the spirits became sharper and louder until they were all yelling at once.
Decide—or be the end of the world! "
I let out a gasp and looked at them with wide, teary eyes. "What does that mean, exactly? "
Their bright bodies surrounded me like a cage as they leaned closer.
"You can't save both. You can't run indefinitely. You have to pick one, or you'll lose them all.
The earth underneath me trembled. The murmurs of the spirits became a loud chant as the forest appeared to close in.
"Select. Decide. Decide! "
I covered my ears and yelled, but the sounds persisted. My heart felt like it was about to explode.
Then there was stillness.
I opened my eyes.
Kian and Rowan were standing in front of me, alive. However, their eyes shone like ghosts. As they spoke, their voices blended.
"Watch the world burn, Amara, or choose us."
I gasped. My entire body went cold. My heart broke.
I was having trouble breathing. I was unable to respond.
Because I knew the truth at that very instant.
Regardless of my decision, someone I care about will perish.