Chapter 91 Visions of the Past
Amara’s POV
Everything was absorbed by the light. I was no longer standing on the battlefield when it cleared.
Rather, I found myself in a place of fire and shadow. Kian and Rowan were standing next to me, still holding my hand. Our breath caught in our throats as we slowly turned.
"What—what is this location? Rowan said.
Kian's eyes grew strained. "It reminds me of the past."
The air glistened. Then I caught sight of Lilith. A young woman with golden hair and innocent eyes, not the twisted, evil beast she had become. She was on her knees in front of a hooded person.
"No," I said as my chest constricted. The time frame is centuries ago. This marks the start of her journey.
The hand of the cloaked person extended. It had a deep, ruthless, and ravenous voice. "Make a vow. Power will be yours if you swear your blood. Your line will always be there.
Lilith's voice trembled as a child. "I want to stop being weak. I don't wish to be overlooked. I promise.
She slashed her hand with a dagger. She spilt her blood into a black basin. Shadows encircled the hooded person, who laughed.
Rowan snarled and moved forward. She exposed herself. The Goddess was betrayed by her.
Kian's hands clenched. "All for the sake of power." For pride, of course.
With tears hurting my eyes, I slowly shook my head. "No, it was fear." She let the darkness take her because she was so terrified of becoming nothing.
The vision changed. Lilith's face was chilly, and her eyes were black as she rose from the earth. Villages burnt behind her. Wolves let out a scream. At her order, her own family members fell.
"This is the price of greatness," she said, her voice echoing over the picture, young yet shattered. I decided to take this route.
The cloaked figure vanished, but the sound of its laughter persisted.
Rowan's grip tightened around my hand. She made a mistake. And all of us, via her lineage.
Kian spoke in a low, angry voice. "She murdered thousands because she was greedy."
My body trembled as I took a step toward the vision. However, she used to be like me. A girl caught between hope and dread. She made a poor decision.
The sight turned to dust. Silence surrounded us as darkness swirled.
With a thunderous voice, Rowan was the first to speak. "The truth is now known to us. She's more than a monster. She is a choice's shadow.
With bitterness, Kian spat out the words. And she thinks we'll feel sorry for her?"
I wrapped my arms around myself and looked into the last of the smoke. "No. Not sympathy. However, comprehending
Because I sensed it deep inside. I could have been her if I had made the wrong decision and allowed fear to control me.
I was shivering at the prospect.
Once more, the vision changed. As the ashes swirled, my chest constricted, and I felt something inside of me.
The voice of Lilith.
Even though it wasn't mine, it slithered out of my mouth. I never wanted this, please. All I wanted was to be noticed. To possess strength.
I clutched my chest as I gasped. With a look of alarm, Rowan took a step closer. "Amara?"
Kian took hold of my shoulder. What is going on with you?"
But I was unable to stop it. Lilith's weak voice spilt out again as my mouth opened. "Pardon me, ancestor. I'm sorry, Moon's chosen. This curse has been with me for too long. I'm worn out.
As my voice broke through, I shivered violently. She's communicating via me. She is pleading.
Rowan's jaw tightened. "Now she begs? After everything she's done? After she's spilt blood?"
Kian's tone was piercing. "This is a ruse. Amara, don't listen. Don't be duped by her.
But I could feel the sadness in Lilith's voice. Her delicate, broken whispers reverberated in my skull. "I was feeble. I was self-centred. But I beg you to pardon me. Let me take a nap.
My eyes welled up with tears. I felt like I was going to be crushed by the weight that ached in my chest.
I turned to them and said, "Rowan… Kian…." She is not only a monster. She is a wound. An error that never got better. And if we destroy her out of hatred, we end up being just like her.
Incredulous, Rowan shook his head. Are you implying that you will pardon her?"
Kian gave a deep growl. "After all of her actions? After an attempt to take your soul? After almost setting our world on fire?"
I shuddered and raised my face to the invisible Goddess above us. The words came out of me, trembling as my lips moved slowly.
"Yes," I said. "You have my forgiveness, Lilith."
There was silence for a heartbeat. A peculiar serenity enveloped me, the light caressing my spirit. Maybe, I reasoned, it would be sufficient.
However, Lilith's evil, twisted, and now weaker laughter resurfaced.
"Pardon me? She hissed right through my mouth. "Yes, pardon me. But don't assume I'm saved by forgiveness. Don't think I'll be stopped by mercy. I shall continue to take what I desire.
Dark heat around me as her shadow flashed in the vision. I clutched my scorching brand as I gasped.
Kian yelled, "Amara, please stop! Force her to leave!"
Rowan's voice broke as he grabbed for me. "Prevent her from winning!"
My body was the battlefield as I fell to my knees, the light and shadow ripping inside of me.
The only words that came out of my soul were screamed through the maelstrom of pain:
"You will pay, but I forgive you!"
Below me, the ground splintered. The vision broke into moonlight and fire.
Then everything turned dark.