CHAPTER 182 - THE CREATOR

“The first punishment for the Shadow King, when he killed one of the beings created by his siblings, was eternal imprisonment in his domain.” Morgana approached me, sitting beside me and holding my hands in hers. “He couldn't get out of there, nor could his creatures… But the imbalance caused by Destiny made all of this possible.”

“The Shadow King saw a great opportunity, the perfect vessel: the pup of a powerful cursed alpha, son of a twin from the legend, nephew of a hybrid, and a direct descendant of the pure power of the ancestors and reclusive witches,” Elara added, sighing. “He knew that his soul, without a vessel, couldn't escape from its prison, but a strong body with a soul molded like Conan's would make it possible!”

“Even if he had to reduce the size of his essence for it to develop alongside the pup's soul!” Morgana concluded.

“Wait a minute, are you telling me that the shadows kidnapped my nephew as a baby to merge the soul of the Shadow King with his, and all the tortures and training he endured?” I exclaimed angrily, breathless with so much information.

“The body, magic, essence, and soul needed to be strengthened to withstand the power of the Shadow King's soul!” The alpha roared, scraping his claws on the table, uncomfortable with the suffering our pup had gone through. “Conan said today that he feels a presence inside him, but the Shadow King is not strong enough for his wolf to sense his presence!”

“So, this means we still have a chance!” Selena exclaimed.

“A chance for what?” I growled too loudly.

“Child, King Lycan summoned us here to perform the ritual to free the soul...” Morgana squeezed my hands. “We will bring out your nephew's soul, shape it in the air, and try to extract the Shadow King from his essence, separating them, fragmenting his spirit, and imprisoning it in the stones created by the Orcs!”

“By the Gods...” I covered my mouth, shocked. “Isn't this dangerous? Have you done this before?”

Everyone looked at each other, making the atmosphere more tense and infusing the air with hesitation.

“He could die during the extraction, couldn't he?” I asked with a shaky voice and eyes filled with tears, “Will it hurt?”

“Human?” The alpha turned my face towards him, holding it between his massive hands. “Conan will have a chance to fight and free himself. If we don't do it, and the Shadow King manages to emerge in full, his soul will be massacred, and his body will be a puppet in the hands of the Dark God!”

“We just got him back; he has already suffered so much...” Tears rolled down my face.

“Unfortunately, child, if the Shadow King emerges, more species will suffer. We're talking about earthly war and the extinction of various species and realms,” Morgana said firmly. “He wants to expand his dominion, and there will be nothing left but chaos!”

“I don't care about other species; we're not forcing my nephew to undergo the ritual!” I growled, standing up, but the alpha grabbed my wrists. “You can't be considering this; he is your son!”

“And that's why you'll perform the ritual. Think as a wolf, not a human… Do you think Conan wants to be dragged back into the shadows and used as a lab rat until he is the way they desire for the resurrection of their king?” The alpha shouted angrily. “We failed the pup before, and we won't do it again!”

“And if he dies? Have you thought about that?” I growled, letting the tears flow and washing my face.

“OUT!” King Lycan roared, making everyone leave with bowed heads. Sighing, he pulled me close, stroking my hair. “I fear his death as much as you do, but you felt a fraction of the Shadow King's malice when he chained you and sealed the chains in your flesh.”

“So... That was the Shadow King?” I raised an eyebrow, pulling my face away from his chest, where I had been crying.

“Yes, a small part of his soul is left to rule...” Harvey sighed. “And we only got out of there thanks to Destiny. Can you imagine what he'll do with Conan's soul? We'll give the pup a chance to fight.”

“Does it need to be done now?” I wiped the corners of my eyes.

“The manifestations of the Shadow King have already begun; the spots in his eyes mean Conan's soul is losing the battle.” He caressed my face, wiping away the tears that persisted with his thumb. “We need to do it as soon as possible.”

“Let's talk to Conan; he needs to know what will happen.” I threatened to leave, but the Alpha held me in place. “We can't, can we?”

“No, that would alert the Shadow King, who is connected to his fragment ruling his domain. In moments, we would have the dark witch and various creatures attacking us… Besides,” Harvey placed a kiss on my forehead, lifting my chin, “it could seal the souls and make Conan fall into a coma again, to complete the frame he was working on before.”

“How could we fail him like this?” I cried even more. “This is all my fault; I wasn't strong enough and didn't protect him from anything...From pain and fears to his growth, nothing. I should be going through this, not him!”

“The blame is on all of us, and we can't change the events… We will free him, restore our family, and rule our pack together with our pup!” King Lycan smiled. “He is strong; he will get through this!”

I sighed, trying to calm myself.

“Let me, at least for today, be with my nephew. He feels so much fear...” I wiped away the tears, distancing myself.

“Human?” King Lycan called me, making me turn my body towards him. “If there was another way...”

“I know, Alpha...” I weakly smiled, leaving.

I walked at a calm pace, coming across my nephew standing at the top of the stairs, sitting with his head lowered between his legs. He seemed sad; had he overheard us?

“That's not a good hiding spot.” I joked, sitting next to him and nudging my shoulder against his body. “What's wrong?”

“I was waiting for you. I didn't see you after what happened last night; I got worried.” Conan replied, lifting his head and smiling at me. “You're powerful; you scared the beast away.”

“I wish I could be much more and end all the evil in this world.” I sighed sadly.

“Is that your wish?” He tilted his head to the side, just like his father did, making me smile.

“My wish is to see him free, happy, and without pain or suffering...” I stroked his hair. “I want him to grow strong and healthy, find his Luna, and build a beautiful family with at least five pups.”

“Five pups, aunt? Yikes, you really don't love me!” He furrowed his brow, and we laughed together.

“What's your wish?” I put my arms over his shoulders, pulling him closer.

“Compared to yours, it's pretty dark...” Conan lowered his head again, and I lifted it, looking at him.

“Then, my son, change your wishes and dreams… Be free; fight for it, for your future!” I kissed his forehead lingeringly.

“Why are you saying this, aunt?” He looked at me seriously.

“Because the shadows have taken too much from you; don't let them take your dreams!” I pulled him into another strong hug. “So, let's eat a bunch of junk food, watch some silly movies, and play racing games?”

“Aunt, for a wolf your age, you have a lot of energy!” Conan teased.

“What did you say, you brat?” I gave him a playful tap on the head. “Respect me; I'm still very young!”

“Really? Can you catch me?” Conan quickly shifted into his lupine form, running away. “Come on, old lady!”

“You rascal!” I smiled, transforming and running after him.