The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 259: Everything Lost ()

’Was fate truly set in stone? Was there no respite? Was there no path where things could be made right? Had the Crimson Moon sinned so greatly that they would be denied salvation... for the second time?’

The thought plagued Zariah’s mind as her wolf form receded, her body too heavily injured to retain the form.

Zariah coughed up a mouthful of blood, she was bleeding from multiple severe injuries and Zariah shook her head fiercely to clear her vision.

Her breaths were loud and ragged in her ears. The rogue force was massive and their attack fierce, none of the spectators could escape and a fierce battle raged all around her.

Zariah’s gaze roamed the arena, Lord Kodin and his council members held a battle line against the rogues, protecting a group of women and children. It was their duty, Zariah could not fault them.

Her gaze moved on, seeking out her own people. At least what was left of them.

Allen lay, barely conscious not far from Zariah, bleeding out from where he suffered a fatal blow, when he had jumped in, intercepting an attack from Morden meant for Zariah, without a care for his own life and now, he lay, bleeding out.

Allen with a bearing as calm and still as his element of water, Allen of unyielding loyalty, Allen who was more brother than subordinate to Zariah, Allen the beta wolf and second in command of the Crimson Moon Pack, Allen who had fought at Zariah’s side on that last battle... Allen, the very first Crimson wolf who had died at the hands of that traitor, Allen who had died protecting his Alpha, Zariah.

Allen Elrod Hunt...her second in command, he had made the ultimate sacrifice of his life for Zariah in the past lifetime and here... once again, Zariah had failed him.

A sob was caught in Zariah’s throat, but her gaze kept searching, seeking the rest of her kin.

Zariah’s eyes caught Darren’s, his massive wolf form poised to lunge at Morden.

Zariah shook her head violently, her eyes pleading.

’Retreat. Save yourself Ren!..He is too strong...at least for your mate, you must go...’ Zariah pleaded to Darren through their mindlink.

’I will not turn my back on my family... my pack! I have sent Eloneth to safety, if we are doomed for death... then so be it.’ Darren thought back and blocked Zariah off.

The second bond Zariah had felt being severed in the past lifetime was precisely Darren’s.

Zariah struggled to her feet, summoning her flames again, she lunged at Morden, cutting of Darren’s chance of attack by placing herself between.

Zariah’s lunge was easily intercepted, Morden reached out and caught Zariah by her throat, lifting her off her feet.

’Zariah!’ Darren roared in Zariah’s head.

From the side of her eye, Zariah could see Darren had again been overwhelmed by rogues and a measure of relief settled...at least against the rogues, he stood a chance to live.

As long as he did not face Morden... Allen was enough, Zariah could not take any more sacrifice.

Kaileen and Dionne were away at Dwarven territory, Zariah thanked the Creator for this little reprieve.

Zariah gasped, the crushing force of Morden’s hand around her neck completely cut off her airway, his claws piercing into her neck, drawing blood as he tightened his hold, his eyes wild and gleaming with anticipation.

But Zariah’s eyes still sought for one more...Nile.

But Zariah’s gaze only found Kristen, shrieking as he knelt by the cliff side on the far end of the arena.

’There was a cliff...’

Zariah had never realized it...in the past lifetime, Nile had jumped off to his death. How could she have let the challenge happen here?

Zariah’s hopes shattered, Kristen’s shrieks of despair tore at her heart and Zariah knew what had happened... had once again happened.

Zariah gave up her struggle, her hands dropped to her sides and she accepted her fate...but in the next moment, a familiar voice roared.

"Zariah!!!"

It was him...Askel. He had come.

Zariah’s heart sank. She had at least hoped being imprisoned would save Askel a dreadful fate.

’Will you not allow me this one mercy? That at least he lives...’ Zariah thought in despair.

"Let her go! This is between us!" Askel roared.

Morden growled darkly, but he complied. Tossing Zariah aside like a rag doll.

Zariah crashed to the ground some distance away and Askel passed Zariah a pained look and Zariah watched as his form also contorted, Askel’s beast rising to the surface... for the first time, it was of Askel’s own will.

But that was all the moment they were allowed as Morden lunged for Askel.

A fierce battle ensued between the two and Zariah made to aid Askel but a group of forsaken charged at her.

Zariah battled desperately, fighting her exhaustion but the forsaken just kept coming.

At some point, she was barricaded on all sides, desperately protecting the heavily injured Allen, Zariah lost sight of Askel.

But a tugging sensation in Zariah’s heart led her eyes to find Askel’s again and Zariah’s heart dropped to the pit of her stomach.

Somehow, Morden and Askel’s battle has now moved to the very edge of the cliff and as Zariah’s eyes met Askel’s, Zariah knew it had been his doing...he had led Morden there...

Askel was badly injured, he was no match for Morden who had absorbed two shards and equally wielded magic.

The apologetic look in Askel’s eyes told Zariah exactly what he planned to do.

’Forgive me... Mhijani.’ Askel mouthed to Zariah.

"No...no...no...No!!!!!" Zariah shrieked desperately but it was to no avail.

Askel lunged, grabbing hold of Morden, he took them both right off the cliff.

A heart wrenching scream tore out of Zariah, and all the pent up rage and despair exploded in a powerful wave of Crimson Flames.

A wave that spread from Zariah, across the entire arena, scorching forsaken and rogue alike to ash.

Zariah collapsed to the ground, breathless... exhausted...tired.

Staring up at the darkening sky, Zariah laughed, a derisive laughter laced with despair so potent, it could be felt by anyone who may have witnessed.

"It’s over... You’ve taken everything from me, once again. Even this one precious blessing, the one light I had left. You’ve taken him too. So why leave me behind? Take me as well." Zariah said quietly.

"I see it now. You brought me back not to heal, not to find peace, but to fix what was broken only to die alongside my enemies. If that is your will, then take me now. Take me, so I may be reunited with him..." Zariah pleaded for death...a final end to an unending, devastating fate.