Liora’s POV

The journey to get the second artifact at the ruins of Eldara just began, but it was already exhausting. It took us a long time to finally say goodbye to the valley of shadows, and now, we were approaching the ruins of Eldara, where the second artifact that we sought lay buried in the ground. We were told that its value wasn't made known to anyone, but it's very vital, and must be gotten if the pack must function well again. We would have neglected it or gone for the most valuable ones, but it must be gotten in their right number, or face the consequences that come from that. The old wise man reveals that my powers won't amount to anything if we don't follow them in the order he listed. In order to honor him, and also grant the will of the moon goddess, we had taken it upon ourselves to do right by them. This time, Alpha Jaxon led the way, he showed no sign of tiredness like the rest of the team did. The pack was his responsibility, and would do anything to protect and keep it safe. Even when dangers flashes Infront of him, he still kept his shoulders high, never relenting at any point. I watched him, and I could not help but admire his zeal. His confidence was Worth emulating, leading by example, and showing the team how to do it. This was Jaxon, the Alpha of Silver Moon Pack, my Alpha. And as we continued moving deeper, each step taking us closer to our destination, I could not help but marvel at Alpha Jaxon's leadership skills. 'Do well to stay close, everyone, this is not the right time to rest." he called out, carefully instructing us on what to do. He didn't want any of the team to be found missing, or be named among the fallen in the process of the mission. 'The guardians of the Ruins of Eldara, from a reliable source, has zero tolerance for intruders. If we must make it alive, we must abide by their rule in order to be spared." We continued the journey, the team of six striving to make it to the end. We all followed his command, working as one to retrieve the artifact. 'Jaxon…" I muttered, my voice almost in a whisper, as I reached out to touch his arms. But before I could complete my sentence, a thundering voice interrupted me immediately. 'Who dares disturb the peace and tranquility of the ruins of Eldara?" The voice was grave and cold, jotting everything everyone out of their skin. We remained calm, allowing the voice to finish before taking any action. It was an angry voice, and if interrupted would lead to severe punishment. Just as the voice finished speaking, a spirit stepped out to represent the rest. He fixed his gaze on Jaxon after assessing him, and not him to be the leader of the team. Out of curiosity, he asked for our reason for coming, and if Jaxon was the popular Alpha of Silver Moon Pack. 'Are you here for the artifact? If you, then you must be the popular Alpha of Silver Moon Pack. But you can't just take the artifact without cost, you must prove your worth." Jaxon, without flinching, stepped closer to face him. 'I am willing to carry out whatever it takes, anything at all to protect my pack," he replied, his voice unweaving, but clear and strong. With that, he drew out his blade, the metal gleaming as if waiting to be exposed to the light before. 'What must I do to prove my worth? I am more than willing to face any task." The leader let out a loud laugh, it was as if he was about giving him the hardest of tasks. 'It's just a simple task. You would have to face us," he said, with no mercy. 'Only the one proven to be strong may have the opportunity to claim what lies within these ruins." Without any sign of attack, the spirits charged, surprising me with the speed with which they operate. I had never expected them to move at such speed and flexibility. But Jaxon did not disappoint either. Even though the attack was unexpected, he stood his ground, even moving more swiftly than them. The warriors that tagged along were not left out in the fight also. Within minutes, there was clashing of weapons, the fight of the survival of the fittest. Jaxon fought and didn't disappoint as usual. His strikes were calculated and precise. His movement is smooth and powerful. I watched him attack them fiercely, while unweaving in all of his strikes. But even with the strikes, the precise and calculated movement, the fierce killing of the figures, more emerged from their hiding. It was as if they were multiplying every second. But the most beautiful thing to watch was how Jaxon dutifully represented, not relenting in his effort to win and get the artifact. At one point, they all charged toward me, they were mean and the cola spirit broke through the line, reaching out toward me with cold, their skeletal fingers reaching out to scratch me. I wasted no time to swing into action, making sure to send them to where they had come from. 'Liora, do well to stay close!" Jaxon's voice echoed through the heated battle, and as instructed, I moved closer to him. He didn't want me to stress myself, he wanted to do more of the fighting with the team of warriors. So the battle wore on, the fight intensified, but we continued having the upper hand, killing them as they emerged. Just then, the leader of the group shocked everyone.'The true test, the one that would pave the way for you to get the artifact," he said without any sign of pity. 'Is yet to start." >>>>>>>>>>>>> The final task before calming the artifact; facing the guardian of the artifact. It was as if we had been wasting our time, struggling for nothing. The fight was far from over, we might not get it today, might extend till the next day if we continue meeting different tests on the way. But one thing was sure, we would not take a step out without the artifact. The guardian watched us keenly, his expression unreadable. He raised his skeletal hand, and out of nowhere, he summoned a dark force, commanding it to engulf us. The smoke was suffocating, draining the remaining energy in us. Jaxon clenched his fist, but it was of no use. The guardian seemed to fight with only magic, only demonstrating with his hands. 'Don't ever let go, please." Jaxon said. I tried focusing, the magic was deadly, doing its best to crowd our vision, sowing fear, weakening our resolve, just a way to make us back off. I held unto Jaxon's hand, ensuring to draw strength from him, we are a team and would support each other when weak or tired Then came Jaxon's reassuring voice, strengthening me to stay focused, to not get weak but remain my ever strong self. 'Liora, you are the Luna, the strong Luna of the Silver Moon Pack. Don't forget what brought us to this strange place, stay strong till her conquest in the end." I wasted no time in focusing on his positive words, allowing them to flow through me, and taking over my being. 'We're here for the sake of our family… for the great pack of Silver Moon." I continued meditating on his words, and in no time, I was agile as before. I continued reciting the words, before I knew it, I noticed the guardian eyes narrowing in weakness. It was as if it had worked, disorganizing him entirely. With that, the team of warriors all circled him, while I searched for an opening, a possible entrance where the artifact could be hidden. And I found one, but before I ran off toward the narrow down, I heard Jacob's loud voice, halting me on my tract. 'Right now, Liora!" Jaxon thundered with a sharp voice, his wolf growling in support. Turning sharply, I saw his reason for shouting. Wasting no more time, I raised my blade and struck the guardian directly at the position of his heart. He let out a shriek, he was not expecting the move at all. And with that, he melted and disappeared as it has come Jaxon and I exchanged a knowing look, relieved that we had conquered them all. Together, we moved to the spot the artifact was. I brushed it smoothly, but something happened immediately and my hands came in contact with it. It started radiating, emitting light of different colors, and I stood amazed at the display. I noticed the energy surging out of it, my hand glowing uncontrollably. Jaxon moved closer, and placed his hands on mine, sharing in the strength coming from the artifact. 'It's ours now!" he muttered, his voice calm and collected. I nodded silently, it was ours, we had fought the good fight, and we didn't lose our lives. We might have won this battle, but a lot was still ahead to conquer, more bridges to cross. 'Whatever lies ahead, no matter the magnitude" he said with a low but kind tone, 'be rest assured that we have each other. We would face it, as a team." I nodded, let out a small smile tug at a corner of my lips. I held the artifact with both hands, not willing to leave it on the ground for a second. This was just the beginning, the third was yet to come.