Chapter 177: The Dissipating Bond

Night in the desert was black and quiet, save for the gentle crackle of their tiny fire between their makeshift camp. Cold nipped at the flesh of Alpha Lleus, but cold was not what was breeding his irritation. He had felt something—a quiver in the universe, a whisper on the wind, as if the spirits themselves were trying to send him a message. And then the dream. It was real, more tangible than any dream he had ever had. He was in a field of fog that seemed to stretch to infinity, the air thick with the scent of magic. And then, materializing out of roiling fog, she stood there—Elira, her silver hair flowing, purple eyes burning into his very being. "Find her," she whispered, her breathing a whisper of power and want. "Find Reika before it's too late." Lleus advanced, his chest pounding. "Where is she?" Elira's hand rose, and the mist broke away, revealing an image of a dark forest, the twisted towers of an ancient spire deep within its core. "The Witches' Coven. She is there… waiting." Lleus gulped hard. "Why can't I feel her?" Elira's expression turned grave. "Your bond is weakening. Something is preventing it from reaching her." He panicked. If their bond was weakening, did that mean. Reika was dying? He attempted to reach out and touch her in the dream, but as soon as he touched Elira's hand, the dream shattered. Lleus struggled out of his start, wheezing. The flames spit angrily as though in response to his wild agitation. He clutched his wet hair in a shaking hand, sweat-drenched form from head to toe. Daisy, who slept on the outskirts, was stirred. "Alpha?" she yawned drowsily, opening her eyes and rubbing them. Viktor and Alfonso, sitting across from one another on opposite sides of the fire, both rose to their feet at the same time. Lleus did not hesitate. "We have to leave. Now." Alfonso frowned. "Something amiss?" Lleus rose to his feet, already moving toward where his equipment was stored. "I bumped into Elira. She provided me with details of Reika's possible whereabouts." Viktor also stood up, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Where is she?" "The Witches' Coven." Lleus' voice was firm. "That's where we have to go." Daisy's eyes opened wide. "But that's a hundred leagues there! Days of riding from the desert, and not an easy ride!" Lleus stared her down. "I don't care how difficult it is. We have to go find her." There was no debate. The desperation in his voice left no room for denial—this was do or die. Viktor sighed. "Then we depart at dawn." Lleus would not believe her. "No. We depart now." The Journey Through Blood and Fire Before them stretched the infinite desert, golden sand glinting in the unrelenting wind. Riding under cover of darkness gave them a slight edge—no searing sun to roast them alive—but even then, it was arduous traveling. Days blurred into hours, and as they rode into unknown country, hindrances started to intrude at every turn. To begin with, there were sandstorms. The winds screamed like furious demons, blasting sand in their faces, cutting at their skin like knives. They advanced, heads bent low, attempting to cover themselves as much as possible, but the storm was relentless, as if determined to push them back. And then the beasts came. They walked through a valley of rocks when they were first attacked by a monster—a huge serpent-blooded beast whose scales glowed black in the moon. It was quick, fangs bared and ready to fall on Alfonso, but Lleus was quicker. He moved in front of them, driving his sword into the monster's neck, dark blood spouting out onto the rocks. More came. Twisted, dark ones—some flew, some crawled with too many limbs, their red glowing eyes famished. Fighting was difficult, their swords shining with starlight, their heavy breathing as they clashed for life. When the last beast was at their feet, Daisy gasped, her bloody dagger. "Is it always going to be like this?" Lleus wiped his sword. "Until we can retrieve Reika? Yes." A Desperate Search In the war room of the witches' coven, Reika sat in the center, eyeing the battle plans laid out on the table before her. She was geared up for war, head to foot. Any moment now, Ariadne would strike—of that Reika had no doubt. But a command would have to wait; Elira came crashing in. Reika's head snapped up at the look of terror on her friend's face. "What is it?" Elira's voice trembled with emotion. "Lleus… he's alive." The world spun for a moment. Reika's heart skipped a beat. "What are you saying?" Elira's hands trembled as she grabbed Reika's shoulders. "Alpha Lleus is alive! He's coming to you!" Reika took a step back, trying to believe the words. Lleus… alive? She stretched out as if she were feeling the touch of the link that had bound her to him once before with her hand against her heart—only there was nothing there. Her knees buckled. "I—I don't feel him." Elira's face stumbled. "He's trying to reach you, Reika. There's something blocking your bond." Frustration slammed at her. "Then I'll try harder." She shut her eyes and focused all her will on him. Lleus… if you can hear me, come to me. She gave everything she had to the call, her energy, her love, her desperation. But the line was still. A raw sob ripped from her throat. "I can't reach him." Elira buried her face in her hands. "You have to believe. He's coming. And when he arrives, we'll be ready." Reika wiped away the tears that were struggling to remain at the corner of her eyes. If Lleus was to survive, if he was indeed on his way to rescue her, then she was stronger than ever. For him. For them all. An Oath Under the Stars Far away in the darkness, Lleus was standing on the edge of a dark forest, his strength sapped but his determination unbroken. Viktor approached him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "We're close now." Lleus nodded, gazing out into the abyssal blackness of the forest. "Reika is in there. I know it." Alfonso looked at him uncertainly. "What if she doesn't recognize you?" Lleus breathed deeply. "Then I'll remind her." Daisy shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. "And if she's not the same?" Lleus turned to face them, his blue eyes burning with determination. "Then I'll fight for her until she is." Under the starlit sky, he made a silent vow. No matter what stood in his way, no matter what trials he had to endure, he would find Reika. And he would bring her home.