Destined

24. The Soul Wood

Artemis dragged me deep into the soul woods while my mind reeled backward. My clan slaughtered before me. Each of them fought to free me from Alva's grasp, but they all failed. However, the one clansman I lost tore away at me every night. I found myself thinking of my father's demise.

"I implore you to release him. He will not serve you or any man." His voice was stern. "You have great power, but you cannot destroy us."

I ceased up when I found Artemis had noticed my hesitancy. "We need to keep going, Aiden."

An ache formed in my chest, and I tore my hand from her. I ran back to them all. Terror was all I felt. If my family fought now, it would lead them to their graves far too early.

"AIDEN! Stop!" Artemis cried after me, but I did not care.

My thoughts ran back to the blood and guts Alva stained my vision long ago.

My father's last words haunted me. "We will be the end of you, and your sins will purge you from this world."

I heard the battle ahead. Alva's yelling expanded across the wood. I ran faster and transformed into my beast form. I accelerated when I saw his murderous luster rearing its retribution. I jetted past my allies and leaped at Alva. I knocked him flat on his back. The eyes of my prey registered my presence. I pressed him to the ground. I howled, and he winced.

"My king, I knew you would not abandon me." His words had relief in them.

I snarled at him. "You killed them all! You made sure I would be the last because you feared the truth in my father's words."

He reached to touch me, but I bit his hand off at the wrist. "What nonsense did these fools put in your head, my lord?"

I dug my claws in him, and he stared at me with his detached hand in my mouth. I threw it aside. "I will not run from you. I will tear you from this world that you loathe."

He grinned. "Still harping on the past, but you care too much for those who do not see with your vision. But, I see what it is you so desire." He mocked while his hand regenerated. "You and I are immortal. Those fools will die one day whether I kill them here or not."

I returned to human form before I lost my mind. Tears tore down my cheeks. Alva took them from my world.

"You remember, but there is no point to this outburst."

"You bastard! What you have done will be the end of you!" I yelled and retreated from him. Thorns jutted out of the ground around Alva and coiled around his limbs. "You chose to hunt my clan and betray me. For that, you lose more than any man will."

"Aiden," Artemis latched onto my arm, but I knocked her away. "You cannot do this. If you kill him, he gets mercy from you."

Alva scoffed at his daughter's words. "Mercy, when did I ever want that? Foolish girl, you do not understand his majesty or I. The lot of you have no clue, and that is why he came back here."

"Kid, listen. Don't let him get inside your head. Will doing what you are about to do, undo what he has done?" Zelme reasoned.

I narrowed my eyes on Alva. "Immortal, you are not. Your power shall wane, and mine will remain." White flames burst up around mine, and I extended my arm out in front of me. I made a fist, and the light flexed and then transformed to cover my flesh. An armor formed from brilliance. Jade armor covered me from the neck down. "Fools who seek my clan's power are enemies. However, you have incurred more wrath for killing my people. Undo your curse now, demon, before you destroy any chance at my power."