The Last Black Wolf

Chapter 23

White light is all that enters my field of vision for a moment. When I blink, some color starts to fade in. As I look into the void of color, I can see myself laying in a hospital bed, but the image is still blurry. As the colors merge and become clearer, the white around me dissipates until I'm standing in the room with myself. I see a tube in my throat, no doubt to help me breathe. I see Ravyn sitting beside me, crushing my hand, tears in her eye as a nurse tries to patch the wound on my side to prevent any more blood loss. My vitals on the machine are weak. Very weak.

"Is there nothing I can do? I can't even try to see if I can heal her with magic? I know it probably won't work, but I have to try!" Ravyn's voice breaks as she pleads.

Before the nurse or doctor can say anything, I flatline. But, I don't feel any different from up here. I watch as they begin CPR on me.

"No! Kiara!" She squeezes my hand, "You have to live. We need you." That last part was almost nothing more than a whisper.

About half a minute passes before the time around me seems to stop. Everything and every one is frozen.

"What's going on?" I ask aloud.

"Technically, you're astral projecting." A feminine voice answers behind me.

I turn and come face to face with a beautiful woman. One I recognize from another memory. Another secret meeting like this, last time I nearly died.

"Moon Goddess. To what do I owe the pleasure? Have you come to guide my soul?" I ask, slightly irritated at this situation.

"Drop the formalities." I bite my tongue back at her tone. "You're still here because it seems we have some things to discuss. You are quite adept at getting yourself hurt. But, you destroyed the Cages and granted the souls taken by them, freedom."

"What do you mean?"

"All the black wolves that were killed, were never able to make it to the land above. Instead, they were stuck in a limbo-like plane this whole time. That is usually what happens to innocents who are murdered abruptly. Their souls are unable to find their way home and they become lost. After killing Hunter, vengeance was served and the light was provided to guide them all home. You did that." She adds at the end to make sure it sticks.

A sad smile hangs on my lips, "Were my parents also trapped?"

A small nod is all she gives me.

"You said we have to talk. Will this curse you gave me be addressed?

"It was never a curse. The Moon's wanted to twist my words for their own benefit. To frighten anyone who may ever have a girl. What you have is not a curse. It is a gift. A gift that grants you great power. You are the ultimate destroyer and healer. A powerful gift that I felt you deserved."

"But why? Why not give me something more docile, more controllable?"

"Because you are not a creature to be tamed and content with easy power. You are my best creation. Strong, powerful, kind, and ruthless. You are everything you need to be and more. Because I know you can control yourself.-"

"But what about the darkness? I couldn't control myself when it took over."

"There was never a darkness, child. That was simply you calling to you. You had an unexpected ability. You were able to cleave yourself in half. Much like how soulmates are truly one wolf cleaved in two. The half of you that you put away, the one with the ability to be ruthless and feel nothing is what made you a great warrior. When Hunter came into your life, you used that side of yourself less and less. He made you weak by making you believe you could let your guard down. And when his betrayal become evident, something clicked in you and locked away the part of you that didn't let such things bother you so much. The part of you that was the real you. Look deep inside yourself, Kiara, and I know you will find the answer you seek so much. I am not you and thus can truly answer why your cleaved soul was so cruel towards you."