Lost & Found

6.FIGHT & REALISATION

RAFAEL VALE:

WHAT IN THE WORLD'S ACTUAL FUCK!?

I HAVE A MATE!?

WHAT THE FUCK!?!?!?

BUT ZION IS GONE! AND HE IS NEVER GONNA COME BACK.

WHY?

WHY NOW?

WHAT IF SHE FINDS OUT, I'M HALF DEAD?

I need to get out of here.

"No! You are not!" She grunted.

She suddenly grew silent. Her body stood still as if she sensed  danger. Without warning, the mood turned, a chill seeping in like a shadow.

The world seemed to have slowed as an arrow sliced through the air with a deadly precision. My eyes tracked its path as it cut through the space behind me. Aria is behind me. There was no time to react, no chance to intervene. I could only watch helplessly as the arrow found its mark, piercing into her shoulder.

It struck with a sickening thud, burying itself deep into her flesh. She jerked as if struck by an unseen force, her body crashed down from the impact. For a moment, everything was silent. Then, a strangled gasp escaped her lips, her eyes widening in shock and pain as she touched her shoulder, watching her bloodied palm.

Crimson blood flowed from the wound, seeping into her clothes, colouring them bloody. The light in her eyes dimming, her strength fading with each passing second.

The reality of what had happened crashed over me, a wave of horror and disbelief. Recovering from the shock, I crashed down beside her. The arrow gleamed in the sunlight. Silver. It was a silver arrow.

Silver is fatal to wolves. The veins surrounding the wound started to pop out and turn black. One can see her vein system as they slowly started to show themselves. The silver is spreading in her system. I need to get it out of her as soon as possible. She struggled to stay upright as her life drained away.

"Ahh...this is gonna hurt alot. I'm so sorry" my voice trembling, my whole body shook at the horror infront of me. I am terrified.

Just pull it out Rafael. It's no big deal. You just have to hold the arrow and just pulling it out in the same trajectory. Its okay. You can do it!!

Pulling it out, a sharp cry of agony escaped her lips.

"Fuck!" She howled, cursing under her breath. Her voice hoarse and strained from the pain.

Too much blood was pooling around her from her shoulder. Her entire clothes turned bloody with in seconds.

What do I do?
What do I do?

I need to do something to stop the bleeding. She will die if I don't.

The black veins continued to spread as the silver flowed in her body even after pulling out the damn thing.

It's burning her inside out.

What do I do!?
What do I do!?
What do I do!?
What can I do?

Ofcourse I can! The darkness! I can stop the silver from flowing!

Come on Rafael! You can do it!

Imagine the darkness. I've always resented the darkness as it was given to me by him. The monster. The very blood thirsty cruel monster who went crazy and killed his own wife.

Now imagine a black layer forming around her shoulder, blocking the path and confining the silver in one place. Feel its presence. Feel the darkness. Feel the roaring darkness inside.

Feel it flowing out, towards her.

"Come on! Work! Come on Rafael! You can do it! Believe it!"

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ARIADNE HAWTHORNE:

The world around me blurred as the burning pain spread from the point of impact. My breath hitched, each inhale a struggle against the sharp, throbbing agony. The arrow's shaft quivered with every heartbeat, sending waves of nausea through me. My limbs grew heavy, and it felt like the ground was trying to pull me down, as I fought to stay upright, through every movement sent fresh jolts of pain rippling through my body. The warmth of my own blood trickled down, a reminder of the damage done.

Suddenly, the pain became bearable. The searing, unimaginable agony that spread with every passing moment stopped. There is pain, but not the burning pain as before whose aim was to kill me. I was left in stunned disbelief, my mind struggling to comprehend the abrupt absence of such overwhelming torment.

Opening eyes, there is Rafe. Tears falling, he was weeping uncontrollably.

Looking around a thick dark barrier hid us from the outsiders.

He was shaking, his hands on my injured shoulder. Did he help me?

He yelled, his eyes still closed "come on, come on, come on, you can do it Rafael".

His voice hoarse and trembling. He is horrified.

Cupping his face, I whispered "It's okay Rafe, I'm alright now"

Opening his eyes, his blood shot eyes tell me he has been crying for some time now.

He looked like a child who finally found something that was soo prescious to him. Just as he was gonna celebrate it, it began to crumble. Just like a sand castle being swept away by an unforgivable tide.

He looked lost as if his reason to live slipped through his finger like sand.

That is when the realisation hit me. It's not as if he didn't wanted a mate. It's just he didn't know how to accept it. It's okay. It's gonna take time but we will be fine.

"Rafe, I'm alright, it's okay!" I assured him touching his cheek.

He looked at me with those tearful eyes, those ocean blue eyes stained red. Making sure if I was really okay.

Now is not the time for this, I need to get rid of them. They interrupted our "talk" earlier.

How dare they?

"Rafe, the barrier thingy, pull it down, will ya?" I gave him a reassuring smile.

He just responded with a cute nod. How cute! He nodded like a little kid. Our mate is soo cute. Isn't that right Neo?

"Yes, the cutest".