Eclipsed Destiny
Hunted by Shadows

The night closed heavy over the pack, like a hood, with darkness hanging in a thick veil over the forest. The breathless warning from the scout sent ripples of fear over the gathering, extinguishing the brief flicker of hope Aziel's words had lit. Celia stood there unmoving by the fire, which did little to counteract the cold dread coiled in her chest.

"They're on the move," the scout repeated, his voice hoarse from the run back to the settlement. "Dozens of them. Maybe more."

Aziel was the first to respond, his commanding presence slicing through the growing panic. "How far out are they?" he asked, his tone sharp but measured.

"Half a day's run at most," the scout replied. "They're not hiding their movements. It's as if they want us to know they're coming."

Aziel's jaw tightened, and he turned to Marcus. "Double the patrols along the borders. I want scouts keeping constant eyes on their position. Everyone else prepares for a fight."

The pack sprang to action; fear turned into grim determination as they set off. This was different from their earlier encounters with the rogues. The death of the rogue Alpha had made them more fierce, and their strength appeared endless. Celia felt the mark on her arm throb faintly, a persistent reminder of the blessing's presence. She wanted to help, to contribute in some way, but doubt gnawed at her resolve. She had unleashed the blessing's power before, but each time it felt like she was walking a razor's edge, one misstep away from losing control.

Aziel came closer to her and his blue eyes softened as their gazes met. "Celia," he murmured low enough that she alone could hear him. "I know what you feel, but we need you badly now."

She swallowed with difficulty, trying to settle her hands that were shaking precariously. "What if I cannot control it?" she asked, her voice barely audible. "What if I make things even worse?

"You won't," Aziel declared. "You're stronger than you realize. The pack believes in you. I believe in you."

Some warmth filled her at his words, but the weight of all this pressed down on her and forced her to nod curtly. She met his eyes as best she could manage, even forcing a smile with a hard mouth. "I'll do my best." "That's all anyone can do," Aziel said softly.

Hours passed in tight preparation. The pack worked hard at reinforcing the settlement, building barricades and reinforcing weak points along borders. Celia joined Luna in preparing for the wounded; her hands trembled as she sorted through bandages and salves.

The rogues were nearby. She could feel it in the air, a stifling pressure that seemed to weigh heavier with each passing moment.

As dawn broke, the scouts returned with grim news. "They're less than an hour away," one of them reported, his face pale. "And they've brought reinforcements."

Aziel's expression darkened, but he didn't hesitate. "Get everyone into position," he ordered. "We meet them at the outer boundary. If they break through, we'll fall back to the settlement."

Celia followed him as he moved to the front lines, her heart pounding in her chest. She could see the tension in his jaw, the weight of his decisions pressing down on him.

"Aziel," she said, her voice trembling. "If something happens-"

"Nothing will happen," he interrupted, his tone firm. "We'll get through this, Celia. Together."

The connection between them pulsed faintly, steady and reassuring, even as fear threatened to consume her. She nodded, taking strength from his confidence. The pack waited at the edge of the forest, scanning the horizon for signs of their enemy. Tension lay heavy in the air, punctuated only by the distant song of birds rising into flight.

Then came the rogue group.

The rogues crested out of the darkness like a tidal wave, with glowing red eyes full of malice. They ran at unnatural speed, growling and snarling their way toward the pack.

Aziel let out a fierce howl, and his body changed into wolf form. The pack moved similarly, rippling through strength as they prepared to take the onslaught.

Celia hung back, her heart pounding as she watched the two groups collide. The clearing became a blur of claws and teeth as the pack fought to keep the line.

She raised her hand, feeling this entity's power surge within her. But before she could let it loose, a shrill cry caught her attention.

Luna was surrounded, her usually calm demeanor replaced with fierce determination as she fought off the rogues closing in on her. Celia didn't think she acted. She released a wave of energy that sent the rogues flying, the force of it leaving her momentarily dizzy.

Luna turned to her, her eyes wide with surprise. "Celia, you shouldn't-"

"I couldn't let them hurt you," Celia said, cutting her off.

Before Luna could respond, a new sound cut through the chaos-a low, rumbling growl that sent shivers down Celia's spine. She turned to see a massive rogue stepping into the clearing, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. "It's a trap," Aziel growled, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "They're drawing us out."

The rogue let out a bone-chilling howl, and the forest seemed to come alive with movement. More rogues poured in from every direction, their numbers overwhelming.

"Fall back!" Aziel ordered, his voice filled with urgency. "Regroup at the settlement!"

The pack began to retreat, but the movements were coordinated, almost choreographed, in spite of the chaos. Celia clung to Luna, her heart racing as they moved back toward the settlement.

But the thieves did not relent; they pursued the pack with viciousness that caused waves and waves of fear to race through Celia. And she felt the blessing burning up inside of her, urging her to fight, but this was one thing she didn't know if she could achieve.

By the time they arrived at the settlement, the rogues caught up right behind them. The pack hardly had the time to assume their posts before the attack was launched.

The settlement was thrown into chaos as the rogues broke through the outer defenses. The pack fought valiantly, but the sheer number of enemies threatened to overwhelm them. Celia stood at the center of it all, her mark glowing brightly as she struggled to control the blessing's power.

"Celia!" Aziel's voice cut through the noise, drawing her attention. "Now's the time. We need you!"

She took a deep breath and centered herself. The blessing surged within her, and she unleashed it in a controlled burst, the energy spreading out in a wave that sent the rogues reeling back in.

The pack rallied around her, renewed by her display of power. Together, they started to push the rogues backward, unity and determination stronger than ever.

But just as triumph seemed within reach, a deafening roar shattered the air. Celia turned to see a massive figure emerging from the shadows-a rogue unlike any she had seen before. Its form was twisted and monstrous, its eyes burning with a dark, unnatural light.

The pack froze, their earlier momentum faltering, as the rogue advanced.

"It's him," Aziel said, his voice full of dread. "The rogue Alpha's second-in-command."

Celia felt her stomach drop. This was no ordinary enemy. This was a force of pure darkness, and it was coming straight for her.

7---

As the monstrous rogue came charging towards her, the blessing sprang to life inside Celia. Energy, now burning brighter than it ever had before, cried to be released.

She lifted a hand, her heart beating wildly as she steeled herself to face the foe head-on. But she could not act when a shadow loomed over her, sending the world into darkness.