Eclipsed Destiny
The Flame of Power

The battlefield exploded into chaos.

The ringing of steel and the snarls of wolves filled the air, a deafening cacophony that resonated through the valley. Celia charged forward, slicing through the first rogue in her path with her blade. Her mark flared with heat, the power of the blessing surging through her veins. Overwhelming, she couldn't afford to think about it, not now. Not when the pack needed her.

Celia, stay close!" Aziel's voice sliced through the din, anchoring her.

She turned to see him fighting off two rogues at once, his claws flashing as he tore through their defenses. He moved like a force of nature, his strikes precise and deadly. Celia's chest tightened as she watched him, her heart pounding with a mixture of awe and fear. This was the man she'd bonded with, the Alpha who would lead them to victory-or fall trying.

"Focus, Celia!" Marcus yelled out, his blade clashing with a rogue's weapon nearby.

Celia snapped back to attention, her movements instinctive as she dodged an incoming attack. The rogue lunged at her, its teeth bared, but she sidestepped and drove her blade into its side. It let out a pained howl before collapsing to the ground.

The blessing flared again, the heat almost unbearable as it surged through her. Her vision blurred for a moment, the power threatening to overwhelm her. *Control it, she told herself. Focus.

She took a deep breath, grounding herself as the energy settled into a steady hum. She couldn't let it consume her-not here, not now.

"Celia, behind you!" Marcus's warning came just in time.

She spun around, her blade meeting the claws of another rogue. The impact shot a jolt through her arm, but she held her ground, her movements swift and deliberate. The rogue snarled, its red eyes glowing with rage, but Celia didn't falter. With a quick, precise strike, she took it down.

The blessing pulsed, and with each defeated enemy, the energy built inside it. It was as though the power was feeding off the battle, growing stronger with every passing moment. However, strength brings danger; Celia could feel that thin line between control and chaos.

"Celia!" Aziel's voice called again, pulling her attention to herself.

Turning she faced, seeing him stand in the middle of that battle ground surrounded by so many rogues that his blurs in the fighting could no longer keep them all from his grasp.

Her heart clenched, and without thinking she moved toward him. The blessing flared, its heat burning as she channeled the power of it into her blade. The weapon glowed faintly, a fiery edge that sliced through the air with deadly precision. She arrived at Aziel just as one of the rogues lunged at him from behind. The blessing guided her movements, her blade intercepting the attack with ease. The rogue let out a howl of pain before collapsing, its body lifeless at her feet. Aziel turned to her, his blue eyes sharp but filled with gratitude. "I told you to stay close."

"I am close," she shot back, the voice steady despite the chaos raging around them.

He gave her a small, fleeting smile, and then turned back toward the fight. Together they moved as one, every passing moment strengthening their bond. The blessing surged. Its power flowed between them like a current, and guided their strikes and keeps them in sync.

7---

The battle was still going, the valley a mad whirlwind of motion and noise. Rogues did not let up-there seemed no end to them-but the pack didn't yield; they kept their stance for home and future.

Celia's mark burned brighter with each passing moment, the blessing's power growing stronger. She could feel it building, a fire that threatened to consume her if she didn't replace a way to control it. But she couldn't stop-not now. Not when so much was at stake.

"Celia, fall back!" Marcus shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.

She swung her eyes to see him fighting the hulking rogue, which the rogue's claws were now clawing perilously close to his throat. Her heart was racing as she responded without thinking; she drew near to assist him. The blessing blazed in response, and its power surged as she reached forward, her blade slicing in true precision through the rogue's massive body.

Marcus stumbled backward, his chest heaving as he regarded her. "Thanks," he muttered, his voice strained.

Celia nodded, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Don't mention it."

But the moment of reprieve was short-lived. A howl echoed across the battlefield, deep and guttural, sending chills racing down Celia's spine. She turned toward the source of the sound, her eyes widening as she saw the rogue lieutenant standing atop a nearby ridge.

He cast his cold calculating eyes upon the battlefields as red glinting appeared out of the corners. Celia, in turn, seemed locked within the full attention of those cold glints.

A smile appeared upon his lips as his raised hand commanded his legions to charge forward. In their newfound ferocity, the rogues seemed coordinated. It was deadly to view. The pack reeled from their push as formation faltered before them.

"Keep your line steady," Aziel bellowed to pierce the disorganization of chaos.

Celia's chest tightened as she fought to hold her ground, her blade cutting through the rogues that came too close. The blessing flared brighter, its heat almost unbearable as she channeled its power.

But the rogues kept coming, their numbers overwhelming. For everyone they took down, two more seemed to take its place. The pack was struggling, their movements growing slower, more desperate.

Celia's mark flared with a burning intensity that made her gasp, as if the blessing inside of her had suddenly become more potent. It was too much, too strong; she felt herself dropping onto her knees, clutching at her arm as the energy threatened to consume her.

"Celia!" Aziel's voice sounded frantic as he rushed to her side. "What's happening?"

"I-I can't control it," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It's too much."

Aziel knelt beside her, steadying her hands as he gazed into her eyes. "You can. You're stronger than this, Celia. You can control it."

She met his gaze, breath shallow as she struggled to focus. The power of the blessing surged, but this time, she did not fight it. Instead, she let it flow through her, guiding it instead of resisting.

There is settled energy now, its heat held tightly and evenly. Celia pushes to her feet, and this time her blade is all alight with the magic of the blessing. Turning to Aziel, the girl's chest expands upon a deep breath.

"It's over," she states firmly.

Aziel's nod is fierce. "Together.

As they advanced toward the ridge, the rogue lieutenant's smirk grew wider. He raised his hand once more, and the ground beneath their feet trembled. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, its presence suffocating and powerful. Celia's heart stopped as she realized what it was-something ancient, something stronger than any rogue she'd ever faced.

The lieutenant's voice echoed across the battlefield, cold and mocking.

"The blessing won't save you this time, Luna."