Chapter 196 DANE 1/7 I sat in my cell , feeling the sick glow of its walls pulse in time with the pounding of my head .


    Heavy , my limbs were dead , it was as if even my body was too much for me to handle , too much weight in the world .


    Then the air changed .


    Chilled and different , the weight of the Nameless filled the air .


    Heughed low , and twisted my stomach .


    Ah , Dane , his voice disturbed my ears .


    Shall we begin ? I didnt answer .


    My jaw was held tight , face fixed into the burning shadows in front of me .


    Youve held up admirably , the Nameless went on , his voice showing mockery .


    But no one resists me forever .


    Lets see how far you can bend before you break .


    It darkened and darkened , until it swallowed me whole .


    And then , the memories started .


    Memory One : The Day I Lost My Family I was back in the woods behind my childhood home .


    Heavy smoke filled the air ; the sharp smell of burning wood and flesh Chapter 196 suffocating .


    Dane ! my mothers voice came in panicked desperation .


    2/7 I ran toward the sound because heavy legs , like moving through quicksand , med around me , the screams of my pack everywhere .


    I found her at the edge of the clearing .


    Her body wasying over my younger sister .


    Soaked in blood her dress was covered and her breathing shallow .


    Run , she whispered , eyes ssy yet fierce , Run , and dont look back .


    Frozen , my heart pounding in my ears , I said , No , I can save you ! You cant , she said , her voice shattered .


    Dane , please .


    Protect her .


    But before I even had time to move , the shadow creatures descended ripping through the scene with ruthless efficiency .


    I screamed , but no sound came forth .


    The memory dissolved , leaving me gasping in the present .


    My hands shook , fists clenched .


    You failed them , the Nameless whispered , a voice of venom in my ear .


    You let them die .


    Shut up ! I shouted low and harsh and weak .


    Chapter 196 Memory Two : The Betrayal of Aurora 3/7 The scene changed , shifting and I was on a cliff , moonlight casting long shadows in the rough ground .


    Aurora stood before me , her eyes wide with betrayal .


    You promised , she whispered , her voice breaking .


    You said you would never let anything hurt me .


    I had no choice ! I screamed , my voice shattering .


    You had a choice , she said , and her voice was as cold as ice .


    And you choose yourself .


    Heavy with the weight of truth , her words fell hard against my chest .


    I reached out to her , but she was gone into the night , in darkness where no moon came .


    See ? said the Nameless .


    Even she can see you are a failure .


    I willed myself to breathe , closing my eyes .


    This isnt real , I muttered .


    This isnt real .


    Memory Three : The Children I was in the Broken Ridge packhouse , surrounded byughing and gisting children .


    My twins ran up to me , jumping from ear to ear .


    Daddy ! they chorused , holding my hands between their small palms .


    Chapter 196 4477 I bent dowmandswept them into my embrace .


    They felt so reall because of the waumithaand theirughter .


    Then , darkness .


    Deiughter turned into screams as their small bodies were pulled from my hold .


    No ! I roared after them .


    The shadows enveloped them and their wails went out of earshot .


    I fell onto my kness , weeping without control .


    You could never save them either , the Nameless said with his tone filled with satisfaction ..


    Memory Four : The Chains of the Nameless I could barely breathe before another memory came crashing down on me This was another memory .


    It hadnt been from my past it was now .


    I was back in the Namelesssir , the chainssglowing bright against my skin .


    The weight of them pressed me into the ground , their energy sapping every ounce of strength that I had .


    Why do you fight ? the Nameless asked , his shadowwylform growing over me .


    You will never win .


    I looked up at him , my vision blurred from tears , from exhaustion .


    Because I have to , I whispered .


    Because they Chapter 196 need me .


    Heughed ; his voice was deep , a threatening sound that seemed to echo through the chamber .


    Youre nothing but a pawn , he said .


    A weak and broken .


    pawn .


    You thought i will keep on chasing you , no im too smart and omniscient for that Then something changed .


    5/7 And so it had to be , for the Nameless stillughed in my brain , a light shone faintly there in that part of the room , soft , hardly to be discerned , yet an invitation .


    I crawled there , every movement an effort .


    I reached and it shone brighter ; its warmth cut through cold darkness .


    The chains at my wrists and ankles stirred and red in a wild disy of runes before dimming again as I approached it .


    Light wrapped itself around me , and I was standing in a huge , moon drenched meadow .


    There was a figure before me .


    Her hair rolled down her back like a fall of silver , and her eyes shone with soft , ethereal light .


    Who are you ? I called my voice shaking .


    She smiled wistfully , and in her eyes deep sadness showed .


    I Chapter 196 am a part of you , Dane .


    A part youve long forgotten .


    What do you mean ? I asked , my heart shaking in my chest .


    You carry within you the essence the essence of the Moon Goddess , she said easily .


    Her strength runs through your veins .


    6/7 The idea was so wild and ridiculous that , whirling , I stumbled a backward step .


    Impossible .


    I am but .


    You are more than you know , she cut in , her tone even .


    But the Nameless fear you because of that .


    He wants to break because he understands what you are capable of .


    you Ironically , it was she who instilled in me that sense of hope and dread .


    For if she were right , then there was still a chance , remote though it was , meaning that I could still strive for it and somehow make it through .


    What am I to do ? Believe in yourself , she said , and her voice was immediately so far .


    And remember , you are not alone .


    The light was gone , and I stood back inside the cell .


    The chains .


    still clung to me , but somehow their weight felt a little less than before .


    I clenched my fists as resolution burned inside me .


    The Namelessughed again , and this time it didnt shatter me .


    Chapter 196 I muttered , Ill show you , Ill show you what I am capable of .


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