Chapter 202 1/7 AURORA The battlefield is chaotic , twisting , filled with shadows running around us , their weird motions somehow uniform , as if dancing to some unheardmand .


    My heart pounds fast as I let loose another burst of energy into the chaos .


    The earth shakes under the force of my attack .


    But its not enough .


    The pack fights valiantly , their strength and resolve evident in every swing of a de , and every sh of ws .


    Yet I can feel their doubt , their hesitation .


    Shes too unstable , a voice whispers behind me .


    Were following someone who could lose herself at any moment , another mutters .


    I clench my fists , the whispers cutting deeper than any de .


    We dont have time for this , Piper snaps , her tone razor sharp .


    Standing beside Warrick , she stares hot daggers at the doubters .


    Auroras the only reason were still alive .


    If you cant see that , youre blind .


    Chapter 202 2/7 And what if she loses control ? a wolf responds ,cing his tone .


    with a thread of fear .


    What happens then ? Ill tell you what happens , Dane says , pushing to the front .


    Hist solid form and thick voice .


    She saves us .


    Because thats what shes always done .


    The pack quiets , turning to look at both Dane and me .


    Enough , I say , a firmness in my voice .


    We dont have the luxury of doubt .


    If we dont stand together , we wont stand at all .


    The battle thickens , and the forces of the Nameless suddenly change and start pressing in harder .


    Were holding our own , yet it feels like barely .


    Each step forward bes resistance , every victory overshadowed by another onrushing wave of the enemy .


    Theyre endless , Warrick mutters , breathing quickly .


    No , Dane says , gaze fixed on the horizon .


    Theyre not endless .


    Theyre anchored .


    Whats that supposed to mean ? I ask him , turning .


    Dane nods toward the shadows , his eyes narrowing .


    The Namelesss power isnt infinite .


    Hes drawing it from somewhere , a focus point , an anchor .


    Chapter 202 3/7 Then we destroy it , Piper says , determination hardening her voice .


    Its not that simple , Warrick counters , his tone sad .


    If we destroy the anchor , itll trigger a surge of energy , a bacsh that could kill whoevers near it .


    A heavy silence falls over us , the weight of the revtion sinking in .


    Someones got to get close enough to destroy it , I say , trying to sound steady , but inside my mind is racing .


    But they wont make it out in time .


    Then who do we send ? Piper asks , her voice barely above a whisper .


    We all but huddle together , lost in the impossibility of it .


    Fighting continues to rage around us , the sh of steel , cries of wounded , a reminder of what was at stake .


    Ill go , Warrick says suddenly , his tone resigned .


    No , I snapped , my heart clenched .


    Well find another way .


    There is no other way , he said , his eyes locking with mine .


    You know that as well as I do .


    I could not entertain the notion of anyone being taken away , or sent to their death .


    Before I can continue arguing , however , amotion diverts our attention .


    Chapter 202 On the other side of the battlefield , someone marches 4/7 purposefully towards the anchor .


    The air crackles around him , the shadows seeming to recoil in fear .


    Who is that ? Piper asks , her voice full of wonder and confusion .


    A figure spins briefly , his face shining for a moment by the flickering light of the battlefield .


    It looks familiar but I cant pinpoint where or who it is .


    Trajan ?! I call out , my voice breaking .


    He stops halfway , not enough for me to see his face , and turns , his faceposed , almost serene .


    Consider this my little sacrifice , he calls out above the chaos of the battle .


    And with that , before any of us can even move to stop him , he steps into the heart of the enemys forces , unwavering .


    Who are you , please no , no ! Dane screams , his voice hoarse from desperation .


    But its toote .


    He was sucked into the dark ; with every step farther he takes , the anchors ominous glow weakens .


    This quietens the pack to dumbfounded silence , all the weight of what the person said heavy upon the atmosphere .


    He knew , Piper says , in a mere whisper .


    He knew what he Chapter 202 was doing .


    5/7 I can feel my chest tightening , unable to wrap my head around this one thing , Whosoever it is , his sacrifice its too much .


    We need to move , Dane says , his voice cutting through the haze of shock .


    If this works , the Namelesss forces will weaken , but well only have a small window to strike .


    I nod , forcing myself to focus .


    Lets finish this .


    But who could that be Consider this my little sacrifice , the voice says , disappearing into the darkness .


    The pendant reyed the figure faced for me like a vision and the figure fully turned to me then , and I saw his face illuminated in the soft glow of the anchors malevolent energy .


    Its Holden .


    I am paralyzed , my breath choked in my throat .


    His dark eyes … those always weighted with secrets and with guilt … are shining with something foreign to me … peace .


    Holden , no ! I scream , The pack surrounding us has stood silent and aghast as Holden pushes forward relentlessly , his body stark against bem .


    Blurring shadows make desperate attempts at clutching air for Chapter 202 him yet he presses ahead , sure footed and untouchable .


    6/7 Why would he do that ? Piper is muttering over the chaos of this battle .


    Because he wants to make it right , Dane says back , his tone somber .


    I shake my head , and my heart drums against my chest .


    He doesnt need to do this .


    Theres supposed to be some other way ! But its well .


    As he reaches the anchor , a rough pulse of dark energy , the earth stirs beneath his feet .


    The shades grow wild , tree branches desperately , but he doesnt give in .


    Holden ! I shriek again … the sting of tears burning my eyes .


    You dont have to prove anything .


    Come back ! He turns once more .


    This is my choice , Aurora , he says , steady as stone .


    For my daughter .


    For the family , I failed .


    For all of you .


    My throat clenches tight , words somewhere between a sob and a scream .


    Take care of them , he says , his eyes locking with mine .


    Youre stronger than you think .


    Stronger than I ever was .


    Chapter 202 And then he steps forward , directly into the anchors aura .


    The moment his hand touches the anchor , light explodes in a blinding surge of energy that ripples across the battlefield .


    Shadows scream and scream , their forms dissolving into nothingness as the anchor begins to copse .


    7/7 The bacsh is instant .


    A wave of power bursts from the anchor , shredding everything in its path .


    Holden is at its center , his body glowed with the light of its destruction .


    Holden ! I screamed , falling onto my knees as the shockwave threw me back .


    When the light fades , the anchor is gone .


    And so is he .


    The battlefield grows still .


    The Namelesss forces break , their cohesion shattered as they flee into the night .


    But victory hangs suspended in the air .


    Hes gone , Piper says , voice shaking .


    Danes hand mps on my shoulder , anchoring me .


    He made his choice , Aurora .


    I never knew it was Holden , I thought it was Trajan that is back and with us now but still .


    We have to honor it by finishing this .