Chapter 203 1/7 AURORA I nod , fighting down the sorrow welling in my throat .


    No time to mourn yet .


    The pack turns to me once we gather into some sign of formation , seeming to await directions .


    My body seems to do its own thing , though inside , I remain in a bubble of disbelief .


    But then , the pendant around my neck begins to glow , its light brighter than ever before .


    A familiar warmth spreads through me , and suddenly , Im standing in the silver meadow once more .


    The Moon Goddess appears , her form radiant and serene .


    Aurora , she says , her voice filled with both sorrow and hope .


    You stand at the precipice of destiny .


    I fall to my knees , the weight of everything falling hard upon me .


    I cant do this , I whisper .


    Im not strong enough .


    You are stronger than you believe , she replies , kneeling before me .


    But strengthes with sacrifice .


    Her words hang in the air , heavy with meaning .


    What do you mean ? I ask though I fear the answer .


    Chapter 203 2/7 The power within you is not to be used lightly , she says .


    To fully merge with my essence , to use the strength that will help you defeat the Nameless , you have to give up your mortal life .


    I catch my breath .


    You mean … Ill die .


    She nods , her face soft but unyielding .


    Your spirit will live on , to guide and protect your pack .


    But your time as Aurora will be over .


    Her words fall heavy upon me , crushing .


    Pictures sh through the eye of my mind : Dane , Piper , Warrick , and the pack .


    I think of the battles weve been through , and the bonds that have formed .


    And then I think of Holden , of his sacrifice , of the peace in his eyes when he made his choice .


    How can I leave them ? I whisper , tears streaming down my face .


    You will not save them , the goddess says .


    You will enable them .


    Your sacrifice will be what arms them to survive .


    I closed my eyes , heart shattered .


    Do I have a choice ? You always do , she returns .


    When the vision clears , I find myself back in battle .


    Danes by my side .


    His eyes rake over mine .


    What did she say ? he repeats , this time low .


    Chapter 203 3/7 I breathe deep , the resolution settling heavily in my chest .


    She told me what I have to do .


    Danes face twists , a flicker of fear crossing his face .


    Aurora , no .


    There has to be another way .


    There isnt , I say , firmly .


    This is the only way to end it .


    The pack gathers for the final attack , their resolve strengthened by the withdrawal of the Namelesss forces .


    But as we reach hisir , the air thickens with malevolence .


    The Nameless awaits .


    Thisir is a maze of shadow , with each corridor pulsating with .


    dark energy .


    As we press further inside , the sense of tension rises .


    Then , we found him .


    Standing at the heart of their , the Nameless towers above them , dark and looming .


    Suddenly , there is a sh of malevolence within his eyes as he speaks in a voice venomously sibnt .


    You think you can defy me ? he jeers .


    You are nothing .


    Dane presses forward , shining de at the ready .


    Well see about that .


    It is a brutal fight ; every strike thatnds is met with a counter of equal force .


    The power of the Nameless is crushing ; hist Chapter 203 shadows will not stop .


    4/7 At the height of the chaos , Trajan appears out of nowhere , hist eyes aglow with the influence of the Nameless .


    Trajan lunges at me with deadly precision , his de to me .


    Trajan , stop ! I beg , my voice breaking .


    For a moment , hist movements falter , a flicker of recognition crossing his face .


    Aurora ….


    he whispers , straining .


    But the Namelesss hold tightens , and he surges forward .


    Time slows as Dane throws himself between us , blocking the blow .


    The sh of their des echoes through their , the air crackling with energy .


    Trajan , fight it ! Dane yells , his voice filled with desperation .


    Trajans expression twists with pain and fury , the battle raging not just between them but within him .


    Finally , with a roar , he breaks free , his de ttering to the ground .


    Im sorry , he gasps , his body trembling .


    And before I utter a word , Nameless bursts into a peal ofughter as cold blood runs in my veins .


    You think youve won ? he said .


    This is only the beginning .


    The Namelesssughter rang out across their , everyugh was piercing like a thrust into my will .


    In front of me , het A Chapter 203 5/7 rises twisted from shadows and raw malice .


    The aires down , making every breath an immediatebor with his power .


    his You think you can challenge me , child ? He sneers at me , voice a hissing promise of venom .


    You are but a spark in the face of the void .


    My fingers clench tight over the pendant at my chest , its glow a faint beacon against smothering darkness .


    I may be a spark , I say , forcing strength into my voice , but even a spark can ignite a ze .


    He lunges first , his shadows tumbling towards me in a wave ; I toss a shimmering barrier of light before him , letting the Moon Goddesss power run through me .


    The forces met , and it shuddered in the ground around our feet .


    The pack scatters ; shockwaves from our impact send debris cascading from above .


    I can hear Pipers voice calling orders , the tenor of her tone urgent as she ushers everyone to higher and safer ground .


    Get out of here ! I yell , never taking my eyes off the Nameless .


    Aurora , we cant just leave you ! Danes voice cuts through the chaos , but theres a shake in it , fear , desperation .


    Chapter 203 6/7 You have to , I say , my voice firm .


    This fight isnt for you .


    Its mine .


    The Nameless doesnt wait for an invitation .


    He lunges , his shadowy form twisting impossible ways as he closes the distance between us .


    I meet him head on ; our powers sh in a dazzling explosion of light and darkness .


    The pull is immediate .


    Every ounce of energy that I draw from the Moon Goddess seems to be tearing me apart , the power too vast for my mortal body to contain .


    You cannot win , the Nameless sneers , its voiceing from all sides .


    You are already breaking .


    I sh my teeth , forcing myself with all my might .


    Then Ill break , I snarl through my teeth , but Ill take you with me .


    Dane charges forward , his de a shing blur , but is engulfed by shadows before he can strike and flung like a rag doll .


    Dane ! I scream in panic as he hits the ground , not moving .


    Im fine , he groans out , stumbling to his feet .


    His eyes sh to mine , all frustration .


    Aurora , let me help ! You cant , I say , my voice breaking with emotion .


    This isnt a battle you can fight .