Chapter 29
CARLYLE’S POV
Embarking on the journey to the distant land of Aridah proved to be no trivial feat, but my determination fueled every step. With unwavering resolve, I pressed forward, compelled by an unyielding commitment to unravel the mysteries that awaited me in the heart of Aridah.
As I treaded the path to Aridah, the landscape bore witness to the ominous signs that whispered an impending turmoil, an impending war. Small villages which were once vibrant hubs of life were now deserted along the way with no single sign of life in them. Hollow echoes replaced the usual hum of communal existence, leaving an unsettling. void in their wake. How did all these happen? I had taken my time to look around for clues.
Also, the cost of necessities like foods, weapons, clothing materials soared to unprecedented heights, rendering even the most basic of foods a luxury. The inflated prices which was a telltale sign of what was to come was a symptom of an impending conflict.
Questions danced in my mind like elusive specters. What ignited the flames of war in this seemingly serene land? On what basis did these villages become deserted, leaving their homes behind? The road to Aridah became not just a physical journey but a quest for answers.
But what caused the war? On what basis? Why were the villages deserted? Why was there no report about these things? I didn’t know and sought answers to the question by hastening my journey toward my destination.
Before getting to the land of Aridah, there is a particular piece if and where one must pass and that’s the Mountain of Canth. That was surely one dreadful name, a name that brings shivers down one’s spine. A place where all rationality could be lost if care is not taken. That was because of the
inhabitants of the area since the Canthrastras were sealed. On a normal day, the Canthrastras were the owner of the Mountain of Canth; it was a place where they had fun and a place where some of their pack tradition takes place. It was a holy mountain for them and was known to be the most peaceful mountain to ever exist since the supernatural realm came to exist.
However, that was then. Since the Canthrastras were sealed, legend has it that the Mountain of Canth has become the opposite of what it was. It was no longer a place of tranquil but now a place of danger. It was known to be very dangerous.
Werewolf rougues, beasts, maniac vampires and supernaturals took the place as their abode because they knew nobody ever dares come there because of the dread the tale of the Canthrastras lied them with.
The few that go there, are either so strong or they don’t come back.
Suddenly, two formidable beasts emerged, their sinewy forms a sign of raw strength. Their eyes were fierce and they were looking untamed. Surely, one wouldn’t find a sane beast out here for no reason. Both beasts locked at me with an instinctual challenge and without hesitation, I summoned my strength to fight back.
The clash was a symphony of snarls and ferocious roars with the beasts‘ muscles rippling with unrestrained power. I howled, the beasts made their sounds. My every instinct honed in on the ebb and flow of the struggle, a ballet of survival in the heart of the untamed wilderness. Soon after much waste of strength, the lifeless forms of the defeated beasts lay silent.
“Afantè!” I spat on their bodies. They should have known better than attacking me. That word was a swear word in my pack’s language.
“What’s going on?” I asked my wolf who suddenly became restless, wanting to take over my human senses. He failed to get what he wanted and began disturbing my mind. No matter how I tried to shut it off, he seems to have more power at that time. Definitely, something was wrong.
“Speak, Laryl. What’s going on?” I asked, groaning out of the pain he inflicted on me by wanting to separate our minds from each other. If Laryl should succeed, then I’m more like a living dead.
“What…” I wasn’t able to complete my question when the smell wafted across my nose.
Her!
“Our mate! Mate!” Laryl finally calmed down when he noticed that I’d found out what was happening.
“Mate!” Was all he said to me. Sidonnie! I looked around, trying to figure out why her scent was around. Moving forward, her scent became stronger.
“You could have just said it plainly, you know.” I said to Laryl.
“I should say that she’s around here for you to act like an asshole again?” He fired back. I knew where he was heading with his speech. Since we left Rex’s Pack, Laryl had been angry with me because of how I acted nonchalantly toward her when she was being
used as a threat to me.
“You don’t have to get had, buddy. It was all calculated. I knew Rex wouldn’t do anything to her.”
“No, you’re wrong. You took risk.”
“I know so well what I did. You don’t have to get mad and never should you threaten me the way you did just now.” I warned to Laryl’s amusement.
Blood! Blood! The strong scent of blood suddenly filed the air and Donnie’s scent became stronger with every step I took.
“She’s injured” I mumbled after listening in on the father distance ahead. From the
voices and sounds I could get, she wasn’t alone. I hurried up towards the directio
where her smell was quite stronger and I saw her.
She was looking all terrified and scared as some dark men surrounded her. The sky was beginning to get darker but it wouldn’t hurt to take some time in her quest. I wanted to intevene hurriedly but I had a second thought which made Laryl get angry at me once again and tried to surface but I was quick to shut him off this time.
Standing at a distance, I watched as she battled with the six masked men that encircled her in the midst of tree and flowers. She started out good in defending herself as she ran about the space. Like someone playing with a child, she ran around, dishing hier attack near her. The scene looked like one of a little child playing a round about game with six adults. Property © NôvelDrama.Org.
The moment I heard her wince, my countenance changed. Her leg was injured already. Nevertheless, she tried to escape still. Such strong spirit! She could only be my woman. The goddess chose well for me, though, she needed more training definitely. Then again, she was hit with another weapon on that same leg, making her bleed more. She couldn’t withstand the chase any longer and I decided to interfere.
“Kill!” I ordered the invincible death forces around me and they had the masked men dead within a couple of seconds. I had to save her. Moreover, she was my girl, my
woman.