Page 37 of The Fractured Veil

Each strike, each bite, was fueled by the overwhelming, instinctive need to protect, to keep her safe. And as the fight raged on, a disturbing realization began to dawn—I was enjoying it. I was okay with it. The raw, wild power surging through me was intoxicating. I wanted my beast to unleash hell on whoever dared messed with what ismine.

The creature snarled and fought back, its claws slashing at my flanks, tearing through muscle and fur, but I barely registered the pain. The rage inside me, inside the panther—the burning need to defend her—numbed everything else. Each time we tore into its flesh, each time our teeth sank into its throat, a thrill, dark and exhilarating, ran through me. It had hurt what'smine, dared to kill what'smine. It would pay. I wanted it to suffer, to feel every ounce of my fury, the full force of my wrath.

I could see the fear in the creature's eyes—the dawning understanding of its impending fate—as I overpowered it, our claws raking across its body, leaving deep, bleeding wounds in their wake. It tried to fight back, its wings flaring in a desperate, pathetic attempt to escape. Biting down on its shoulder, the metallic tang of blood filling my mouth, hot and coppery, as the creature let out a pained howl that was quickly choked off. It was exhilarating, a dark, savage satisfaction I had never experienced before. In that moment, lost in the bloodlust, it felt right. Terribly, terrifyingly right.

For the first time, the panther and I were working as one. Not fighting for control, not a desperate struggle for dominance, but a unity. It was as if the beast within finally understood, finally accepted, this shared purpose.

The beast within me reveled in the power, the raw, untamed dominance. I could feel its heart hammering against my ribs, a frantic, desperate beat as it struggled in vain to escape, to survive. But I wouldn't let it. I couldn't. Not after what it had done, the carnage it had unleashed. With a lethal snarl, I pinned it down, my muscles screaming in protest as I forced its thrashing body to the ground, my jaws closing around its neck in a vise-like grip. It let out one final, gurgling roar, a sound choked with fear and defeat, before its body went limp, its once-glowing eyes fading to dull, lifeless ash.

A heavy silence settled over the ravaged forest, the tension dissipating like smoke in the wind as I stood there, my chest heaving, the taste of blood thick on my tongue.

Whatwasthat beast? The sheer size of it, the raw power radiating off of it—it was unlike anything I'd ever encountered here. Sure, the Wonders of Nexara could be dangerous, full of creatures, traps, and mazes, but I've never seen anything likethatbefore. The way it moved, the chilling glint in its eyes—it was unnatural, a twisted mockery of the natural order, corruption that whispered of a darker influence.

My gaze shifted to Thalia, and the sight of her lying broken and bleeding amongst the debris—her normally vibrant auburn hair dull and matted—brought me crashing back to reality. The red haze of rage ebbed away, replaced by a deep, aching concern that twisted in my gut. She was alive—but barely. Her breaths were shallow, ragged gasps that caught in her throat. Relief warred with a surging panic within me as I cautiously took a step towards her, my paws treading lightly on the torn earth.

Slowly, hesitantly, I continued to approach, my eyes meeting hers. I could see the raw fear reflected in their gray depths, the disbelief, and something else—a flicker of recognition. Something that made my chest tighten with an emotion I couldn't quite name. I lowered my head, my senses overwhelmed by her scent, now mingled with the coppery tang of blood. Gently, I sniffed her injured arm. The claw marks were deep, ragged tears in her flesh that showed glimpses of bone beneath. A wave of nausea rolled over me at the sight of her pain, the shallow rise and fall of her chest. I wanted to comfort her—to let her know I was there, that I wouldn't let any further harm come to her. I nudged her hand with my nose, a low rumble vibrating in my chest.

She reached out, her fingers trembling as they brushed against my snout, a feather-light touch that sent a jolt through me. I closed my eyes, leaning into her touch, feeling a fragile connection spark between us. It was gentle, reassuring—a beacon of light in the darkness—and it made me want to stay by her side, to protect her, to never leave her vulnerable again. A soft whine escaped my panther, the sound a low, mournful plea, as if begging her to understand. It was as if he recognized something in her—a vulnerability that mirrored my own, a fragility that called to him, demanding he stand guard. The rumble in my chest deepened, a silent promise to keep her safe, a vow I knew, with every fiber of my being, I would keep.

But I couldn't stay—not like this. Not while she lay bleeding, her life fading away with each passing moment. I studied her pale face, the way her eyes fluttered shut, fighting to stay open.She's losing too much blood.

A wave of panic crashed over me, threatening to drown me in its intensity. I lowered my head, pressing my ear against her chest, listening to the frantic rhythm of her heart, each beat growing fainter, more fragile. She didn't have much time, and the crushing weight of helplessness was infuriating. My instincts roared, every fiber of my being screaming at me to do something, but I was powerless to heal, powerless to do anything but watch her slip away. What use was my strength, my beast, if I couldn't save her?

I began pacing, the soft earth giving way beneath my heavy paws. My mind raced, desperately searching for a solution—a way out of this nightmare. The beast inside me snarled in frustration. It clawed at the surface, desperate to act again, to take full control and unleash its anger on anything to help ease the pain we were both feeling. But what good was brute force against such a delicate injury? All I could do was watch, the hopelessness consuming me, tearing me apart from the inside. She needed help—real help, not the destructive strength that we could offer. She needed a healer, a touch far gentler than mine.

I let out a low, pained growl, the sound tearing from my throat. My gaze darted back to Thalia. She was barely conscious now, her breaths shallow and ragged, each one a struggle. I couldn't lose her. Not like this. Not after finally finding a connection—a sense of peace—I hadn't known since my grandmother. When I lost my grandmother—when I failed to protect her—my panther started taking full control, shutting me out when I shifted, leaving me lost in the beast's rage. The memory of the village burning, the screams echoing in my ears, was a constant reminder of my failure. I wouldn't let that happen again. I wouldn't fail Thalia. Not when she’d become the new source of my peace, the gentle hand that soothed the beast within.

I took one last look at her, memorizing the curve of her cheek, the delicate slope of her nose, before turning and sprinting into the forest. The undergrowth whipped past me as my paws pounded the earth with a single, desperate purpose. There had to be something—someone—who could help. A healer, a potion, anything. And I would find them, no matter what it took. I would scour every inch of this forest, every corner of this world, if I had to.

But amidst the fear and desperation, a single, unwavering resolve solidified within me. I would always come when she needed me. I would always be here, a silent guardian in the shadows, whether she liked it or not. And this time, unlike the fragmented memories of my past, I would remember every moment of it. Every second of her pain, every flicker of fear in her eyes, would be etched into my memory, a constant reminder of my vow to protect her.

Chapter17

Thalia’s POV

The sound of a voice—unfamiliar, yet gentle, as soft as a warm breeze—brought me back to reality. My eyes blinked open, the world around me blurred and hazy. Slowly, the shapes began to solidify, the colors to deepen, and the first thing I saw was a young man I didn't recognize, his face filled with concern, his brow furrowed with worry. "How do you feel?" he asked, almost tentative, as if he feared the answer.

Suddenly, like a dam bursting within my mind, everything came rushing back. The chilling shriek that echoed through the forest, the horrifying sight of the grotesque creature lunging towards me, the sharp sting of pain as its claws tore through my flesh. And the majestic form of the panther, its powerful body shielding me, its fierce growl echoing in my ears. My heart lurched in my chest, a wave of panic flooding me as I shot upright, my senses on high alert. My eyes darted around, searching frantically for something—someone—anything familiar to anchor me in this swirling vortex of fear and confusion. My heart raced as the adrenaline pushed away the lingering grogginess that still clung to me. My breath came in quick, shallow gasps, as if I'd just run a marathon. And then I saw him.

Nox

He was standing just a few feet away, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and relief, a look of raw, utter relief washing over his face. He let out a shaky breath, his shoulders relaxing, the tension visibly draining from his body as he rubbed his hands over his face, as if trying to compose himself. I could see the tension slowly fading away from him, replaced by a cautious hope that flickered in his emerald-green eyes.

The unfamiliar guy beside me shifted nervously, his eyes flicking between Nox and me, his gaze darting back and forth like a trapped bird. He looked terrified, his face pale and drawn, his lips trembling slightly as he spoke. "She's good for now," he said, his voice shaky and uncertain, "but you really need to get her to a proper healer. I-I only know so much. I did what I could, but her injuries are beyond my limited skills."

I tried to focus, to ground myself in the present, but everything felt strange—disconnected, like I was only half here, adrift in a hazy fog. Pain throbbed through my arm, a dull, persistent ache that pulsed a constant reminder of the severity of my injuries. The dried blood, a gruesome crimson stain, stuck to my skin, the coppery scent still lingering in the air, thick and metallic. The stranger's words barely registered, lost somewhere in the swirling whirlpool of my disorientation. My eyes locked onto Nox, searching his expression, desperate for an anchor in this bewildering reality. There was something different there—something deeper than just relief. Concern, fear, and something else I couldn't quite place flickered in his emerald depths, a complex tapestry of emotions I couldn't decipher.

"Where am I?" I managed to croak, my voice barely a whisper, raspy and raw from disuse. My throat felt dry and scratchy, each word a painful rasp as it passed my lips. My head spun, a dizzying carousel of fragmented memories and unanswered questions, as I tried to piece together the events that led me here.

The guy shifted again, wringing his hands nervously, looking hesitant before answering, "You’re safe for now. At least… as safe as you can be in this place." He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously. "I-I found you and did what I could to stabilize you, patched you up as best I could, but you really need more help than I can give. Your injuries are... extensive." His gaze flickered back to Nox—a silent plea for reassurance—who nodded curtly, his jaw clenched tight, the tension still obvious in his posture.

Nox took a step forward, closing the distance between us, his eyes softening as they met mine. "Thalia, you're going to be okay," he said, his voice steady and reassuring against the rising wave of panic, though I could hear the underlying strain beneath it, the tight control he was maintaining over his own emotions. He knelt beside me, his hand reaching out to rest gently on my uninjured arm, a light touch that radiated warmth. The warmth of his touch sent a wave of comfort through me, a grounding presence amidst the chaos, a lifeline in the swirling storm. "We’re going to get you to someone who can help. You just need to hold on a bit longer. Just stay with me."

I swallowed hard, the pain a searing brand in my throat, making it difficult to think, the world around me blurring in and out of focus like a poorly adjusted lens. My gaze flicked to the unfamiliar guy, who looked out of his depth, clearly trying his best but overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation. He shifted from foot to foot, wringing his hands, his eyes darting between me and Nox.

Nox turned to him, his eyes darkening slightly, a mask of control slipping over his features. "I’ll take it from here," he said, his tone firm, a subtle dismissal in his voice.

The guy nodded quickly, relief flashing in his eyes as he stepped back, giving us space. He mumbled something that sounded like, "Of course," before practically sprinting away, eager to escape the unsettling scene. I could feel my body growing weaker, the exhaustion creeping back in, threatening to drag me under once more into the oblivion of unconsciousness. My vision wavered, the edges darkening, the vibrant colors of the world fading into muted shades of gray, but I fought to stay awake, my gaze fixed on Nox as if he were the only thing tethering me to reality.

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