Page 19 of Wolf Proclaimed

Dmitri's expression, usually full of mirth and warmth, hardened into serious lines. "We heard, Bastian," he said, his voice carrying a heavy solemnity. "It's... it's a lot to process."

"It is," I concurred, my eyes darting between the pair. "Gretel thinks the solution lies in eliminating one of Mira's dual natures. But how can we decide which to sacrifice?"

Theon ran a weary hand through his hair, his gaze intense and thoughtful. "I've been observing Mira, Bastian," he began, his tone resolute. "When she transforms into her wolf form, there's a noticeable tranquility, a sense of calm. It's as though her wolf side anchors her, maintains her equilibrium."

Dmitri nodded, his agreement tangible. "I've seen the same. The witch aspect seems to cause her turmoil, destabilizing her. It's as if her wolf nature provides a guiding purpose, whereas her witch side fragments her... destabilizes her.”

His words struck me like a thunderclap, both surprising and enlightening. "So, you're implying that we should... excise the witch aspect?"

Dmitri didn't hesitate. "If it's a choice between losing Mira completely or losing a piece of her... yes. We should let Gretel remove her witch side."

A sense of relief began to uncoil within me. Amidst the darkness of our situation, a glimmer of hope began to shine. Perhaps there was a way to save Mira without tearing her identity to shreds.

With a renewed sense of purpose, we walked toward Gretel's quarters, the three of us a united front. I felt a knot in my throat as we approached the door, but the presence of Theon and Dmitri steadied me.

"Are we sure about this?" I asked, my voice a whisper. They both nodded in unison, their resolve giving me the courage to knock.

"Come in," Gretel called from inside. As we stepped into the dim room, I saw her sitting by a small table, her eyes filled with a weighty sadness only a mother could know.

"Gretel," I began, my voice steady but barely audible. "We need to talk about Mira."

"I thought you might," she replied, gesturing for us to sit. As we did, I looked at her, this powerful woman about to make the most painful decision a mother could face.

"Theon and Dmitri have been observing Mira closely," I began, glancing at them for support. "They believe that it's her wolf side that's keeping her stable, that provides her a sense of calm."

Gretel's eyes darted between us, her features hardening. "You suggest I should erase her witch side?"

The room went silent as the gravity of our proposition sunk in. Theon spoke up, his voice resonating in the quiet room. "Yes, Gretel. We believe it's what Mira needs to survive."

A painful silence filled the room once more as Gretel absorbed this information. Then, she took a deep breath, nodding slowly as if convincing herself. "If it's what will save my daughter... then it must be done. Mira's survival is paramount. Even if it means severing her from her witch lineage."

With her decision, we could only hope it would save Mira and bring her back to us, whole in spirit if not in identity. The path was laid bare; all that was left was walking down it.

We found Mira lying still, her face pale in the dim light. The room was heavy with apprehension, the air thick as we all watched Gretel prepare herself for what was to come. Her eyes were determined but glossy, a mother's love and pain swimming in their depths.

"Remember," Gretel began, her voice trembling, "this is for her. We're saving her from herself."

Theon and Dmitri nodded; their faces etched with worry. I stayed silent, my heart pounding so loud I thought it would burst out of my chest.

Gretel knelt beside Mira, placing her hands on either side of her head. She closed her eyes, her lips whispering magic so ancient and powerful it made the air hum with energy. I held my breath, watching Mira's body twitch, her eyelids fluttering.

It was as if an unseen force was being wrenched from her. Gretel's voice grew louder, the words of the spell resonating throughout the room. Then, with a final, almost desperate push, Gretel's hands flew off Mira's head, and she slumped backward, gasping for breath.

I rushed forward, catching Gretel before she hit the ground. She was cold, her body shaking from the immense effort. But her eyes were alive, looking towards Mira with an almost unbearable intensity.

The room fell silent, the aftermath of the magic leaving an eerie stillness. All eyes were on Mira now, her body lying motionless on the bed. We waited, each second ticking slower than the last, for some sign of life.

Then, finally, her chest rose and fell. Mira was breathing. She was alive. But the fear of what we'd just done, of what we'd taken from her, lodged in my throat like a stone. We had saved Mira, but at what cost? The answer to that, we soon discovered, would hit us harder than we ever imagined.

Mira's gasp shattered the stillness in the room. Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing confused eyes. They scanned the room, landing on each of us in turn. I found myself holding my breath as I watched her, an overwhelming wave of relief washing over me. She was alive

"Mira," I breathed out, rushing to help her from the infirmary bed. But as I drew nearer, I felt a cold sense of dread creeping in. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she looked at me, and then it hit me like a punch to the gut—there was no recognition in her eyes.

"Mira?" I asked again, softer this time, fear knotting my stomach.

Her gaze flickered between me and the others, a panicked expression slowly forming on her face. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice shaking. "Who... who am I?"

Her words sounded through the room like the tolling of a bell, a portent of doom. We froze, the silence so profound it was as if time itself had stopped.

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