"She Will Sacrifice Herself to Restore Peace"
---
"Sorry—it was a mistake," Haven said, his voice low, regret sharp in his tone.
Ariel's eyes widened in horror. "N–no, sir! It wasn't him!" she stammered, her voice trembling. "I—I'm responsible. Please… don't punish him, he didn't do it!"
"No," Haven cut in firmly, "it was me. I did it, and I apologize for my immoral act."
"Stop lying!" Ariel pleaded, her voice cracking. "He's just trying to take the blame for me, please don't—"
"Enough!"
The roar that followed thundered through the hall. The Alpha's fury was deafening, his voice shaking the air and making Ariel flinch as though struck.
He closed his eyes briefly, his massive frame rigid as he fought for control. Then he exhaled, long and cold.
"You two are useless," he growled, his tone calm but venomous. "And thank you… for volunteering yourselves for demise. But first—" his eyes gleamed with a cruel smirk, "you'll taste my punishment."
Ariel gasped. Demise? Oh, gods, what have I done? Panic clawed at her chest. A single cough and now I'm heading to the land of Lycans… Please, no. I don't want to die there.
"Prepare my horse!" the Alpha commanded. "Tie them both to it. They'll run beside me until we reach the Central City of Demise!"
His words struck like lightning. Guards scrambled to obey.
---
In Alpha Horace's Residence
The grand mansion hummed with disciplined silence. Lycans stood guard in perfect formation—four at the gates, two at the main entrance, seven by the rear, the rest patrolling the grounds.
Inside, laughter and the scent of roasted meat filled the refectory hall. The long mahogany table gleamed under the chandelier, lined with dishes and silver goblets of red wine.
The double doors swung open.
Alpha Horace strode in—majestic, dangerous, the very definition of power. His aura alone silenced the room.
"Morning, Alpha!" everyone chorused, rising instantly. Everyone—except Alicia, the purple-haired witch, who merely smirked and sipped her wine.
"Sit," Horace commanded, his voice smooth yet commanding.
Alicia scoffed. "You Lycans and your pompous greetings. How tiresome."
"How rude," Kai snapped back, flashing a cocky grin. "We're trained to show respect—unlike some spoiled witches."
"Tsk. You again, mutt?" Alicia shot back, eyes glinting dangerously.
"Must you two always start?" sighed Tiasses, the elegant gumiho, her tails flicking lazily behind her.
"Respect is everything," Xavier added, calm and stoic. "We honor our superiors."
Alicia's sharp tongue fell silent the moment his voice cut through the air.
---
Horace turned toward a young woman who had barely blinked since he entered. "How was your sleep, Eva?"
She smiled shyly, her cheeks flushed pink. "I slept fine, Alpha."
"I've told you before," he said softly, "don't call me that."
"Yes… Brother Horace," she corrected, her voice trembling slightly. "How about yours?"
"You forget," he murmured, locking eyes with her, "I don't sleep at night."
"Oh!" she gasped. "I—I could help you with your work at night… or keep you company, if you'd like."
A low chuckle escaped his lips. "I wouldn't dare disturb your beauty sleep. I already have enough things keeping me company at night." His gaze softened. "But it's good to know you care."
Her heart skipped. That one word—care—sent warmth rushing through her chest.
"Seriously? What about me?" Kai whined dramatically. "I'm jealous over here!"
"Act like a man for once," Alex said dryly, not looking up from his plate.
"Did I ask you, doctor?" Kai shot back.
"The Kai I know will never change," Horace said, laughing lightly as the room erupted in amusement.
---
The laughter faded as Alicia began to hum—a haunting, ethereal melody that made the air itself tremble. Xavier's head lifted at the sound. Their eyes met. Only for a second. But it was enough to make him look away, pulse quickening.
"You always hum that song," Samuel spoke for the first time. "What are the words behind it?"
All eyes turned to her.
Alicia took a deep breath and looked straight at Horace. "Horace," she said softly.
"Hm?"
"I've finally figured it out—the meaning behind this song. It's not just a melody… it's a prophecy."
The room fell utterly silent.
"After the first great war," she began, "before my grandfather disappeared, he left behind a divine writing—a message from the gods. For years, I couldn't decipher it. But now I understand. It speaks of what's coming…"
Then she sang, her voice soft as silk but heavy with fate:
♪ A goddess will be born from two different beings… ♪
♪ And she will sacrifice herself to restore peace… ♪
Her voice faded, leaving only silence and shivers.
Horace leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "A prophecy? I knew the war would rise again, but I never heard of this goddess."
Alicia smirked faintly. "See why it's wise to keep a witch around?"
Xavier frowned. "Two different beings… it didn't say which kinds?"
She shook her head slowly. "No. It didn't."
Kraven grinned, his canines flashing. "If I knew who they were, I'd hunt them down and bring them here myself."
"Oh, don't worry," Kai added. "We'll hunt the goddess when the time comes."
Tiasses' tails twitched. "She'll… sacrifice herself?"
"Yes," Alicia murmured. "She will."
Alex looked up suddenly. "Wait. I've seen that same prophecy before—in the Book of Ashes, in Damaris Library. It spoke of a goddess born from two species, destined to save the world. I didn't understand it then."
Alicia's eyes widened. "The Book of Ashes? Where exactly did you find it?"
"In the restricted section," he replied quietly.
Eva frowned. "Wait… are you saying the devils will be reborn?"
"No," Kai said darkly, raising his goblet. "They won't be reborn… they'll be resurrected."