"True loyalty is not in words, but in the sacrifices we make when no one is watching."---- Khaimah Peter
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The forest shuddered. The earth beneath Gravill's hand pulsed, faint ripples spreading outward like a heartbeat. Nicholas yanked him back as the ground cracked, a low hum vibrating through the air.
"What did you do?" Elsa whispered, eyes darting around as the shadows thickened unnaturally.
Gravill's chest heaved, sweat dripping down his face. "It's not me," he rasped. "It's the isle. It's waking up."
Owen's ears twitched, his gaze locked on the tree line. "No," he said, voice low and sharp. "It's them."
A distant snarl echoed through the woods — not an animal's, but something far more sinister. Then, a figure stepped into view, boots crunching against fallen leaves. The silver glow of the obsidian shard reflected against Karl's smirking face.
"You should've stayed hidden," Karl sneered, twirling the shard between his fingers. "But since you're so eager to die... I'm happy to oblige."
The shadows shifted behind him, and the creatures of the void crawled into view, their silver eyes gleaming hungrily as they encircled the group.
Owen stepped forward, his muscles tensing, bones snapping as he let the shift take over. His body elongated, fur sprouting as he dropped to all fours, a vicious snarl ripping through the night.
"Run," he growled through bared teeth, eyes glowing gold. "I'll hold them off."
---
Owen's snarl echoed through the clearing, vibrating through the ground as his massive wolf form loomed between the trio and Karl. His golden eyes burned, muscles coiled like steel as he prepared for the onslaught.
"Go," he growled, voice guttural and raw. "I can handle this."
Gravill struggled to stand, gripping Elsa's arm for support. "We're not leaving you!"
Karl stepped closer, shadows curling around his boots like serpents. He twirled the obsidian shard lazily, eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "What did they promise you, wolf?" he sneered. "Power? Freedom? Or was it something simpler? Are you really willing to die for a half-blood?"
Owen didn't flinch, muscles flexing as he braced himself. But he didn't answer. His gaze flicked to the trio behind him. "Run," he repeated, voice gentler this time but no less commanding. "Now."
Nicholas clenched his fists, stepping forward, his body almost trembling with defiance. "No," he snapped, magic crackling at his fingertips. "I was sent to protect Gravill. That's my purpose. My reason for being. I won't leave."
Owen's ears twitched, his growl softening for a beat. He understood that kind of loyalty — the kind that couldn't be broken.
Elsa, silent, gripped her dagger tighter. She didn't speak, but her posture said enough. She wasn't going anywhere. Her emerald eyes, filled with unspoken grief and determination, flicked to Gravill. She thought of her mother, of Poseidon, and of the destiny her mother whispered about before sending her on this path.
Karl laughed, low and bitter. "Touching," he said, stepping closer, the shadows behind him stirring as the creatures prowled forward. "But it won't matter. You can all die together, if you'd prefer."
Owen lowered his body, muscles bunching as he prepared to pounce. "I'm not dying," he growled, voice rumbling like thunder. "I'm buying them time."
Gravill, chest heaving, looked at Owen — then at Nicholas and Elsa. His heart pounded, torn between survival and the people willing to sacrifice themselves for him.
And in his bones, the Forgotten Isle called louder and louder, seeming to break apart..