# Chapter 77 - The First Fall
**Vanessa's POV**
Blood everywhere. On ground. On my hands. On everything.
Marcus fell protecting me. Damien warrior. Good man. Kind man.
Now dead man.
I knelt beside his body. Still warm. Eyes still open. Looking at nothing.
"Marcus," I whispered. "I sorry."
But sorry not bring him back. Sorry not heal wounds. Sorry just empty word.
Battle still raging around us. Wolves fighting. Dying. All for me.
All because of prophecy. Because I was chosen one. Because artifacts chose me.
Stood up slow. Legs shaking. Heart breaking.
Another warrior fell. Then another. All trying to protect me. All dying because I could not protect myself.
"This wrong," I said to no one. "All wrong."
Damien appeared beside me. Sword bloody. Face grim.
"We need to move," he said. "More coming."
"No more," I said.
"What?"
"No more dying. Not for me."
"Vanessa—"
"Look around, Damien. Look at bodies. All because of me."
