Eldric was prepared to do all it takes to save his clan from extinction; the hint at a ritual by Morwen infused hope, and thoughts of eventual revenge crept through his troubled mind, stirring a fierce determination amid the grief.
Morwen asked Eldric to come closer to the orb. "Ready to know what's coming?" she asked. Eldric nodded, desperation mixed with fear of the unknown churning in him, but he was ready for answers, his heart pounding like a war drum.
Morwen took Eldric's left hand, made an incision to draw his blood, and placed it on the orb, his blood seeping through the opening all over the orb now glowing.
Visions started flashing through him, he saw Mira in despair, lost in the wild, lonely and in danger, torn between the human world and the constant need to control her wolf nature.
These visions, echoed by Morwen's whispers, became so frightening and left Eldric in guilt and sadness.
His eyes widened in disbelief. "My Mira is still alive?" he said as he removed his hand from the orb. He sank to the ground, guilt and regrets overwhelming him; he thought, "I could have looked for her and protected her."
Morwen cut him short: "It's not your destiny. Fate has chosen a purpose for Mira; she has to find her own path to fulfill her destiny."
Morwen continued, "We can only help her through a ritual."
As the words settled, a figure emerged from the cave's deeper shadows, Kael, a young wolf saved by Morwen during the blood bath of the coup. His fur bore faint runes from a lineage of seers, his lean form scarred but resilient, eyes a piercing blue holding the quiet storm of survival.
Morwen had hidden him that night, sensing his pivotal role in Mira's destiny. "Kael will aid us," Morwen explained, her voice heavy with the tension of secrets revealed. Kael nodded, his presence stirring Eldric's emotions further, gratitude mixed with envy, for this youth had been spared while his own kin perished.
"Who are you, boy?" Eldric asked, his voice gruff but curious. "I am Kael, a seer like Morwen," Kael replied, bowing slightly. "She saved me from Thorne's claws that night." "Why you?" Eldric pressed, jealousy flickering in his eyes. "Because fate ties me to your daughter," Kael said solemnly. "I will lend my blood for the ritual."
Together, they performed the ritual, Kael lending his seer's blood to bind Mira's fate: sealing her wolf form away, rendering her unable to shift until she mated with a pureblood wolf, a lock meant to protect her but one that twisted Eldric's heart with the pain of altering his daughter's essence.
"Is this the only way?" Eldric questioned, his claws retracting as the magic swirled. "Yes, to shield her from Thorne's hunters," Morwen affirmed, her hands glowing with power. "But it will change her," Kael added, his blue eyes meeting Eldric's. "She'll be human, with wolf traits hidden." "Do it for her survival," Eldric commanded, tears welling.
The cave filled with chants, the orb pulsing brighter, as the ritual sealed Mira's beast, Eldric's paternal love clashing with the agony of this forced transformation. As the magic faded, Eldric slumped, exhausted. "Will she forgive me?" he whispered. "In time, she will understand," Morwen reassured. "Now, we must plan against Thorne."
Kael stepped forward. "I saw visions too, Thorne's weakness lies in his past pain." "Tell me more," Eldric urged, hope reigniting amid the sorrow.
The group huddled, discussing strategies. "We need allies," Morwen said. "Those who survived the purge." "I know some in hiding," Kael offered. "But trust is scarce." "Then we build it," Eldric declared, his resolve hardening. The cave echoed with their voices, forging a fragile alliance against the tyranny.