Skye POV
The icy water seemed to seep into my very bones as I was pulled under, numbing my senses and intensifying the surreal experience.
As I descended further into the depths of the ocean, the pressure grew, squeezing my body, making it difficult to move. The weight of the water pushed against me, as if trying to test my resolve. Yet, amidst the struggle, a strange sense of peace enveloped me.
I needed to stay strong, clear-minded, and determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead, so I could be reunited with Chaos and my family.
The vibrant colors of the marine life danced before my eyes, a mesmerizing display of beauty that contrasted the darkness surrounding me. The swirling currents tugged at my limbs, causing me to spin and twirl, like a puppet under the control of an unseen force. It was both terrifying and exhilarating to surrender myself to the unknown.
With each passing moment, my lungs screamed for air, the burning sensation intensifying. Yet, I resisted the urge to panic. Deep down, I held onto the belief that this journey held a purpose, a greater meaning that I was yet to comprehend.
And then, as if by a miracle, a surge of fresh air filled my lungs, bringing me back from the brink of unconsciousness. I felt a tingling sensation on my neck, a reminder of Chaos's presence and the bond we shared. In that moment, I realized that I was not alone in this underwater realm. I was being protected, guided, and kept alive by my bond with my mate.
Finally, my body was pulled into something, and I found myself inside a peculiar bubble beneath the water. As I entered, a strange sensation washed over me, and my saturated clothes were instantly dry. Inhaling deeply, my lungs were once again filled with the crisp scent of fresh air. Within the ethereal bubble, I saw the key, suspended in mid-air, just out of my reach. Eagerly, I extended my hand, but a jolt of electricity abruptly halted my movement, preventing me from grasping it.
"My dear child," my mother's voice reverberated through the space, as if carried by a mystical enchantment, "it is soon time for you to return to your home. A place that safeguards immense power, a power that both you and your destined Lycan must protect and employ solely for the purpose of safeguarding all. This power must never be wielded for evil purposes."
Though her voice resonated from the past, I knew it was a spell, allowing me to hear her words. "This bubble is not of my creation," she continued, "but rather the creation of your fated Lycan. He concealed this key, along with a fragment of himself, within. It is a part he must embrace, just as you must embrace your own powers to protect him."
Her voice encircled me, enveloping me in its comforting embrace. "The Lycan prince exists as both light and darkness. He was forged to bear this power, for balance must be upheld. One must comprehend both sides to ensure protection. The Lycan must awaken and embrace his demonic nature, as his time to reenter the unicorn kingdom is drawing near. He must do this alone, for he must genuinely feel it and choose the path of goodness. Only when he makes this choice can the key merge with you once more. Until then, you shall remain concealed here, hidden from those who may misuse you to bring about destruction. The responsibility rests upon his decision to align with the righteous path."
So this was the task, the demonic side in Chaos needed to be awakened. I could feel a tingling sensation in my fingertips as I reached out to touch the bubble. A surge of electricity coursed through my hand, causing me to instinctively retract it. But amidst the shock, I heard my mother's voice once more, echoing softly in my ears. Her voice carried a gentle yet commanding tone, urging me to face my fear of being trapped.
"When the lycan finds you," she whispered, "he simply needs to touch the bubble to awaken his power. From there, he will learn what he must do to reunite. You two must fight for each other, even when facing different challenges alone. Keep faith in your mate, for he can still feel you through the bond. And you, my daughter, it is time you accept the power of all. As the last, you possess the strength of every unicorn that perished within you. This bubble surrounding you now awakens that power, and soon you will feel it surge forward. You must embrace it, no matter how overwhelming it may be. Accept it, for it is your duty to protect your mate," she said, her voice fading into silence.
My body burned as if tiny sparks of fire were coursing through every inch of my being. "Skye, in order for the power to awaken, we must experience the emotions of those who came before us," Nyx fretted.
Reassuringly, I replied, "It's alright, we can do this. It's our purpose, and we'll be fine, as will Chaos." I lay on the ground within the protective bubble, feeling waves of different emotions wash over me. Yet, paradoxically, I also felt more alive than ever before. This power had always resided within me, always present, always felt. Its suppression had caused me to feel out of control at times.
Tears welled up in my eyes as anguish and pain surged through me, a reflection of the suffering endured by many of my kin at the hands of our enemy. However, this pain would not break me. Closing my eyes, I expressed my gratitude, "Thank you, thank you for trusting me with your power. Many of you even fought to protect me so that I could fulfill my destined role. I am grateful for the gift of your power, which will help me save my mate and restore our kingdom. I will not let any of you down; I will stand strong always."
Hours, perhaps even days, passed in this overwhelming state, rendering me unable to stand. Then, memories of my past, memories I had longed to bury forever, started to flash rapidly in my mind.
I placed my trembling hands on my throbbing head, feeling the weight of the memories crashing into my mind. The echoes of my childhood screams and tears reverberated, piercing through my consciousness. Tears welled up in my eyes, streaming down my cheeks, but I took slow, deep breaths to steady myself. "I can do this," I whispered, determined to confront the past that haunted me.
As I allowed myself to delve into those long-buried moments, the faces of those who had held me captive emerged in my mind's eye. I absorbed each one, knowing that many of them were now dead. But then, amidst the familiar faces, one flashed before me, different from the rest. A peculiar snake symbol adorned their arm, a chilling emblem that sent shivers down my spine.
I tried to push the image away, but it persisted, coming into sharper focus within my memories. With a sudden gasp, I realized who it was: a man. Back then, I couldn't place his scent or fully comprehend his identity, but now it all became clear. He was a lycan, just like Chaos, our mate. The resemblance in their features was undeniable.
"He's our mate's father," Nyx's voice cut through the swirling tornado of my thoughts, confirming the unsettling truth.
A sudden memory flashed in my mind, vivid and clear. It was just the two of us, alone in a secluded space. The air was heavy with an enigmatic energy, and I could feel the prickling sensation of anticipation. My gaze was drawn to the snake mark on his arm, which seemed to emanate an eerie glow.
"The mark of my kind," he murmured, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and caution. "Remember this, little one. When it turns bright red, it means our dark side has taken over, consuming us completely. It can never change back. Mine is almost entirely red, a constant reminder of the battle within. But you, you possess the power to protect another from this fate."
He implored me to help this other person control their darkness, to prevent their mark from turning red. I was the only one capable of shielding them from this destructive transformation.
Just as the memories came rushing back, they abruptly ended. "Chaos," I thought to myself. I was so young when that man approached me in the past, his face now a blur in my memory. I could still recall his evil presence, the way he scared me more than anyone else who tormented me as a child. Yet, as I revisited that memory, I realized he knew about his son, perhaps even his son's destiny. He must have known that I would survive, that I would try to help his son. Somewhere within him, he had some goodness, and he used it to guide me to protect Chaos, to warn me of the danger of letting his dark side consume him.
"I won't let that happen," I reassured myself. "Chaos is good, a loyal warrior, a loving and protective mate. He will never let darkness extinguish the goodness within him. But I will protect him. I will fight to be by his side, and I will do whatever it takes to ensure he remains who he is now, even as he accepts all parts of himself. I won't let that change him; I'll only make him stronger."
As I spoke these words to myself, a tingling sensation ran through me, a familiar presence. It was Chaos. "Our mate Skye, he found us," Nyx, informed me. "Once he touches this bubble, it all begins."
"Chaos, you must remain calm, stay strong," I communicated through our bond. "I long to be in your arms, but as you embrace your true self, I will wait. I will do everything in my power to make sure you can feel me through our bond so I can assist you."
"Skye, I'm getting you out of this," Chaos's voice echoed in my mind. But I knew he couldn't hear me. I saw his hands reach out towards the bubble I was trapped in, but he couldn't see me. He could only sense my presence. And then, I noticed it—the snake tattoo on his upper arm, a symbol of his Demon heritage. His hands released from the bubble, and I felt a shift in him through our bond.