REBORN UNDER THE FULL MOON
Chapter 117

Aria's POV

"I don't think Alpha Zeus fully understands the implication of performing the ritual, "I commented, showing disgust at Zeus' idea of releasing harmful spirits just to get the location of Lyra.

"Something's fishy, Merida," I added, squinting my eyes in a weird manner.

"Poor Lyra, hope she's ok," Merida said, her face lined with worry.

"I really hope so, she hates us terribly right now," I replied, feeling dejected.

"She must understand that we did our best by protecting her against her reality, she was too young to add the burdens of her confused paternity on her wobbling shoulders, " Merida commented, hoping to replace solace in her statement. "She would have done well by it, we failed to understand that her Destiny permitted her to face such cruel life, but it also was meant to make her stronger, for she has alot in her plate of life, "I stated. Suddenly, a radiant look came over her face, like a sudden burst of sunshine on a cloudy day.

"Aria, why don't we let Zeus access the portal, releasing the spirits, perhaps we may be able to locate Lyra, reconciling with her in the process," she said, her face revealing her purpose more like a steady flame.

"Hmm, it's not worth it, I mean, releasing spirits on an innocent park, just to get to Lyra. The evil we may bring upon ourselves would be too much that we may possibly stay back to ward them off, " I said, quite shivered at the thought of the very possibility.

"True. I just wish there is another way, I really miss her, and I hate the fact that she sees us as evil, we only meant well for her," she replied exhaling heavily.

"She would be fine. Perhaps we may not be able to see her and correct her impression of us. I just wish her well. " I concluded.

"Her Destiny is tied to this pack. She would surely return, probably to attack the authority of Zeus, and take over as the supreme Luna of this pack. I feel it," she prophesied. I've never had a reason to doubt her prophesy in time past. "You may be right, but would we be here when she returns?" I asked, hoping that she possessed an answer to that future possibility.

"That..... I have no idea of," she replied, getting up.

"I hope Zeus does nothing stupid, he seemed desperate when we spoke, "I stated.

Somehow she looked like she really hope he does. She might help him. I couldn't even imagine her utilizing her powers to help release spirits on this pack. Only a certain spirit is needed, but in the process multitude of them would be released. Trying to cleanse the pack would be nearly impossible, some of the spirits already having found abode and peaceful dominion in pack members. It would surely be chaotic, seeing some pack members flying and others being exceptionally strong due to the influence of the spirits; I had to warn her.

"Look, Merida. I know you really miss Lyra, and you want to make things clear with her. But you must be cautious. If there is no other way asides accessing the portal, then it's best we stay out of it, and ensure that Zeus does not eventually have access to it. We should have the pack members in mind. We have released different supernational beings on us, too much for a lifetime. Do not help in releasing the worst our pack would ever encounter, for the sake of innocent werewolves and pack members," I warned, almost too sure that Merida would eventually fall to the schemes of Zeus, helping him to release the Spirits.

"Let's see how it goes," she replied in a familiar tone noting that she's going to act on her own accord.

Axel's POV

"Alpha... Alpha.... Alpha.... Alpha....." my pack members hailed as I walked into the field on the first day of the tournament.

"Thank you.... Thank you...." I tried my best to reply, my voice getting lost in theirs.

I felt motivated greatly, especially seeing Lyra sitting at the front role. My eyes met hers, her lips parting as if murmuring words that I couldn't possibly fathom from the distance. She waved, I waved back, feeling ready to charge at my opponent.

I waved at all my supporters, making an imperfect circle as I noticed that the chant rolled in from everywhere.

The chant continued for a while. Then suddenly, it was pierced by the cry of another group, bringing opposite waves against my supporters, creating a hell of a noise in the process.

"Aloho.... Aloho.... Aloho..... Aloho....." I heard them shout out, just as I saw my opponent walk in from the second door leading to the fighting field.

According to the rule of the tournament, we were not allowed to set our eyes on our opponents until it's time to battle, so I was obviously seeing him for the first time.

He was really tall, taller than I expected. He had long curly hair, bound at the back of his head with a ribbon. He wore a long beard, making his face wide, with a strong jawline and facial stricture. A straight nose he had, with blue piercing eyes. On him was worn a Corinthian helmet, made of bronze, with a nose guard and cheek plates. He was built, wearing a leather tunic and a belt, with a skirt of metal strips, protecting his thighs. He generally dressed like a Greek royal warrior. Not a wolf.

His sword was a xiphos, while mine was a long kopis.

We were not allowed to use shields, so we were at each other's mercy.

I offered my hands for a handshake, which he accepted, but held my hand for too long, squeezing it greatly. I knew I was in for it.

Then we heard the loud horn, signalling the start of the contest.

"Пyε, μl oẞoп, σaç o' Iveco (come on, I'll take it easy on you)," he mocked in ancient Greek, rotating his sword, coming closer a step at a time towards me. He tried really hard to make me lose my stand and confidence, but I refused, maintaining my prestigious footsteps, moving my sword in a noble manner.

Then he charged forward.

"You won't loose on the first day now, would you?" I murmured to myself, following my opponent gradually.

We clashed our swords, moving to and fro, maintaining our foot pattern. He moved forward twice,. went back thrice, went sideways, and forward again, but I moved forward once, in an attempt to hold him back. He charged sideways, swinging his sword at my head, but I dodged the fatal blow against my life.

Thinking I had taken a good step and trying to catch my breath for a while, he struck again, taking advantage of my position, he hit me quite close to my wrist, hitting my sword real hard. My sword fell.