Chapter 253 Reawakening

The crows scattered from the cyclone above, shrieking as their wings fought against the pull of the storm. My eyes burned, turning to a shade of purple, and the wind roared around me. The cyclone lifted dirt and stone, swirling faster and faster until the whole ground shook from its fury.A bright blue light burst from the necklace on my chest, flooding the darkness in a glow that lit everything in sight.

"AAAARGH!"

The scream ripped out of me, shattering the silence. A violent wave followed, it blasted outward, shaking the earth and rattling the gates of the castle.

The Bone Witch froze inches away from Damon’s heart, her hand hanging in the air. She hurriedly slammed her staff down against the ground and a barrier formed around her, catching the force of my outburst. The wind lashed against it, sparks flying from the impact like iron sharpening iron.

Her eyes flickered with surprise, though her lips curled into a grin. "Oh... someone has awakened." Her voice was mocking, but her tone carried something wary.

Another burst of energy tore out of me, it was stronger this time. The ground split open, and cracks ran across the stone as the witches stumbled back, clawing their way out for escape.

A few of them were thrown clear off their feet, their bodies crashing into trees and the castle gates. The Bone Witch’s followers hissed as they struggled to rise, but they were forced back down by the sheer pressure rolling off me.

The black chains binding me shattered like glass. I rose slowly, the cyclone spinning faster, carrying me up into the air. My arms spread wide as golden light poured out from inside me in waves.

I looked down. My eyes locked onto Damon’s body. He lay on the ground where he had fallen, lifeless, his chest torn open, his crystalline heart still pulsing faintly in the air above him. The sight hollowed me, with a wave of my hand a barrier formed around him.

I looked to the side, Alaric and Theo had transformed back to their wolf form, their claws dug firmly into the earth, their furs and ears swept back from the force of the wind.

Rhydian formed a barrier around himself, yet he was still struggling. With a flicker of my hand, another barrier formed around them.

My gaze returned to Damon, my veins burned, my skin ached, and my soul screamed inside me. The man I once loved was gone.

The side of my neck where a half-tattoo was stung sharply, like thousands of ants boring into my skin. My hands trembled as I clenched them into fists. "I’ll make you all pay," I whispered, my voice shaking with grief and rage.

The Bone Witch tilted her head, her cruel smirk never leaving her lips. She struck her staff again, sending black waves rippling across the ground. "You think you can take me on, little girl?" Her tone was calm, but her barrier remained up, as if she wasn’t as confident as she wanted to sound.

I felt the energy surging through my veins like fire. It felt as though something ancient had woken inside me, and it refused to be silenced. My head tipped back and I stared at the sky. The clouds had parted ways, and for the first time, the moon pushed free from its prison, glowing silver above us.

The cyclone spun harder, stronger, so fast that witches screamed as they were dragged into its pull, some got slammed into the trees, their bones cracking as they collided with the trees. Others crashed into the castle gate, their cries echoing as the metal bent under their weight.

A sudden snap cracked against my chest. My necklace shattered, and the shards scattered into the air. A flood of golden light burst free, it was blinding, yet beautiful. The whole field lit up like daylight, washing the night in golden hues.

Another scream tore from my throat, as memories of the people that looked like me, tore through my head. I saw the sacred tree, the last princess who was a Chosen... Chosen was the name they all bore. I relived past battles, and every single death of the past Chosens.

I felt my senses slipping away, the pain was too much to bear, but strangely I knew this burden had fallen onto my shoulders. Even fate would not let me escape it... I wondered, if this was the reason I wasn’t sent to hell, if this was the reason I had transmigrated.

My golden light swirled faster, consuming me. My back arched violently, pain tearing through me. It started as a sharp ache, then it began to spread, burning deeper until it felt like my bones were splitting apart. I screamed, but the cyclone drowned my voice.

The pain spread through every part of me, like my body was being torn apart and put back together. It was unbearable, but I couldn’t stop it.

Then, everything went silent.

I hung in the air, my body trembling, my vision fading. I felt like I was floating in an endless abyss.

My ears picked up sounds from miles away, even the smallest drop of water, the racing of hearts, and heavy breathing. I could locate even the smallest insects burrowing their way deeper into the earth. Every action seemed to be slowed, like the universe itself was moving more slowly.

I opened my eyes slowly, they were cold and unreadable, like I had become a new being. The cyclone around me grew wider and faster, its roar deafening to the ears. I reached out my hand and the golden light swirled into my palm, then, they vanished into me.

Slowly, I lowered my gaze.

The Bone Witch stood across from me, her barrier still shimmering faintly around her. She gripped her staff tightly, her smile was long gone, a glint of fear flickered through her eyes, it was so fast that an ordinary eye would have missed it.