Chapter 196 DANE 1/7 I sat in my cell , feeling the sick glow of its walls pulse in time with the pounding of my head .

Heavy , my limbs were dead , it was as if even my body was too much for me to handle , too much weight in the world .

Then the air changed .

Chilled and different , the weight of the Nameless filled the air .

He laughed low , and twisted my stomach .

Ah , Dane , his voice disturbed my ears .

Shall we begin ? I didnt answer .

My jaw was held tight , face fixed into the burning shadows in front of me .

Youve held up admirably , the Nameless went on , his voice showing mockery .

But no one resists me forever .

Lets see how far you can bend before you break .

It darkened and darkened , until it swallowed me whole .

And then , the memories started .

Memory One : The Day I Lost My Family I was back in the woods behind my childhood home .

Heavy smoke filled the air ; the sharp smell of burning wood and flesh Chapter 196 suffocating .

Dane ! my mothers voice came in panicked desperation .

2/7 I ran toward the sound because heavy legs , like moving through quicksand , flamed around me , the screams of my pack everywhere .

I found her at the edge of the clearing .

Her body was laying over my younger sister .

Soaked in blood her dress was covered and her breathing shallow .

Run , she whispered , eyes glassy yet fierce , Run , and dont look back .

Frozen , my heart pounding in my ears , I said , No , I can save you ! You cant , she said , her voice shattered .

Dane , please .

Protect her .

But before I even had time to move , the shadow creatures descended ripping through the scene with ruthless efficiency .

I screamed , but no sound came forth .

The memory dissolved , leaving me gasping in the present .

My hands shook , fists clenched .

You failed them , the Nameless whispered , a voice of venom in my ear .

You let them die .

Shut up ! I shouted low and harsh and weak .

Chapter 196 Memory Two : The Betrayal of Aurora 3/7 The scene changed , shifting and I was on a cliff , moonlight casting long shadows in the rough ground .

Aurora stood before me , her eyes wide with betrayal .

You promised , she whispered , her voice breaking .

You said you would never let anything hurt me .

I had no choice ! I screamed , my voice shattering .

You had a choice , she said , and her voice was as cold as ice .

And you choose yourself .

Heavy with the weight of truth , her words fell hard against my chest .

I reached out to her , but she was gone into the night , in darkness where no moon came .

See ? said the Nameless .

Even she can see you are a failure .

I willed myself to breathe , closing my eyes .

This isnt real , I muttered .

This isnt real .

Memory Three : The Children I was in the Broken Ridge packhouse , surrounded by laughing and gisting children .

My twins ran up to me , jumping from ear to ear .

Daddy ! they chorused , holding my hands between their small palms .

Chapter 196 4477 I bent dowmandswept them into my embrace .

They felt so reall because of the waumithaand their laughter .

Then , darkness .

Deirlaughter turned into screams as their small bodies were pulled from my hold .

No ! I roared after them .

The shadows enveloped them and their wails went out of earshot .

I fell onto my kness , weeping without control .

You could never save them either , the Nameless said with his tone filled with satisfaction ..

Memory Four : The Chains of the Nameless I could barely breathe before another memory came crashing down on me This was another memory .

It hadnt been from my past it was now .

I was back in the Namelesss lair , the chainssglowing bright against my skin .

The weight of them pressed me into the ground , their energy sapping every ounce of strength that I had .

Why do you fight ? the Nameless asked , his shadowwylform growing over me .

You will never win .

I looked up at him , my vision blurred from tears , from exhaustion .

Because I have to , I whispered .

Because they Chapter 196 need me .

He laughed ; his voice was deep , a threatening sound that seemed to echo through the chamber .

Youre nothing but a pawn , he said .

A weak and broken .

pawn .

You thought i will keep on chasing you , no im too smart and omniscient for that Then something changed .

5/7 And so it had to be , for the Nameless still laughed in my brain , a light shone faintly there in that part of the room , soft , hardly to be discerned , yet an invitation .

I crawled there , every movement an effort .

I reached and it shone brighter ; its warmth cut through cold darkness .

The chains at my wrists and ankles stirred and flared in a wild display of runes before dimming again as I approached it .

Light wrapped itself around me , and I was standing in a huge , moon drenched meadow .

There was a figure before me .

Her hair rolled down her back like a fall of silver , and her eyes shone with soft , ethereal light .

Who are you ? I called my voice shaking .

She smiled wistfully , and in her eyes deep sadness showed .

I Chapter 196 am a part of you , Dane .

A part youve long forgotten .

What do you mean ? I asked , my heart shaking in my chest .

You carry within you the essence the essence of the Moon Goddess , she said easily .

Her strength runs through your veins .

6/7 The idea was so wild and ridiculous that , whirling , I stumbled a backward step .

Impossible .

I am but .

You are more than you know , she cut in , her tone even .

But the Nameless fear you because of that .

He wants to break because he understands what you are capable of .

you Ironically , it was she who instilled in me that sense of hope and dread .

For if she were right , then there was still a chance , remote though it was , meaning that I could still strive for it and somehow make it through .

What am I to do ? Believe in yourself , she said , and her voice was immediately so far .

And remember , you are not alone .

The light was gone , and I stood back inside the cell .

The chains .

still clung to me , but somehow their weight felt a little less than before .

I clenched my fists as resolution burned inside me .

The Nameless laughed again , and this time it didnt shatter me .

Chapter 196 I muttered , Ill show you , Ill show you what I am capable of .

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