SWNOVELS Chapter 157
73. Head to Head
SKYLA.
Here goes nothing...
I jump up, feeling the power within me surfacing. My Lycan’s dominant power, embodying it fully, I channel everything I
have.
‘You will never win! I destroyed her and her kind a long time ago! A mere wolf is weaker than a tiger! Do you really think you can
win?!’ His chilling voice wraps around me as the darkness begins spreading along the
ground.
The snake and I block and attack one
another. He’s trying to get those teeth into me. I can see the poison in them. The
darkness around me is also trying to pull me
down into that smoking abyss of the ground
beneath us.
“True, in a one-on-one battle, a wolf would
lose to a tiger... but that’s the difference between the two species.’ I begin grunting as I manage to slash into his side again.
He hisses, as he spins around and lunges at
I can smell blood in the air, the hissing and
shouting of the wolves battling the serpents.
People are dying.
I hear the shouts as Mama is trying her best
to heal.
I block but he strikes again. This time, Royce. is by my side in a flash, taking the full force of his attack, using his sword of ice to
block
him.
“There is no difference! You are dead! Those
stripes you wear are nothing!’ His rage and hatred thrum in my mind, painful.
There’s a madness in his eyes, but the anger
he’s feeling is only making his attacks more
aggressive.
I channel my inner rage, but with a clear
mind...
He will slip up...
‘You are no match for a god!’ Apophis hisses.
Sorry Malevolent, but remember, I count you as one of us, anyway. Sorry Bastet, I’m not taking a dig at your expired race, but
facts are fucking facts.
‘And that’s why we are the superior species! A tiger may work alone, but a wolf... a wolf is part of a pack, and a pack, united, is
always.
stronger than the one alone... just as you are now! Because look around you! We are
united!’ 7
My heart thunders as my own words echo
powerfully in my own mind, knowing that every alpha in the vicinity can hear me.
I want them to know that hope is not lost!
I’m not alone... there is a calming clarity in my mind as I swing my sword at him, only for a wave of dark smoke to knock me
back.
1 catch my balance as Royce deflects another blow. Spinning his sword, he manages to drive it into the lower part of its jaw. He
roars in rage, throwing Royce back.
‘Royce!’ I scream through the link,
He catches his balance, and as he gets to his feet I see he’s fine... but I’m fucking pissed
now.
You don’t hurt my fucking man.
My eyes are blazing. I spin around and run at him with incredible speed, and slam the
blade into his scaly body.
He roars in rage, his tail hitting the ground and I’m thrown back. Royce catches me as
Apophis thrashes around, grabs the sword
with his teeth and pulls it out.
He drops it fast, his mouth burning, as spits
it out. The metal clangs on the ground
before he launches himself at me.
The only thing is, no matter how fast he is,
I’m fucking faster.
‘You have nothing!’ He snarls as I slash into his face, wanting to gouge his eyes out,
He roars in rage, and I can’t help but scoff internally.
Jumping back, I grab the sword.
‘I have far more than you ever will!’ I shout as something detonates nearby and Apophis leaps back, thrashing violently.
Far more...
A pack, a family, loved ones...
I look around. I can’t see them, but they are all there... ready to help when they need to and they are trying... united, we ARE
stronger. 1
Another serpent falls, and I see Rayhan. And is that Aunty Raven jumping back from the fallen snake, which vanishes into the
smoke?
It’s not often I see her in action. She’s a
badass. 4
My eyes blaze as I realise that is it. The true
power lies in what we have... they are here if
I need them.
Even if Aleric has somehow merged with Apophis, he is still alone.
His serpents are still around us, but they are
being slayed, one by fucking one.
By my Pack. United to fight together, once
again.
I spent my life trying to shut them out and now I realise handling things alone was
never the solution... 3
‘And that is why you will win.’ A whispery
voice comes. 7
It’s not Bastet... 4
‘Now!’ I say to Royce, wanting him to create a glass ground beneath us.
Apophis lunges at me, a blur as his mouth opens wide.
My own eyes flash, and I feel a surge in my
own power.
Blinding gold light swirls around me, mixed with a dark black shimmer, and it washes. over me, enveloping me in its fold.
It makes Apophis hiss as he swiftly pulls
back, and I feel it wrap around me tighter. Looking down, I can see my body is encased with a gold and black armour-like shield.
I
see Apophis lurch forward only for Royce’s slippery ice floor to slow him down. 3
He hisses, rearing his head as he lurches at
I raise my sword, swinging it at him. This
time it buries deep into his side.
He roars, black blood gushing out A blast of power rushes at me as several serpent’s
hiss, changing direction and heading my
way as I dart backwards, causing two to
smash into one another.
Royce cuts through one, a flash of lightning
slicing it in half.
He’s at a disadvantage, not using his abilities to their full extent.
I rush through the smoke, seeing Leo, Dante, and Royce take on more serpents.
I let out a menacing growl as I turn to Apophis, slashing into him again.
His blood splatters everywhere, and a dark wave of power comes rushing my way.
It’s immense, and I’m ready to dart to the side when I see a glimmer of pink, magical wisps of an aura around me. 2
I recognise them and see them flutter to the ground around me, they look just like cherry
blossom tree leaves. 9
Her scent and her blond hair are in front of
me as she raises her hand. I still flinch when
that tidal wave of darkness hits her.
She doesn’t move. A soft gasp leaves her
before the blast is gone. 1
She raises her other hand, the petals of her
power swirling around her as that dark power rushes forth from her hand. 1
It hits Apophis straight in his mid-section, throwing him back as he roars in fury.
She turns, winking one of her blazing pink eyes at me before she backs away. 26
‘Thanks. That sure is fucking awesome.’ I
say.
‘Anytime.’ She replies.
Several gunshots go off, searing into his skin as his entire body sparks with lightning sent by Royce, making him shriek in agony.
I turn to Apophis, this time I run at him as fast as I can, and raising the sword – I throw
It hits his eye, he roars and I smile as the darkness diminishes slightly.
To my satisfaction, he’s shrinking and soon the smoke shrivels away to reveal Aleric
clutching his eye. His body is a bloody mess.
An array of thoughts suddenly fill my mind so suddenly I wonder if it’s even my own.
I am more than just a Lycan... 1
“You whore!” He spits as I slowly advance
towards him once again.
I possess the strength of a tiger...
I swing the sword once more, my eyes
blazing.
The darkness around him swirls, and his
eyes are blazing menacingly.
I have the speed of a cheetah... 1
He’s battered, his heart thumping violently
as his snake-like eyes burn into me.
I carry the title of the Lioness... 1
“You are fucking dead! Dumb bitch!” Aleric
snarls. 1
Try me, fucker.
I am a Rossi... 2
I run at him, and both of us are no longer focused on our surroundings, just one
another...
“This is your last chance... stand down!’ I
warn.
Dad always said to give your opponent that chance, even though I know his reply before he even opens his vile mouth.
“Never!” He snarls.
‘Kill her or I will kill you!’ Apophis’ hiss fills the air. ‘Kill the kings!’
Foolish... the both of them.
Everything moves in slow motion as Aleric
rushes at me, the darkness helping him,
despite the glass floor beneath us.
But above all; I am myself. 1
I am a Lycan.
I raise my sword and swing it down on him.
I’m a blur and Aleric’s shriek of rage as blood splatters everywhere, fills my ears.
He’s dodged it from being fatal, but he’s lost an arm.
There’s shock in his eyes as he stares at the limb on the floor.
“It’s over, Aleric.” I say quietly, shifting to my human form. A quick glance down shows I’m covered by Bastet’s armour.
“No, it isn’t! No, it isn’t!” He screams as he raises his hand. “I hold far more power than you think!”
He raises his hand. But where I’m expecting black smoke or fire to lurch forward, there’s just a spark of fire. He tries again as his
eyes widen in horror before he claws at his neck.
“You have done this! Bitch!” he screams.
I’m sure he had his fire element after I marked him... but I can see that the mark hasn’t healed...
What a pity.
“It seems Helios has taken back his gift.” Asoft, remorseful, yet firm voice comes.
We both turn to see Catherine standing there, flanked by Uncle Marcel and Uncle
Liam.
There are tears in her eyes as she looks at
Aleric.
A mother in pain...