8. Witches

Isabelle POV

The following days were a whirlwind of hard training and discovery. Xander and I worked tirelessly, side by side, pushing my abilities to their limits. Every morning, we began in the secluded part of the forest, accompanied by Dave, Jess and some of the warriors, working together to make me stronger physically and even emotionally. Testing me at every opportunity, making me stronger, even with the weak heart I have. The pendant is now always around my neck, a small but mighty conduit for the energy coursing through me, just as Xander and the pack is also always around me, the biggest source of inspiration I ever experienced aside from my mother.

Focus. Let the power flow naturally. Don't force it. Three instructions I always adhere to from Xander. And these instructions have helped me a lot.

My control was erratic at first. The energy would surge and wane, responding to my emotions more than my will. But slowly, I learned to channel it, to shape it with my intent rather than my fear. My confidence grew with each passing day, and so did my strength. I barely felt my heart beating erratically anymore.

One afternoon, as the sun cast golden light through the dense canopy, Xander and I stood facing each other, a small stream alongside us. "Today, we'll try something new," he said, his eyes gleaming with challenge.

"What's the plan?" I asked, feeling a thrill of anticipation, eager to test the effectivity of the trainings I have had.

"I want you to use your power to manipulate the water. Control its flow, shape it into something tangible."

I nodded, taking a deep breath, excited to do something I have never ever thought I could be doing. Closing my eyes, I visualized the stream, felt the cool water rushing over stones, sensed the life teeming within. Slowly, I extended my hand before opening my eyes ones again, and a thin tendril of water rose from the stream, twisting and curling in the air like a serpent.

"Excellent," Xander praised softly. "Now, try to form it into a sphere."

Sweat beaded on my forehead as I focused, willing the water to coalesce. It shimmered and wobbled, but gradually, a globe of water hovered between us, reflecting the sunlight in prismatic hues.

"Perfect," Xander said, his voice full of pride. "You're getting better at it, baby."

But our training wasn't just about control and finesse. We had to be prepared for real threats. The zombie wolves had returned, and the pack was on high alert. These creatures, animated by dark magic, were relentless and savage. Their presence weighed heavily on our minds, and the pack worked together to fortify our defenses.

During one of our training sessions, a piercing howl echoed through the forest. My heart leapt into my throat as Xander's eyes snapped to mine. "Stay close," he ordered, his voice tense.

We raced through the woods to find the source of the commotion. In a clearing, a pack of zombie wolves had cornered a group of younger pack members, teenagers. The wolves' eyes glowed with an eerie, malevolent light, their bodies twisted and rotting.

Xander expectantly looked at me without saying anything, but I knew what he meant. This is my chance.

I force down the fear that almost paralyzed me, feeling the pendant warm against my chest. I stepped forward, my hands trembling but steady. "Stay back!" I called to the pack members.

Drawing a deep breath, I effortlessly summoned my power, feeling it surge through me like a tidal wave. I thrust my hands forward, and a blast of energy erupted from my palms, striking the nearest zombie wolves. They disintegrated into a cloud of ash and bone, the dark magic dissipating with a furious hiss.

The other wolves snarled and lunged at the teenage werewolves, but I moved fast, conjuring a shield of light, deflecting their attacks. Each blast of energy I released was more controlled, more powerful. The wolves fell one by one until the clearing was silent once more. We all stood quietly, staring at each other with pride in our eyes. The perfect utilization of my powers making us giddy with excitement. A small victory, but this was a result of the team effort.

I lowered my hands, my entire body glowing with positivity and sense of achievement as Xander hugged me proudly.

"You did it, baby," he said softly. I hugged him back, grateful for his support. My eyes fell on the youngsters behind Xander, their eyes filled with gratitude and awe, and I felt a swell of pride. I was becoming the Destiny Slayer, one battle at a time.

Xander POV

Isabelle's progress was nothing short of extraordinary. Every day, she grew more confident, more attuned to her power. The pack rallied around her, offering support and encouragement. Elder Marcellus continued to guide her understanding of the prophecy, while Dave and the warriors provided practical training in combat and strategy.

The pack's training grounds were a hive of activity. Warriors sparred with each other, honing their skills, while others set up defensive perimeters and traps to protect against further zombie wolf incursions. Isabelle joined these drills, learning to blend her abilities with traditional combat techniques.

One afternoon, at the training grounds, the temperature dropped suddenly, and a sense of foreboding settled over us. I glanced around, my senses on high alert.

"Something's wrong," I said, my voice low.

"What is it?"

Before I could respond, a dark shape emerged from the shadows. A zombie wolf, larger and more grotesque than any we had seen before, stalked towards us, its eyes burning with an unnatural light. This wolf was different. It moved with a sinister intelligence, dodging our attacks and striking back with brutal force. We all fought it side by side, but the wolf seemed impervious to our efforts. Catching every hit from us like we were caressing him and throwing away werewolves like ping pong balls thrown at him. My heart pounded with fear as its claws slashed through my skin, knocking me to the ground.

"Xander!" Isabelle cried, rushing to my side.

I struggled to my feet, wincing from the pain. "This one's tougher," I gritted out. "We need to find its weakness."

Isabelle's eyes blazed with determination. She raised her hands, and a swirling vortex of energy formed between them. The air crackled with power as she unleashed a devastating blast at the wolf. It howled in agony as the energy engulfed it, tearing it apart from the inside. When the light faded, nothing remained but a smoking crater.

Panting, Isabelle sank to her knees, exhaustion etched on her face. I knelt beside her, pulling her into a fierce embrace. "You did it," I murmured. "You did great baby."

But as we caught our breath, a rustling in the trees caught my attention. A group of figures emerged from the shadows, cloaked in dark robes, their faces obscured by hoods. They moved with an eerie grace, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

"Witches," I whispered, my blood running cold. "What are they doing here?"

One of the figures stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Isabelle with an intense, almost predatory gaze. "You possess great power," she said, her voice a silken whisper that sent chills down my spine. "But power like yours comes with a price."

"What do you want?" I asked, pushing Isabelle behind me. Feeling my skin slowly curing

The witch smiled, a cold, calculating expression that made my skin crawl. "We have come to offer you a choice, Destiny Slayer. Accept our guidance and unlock the true potential of your power… or face the consequences of refusing our aid."

As the witches closed in, their dark presence casting long shadows over us, I knew we had reached a turning point. The fate of our world hung in the balance, and the choice she would make in the next moments would shape the future of our pack and the battle against the encroaching darkness.

The witch's eyes gleamed with a dangerous promise as she extended a pale, slender hand towards Isabelle. "Choose wisely, child. Your destiny is at stake."

Isabelle met her gaze, unflinching, as the weight of her decision settled over her. The tension crackled in the air, and I held my breath, waiting for her response.