Sacred Species, Energy Collision, and United Destiny

THIRD PERSON'S POV

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"The p-prophecy shield c-can not be b-brought here."

Ares was well aware.

Still, he stood there unwavering in the same sitting room, without looking even once at the battered Beta, who slumped in the secluded corner in a battered state.

He was unconscious, with his neck twisted at an awkward, painful angle. His right eye was swollen shut, sporting a huge purple bruise on the entire right side of his face. His wrists were broken and so was his spinal cord.

Hadn't the Alpha stepped up when he did, his Beta would have ended up with all 206 of his bones broken.

Stepping up as in pleading and begging on his knees with his head bowed down at Ares feet, with snots and tears pouring down his face.

Just a second, and a flick of his wrist resulted in that state of the Beta. Having witnessed the entire ordeal with his very own eyes, it was as clear as the bright sky that Hilton was deathly scared of the petrifying beast in front of him.

He trembled, looking up at the towering figure of the beast, as he knelt in front of him on his knees, throwing away all his honor and dignity.

Hmph, what an Alpha he is.

"Y-you will h-have t-to g-go to the u-under-ground dungeon i-in the b-basement t-to access the s-shield."

Ares knew that, too. The prophecy shield holds significant spiritual value, as it is sent down directly to species by their respective deities. Since it needs to be protected and given proper decorum, the species kept it underground in a proper sanctuary.

The shield itself carried sacred powers, so the few species: werewolves, vampires, dragons, serpents and demons  — that received the prophecy from their deities were well reputable and untouchable.

Well, until the Lycan King decides it's not.

Because the very pack, holding the prophecy shield, was being crumbled to ashes.

No sacred power on earth could protect them now.

For Ares' entire being is an embodiment of sacredness, born with a piece of moon himself.

~ ~ ~

With a snap of Elio's fingers, a sharp root sprouted from the ground, tearing it apart, and the muddy surroundings crumbled to make way for them to step inside, under the ground where the prophecy shield was being kept. 

Another snap, and the grass vines and sturdy branches intertwined together in an intricate pattern to form a bridge like sequence.

"You're getting better, Leo." Ares commended Elio, as he passed his hands on the soft surface of the make-shift leafy bridge as he stepped down in quick strides. 

"Thanks to you." He grumbled, yet a miniscule smile lit up his face as he walked after his king.

They descended beneath the forest floor, following a winding passage that led deep into the earth.

"Hm, isn't this place too shabby for a rather esteemed pack? The audacity." 

Elio remarked, seeing the dull state of the sanctum as he strolled leisurely with his hands in his pockets along with Ares, who marched forward with a stoic countenance. 

The crumbling walls of the underground sanctum were rough-hewn stone, their ancient runes barely visible under layers of dust and neglect. Flickering flames of the torches cast eerie shadows, revealing the sanctum's deteriorating state. Cracks marred the stone floor, and cobwebs clung to the ceiling, giving the impression that this place had been long forgotten. 

"Ah, this is making me angry. Aren't you supposed to keep the shield in high regards? What is this state? Perhaps they don't realize its significance." He grumbled in anger as his eyes scanned the shambles, the werewolves called a sanctum.

The f-cking nerve.

"This is likely why they seemed hesitant when I mentioned this place." 

The prophecy shield, a massive, intricately carved stone tablet, stood on a raised pedestal in the center of the room. It was covered by a blue shimmering energy field which was a barrier of protection created by the moon goddess. 

Ares approached the shield, his eyes narrowing as he studied the ancient symbols etched into its surface. The moonlight streaming through a small opening in the sanctum's ceiling danced upon the shield's surface, revealing a faint, ethereal, misty glow. 

[*** daughter of yours will be your destruction ** *********

**** daughter shall be the most powerful ** *** **** and her **** shall be the ****** one by the moon for she is blessed by the heavens

So ******* her for her life is ***** *** **** **** the ***** ******] 

"The Beta's daughters are believed to be the subject of the prophecy. The elder daughter is considered 'the most powerful' and the younger, Seraphina, is considered as the 'destruction' because her mother died soon after her birth. It is foolish, if I say so myself." 

Elio watched his king carefully, a mixture of curiosity and concern in his eyes.

"Are you able to decipher it further? The useless elders here gave up after their energy was exhausted, and the Beta accepted the fragmented prophecy. Actually, does he even deserve such a title? I wonder what prompted the goddess to bestow such an honor on a worthless person."

Elio grumbled in anger as he recalled the Beta's hideous face and actions. Adam, his partner who had the ability to control people's minds, assisted him while he was gathering information. And what the damn wolves told him was more than enough for this entire pack to burn down to ashes. 

This mistreatment against the lycans was the premise of the Lycan Pack. 

He deserves to be tortured endlessly. 

Ares didn't answer immediately. He extended a hand toward the shield but hesitated just before softly caressing the shield with a ghost of touch. Then he flattened his palm against the rough surface of the tablet, injecting his energy inside. A grey wisp of mist fluttered from his palm, mixing with the shimmery blue energy of the shield. As the different colored energies were on the verge of becoming one, a fiery red colored force interrupted the union, forcing them both apart. The sudden intrusion of the unknown force resulted in the Ares' energy returning to him. 

He nodded his head to himself.

"While the elders here are truly useless, the shield seems to have been tampered with." He finally said, his voice low and contemplative.

Elio's eyes widened as he took in Ares' words, "Doesn't manipulation of the prophecy results in a severe curse?" 

Ares nodded his head. "That's right. That is why the person put a restrictive block on the shield that hinders from the prophecy to complete." 

"I will start investigating right away."

"But the answers I was seeking for," Ares began as he touched the stone of the shield one more time, "I have found them." 

Elio nodded in understanding, fully aware of the weight of Ares' words. The prophecy shield held the key to their fates, and the lycan king, was determined to unlock its mysteries.

"The stone of this shield is the same as mine." 

"Does that mean....?"

As Ares and Elio stood before the shield, the underground sanctum seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the revelation that would change the course of their world.

"Our fates are intertwined, and wherever it leads us, her and my destiny is the same."