Chapter 23

Chapter

Twenty-Three

A s Colt plunged into the endless void, he braced himself for oblivion. The rush of air around him, the sickening lurch in his stomach as he fell—it all felt horrifyingly real. His mind raced with thoughts of Ariana, his pack, and the sacrifice he’d made. He squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the inevitable impact.

But it never came.

Instead, the sensation of falling slowed, as if he were sinking through water rather than plummeting through air. The oppressive darkness that had surrounded him thinned, giving way to a soft, diffused light. His feet touched solid ground, and he stumbled, disoriented by the sudden shift.

Blinking, he adjusted to his new surroundings. Gone was the crumbling bridge and the bottomless chasm. Instead, he found himself in a vast, circular chamber. Intricate hieroglyphs that shimmered with a golden hue adorned the walls, and the air was heavy with the scent of cedarwood. His heart raced as he tried to make sense of what had happened. Had it all been an illusion? A test? Was he dead? The relief of survival warred with confusion and a lingering sense of dread. He had been prepared to die, to sacrifice everything for Hannah and his pack. To leave the female he loved more than life itself behind. The emotional whiplash left him reeling.

“Hannah?” he called out, his voice echoing in the chamber. But there was no response. He was alone.

He cautiously explored the room. Touched the stone wall, the chill of it seeping into his fingertips. The sensation felt incredibly real. Smooth to the touch, the raised edges of the hieroglyphs depicted scenes of judgment, of scales weighing hearts against feathers. The imagery sent a shiver down his spine.

As he moved, he noticed every sensation. The solid ground beneath his feet, the air that filled his lungs—it all felt more vivid, more real than it had before. He wondered if this was what it felt like to be reborn, to step back from the brink of death. Or perhaps he really was dead. Was he here to face his judgment?

In the center of the chamber stood a large, ornate scale. Its golden surface gleamed in the soft light and drew him in. As he approached, he saw one side of the scale holding a small, intricately carved feather. The other side was empty, waiting. As he stood there, mesmerized, the air around it seemed to shimmer, as if the very fabric of reality was thinner there. The weight of ancient magic pressed down on him, making each breath a conscious effort.

“You have passed the first test, Alpha of the Moonshadow pack,” a deep, resonant voice echoed through the chamber.

Colt whirled around, his muscles tensing as he searched for the source of the voice. From the shadows at the edge of the room, a figure emerged. Tall and imposing, with the head of a jackal atop a human body, Anubis stepped into the light.

“Anubis,” Colt breathed, a mixture of awe and trepidation coursed through him.

The god of the dead inclined his head. “You were willing to sacrifice yourself for another. It is a rare quality, especially among those who hold power.”

Colt swallowed hard, his mind racing. “It wasn’t a real choice then? Just another test?”

Anubis’s dark eyes seemed to peer into Colt’s very soul. “The choice was real, Alpha. Your willingness to sacrifice yourself was genuine. That is what matters.”

Relief and confusion warred within. He glanced back at the scale, understanding dawning. “And now? What happens now?”

“Now,” Anubis said, moving closer to the scale, “we weigh your heart.”

A chill ran down his spine. He remembered the ancient Egyptian belief that after death, a person’s heart would be weighed against the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth and justice. If the heart was heavier than the feather, it would be devoured by Ammit, and the soul would cease to exist.

“But I’m not dead, am I?” Colt asked, even as he felt a strange tugging sensation in his chest.

Anubis’s jackal features remained impassive. “Death is not always a permanent state, Alpha. And sometimes, one must come close to death to truly understand life.”

Anubis raised his hand, then curled his fingers into a fist. Pain, sharp and blinding, ripped through Colt’s chest. He gasped, clutching at his heart as a glowing orb emerged from his body. It pulsed with a warm, reddish light, and he instinctively knew it was his heart—not the physical organ, but the essence of his being, his soul.

The orb floated toward the scale, settling onto the empty side. He held his breath, watched as the balance wavered. For a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, the scale tipped back and forth, unable to settle. Memories flashed through his mind—every decision he’d ever made, every moment of doubt, every act of kindness or cruelty. He saw his life laid bare, stripped of pretense and justification. The weight of his choices, his burdens, his loves, and his losses, all condensed into this single moment of judgment.

Finally, with agonizing slowness, the scale tipped. Colt’s heart sank as he saw his side dip lower than the feather. Had he failed? Was this the end?

But then, just as the balance seemed decided, something changed. A warm, golden light emanated from his heart. It pulsed once, twice, and with each pulse, new threads of light appeared. They stretched out from his heart, reaching into the shadows of the chamber and beyond.

Colt gasped as he realized what he was seeing. These were the bonds he shared—with his pack, with Ariana, with every person whose life he had touched. Each thread was a connection, a testament to the love and loyalty he had inspired and returned.

As the light grew stronger, the scale shifted. Slowly, it moved back toward equilibrium. When it finally settled, his heart rested perfectly level with the feather of Ma’at.

Anubis nodded, a hint of approval in his otherworldly gaze. “Your heart is balanced, Alpha. You carry great burdens, but they are matched by the strength of your bonds and the purity of your intentions.”

As Anubis’s words echoed through the chamber, a shimmer of light appeared near the entrance. Hannah materialized, her eyes wide with confusion and relief. She stumbled, disoriented by the sudden shift in her surroundings.

“Colt?” she called out, her gaze darting around the room before landing on him. “You’re alive! I thought… I saw you fall…”

He turned to face her, a mix of emotions playing across his features. “Hannah,” he breathed, relief clear in his voice. “You made it.”

Hannah rushed toward him, then hesitated, remembering the tension that had always existed between them. She settled for a respectful nod, her bright blue eyes searching his face. “Another test, then? You didn’t really…?”

“It was real,” he breathed, his gaze flickering to Anubis. “Or as real as anything can be in this place.”

Hannah followed his gaze, her breath catching as she took in the imposing figure of Anubis. The god of the dead regarded her with inscrutable eyes, his jackal head tilting.

“Granddaughter of Aidyn,” Anubis intoned, his voice resonating with ancient power. “You, too, have faced your trials.”

Hannah straightened, a flicker of pride crossing her features. “I have,” she said, her voice steady despite the awe she clearly felt in Anubis’s presence.

Anubis turned his attention back to Colt, his dark eyes seeming to peer into his very soul. “Alpha of the Moonshadow pack, you have proven your worth. But the trials you face in the world of the living will require more than just courage and self-sacrifice.”

With a wave of his hand, Anubis summoned a swirling vortex of shadowy energy. It coalesced into a pulsing orb that hovered between them.

“I offer you a gift,” Anubis continued, “and a burden. The gift of vision, to aid you in the battle against Selene. For a time, you will see her past and present, to understand her motives and stop her.”

Colt worked his jaw, understanding the magnitude of what was being offered. But before he could speak, Anubis raised a hand in warning.

“This power comes at a cost,” the god continued, his voice grave. “Each time you use this gift, it will weaken you. Use it too much, and it could kill you. A piece of the Duat will remain within you, a shadow that will linger even after the vision fades. It may darken your thoughts, challenge your resolve. This darkness is not merely a passive presence, but a living essence of the underworld itself.”

Colt hesitated, feeling the weight of the decision before him. He glanced at Hannah, saw the concern in her eyes, then looked back to Anubis. “Will this darkness... will it put my mate, my pack, at risk?”

Anubis’s expression remained impassive, but his eyes held a glimmer of something ancient and knowing. “The darkness will be yours to control, Alpha, but it will also seek to control you. It will whisper in your mind, offering power and temptation. It may amplify your anger, your fears, your doubts. In moments of weakness, it could push you toward decisions you might later regret. Your pack and mate may not be at direct risk, but they could feel the effects of the changes within you.”

He paused, his gaze intensifying. “This darkness is a double-edged sword. It can grant you insights and strength beyond mortal limits, but it can also lead you astray if you’re not vigilant. It will test your willpower, your values, and your commitment to your pack. Are you prepared for such a battle, not just against external foes, but within yourself?”

Colt took a deep breath, absorbing the gravity of Anubis’s words. He squared his shoulders, determined to save his mate and pack. “If it will help me protect my pack, my mate… then I accept. I’ll fight this darkness every day if I have to. My pack, my mate—they’re worth any risk, any struggle.”

Hannah stepped forward, her voice laced with worry. “Colt, are you sure? We don’t know what this could do to you.”

He turned to her, determination filling him. “I’m sure. Whatever the cost, I’ll bear it if it means keeping everyone safe.”

Anubis nodded, and the orb of swirling energy appeared before Colt. As it touched his forehead, it sank into his skin, spreading a web of shimmering light beneath the surface before fading from view. His body tensed as the foreign power coursed through him.

“Your eyes…” Hannah gasped. “They were glowing for a moment.”

“It is done,” Anubis declared. “Use this gift wisely, Alpha. And remember, it will only work when you are near Selene, and each use comes at a price.”

Colt nodded, still adjusting to the strange sensation of the Duat’s power within him. “Thank you,” he said, his voice slightly strained. “We won’t waste this chance.”

Anubis’s dark gaze shifted from Colt to a shimmering portal behind him, the expressions of wisdom and ancient knowledge mingling in his eyes. “The trials are not solely yours, Alpha,” he began, his deep voice reverberating through the chamber, “for Ariana has also faced a monumental choice in her path.”

Colt’s heart stuttered at the mention of Ariana’s name. A flood of dread and concern surged through him. “What do you mean? What choice did she face?” The grip of worry clenched around his heart, wrapping around him like a vise.

Anubis raised a hand, and in an instant, a new vision enveloped the chamber—a swirling array of colors depicting the moment Ariana had returned to her pack just before the darkness had consumed their home. “When she chose to stand with her family instead of completing her trials, she showed exceptional courage and sacrifice. Therefore, I will grant her a powerful gift: the Gift of the Shielded Soul.”

In the vision, Colt watched Ariana as she stood tall despite the chaos around her, her determination shining brightly like a beacon. He could see the aura that surrounded her, a shimmering shield of light, vibrant and alive. It pulsed with colors reminiscent of dawn breaking, the promise of light fighting against the encroaching darkness.

Anubis turned to face Colt once more, his voice carrying the weight of eternity. “This gift allows Ariana to extend her protective aura, forming a shield that can deflect and absorb dark magic and mental attacks. As long as she stands, her pack will be guarded from Selene’s corruption.”

Relief washed over Colt, knowing that his mate had such a powerful defense against the enemy they faced. But Anubis’s next words made his blood run cold.

“However,” the god warned, “this power comes at a terrible cost. Each time Ariana summons the Shielded Soul, it drains her life force. Overuse of this gift could leave her weakened to the point of death.”

His jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists at his sides. The thought of Ariana sacrificing herself, giving her life’s essence to protect the pack, was almost more than he could bear. “No…” he growled, shaking his head. “I won’t let that happen. She can’t?—”

Anubis silenced him with a raised hand. “Understand this, Alpha,” Anubis intoned, his voice a blend of stern authority and ancient patience. “She chose to come here and chose to leave. Love and sacrifice are intertwined paths. It is the burden of true leaders.”

Colt felt a surge of conflicting emotions—gratitude for Ariana’s bravery and a deep, gnawing fear for her well-being. “But isn’t there another way?” he implored, desperation tinging his words.

Anubis’s gaze softened, just a fraction. “All choices have consequences. To protect is to sacrifice, and to gain power is to invite risk. Both you and Ariana have been given gifts that can turn the tide, but they demand a high price. This is the balance.”

“Does Ariana know she has this gift?” Hannah asked.

“No. It is a gift given in this moment. It is up to you to enlighten her.” His gaze swept over Colt and Hannah, his dark eyes gleaming with ancient wisdom. “Now, listen carefully,” he said, his voice reverberating through the chamber. “The blade Selene wields was forged to maintain balance, not to destroy it. Its power comes from the dying star at its core, a fragment of cosmic energy that can unravel the very fabric of fate.”

Colt and Hannah exchanged a glance. They were already aware of the blade and its power. It was why they had come here.

“To stop Selene,” Anubis continued, “you must first break her connection to the blade. It feeds on her anger, her desire for vengeance. Remind her of who she once was, of the protector she was meant to be. This will weaken her hold on the weapon.”

Anubis turned to Colt, his eyes glowing with otherworldly knowledge. “Alpha, the gift of vision I have bestowed upon you will be crucial in this task. When you are near Selene, use it to peer into her past. You will see the events that shaped her, the pain that drives her. Use this knowledge to reach the part of her that still remembers her true purpose. Speak to her of the comrades she lost, of the balance she once sought to maintain. Your words, infused with the power of truth, may be enough to shake her resolve and loosen the blade’s grip on her soul.”

“What if that doesn’t work?” Hannah asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Anubis’s gaze shifted to Hannah, his expression grave. “Then, demigoddess, you must destroy her by fire. But understand this—it is not a simple act of immolation. The fire required is the purifying flame of the phoenix, the very essence of rebirth and renewal that flows through your veins.”

Hannah’s eyes widened as understanding dawned. “You mean…”

“Yes,” Anubis confirmed solemnly. “To unleash this power, you must embrace your phoenix nature fully. You must allow yourself to burn, to be consumed by the flames of renewal. In doing so, you will create a fire so pure, so potent, that it can cleanse Selene of the blade’s corruption and give her a chance at redemption.”

“But,” Hannah hesitated, “if I do that, won’t I… die?”

Anubis nodded. “In a sense, yes. The guardian part of you will perish in the flames. Your body will be reduced to ash. But your phoenix essence will survive, waiting to be reborn. However, this rebirth is not guaranteed. The process is perilous, and there is a chance that you may never return.”

“It won’t come to that,” Colt assured. He hoped anyway, because there was fear in the depths of Hannah’s eyes.

She steeled herself. “I fucking hate burning, but if I must consume my life in fire to stop Selene, then so be it.” She leaned forward. “And then? How do we neutralize the blade itself?”

Anubis raised a hand, and a shimmering image appeared before them—a cavern deep beneath the earth, where starlight seemed to pool like liquid. “The blade must be returned to its resting place, the Chamber of Celestial Harmony. There, its power will be contained, and balance restored.”

Colt nodded, committing every detail to memory. “We understand. But how do we find this chamber?”

“Trust in your bonds,” Anubis replied. “The path will reveal itself to those who are worthy.”

With a wave of his hand, Anubis summoned a swirling portal of darkness and light. “Your time here is at an end. Return to your world and face the challenges that await you.”

As Colt and Hannah moved toward the portal, Anubis’s voice rang out once more, filled with ominous warning. “But remember this, champions of the living. The blade is but the beginning. The darkness that it was forged to fight has not yet fully awakened, but when it does, you must be ready.”

Colt opened his mouth to ask for clarification, but Anubis raised a hand, silencing him.

“Go now,” the god commanded. “Your pack needs you.”