WHAT IS THAT MAIDEN ?! VALERIA I had only ever heard of them in childrens horror stories .


    They were almost impossible to find , and nearly no one had survived after seeing them .


    Beings of pure dark energy and evil rotting , murderous magic .


    Its red eyes , like two deep abysses filled with mes , stare at me from that shapeless face , making me tremble in fear .


    Its body was made of a ck mist , with long , dangling strands that hung from every part of it as it advanced toward me .


    Its arms were far too long , disproportionate , with massive , razor sharp ws that could slice me clean through .


    I crawled backward , dragging myself across the ground .


    I couldnt feel my legs .


    My heart was pounding so fast I thought it would stop at any moment .


    I tried to get up multiple times , failing each attempt .


    It loomed over me , and through the darkness , I saw with terror as it opened a wide mouth filled with crooked teeth and grinned , making every hair on my body stand on end .


    AAAHHH ! I screamed , covering my face as the intimidating shadow enveloped me in its darkness , swallowing me whole .


    Suddenly , forgotten memories from my childhood came flooding back .


    I had been happy with my parents .


    We would take vacations at akeside cabin .


    I went out fishing , exploring freely .


    But when I returned , I couldnt find them anywhere .


    I saw myself climbing the stairs again , the strong scent of blood reaching my nose .


    My trembling hand pushed open their bedroom door and then I saw them .


    Their lifeless bodies were sprawled on the floor .


    And above them , that same specter , feeding on their blood and flesh .


    Hearing my scream at the door , it noticed me and lunged to levour me as well .


    I dont want to die I want to live ! I want to live ! Those were my thoughts then and now .


    I shifted back into my human form , pain searing through me far beyond what anyone could endure like my skin was being yed off my body .


    Something inside me awakened .


    An uncontroble rage surged through my veins , a power filling every muscle with infinite strength .


    I opened my eyes and roared at the darkness consuming me I dug my hands , now bearing long , sharp ws , intol that shadow .


    1/4  WHAT IS THAT MAIDENT I wanted to consume it instead to hurt it , destroy it .


    A flurry of raven wings began circling us , their war cries echoing as they attacked .


    And I felt it .


    The specter was afraid of me .


    It was weakening , its power being drained as I screamed like a madwoman , tearing into its faceless void .


    It was it who was now trying to escape from me .


    Youre going to die , you bastard ! I wont let you kill anyone else like you did my parents ! I WONT LET YOU ! A high pitched screech erupted from its twisted mouth as the ravens continued their relentless attack .


    It felt as if my connection to them strengthened they followed my will , obeying mymand .


    Kill .


    Kill Kill .


    Following pure instinct , I opened my mouth to devour the ck mist , the evil within .


    But I underestimated it .


    I took in far too much .


    The power exploded inside me , far too overwhelming knocking me unconscious , leaving me vulnerable once again .


    ADELE Hiding behind a bush , I could barely believe what I was witnessing .


    My trembling hand covered my mouth to stifle a scream .


    That woman … that woman lying there on the ground she was fighting the specter .


    And then a flock of ravens swirled around her , pecking at that monstrous thing .


    How … how could she be resisting it ? And worse the specter was screaming in pain , as if it was the victim .


    The ravens blocked some of my view , but there was no doubt this had to be the woman they were looking for .


    The one who could read the secrets engraved on the Goddesss altar .


    If I could lead them to her if they captured her maybe they would finally leave us alone .


    Maybe theyd return my older sister unharmed .


    My heart pounded like a drum , torn between fear and hope But then everything changed.


    The ravens suddenly scattered into the sky , and Valeriay unconscious on the ground .


    The specter … it was backing away from her like it was afraid .


    What was she ? WHAT IS THAT MAIDENT She hadpletely lied to us .


    I hesitated for just a moment lost in those chaotic thoughts .


    And that moment cost me everything .


    A cold chill ran down my spine .


    Sweat soaked my clothes .


    I lifted my head , peering over the bush where I hid- The shadow loomed above me , seething with hatred and resentment .


    In the distance , I could hear footsteps those men approaching .


    I had called them here to capture Valeria .


    To deliver her .


    I opened my mouth to scream for help- But the sound never came .


    The darkness swallowed my voice forever .


    ALDRIC I reached the market just after finishing my conversation with the Alpha .


    That bastard was hiding something , but no matter how much I pressed , he refused to speak .


    1 was already losing patience .


    If he pushed me further , Id force the truth out of him .


    But my mind was somewhere else entirely focused only on her .


    On how cold and distant she had be .


    I knew it was for the best .


    But still , I craved the way things used to be .


    I wandered the market , asking about Valeria but I couldnt find her .


    Panic set in .


    The night was deepening .


    Some stalls were already closing Lifting my head , I sniffed the air , searching for her scent- Something was wrong .


    A foul , bitter stench mixed with her trail .


    rms red through my senses , and I broke into a run heading straight for the forest .


    Her faint scent lingered there .


    I arrived at an ancient temple .


    She had been here .


    Circling the stone structure , Inoticed dried blood hidden in the grass below .


    ?25 DONUS  WHAT IS THAT MAIDENH Blood from someone powerful .


    Not my kind .


    And not Valeria either .


    I scanned the forest , following the trail further .


    The closer I got , the stronger the stench of death and decay rew I knew that smell all too well .


    No ..


    no , please , not her .


    Not again .


    Not her , too .


    A suffocating panic gripped me something I hadnt felt incenturies .


    Memories Id buried long ago resurfaced , and this time I wouldnt survive it again .


    I reached the clearing and froze .


    A corpse .


    Stripped of flesh , organs , everything just a husk of bone and rotting ck sludge .


    The remains clung to the frame like a grotesque shadow .


    One nce at the torn clothes and the pale strands of hair realized .


    It wasnt Valeria It was the Alphas daughter .


    VALERIA ! VALERIA ! I roared , searching the entire area like a madman .


    But besides the stench of death someone had covered her trail with a powerful masking scent .


    I was ready to shift .


    If I had to tear this entire wretched pack apart stone by stone , I would .


    But then- A scream behind me .


    I turned- The Alpha and his mate , crying hysterically as they copsed , clutching their chests .


    They must have felt the severed bond felt the death of their daughter .


    The Alpha stumbled to her remains , trembling and broken No , no , no ! They promised they wouldnt hurt her ! My baby , why ?! WHY ?! AAAAHHH ! CURSE YOU , DAMN YOU ALL ! I didnt care .


    I stormed toward him , seizing his cor and yanking him to his feet .


    Youre going to tell me right now what the hell is happening here and where they took Valeria OR YOULL DIE WITH HER !