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 flames , stare at me from that shapeless face , making me tremble in fear .
Its body was made of a black 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 claws 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 a lakeside 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 flayed off my body .
Something inside me awakened .
An uncontrollable 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 claws , 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 my command .
Kill .
Kill Kill .
Following pure instinct , I opened my mouth to devour the black 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 Valeria lay unconscious on the ground .
The specter … it was backing away from her like it was afraid .
What was she ? WHAT IS THAT MAIDENT She had completely 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 become .
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 .
Alarms blared 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 black sludge .
The remains clung to the frame like a grotesque shadow .
One glance 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 collapsed , 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 collar 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 !