Nexus Bond

Band of Wolves Arc: Part 9

"What is Malice doing here?" Mel demanded, her voice trembling.

"She didn't know everything," Eldric replied, his tone grim.

"Huh?" Mel gasped.

Amid the chaos, Akira somehow struggled to his feet, his body swaying.

"What is going on?" Raz asked, his sharp eyes scanning the scene.

The entire pack held its breath.

"It looks like I was right after all," Malice said, a grin spreading across his face as he locked eyes with Eldric.

"You were. And you are weak," Eldric growled.

"Shut up!"

Malice's grin widened. "After our first meeting, you paid me a little visit."

"What?" Mel interjected, her confusion palpable.

"Yes. I still remember it vividly," Malice continued, his voice laced with mockery. "You came to me, spouting your ideals, preaching your empty philosophy. I told you—if you believed in your convictions so much, why not abandon them? Just for one day. And you said yes."

"That was my greatest mistake," Eldric admitted, his voice heavy with regret.

"I accepted because your words... they wouldn't leave my mind." He paused, struggling against the weight of his memories. "Because of you, I descended into my own Darkness. And I..."

His voice broke, unable to continue.

Malice laughed, his tone dripping with scorn. "Pathetic. All because of these two humans, you've grown weak again. They don't deserve to live."

"Try and see," Eldric challenged, his crimson eyes burning with fury.

Malice fixed his gaze on Eldric, smiling coldly before rushing forward. Eldric roared and lunged to intercept him, but Malice dodged with practiced ease—he wasn't aiming for Eldric.

"Mel, no!" Akira shouted, panic breaking his voice.

In an instant, Malice seized Mel, lifting her effortlessly into the air.

"Take one more step, and I'll throw this brat off the cliff," he snarled.

"Let me go!" Mel struggled, her voice defiant despite her fear.

"Shut up, you little pest," Malice hissed.

"Malice!" Eldric howled, the sound reverberating through the air like a primal warning.

The force of Eldric's howl caused the ground beneath Malice to tremble. Gravel scattered, and suddenly both Malice and Mel teetered on the edge. Before anyone could act, the unstable ground gave way.

"Mel!" Akira and Eldric screamed in unison.

Mel clung to an overgrown rock just below the cliff's edge, while Malice dangled a few feet below her, his grin unfaltering.

"Help me, Akira!" Mel cried, desperation seeping into her voice.

"Oh no, what do we do?" Raz asked, his voice tinged with panic.

Malice, ever the opportunist, began climbing toward Mel.

"No! Malice is getting closer," Eldric warned, his eyes narrowing.

"Should I shoot him down?" Akira asked, gripping his weapon tightly.

"No! Don't even try!" Raz barked.

"Then what do we do?!" Akira shouted, his voice cracking under the pressure.

Mel closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the tension. A soft whisper escaped her lips: "Grandma..."

The rock she was clinging to suddenly burst free and began to float.

"No!" Malice shouted, reaching in vain as the rock lifted Mel higher.

Everyone watched in awe as the impossible unfolded.

"What is happening?" Akira breathed, stunned.

Mel opened her eyes, realizing she was floating. "Huh? What—"

Her grip slipped, and she plummeted.

"Got you!" Eldric caught her mid-fall, cradling her protectively as he landed back on solid ground.

Mel blinked, disoriented. "Akira... am I safe?"

"Yeah, you are," Eldric said gently, setting her down.

His crimson eyes turned to the cliff's edge, where Malice clung precariously to a jagged rock below. Despite his peril, Malice's grin remained intact.

"Enjoying the view, Eldric?" Malice taunted, his voice echoing eerily. "Save me, or let me fall. Either way, this isn't the end. I'll return."

Eldric's jaw tightened, his claws flexing. "You don't deserve to live after everything you've done."

"Then prove it!" Malice roared. "Do it, Eldric! Show me you're not a coward!"

"Eldric!" Mel's voice cut through the tension. "Every decision has a consequence."

Eldric hesitated, his crimson eyes flickering with conflicting emotions.

After a long pause, he turned away, his voice low but resolute. "You're not worth it."

Malice's laughter echoed, hollow and bitter. "You think sparing me is a victory?"

With a final smirk, Malice released his grip and let himself fall into the abyss.

"No!" Eldric shouted, his voice raw.

The silence that followed was deafening.

"Why would he do that?" Raz asked, stunned.

Akira mumbled something incoherent before collapsing.

"Akira!" Mel cried, rushing to his side.

Eldric's expression darkened, his gaze fixed on the void where Malice had disappeared. The battle was over, but its scars remained.