48
NIRVANA
It was beautiful, like somewhere that came from a milk brand ad, with a blue sky, fresh air, and greener grass. I first noticed the farmhouse in the distance and smoke coming out of its chimney.
“Asina?” I ran in that direction, towards the house, but she didn’t appear, unlike the first time we met.
“Are you lost?”
I abruptly stopped to hear a woman’s voice. She was in her early thirties but looked seemingly familiar like I could trust her with my life. “Hi. I’m sorry, but I was looking for Asina.”
When she smiled at me, I felt like I knew her my own life. “Nirvana.”
I swallowed hard and blinked when my eyes turned misty. “Mom?”
“Come inside, my beautiful girl.”
I threw myself in her and hugged her tight. “Mom, how is it possible? Where is Dad?”
“You grow up into such a beautiful young woman, honey.” She ignored my question and walked inside the house to the small door.
I followed her inside the kitchen. She must be baking something. I smelled butter and sugar. “Grandpa raised me well. He’s still running the restaurant.”
“You never let your hair short? I remember when you were little. I braided your hair or made pigtails. Why are you here, Nirvana?” She pulled a chair and sat down.
“I don’t know, Mom. I was looking for Asina, but it brought me here.”
“Just say your intention. Maybe I can help.”
“Do you know I’m still human? The curse is broken. By the way, I found my mate, but when I died, something changed when Ambrose saved me.”
She didn’t look surprised. “The spirit realm chose you when Ambrose saved you and because I failed our ancestors. The responsibility is brought down to you, Nirvana. This is your quest now. I’m so sorry.”
“What are you talking about?” My throat tightened.
“Since ancient times, no one has defeated Cyrius. He changed faces, traveled both worlds and couldn’t be killed. That is why your great-great-grandfather couldn’t do anything but lock him somewhere where no one could find him, but you’re here because he’s out. Our ancestors wanted to cut this responsibility by sacrificing their little girls to learn to be warriors, but those practices were broken when your grandmother met your grandpa.
I sucked in a low breath as my eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I don’t understand. I was a normal human who had just finished college until I met my mate and found out my grandfather was a werewolf.”
“Cyrius cannot ever succeed, my dear child. No matter what. Ever. I know this is a huge responsibility. If your Ambrose fails this time, the evil will flourish, chaos will be unleashed, and your world will be thrown out of balance. Many humans will die when the world is in chaos. War, famine, deaths. You name it.”
“And do you think I can defeat him? It’s impossible. I’m just a human who doesn’t have the power like Ambrose. I can’t even throw a punch. What made you think I can save the world?”
“You keep saying you’re only human, but only a woman descended from Katzius’s bloodline with a wolf spirit can defeat Cyrius. When you called Asina earlier, I knew you possessed the wolf spirit. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to tell you this story. I failed you, Nirvana, and you shouldn’t have to carry this burden of this family responsibility. Not many know about what Katzius can do.”
“I heard that name before. Who’s Katzius? And why Grandpa doesn’t know about this?”
“My mother chose not to tell your grandpa to protect him. Katzius is the most powerful warlock who ever lived, and he lived for thousands of years. We are descendants of the great Warlock Katzius.”
“Maybe the spirit has mistaken.”
“You’re here because you’re still doubting your newfound ultimate power and that you possess the most powerful spirit in the supernatural world. To do-”
“Ow.” My head suddenly hurt.
“You’re running out of time, Nirvana. The people waiting for you are calling you, waking you up.”
“I have so many things to ask, Mom. I’m somewhat teleporting, and I can’t control it. I accepted the spirit, but I think this is a side effect.”
“No. It’s not about accepting the wolf spirit. It’s about embracing who you’ve become. Stop doubting yourself. If you can’t do it, you’d never be chosen to carry this huge responsibility. And you must learn about your ancestors and your power,” she said in a rush. “Find your bloodline.”
“What should I do to defeat him?”
“By saving the world, it always comes at a price.”
I had a feeling I wouldn’t like this price. “What do you mean?”
“The war is coming to you, my sweet pea, and you should work together. Different beings should work hand in hand. I suggest you spend time with the people you love. Show them how much you care for them before it’s too late.”
“Mom, you’re scaring me. What do you mean by that?” I grimaced and felt like my head was going to explode.
“Your great great grandfather won’t win against Cyrius. That’s why you’re here. When you win the fight against him, you may come back or not, or might not remember the people you love.”
“I don’t wanna be a part of this.” I started crying, tears falling like a stream. “I can’t do this to them, Mom.”
“That’s the only way, by putting your duty and responsibility first and everyone else over yourself. Even your life.”
“No!” I sucked a breath and woke up. When I opened my eyes, I was still in the room in the castle.
“Nirvana?” The first person I saw was Knight.
I sat down and pulled him in a tight hug. I remembered what my mother told me, which turmoiled my emotions. I sobbed in his arms, and he let me cry.
“Hey. It’s going to be okay.” His voice was somehow soothing, and I felt his fingers running through my hair.
He had no idea that everything would never be okay, that I had to do something that could break his heart, and that our time together was limited.
If I regretted something, it was wasting my time instead of spending it with him.
Knight cupped my face and kissed my lips. “Whatever it is, we can get through this together, okay? I promise you.”
“Yeah.” I nodded even though it felt hard to breathe, and my chest felt heavy with things I had learned that I couldn’t share with him.
I wiped my tears when I noticed I wasn’t alone. Sebastien, Alexander, and Zarah had the same expression on their faces. It was taunting, but at the same time, we had bigger chances of defeating Cyrius now that lycans, witches, and werewolves could form an alliance together.
“Did you learn something?” Zarah came to give me a glass of water.
“Yeah. I didn’t meet Asina.” I instantly saw the disappointment in their eyes. “How long did I sleep?”
“Five minutes, and we had to pull you back.”
“Thank you, Zarah. All of you.” I drew a deep breath before I spoke. “I met my mother.”
“Sophie?” Zarah’s eyes widened as she smiled sadly. “What did she say?”
I stole a glance at Knight. “Ambrose might fail, and Cyrius will wreak havoc.”
“A war is coming,” Alexander said out loud with a tremble in his voice.Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.
“Yes. In order to defeat him, we should work together, and he can’t win, Alpha King, or our world is doomed.”
He nodded in understanding, breathing heavily.
“Did your mother tell you how to control your gift?”
I nodded at Knight. “I have to embrace what I have become. I should learn more about my ancestors. It begins with Katzius.”
“If your great-great-grandfather is Ambrose, then you have Katzius blood running in your veins,” Alexander said.
“Yeah, I heard that name before, but who the hell is Katzius?”
I held Knight’s hand, squeezing it. “Cyrius’s mortal enemy.”
“You should train yourself, Nirvana. We can’t defeat him without you?”
“What do you mean, Alpha King?” Knight asked, but I felt the worry in his voice.
“She’s the key to success.”
“Then you two should spend a few days together before you start training, Nirvana. There’s a cabin in Alaska. Rest your mind. Then start your hand-to-hand combat training.”
“Thank you, Alpha King.”
“Here. A Hecatolite.” Zarah had a necklace with a white stone pendant that shone blue. “Put this one on so we can track you, and it’s like an alarm system when you’re in danger. And Nirvana, don’t ever take this off.”