Chapter 6 The Ghost of Selene

Author's POV

"Alistair, we need to run!" Isaac shouted, panic in his voice.

Alistair shook his head. "No. We face him."

Selene's eyes were wide with fear. "You can't fight the Wraith King, Alistair. He's too strong."

"I've fought worse," Alistair growled, stepping forward.

Isaac grabbed his arm. "You're insane! We won't survive this."

Alistair pulled away. "I'm not running."

Selene moved closer to him, her voice trembling. "Please, listen to me. He's not like the others. He'll destroy us."

Alistair looked at her, his heart heavy. "Then we'll stop him together."

"You don't understand!" Selene's voice cracked. "I've seen what he can do. He's pure darkness."

Alistair clenched his fists. "I don't care what he is. I won't let him hurt you."

Isaac groaned, backing against the wall. "We're all going to die."

A chilling voice echoed through the cave. "You're already dead, Isaac."

Isaac's face turned pale. "He knows my name."

Alistair's heart pounded, but he stood firm. "Show yourself!"

The shadows in the cave shifted, and a dark figure stepped into the light. The Wraith King. His presence filled the room with a cold, heavy air.

"Alistair," the Wraith King said, his voice deep and hollow. "You've come far."

Alistair glared at him. "I'm not afraid of you."

The Wraith King chuckled. "You should be."

Isaac's breathing quickened. "We can't fight him, Alistair. Look at him!"

Selene grabbed Alistair's hand. "We need to leave, now."

Alistair shook his head. "No. We end this here."

The Wraith King's eyes glowed. "You think you can defeat me? Foolish."

Alistair stepped forward, his jaw clenched. "I'll do whatever it takes."

The Wraith King smiled darkly. "Then you will die."

Selene pulled on Alistair's arm. "Don't do this. You can't win."

Alistair looked at her, his voice soft. "I have to try."

Isaac stepped back, his hands shaking. "We need to get out of here. Now!"

But the Wraith King raised his hand, and the cave entrance sealed shut with a wall of shadows.

"There's no escape," the Wraith King said calmly.

Alistair growled, readying himself to fight. "I don't need to escape. I just need to stop you."

"You are brave," the Wraith King said, his voice mocking. "But bravery will not save you."

Alistair lunged at him, his fists aimed for the Wraith King's chest.

But before he could land a hit, the Wraith King disappeared into the shadows, reappearing behind him.

"You cannot touch me, Alistair," the Wraith King whispered.

Alistair spun around, swinging again, but his fists hit nothing but air.

Selene screamed. "Alistair, stop!"

Isaac was frozen in place, his eyes wide with terror. "This is impossible."

Alistair kept swinging, determined not to give up. "Come out and fight!"

The Wraith King's laughter echoed in the cave. "You are wasting your strength."

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through Alistair's chest. He stumbled, gasping for breath.

"Alistair!" Selene cried, rushing to his side.

The Wraith King watched them, his eyes cold. "You cannot defeat what you do not understand."

Selene's hands trembled as she held Alistair. "Please, stop this. He'll kill you."

Alistair struggled to his feet. "I'm not done yet."

Isaac backed into the corner, his voice shaking. "We're doomed. He's too powerful."

The Wraith King moved closer, his presence overwhelming. "It's time you understood true fear."

Selene stood in front of Alistair, her eyes pleading. "Please, don't hurt him."

The Wraith King tilted his head, his gaze settling on Selene. "Ah, Selene. So loyal. So foolish."

Alistair stepped forward, standing protectively in front of her. "You stay away from her."

The Wraith King smiled. "Why protect her? She's the reason you're all in this mess."

Alistair's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Selene looked down, guilt flashing across her face. "Alistair... I didn't tell you everything."

"What?" Alistair asked, confused. "What do you mean?"

The Wraith King chuckled. "She's been hiding the truth from you. All this time."

Alistair looked at Selene, his heart pounding. "What truth?"

Selene's voice was barely a whisper. "I... I made a deal with him."

Isaac gasped. "What?"

Alistair's eyes widened. "Selene, what did you do?"

Selene's eyes filled with tears. "I didn't have a choice. I thought it would protect the pack."

"You thought wrong," the Wraith King said, his voice cold. "You gave me power."

Alistair shook his head in disbelief. "You made a deal with him?"

Selene sobbed. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it would come to this."

Isaac was pale, his voice shaking. "You betrayed us?"

"I was trying to save us!" Selene cried. "I thought I could control him."

Alistair's heart ached. "You... you lied to me."

Selene's tears streamed down her face. "I didn't want to, but I had to. Please, believe me."

The Wraith King laughed. "And now, it's too late."

Alistair clenched his fists, his anger rising. "What did you promise him?"

Selene looked away, her voice barely audible. "I promised him... me."

Isaac gasped. "What?"

Alistair felt like the air had been knocked out of him. "You... promised him yourself?"

Selene nodded, her voice shaking. "I thought it would save everyone."

The Wraith King smiled darkly. "And now, it's time for her to fulfill that promise."

Alistair's eyes burned with fury. "No. I won't let you take her."

Selene stepped forward, her voice trembling. "Alistair, you can't stop this."

Alistair grabbed her arm. "I won't lose you again."

The Wraith King's voice echoed through the cave. "Her fate is sealed. She belongs to me."

Isaac was trembling, his voice barely a whisper. "This is all a nightmare."

Alistair's heart raced. He couldn't lose Selene. Not like this. "There has to be another way."

Selene looked at him, her eyes filled with sorrow. "There isn't. This is the only way to save you all."

Alistair shook his head. "No. I'll fight him. I'll stop him."

Selene's voice was soft but firm. "You can't. He's too strong."

The Wraith King raised his hand, darkness swirling around them. "It's over, Alistair. She is mine."

Alistair's breath quickened. He couldn't let this happen. "Selene, don't do this."

Selene stepped toward the Wraith King, her body trembling. "I have to. For you. For the pack."

Alistair grabbed her hand, desperation in his eyes. "No! There has to be another way."

Selene's voice broke. "I'm sorry."

The Wraith King moved closer, his eyes locked on Selene. "It's time."

Alistair's heart pounded in his chest. He couldn't let her go. "Selene, please!"

Suddenly, the cave shook, the walls cracking around them.

Isaac screamed. "What's happening?"

The Wraith King's eyes gleamed. "It's begun."

Alistair pulled Selene back, panic rising in his throat. "What's happening?"

Selene's voice trembled. "He's claiming me."

The shadows around them grew darker, swirling like a storm.

Isaac stumbled, fear etched on his face. "We're all going to die!"

Alistair held Selene close, his voice desperate. "I won't let him take you."

The Wraith King's laughter filled the cave. "You have no choice."

Suddenly, the shadows wrapped around Selene, pulling her away from Alistair.

"Selene!" Alistair screamed, reaching for her.

But it was too late. The shadows engulfed her, and she disappeared into the darkness.

Alistair's heart shattered. "No!"

The Wraith King's voice echoed in the silence. "She's mine now."

Alistair fell to his knees, his world crumbling around him.

Isaac whispered in horror. "We've lost."

But Alistair wasn't ready to give up. Not yet.

"Selene," he whispered, determination rising in his chest. "I'll find you. I swear."

The Wraith King's cold laughter echoed through the cave. "If you can survive what's coming next."

The cave trembled again, and a new presence filled the air, a presence even darker than the Wraith King.