The creatures had retreated, driven back into the darkness, but the danger was far from over. The curse still lingered, its hol

fade. The sigil on the wall, though powerful, could only hold them for so long. The real challenge remained: t

was still partly human, but the transformation was incomplete. His muscles were still swollen with the power of the wolf, his

don't know how much longer I can hold on. The wolf... it's getting stro

uggle within him-the man she loved was fighting desperately to remain in contr

eady despite the fear gnawing at her. "We'll break this curse once an

cost... You know the cost, Mara. If I perform the ritual, I could lose everyt

ke that risk. We are willing to take that risk. We'll find a way to make it work. We don

, the weight of their choices pressing down. He wanted to believe her, but the burden of the curse was so heavy. The history of his bloodline, the endless cycle o

arm. "Elias, you've been carrying this burden for so long. We've been carrying it. I know what it's li

breathing labored. "How can you be so sure? How can you trust

re capable of. And I know that the man I love isn't defined by the curse. You are more th

laced by a flicker of the man he once was. His gaze met hers with an aching vulnerability. "I'm scared, Mara

ing against his rough skin. "No matter what happens, I'll be

e'll do it. But we need to make sure we're ready. The ritual... it has to be done und

strengthening. "We'll g

re them, the instructions clear but cryptic. The ritual would require both of their blood, mixed together in a sacrificial

walking into the unknown. But there was no other choice. Elias had given so much

ng eerie shadows across the room. Elias stood in the center, his body trembling with the strain of the transformation that

ked softly, her voice

nched in determination. "

ly glow. The air seemed to hum with energy, the ritual about to begin. Ma

id, his voice shaking b

the chant from the ancient texts, their voices blending together as the magic swirled around them. The words were foreign to Mara, ancient and

, and with a swift motion, he drew the knife across his palm, blood dri

energy building to a crescendo. Elias's body convulsed as the wolf w

owerful force surged through the room, engulfing them both. It felt like an explosion

sed to his knees, gasping for breath, his body returning t

r heart pounding in her che

ide and filled with awe. "Mara.

ief welling in her eyes.

curse. And as they embraced, the moon outside began to wane,

ught the darkness. To