Chapter 53: 53. Flashback "Please, I need a solution to the problem that surrounds me... Let the spirits help me!" Bernard pleaded earnestly, his eyes locked on the swirling white smoke before him.
"What you seek cannot come to you, for your heart is unclean. To work in your favor would mean working against the spirits and defying the universe!" the voice of the highest priest responded, calm but firm.
Bernard frowned, his voice full of desperation. "Your words aren’t clear, and they’re hard for a man like me to understand. Please, help me see the light in your words!"
"The words of the spirits aren’t meant to satisfy anyone," the priest continued. "They bless those who deserve it. Everyone receives what is due to them based on their deeds and what they have tainted their hands with. Young Alpha, what you seek cannot be spoken—it can only be felt and endured."
Bernard lowered his head, still on his knees. "Is there no way to redemption?" he asked softly.
"Redemption comes only to those who seek it and deserve it," the priest answered. "One day, you will hear what you yearn to hear and see what you should have seen. But remember—no one can question the spirits. The universe gives us what we earn, not what we believe we deserve."
"So, I have no power to change their verdict?" Bernard’s voice trembled with frustration.
"The power of life and death has always been in man’s hands. But knowing what is right and choosing wrong means choosing death and destruction. Let your spirit guide you toward righteousness," the voice said with a solemn finality.
Bernard’s eyes burned with passion as he stood up.
"Then I’ll work against the universe! I will be the first to overturn their verdict. I won’t let destruction steal the ones I love. I’ll do whatever it takes to live a great life—one without pain!"
"The universe has known you since your mother’s womb. Only the spirits decide who receives mercy—not your words, nor your sense of entitlement. The young Alpha may now take his leave," the priest’s voice faded into the smoke.
Bernard rose to his feet, his face tight with fury and disappointment. In a flash of anger, he charged at the mold pot emitting the smoke and kicked it hard.
A strange, chilling voice rang out immediately.
"You have kicked the pot of the spirits. Destruction shall follow you and your family. Those you love most will vanish like dust before your eyes. Prepare for the damnation to come!" the voice thundered.
Terror gripped Bernard as he stumbled out of the chamber, his legs barely holding him up.
Standing outside the chamber, he whispered shakily to himself, "What must I do to overturn the spirit’s verdict?"
"I will do whatever it takes to win this fight against the curse," he muttered and stormed away from the temple, anger and disappointment swirling within him.
***
Beta Gilbert sat alone in his chair, lost in deep thought. The silence was broken by his phone ringing. He hesitated, but when he saw the caller ID, he quickly picked it up.
"What do you have for me?" he asked, his tone sharp and expectant.
"Boss, from what we’ve gathered so far, it looks like someone is planning an attack—though we’re not sure on who yet. My team will get more concrete information before the day ends," the voice on the other end reported.
"Good. I want full updates by 6 p.m.," Beta Gilbert said, then ended the call.
He smirked. "So the Simons are planning an attack. I hope it’s not against me. But I should prepare—just in case."
He immediately dialed another number.
"Hello, Mason. Call Sandro and everyone. Get ready for anything. If we have to go to war tonight, then we will."
"Yes, boss. You know war is what we live for. We’ll gladly go for your sake!" Mason responded with excitement.