MARK OF THE FORSAKEN

The night air became heavy and was filled with unease as Liana and Ryker crawled beside the cursed wolf. The creature lay on the forest floor, its chest was rising and falling in dangerous gasps. The smell of decay that emanated from it was overwhelming, but Liana couldn't look away from the wolf's dangerous form. Its fur was patchy, its flesh spotted with blackened veins that vibrated like something alive.

"This is what the curse does," Ryker said with a grim, his voice low. "It eats away at the body and mind until there's nothing left but pain and rage."

Liana didn't reply. She was too focused on the creature's eyes which were wild, glowing yellow, and filled with a mix of terror and anger. It was hard to imagine that this beast had once been a wolf-like any other, part of a pack, loved and respected.

"Can it be cured?" she asked finally with her voice in a whisper form.

Ryker shook his head. "Not yet. That's why I need you."

Liana froze, instinctively wrapping her arms around herself. "I've told you already. I'm not some savior. My mark is a curse, just like this one."

"It's not the same," Ryker insisted with a more firm voice this time. He pointed to the wolf's body. "Look closely at its markings. Do they remind you of anything?"

Liana leaned closer to get a better view. The black veins on the wolf's skin formed circular patterns, complex and dangerous. Her breath was lost in her throat. They were extremely similar to the mark on her arm.

"No," she whispered while stepping back. "It's just a coincidence."

"It's not," Ryker said with a sharper voice. "You're connected to all this, whether you like it or not. The stories about The Mark, the timing of this curse, it's all joined together."

Liana shook her head, her hands shaking. "You don't understand. This mark has only ever brought me pain. It's why I was cast out, why my own family turned their backs on me. How could something so destructive ever be the key to saving anyone?"

Before Ryker could respond, the cursed wolf let out a low, throaty growl. Its body convulsed, its limbs shaking violently. Liana stumbled back as Ryker moved in front of her, his posture being protective.

"Stay behind me," he ordered, drawing a short blade from his belt.

The wolf's growls grew louder, its glowing eyes looking straight at them. For a moment, it looked almost glowing, as if it recognized them. Then, with a sudden increase in energy, it jumped.

Ryker was ready, meeting the creature head-on. His blade slashed through the air, but the wolf was faster than it looked. It dodged the strike, its teeth biting dangerously close to his arm.

Liana watched in horror, frozen in place. Her heart pounded as the wolf turned its attention toward her, its growl growing more brutal.

"Liana, move!" Ryker shouted, his voice breaking through her motionless standing.

She was attacked by the wolf after the creature charged aggressively at her which made her stumble back. She grabbed a loose branch instinctively and swung it with all her strength. The impact of the branch made the creature stagger, but it wasn't enough to stop it.

Ryker came rushing down there instantly, he tried tackling the wolf to the ground. The two struggled, claws and blades flashing in the moonlight.

Liana knew she couldn't just stand there. Grinding her teeth, she rushed forward, grabbing the wolf's hind legs to help pin it down. The creature struggled violently, its strength far greater than she expected.

"Hold it still!" Ryker yelled, his blade poised.

"I'm trying!" she snapped, struggling to keep her grip.

The wolf let out a frightening howl while its body kept jerking with unnatural energy. For a moment, Liana thought they would lose control. Then, with a final, desperate push, Ryker drove his blade into the ground beside the wolf's neck, pinning it in place.

The creature went still, its glowing eyes moving between them. Its breaths were shallow, its body shaking.

"Is it… dead?" Liana asked, her voice kept shaking.

"No," Ryker said, his chest kept rising. "But it's weak. For now."

They stayed like that for a moment, both of them trying to arrange themselves. Liana could feel her heart pounding in her chest, she sat the a nearby branch to fully re-energize.

Liana, you're stronger than you know, Ryker said while looking at her.

Liana looked at him awkwardly and said. "And you're more reckless than I expected."

She felt a bit of respect for him despite Liana not wanting to accept it. He had risked his life to protect her, even though she was just a stranger to him. It was more than anyone else had done for her in years.

As Ryker checked the wolf's injuries, Liana's gaze roamed back to its markings. The resemblance to her mark was undeniable, no matter how much she wanted to deny it.

"Why me?" she asked softly. "Why do you think I can help?"

Ryker hesitated with his expression being unreadable. "Because you're the only one who can. The stories about The Mark… they say it's both a curse and a blessing. A tool that can either destroy or save. I don't know which one you are, but I'm willing to take the risk."

Liana didn't know what to say. For so long, she had believed her mark was nothing but a burden. Could it really be something more?

Suddenly, the wolf let out a low howl, which caught their attention. Its glowing eyes seemed to clear for a moment, the wildness also fading.

"Liana…" it spoke with a weak voice but the sound was unmistakable.

She froze, her blood running cold. "Did it just say my name?"

Ryker's jaw tightened. "Yes."

The wolf's body kept shaking uncontrollably, its eyes rolling back as it let out a final, soul-ending howl. Then, it went off, the light fading from its eyes.

Liana stared at the lifeless form, her mind kept racing. How had it known her name? What did it mean?

Ryker stood, his expression became harsh. "We need to move," he said.

"Why?" Liana asked, still in shock.

"Because if this one found us, more will follow."

Liana glanced at the dark forest around them, her unease growing. She didn't know what frightened her more—the thought of more cursed wolves, or the secrets Ryker still wasn't telling her.