Immortal Paladin - Chapter 006 The Gathering Storm

“What exactly is the point of this life of mine?”Lukas Brandt thought to himself as he chugged down a cup of Wheat beer in a local pub in Darmstadt.He had always dreamt of being a professional footballer, he fell in love with the sport when he watched his country Germany beat the Argentine national team in the World Cup final in 2014, with memories of his father hugging him tightly after Mario Gotze scored the goal that gave them the cup.He had been 7 back then, currently 36, but his biggest regret was giving up at the first sight of failure at 15.He had given up his dream of one day representing his country, and died (un)fortunately while trying to save a kid.Waking up 20 years younger and with a system, follow Lukas' journey from an SV Darmstadt 98 academy reject, to undoubtedly the greatest footballer of all time.Set in an alternate universe so some names and events will obviously be changed massively, else it'll just be a biography of a real life player :⁠')

This story is about love, revenge, the quest for power, and the right to exist.After being betrayed by his childhood crush and losing his loved ones to a human raid, Erik, a werewolf, ends up on another planet for seven years before he returns to a vastly changed, post-apocalyptic Earth.Originally a timid, unadventurous man, Erik has become far more dominant and assertive upon his return.Together with him comes his beloved but ruthless soul-bound partner and fairy, Elora, who wants Erik to rule and conquer with her by his side.Elora's presence alone makes Erik more powerful than others at this level, but will he find out what else makes him special?Follow them as they use the knowledge and strength they gained on Söl to navigate an Earth filled with magic, vampires, shapeshifters, and more.Along the way, Erik and Elora will meet a diverse cast of characters, some of whom Erik might have known in the past, and some he did not, but all with their own story and desires.Will Erik be able to take revenge for the betrayals of the past?And what else will he discover along the way?

I scoffed. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”Cade squeezed his face into displeasure as he stepped closer to me, “What doesn’t matter anymore?” His blue eyes turned a shade darker than they should.“You are our mate, Isn’t that what you wanted all along?” Kael spoke and I snapped my gaze at him.It was too late! Nothing could ever make me want them. I loathed them so much that it hurt. Perhaps that’s what happens to a broken soul who was given a second chance.“Iris…” Zane called. He was the calmest of the three, his eyes were soft, trying to reach out to me and I stepped back avoiding him like a plague.They were monsters. All three of them.I find it hard to breathe but this was my decision to make. Gone was the fragile old me.“I, Iris Orlene…” I stared at the triplets dead in the eyes, inhaling sharply. Not a single drop of emotion was left in me.“Reject you all three Alphas; Cade, Kael, and Zane Verek to be my mate.”***Iris Oren, once the cherished daughter of Alpha Oren Roland and Luna Selene of the Blackbane Pack, I faced a dire accusation of treason for allegedly poisoning the former beta who’s now the current alpha, Alpha Darius Verek, the current ruthless leader who betrayed and murdered my parents when I was just a kid, accused me of their murder and took over the alpha throne. Now, I am a despised maid in my own pack. I am publicly condemned in the council room, surrounded by hostile pack members, including Alpha Darius, his sons who are triplets, Cade, Kael, and Zane, my childhood sweet hearts, and my former best friend Liora. Despite my weak protests of innocence, no one believed me, and Darius sentenced me to death by being buried alive but the council pleaded as he shifted the punishment to 200 strokes of whips with sulfur powder but unknown to me, it was changed to a silver powder, very dangerous to werewolves.During this brutal public punishment, I couldn’t make it, I died.Waking up again, I realised I'd been brought back to my past life, on my 18th birthday, days before my death.In my past life, I am a weak and wolfless omega who can’t even defend herself and has loved the triplets so dearly that I could do anything for them without considering my dignity. Now I am reborn, I am determined to change my fate.

I closed my eyes and let out a long, shuddering breath. The needle slipped through my numb fingers and clattered onto the rough pavement. Nothingness swirled around me, bringing the first peace I'd felt in my short, miserable life. No one would miss me, and if any did...? Well, there was always someone else to beat or rape. They'd move on quickly.But then...gods? Since when did nothingness have so many gods?Chosen by the goddess of Fate, I'm thrust into a world of magic and wonder alongside nine other heroes. A world where the gods reign supreme, and evil is vanquished before it can spread its blight.Can such a place truly exist? Could life really be worth living?I've heard that the brightest lights cast the longest shadows, but my life has been nothing but darkness. Perhaps this new world will be the chance I need to find the light, to see the other side.