The world vanished into a moonlight and silver-spinning maelstrom. Daphne's vision cleared, and she was left looking at an incomprehensible image. Before her sprawled cobblestone streets lit by lights fuelled by an otherworldly radiance. Overhead were buildings that loomed in an odd combination of Gothic architecture and organic forms suggestive of trees. A weird energy, apart from the familiar earthy magic of the Dark Crystal Pack, sparked in the very air.
A cold, heavy fear sank in her gut. She was where? There was no sign of the elderly lady, referred to as Moonflower Heir. Had Daphne found herself in another world?
A wave of panic threatened to overwhelm her. Before she could give in to it, however, a hand touched her shoulder. Behind her was a young lady with delicate features and twilight-colored eyes.
The lady responded, "Don't worry," in a kind and gentle voice. "You're safe here, in Lunaria."
Daphne knitted her brow. "Lunaria? What location is this?"
The lady said, "A haven for those touched by moonlight magic." "Elara, the lady you met, is our older member. She realized that you were descended from the Moonflowers."
Daphne automatically grasped the silver locket. It was becoming warmer from the inside. But rather than providing solace, it prompted a surge of anxiety. Moonflower ancestry? How even meaningful is that?
The woman's grin tightened up. She acknowledged, "You don't know a lot of things." "Come, Elara will explain everything."
At last, they arrived at a grand building, with its spires reaching far into the starry night sky. A gentle blue light flowed through it, suggesting a potent magic at its center. A magnificent hall with paintings that appeared to come to life on the walls, featuring heavenly landscapes and animals, awaited them inside.
Elara sat there on an elevated dais. Her obsidian eyes were filled with an unnerving intensity as she stared at Daphne.
Elara responded, "Welcome, Daphne," in a hoarse but firm voice. "The last of the Moonflower line."
Confusion pervaded Daphne's thoughts. "Previous? What topic are you discussing?"
"Your family lineage has been entrusted with a sacred duty: to protect the equilibrium between the magical and human realms," Elara said. You possess a power not intended for the likes of the Dark Crystal Pack as you were born with the essence of moonlight flowing through your veins."
Daphne caught her breath. She had no idea what she was getting into with this. She was unaware of a lineage and a magical underworld. Still, a persistent uncertainty persisted.
"Why wasn't I informed? And why was I set up to kill the Alpha when my job is to protect this equilibrium?"
Elara's face distorted in a momentary, painful spasm. Her voice was harsh as she said, "There are forces within the human world who seek to exploit the power of the moon for their nefarious purposes." Priscilla, your aunt, is one of them.
Daphne winced. Her lips became sour at the realization. The narrative was still lacking, however.
But why do you think I should be framed? Why was I sent here?
With a sigh, Elara's eyes darted to the girl who had brought Daphne in. She identified herself as Luna, the last member of the Twilight Wolves. Daphne, you see, the wall separating Lunaria from your world is becoming thinner. Animals on both sides are figuring out how to get through the curtain. One sign of this disarray is the assault you saw this evening."
Daphne's eyes whirled. The concept of enchanted kingdoms, werewolves, and direwolves seemed unreal to her. But then she had an epiphany.
"The one who shielded me, the twilight werewolf," she stumbled to herself. Was he the mate of Luna?
Luna's face became red. "Kael," she quietly corrected. Like Elara, he felt the essence of the Moonflower in you. He was aware of your peril."
Something unexpected, a flash of warmth, echoed within Daphne. When their eyes met, was that really how she felt? What did that signify, though?
Elara spoke again, her voice solemn, before she had a chance to think about it. Regretfully, Daphne, it's not just a coincidence that you're here. There's a reason you were sent here."
Elara extended her gnarled hand, startling everyone with her soft touch as she took hold of the silver locket. Its warmth became stronger and began to pulse in time with Elara's power. "This locket is more than just a family heirloom," she said, her voice low. It's the key. A means of securing the increasingly porous barrier separating your planet from Lunaria."
Daphne felt the realization hit her like a lightning strike. Closing the entrance? Did it imply she was unable to return? A new wave of grief overcame her at the idea of never seeing her home again and giving up on any chance of getting her reputation cleared.
Elara seems to detect her distress. Her eyes glinting with curiosity, "You have a choice, Daphne," she added. "You are welcome to remain, study your ancestry, and develop your abilities. Alternatively, you might go back with Luna and Kael, close the opening with the locket, and defend your innocence within the Dark Crystal Pack."
Daphne felt her heart pounding in her chest. The decision seems very difficult. Remain in this magical world, accept the magic that has always been a part of her, or go back to the world she was familiar with—one that is dangerous and full of treachery, but also one where there is always hope for atonement.
Luna moved forward, a worried look on her face as she considered her alternatives. "Daphne, know that you are not alone in whatever you choose," she whispered. Kael and I are here to support you."
Daphne felt a renewed feeling of belonging when she heard Luna's kind words and saw her steadfast devotion in her eyes. However, a vision of the Alpha, unconscious, flitted across her thoughts.
Daphne looked up at Elara, taking a big breath. With a voice more forceful than she had anticipated, she said, "I choose to return." "I will fight for my place in the Dark Crystal Pack, expose my aunt's treachery, and use the locket to seal the breach."
Elara's expression went from one of amazement to reluctant respect. She returned the locket to the youngster and said, "As you wish, child." "But keep in mind that you have a double-edged magic inside you. It may give you tremendous power, but it can also put you in danger. Make sensible use of it."
With renewed resolve blazing inside her, Daphne held the locket close to her breast. Even though she worked as a chef, she was a Moonflower heir and had been affected by moonlight magic. It was time to rewrite her story—this time as a fighter instead of a victim.
Abruptly, a surge of vertigo overcame her, and the silver locket began to pulse intensely hot. The magnificent room of Lunaria dissolved into a whirling vortex of moonlight, and everything around her shimmered. Daphne glimpsed Elara's face for the final time before she passed out, a spooky grin playing on her lips.
Daphne opened her eyes once again and saw herself stretched out on the wet, chilly woodland floor. Through the woods, the dim light of morning seeped through. She was relieved to be back. However, there was a grave problem.
A scene of pure devastation was playing out around her. The area was littered with the lifeless forms of wolves, both ordinary and Dire, their coats matted in blood. However, it was the sight of the two figures—Kael, his fur stained red, and a huge figure the size of a bear, its eyes shining a familiar shade of yellow—locked in a lethal embrace that gave Daphne a shock.
The red-haired werewolf was it. However, when their gazes locked across the battlefield, Daphne was struck with a terrifying realization. The red-haired werewolf wasn't your average opponent. It was Priscilla, her aunt.