The crowd had been eagerly waiting for the main gate to open, ready to rush in and claim whatever treasure lay within. Anticipation hung thick in the air, only for their excitement to be met with surprise. Instead of a grand hall or treasure trove, they found themselves staring at another gate behind the first one. Impatience rippled through the crowd, and several adventurers began to curse in frustration.
"What kind of palace is this, with layer after layer of doors!" one adventurer exclaimed, kicking at the ground.
"Typical ancient nonsense!" another shouted, throwing up his hands. "Who needs so many gates anyway?"
Peter and Emma, both sharp-eyed werewolves, were quick to notice something peculiar about the second gate. Upon seeing the wolf emblem engraved on its surface, they exchanged glances and turned to Talon, their leader.
"Talon, this emblem looks similar to ours, but it's… different," Peter noted, his voice steady yet filled with curiosity. "It's not quite the same design as the one used by our clan. But one thing is certain—there are treasures related to the werewolf clan inside. We can't let this opportunity slip away."
Emma nodded in agreement. "We need to secure them this time."
Talon studied the emblem carefully, running his hand over its rough surface. His brow furrowed in concentration before he nodded slowly. "This emblem is from the ancient werewolf clan," he said gravely. "It likely dates back to the same era as the Moon Palace itself. But I have a feeling this won't be easy. There will be challenges ahead."
His gaze shifted toward Alia and Leona, who stood a short distance away, observing the scene. He approached them and, with a slight hesitation, spoke, "It appears that the treasures inside are connected to the werewolves, so I don't think they'll cause any trouble for Joy City. But inside, there will likely be a struggle. For safety reasons, it might be best if you both stay behind."
Leona's expression darkened. "What are you talking about?" she snapped, glaring at Talon. "Why are you treating us differently all of a sudden just because you've found something related to your clan? It's as if we can't go in without you. We have a responsibility to check for anything that might threaten Joy City."
Talon sighed, feeling the tension between them rise. "I didn't mean it like that, Leona. You know I value you as both a powerful warrior and…" He hesitated, his words trailing off.
Leona's anger softened slightly, sensing what Talon was trying to say. She turned to Alia, her expression thoughtful. "What do you think, Alia? If you're concerned about safety, we can wait outside. But if you want to go in, I'll make sure you're protected."
Alia's gaze drifted toward the second gate, a mix of curiosity and determination lighting her eyes. "I want to go in," she said firmly. "But it's not going to be straightforward. Something triggered the first gate to open earlier, and I'm sure the second gate requires certain conditions to be met too."
She glanced over at Howard, the vampire strategist who stood nearby, deep in thought. Alia couldn't help but be drawn to his aura of mystery and intelligence. His charm was subtle but undeniable, and there was something about him that felt strangely familiar, almost like a shadow of a forgotten memory. She shook the thought from her mind, focusing on the task at hand.
After a brief pause, Alia turned back to Talon. "Talon, can you come with me to speak to the vampires? I want to see if Howard has any clues about the next step."
Talon regarded her with a serious expression. Although he had long suspected Alia of harboring secrets, perhaps even a connection to the vampires, his suspicions had lessened over the past few days. He had come to trust her in their time together. Nevertheless, her request puzzled him. Why would she need to speak to the vampires now? Still, he nodded. "Alright," he said. "If they give you any trouble, they'll regret it."
Together, Talon and Alia made their way toward the vampires, who watched their approach with thinly veiled curiosity. Charles, a prominent vampire noble, stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he saw Talon and a human woman approaching.
"Who is this?" Charles asked, his voice dripping with disdain. "Since when do werewolves keep company with humans?"
Before Talon could respond, Alia stepped forward and spoke calmly. "I am Alia, just an ordinary soldier from Joy City with some knowledge of ancient texts. I heard the information Mr. Howard shared earlier, and I believe I may have some insight. If he's willing, I'd like to discuss it with him."
Howard, who had been quietly observing the interaction, was intrigued. A human asking to analyze the secrets of the Moon Palace monument? It was unusual, to say the least. But considering she had the werewolf leader accompanying her, Howard surmised she must possess some skill. After a brief pause, he nodded. "Go ahead," he said.
Alia was taken aback by Howard's quick agreement. She had expected some resistance, especially considering the strict hierarchies among vampires. But Howard's willingness to engage without seeking Charles's approval suggested a degree of independence that surprised her. She quickly composed herself and continued, "The riddle says, 'Full moon appears, claws are severed, blood flows, Moon Palace returns.' I don't believe it's describing a series of parallel relationships."
Howard's expression didn't change, but he nodded slightly in acknowledgment. "Progressive," he murmured, indicating his agreement.
"Yes," Alia continued. "Tonight is a full moon, though it was hidden by clouds earlier. When the moonlight finally shone on the monument, the first gate opened. The second gate bears a werewolf emblem, which means there's more to this."
Talon stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "So the moonlight triggered the opening? That means the next step might involve something related to the werewolf clan's history."
Alia nodded. "It's possible. The clues point toward something ancient, something that predates the current factions of vampires and werewolves. Whatever lies behind that second gate, it's connected to both your past and your future."
The group fell silent, the weight of the situation sinking in. Alia, Talon, and Howard all exchanged knowing glances. They were on the verge of uncovering something far greater than any of them had anticipated.
As the full moon rose higher in the sky, its light bathed the second gate, casting eerie shadows on the ancient stone. The tension in the air grew, and everyone—vampires, werewolves, and humans alike—held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next.