The council chambers were silent, an unnerving tension hanging in the air.
Gloria and Eragon sat across from the elders, their faces impassive. Despite the high ceilings and ornate decor, the weight of the room's atmosphere pressed down on them.
It wasn't just the grandeur of the council that made them uneasy ,it was the questions that had led them here.
The council members sat in a semi-circle, their gazes fixed on Gloria and Eragon, studying them intently.
At the head of the table was Elder Solan, the council's most respected member, a man whose mere presence commanded authority. Next to him was Pablo Neruda, the seer, his expression distant as if his mind was already drifting toward visions.
"We have gathered you here," Solan began, his voice low and steady, "because of recent events. The escape of Ailson and her family has shaken the council, but there are questions that remain unanswered.
We need to hear your account, in detail."Eragon shifted slightly in his seat, trying to remain composed. He knew the importance of this meeting.
The council didn't call upon them lightly, and given the escape of Ailson and her family, every word they spoke here would be scrutinized.
Gloria, on the other hand, remained calm, her expression unreadable. She had expected this.
The council needed answers, but she wasn't about to hand them the whole truth, not yet.
"Of course, Elder Solan," Gloria began, her voice steady and controlled.
"As you know, Ailson had been harassing me for quite some time, and it eventually escalated. She summoned a dypent, a soul-harvesting creature from the underworld, to attack me.
Eragon and I managed to defeat it, but we didn't realize the depth of her family's involvement in dark magic until recently.
"Elder Solan nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"And what of Ailson's sudden escape? Were there any signs beforehand?
"Gloria hesitated for a moment before answering.
"No. As far as we knew, Ailson was in council custody.
We didn't expect her family to be capable of breaking out of Alcatraz or aligning with the League of Shadows.
It came as a surprise to us, as well."Eragon chimed in, his voice firm.
"The council's own security measures were in place. We trusted that Ailson would face justice, but clearly, her family had plans we were unaware of.
"The elders exchanged glances, seemingly satisfied with the explanation.
For a moment, Gloria allowed herself to believe that they might be free from further interrogation.
But something in the room shifted, a ripple of energy, subtle but undeniable.
Pablo Neruda, the seer, had been silent throughout the discussion, his eyes unfocused as though he were not entirely present.
But suddenly, he stiffened, his eyes rolling back into his head as he fell into a deep trance.
The room grew cold, and a chill ran down Gloria's spine as she watched the seer's body convulse.
The other council members immediately stood, their faces drawn in concern.
BElder Solan moved quickly to Neruda's side, but it was too late.
The seer began to speak, his voice hoarse and trembling as though he were speaking through some otherworldly force.
"The Blood Moon!" Pablo cried, his voice echoing off the chamber walls.
"The Blood Moon rises! It awakens! The power of the goddess reborn… the Blood Moon Wolf returns!"A shocked silence filled the room.
Gloria felt her heart race as the seer's words washed over her, each syllable ringing with undeniable truth.
She knew exactly what the seer was referring to, but she had hoped this day would never come.
The Blood Moon was more than a mere celestial event, it was a prophecy tied to her very existence.
Eragon glanced at Gloria, his face pale.
He had known parts of her story, her connection to the ancient wolf goddess, but hearing it spoken aloud by the council seer was something else entirely.
The council members stared at Gloria now, their eyes wide with realization.
"The Blood Moon Wolf," Elder Solan whispered, his voice barely audible.
"The prophecy foretold the return of her power. And now… it has come.
"Gloria swallowed, her hands gripping the arms of her chair. She had spent years trying to suppress the power within her, the ancient strength of the Blood Moon Wolf.
She had been reincarnated into this life with that power locked away, but now it seemed fate had other plans.
Elder Solan's gaze bore into her, demanding answers.
"Gloria, is this true? Are you… the Blood Moon Wolf?"Gloria hesitated, the weight of the moment crushing her.
She had tried to give the council a version of the truth, hoping it would be enough to placate them. But now, there was no hiding it.
The seer had exposed her deepest secret.With a deep breath, Gloria nodded.
"Yes. I am the reincarnation of the Blood Moon Wolf goddess."The council members gasped in unison, their shock evident.
Even Pablo Neruda, still in his trance, seemed to shudder as the revelation sank in. Eragon squeezed Gloria's hand under the table, offering her silent support.
Elder Solan's face hardened. "This changes everything. If the Blood Moon Wolf has returned, it means the balance of power is shifting.
We must act quickly."Gloria felt a sinking feeling in her chest. She had always known that her destiny was tied to the Blood Moon, but now that the council knew, everything would change.
Her life, her relationships, even her freedom , it was all at risk.But there was no turning back now. The prophecy had been revealed, and the council was fully aware of her true nature.
The hunt for Ailson and her family would continue, but now, Gloria was more than just a witness. She was a key player in a much larger game, one that involved ancient powers, dangerous alliances, and the fate of their entire world.
As she stood to leave the council chamber, Gloria could feel the weight of her destiny pressing down on her.
The Blood Moon had risen, and there was no escaping what came next.