The journey back to the mine was heavy with unspoken tension. Aria kept replaying Selara's words in her mind: The Blood Moon rises… the darkness that seeks to consume this world. Her grip on the staff tightened as Kael led the way through the dense forest, his movements sharp and purposeful.
She couldn't shake the feeling that every shadow was watching her, that every whisper of wind carried a warning.
"Kael," she said, her voice breaking the silence. "What do you know about the Blood Moon?"
Kael stopped, turning to face her. His green eyes glimmered with unease. "Not enough," he admitted. "But what I do know… isn't good."
"Tell me," she pressed.
Kael hesitated, his jaw tightening. Finally, he sighed. "The Blood Moon is more than a celestial event. It's a harbinger of chaos. Every time it rises, something shifts—packs fall, wars erupt, and darker forces rise from the shadows. It's as if the world itself becomes unbalanced."
Aria frowned. "And it's connected to the Moonbound?"
Kael nodded. "Your power is tied to the moon's cycles. If the Blood Moon strengthens the darkness, it'll also amplify your abilities. But that kind of power comes at a cost."
"What kind of cost?"
Kael's gaze darkened. "If you're not careful, it could consume you."
---
Far from the borderlands, in the heart of a shadowed forest, the Bloodfang Pack gathered under the crimson light of dusk. Their camp was a sprawling maze of tents and fire pits, the air thick with the scent of blood and smoke.
Theron stood at the center, his imposing figure casting a long shadow. The Alpha's golden eyes burned with intensity as he addressed his council—a group of his most trusted wolves, each one as ruthless as their leader.
"The Mooncaller is no longer a myth," Theron said, his voice like gravel. "She has awakened, and her power is growing."
A murmur rippled through the council, a mixture of excitement and unease.
"What do we do, Alpha?" one of the wolves asked.
Theron's lips curled into a predatory smile. "We capture her. With her power, the Bloodfangs will rise above all other packs. We'll no longer be hunters—we'll be kings."
Another wolf, a scarred female named Lyssa, leaned forward. "What if she resists?"
"Then we break her," Theron said coldly. "But we need to act quickly. The Blood Moon will rise soon, and when it does, the balance will shift in her favor. If we wait too long, she'll become unstoppable."
The wolves exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared to challenge their Alpha.
"Prepare the pack," Theron commanded. "We move at first light."
---
Back at the mine, Kael wasted no time pushing Aria harder than ever before. Days turned into weeks as he drilled her on combat techniques, survival skills, and the intricacies of her Moonbound power.
"You're stronger than you think," Kael said one evening as they sparred in the main chamber. "But strength isn't enough. You need to be smarter, faster, more disciplined."
Aria wiped sweat from her brow, her chest heaving. "You say that like it's easy."
Kael smirked, tossing her a canteen of water. "It's not. But nothing worth fighting for ever is."
Despite the grueling pace, Aria felt herself improving. Her strikes were faster, her movements more fluid. She was learning to channel the heat in her chest, summoning the light without losing control.
But the nights were the hardest.
The song of the moon grew louder with each passing day, tugging at her like an unseen force. Sleep became elusive, her dreams filled with flashes of crimson light and shadowy figures.
One night, she woke with a gasp, her heart racing.
Kael was already awake, sharpening his dagger by the fire. He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Another dream?"
Aria nodded, pulling her knees to her chest. "It felt so real. Like… something's coming."
Kael set the dagger aside and moved to sit beside her. "It is. The Blood Moon's rise isn't just a warning—it's a countdown. Whatever's waiting for you, it's getting closer."
Aria shivered, her fingers brushing against the pendant she wore—a simple silver crescent her mother had given her before she died. "Do you think I can stop it?"
Kael didn't answer right away. When he did, his voice was quiet but firm. "I think you're stronger than you realize. But whether you can stop it… that's up to you."
---
The night of the Blood Moon arrived faster than Aria expected.
The sky turned crimson as the massive moon rose, bathing the world in an eerie red light. The air crackled with energy, and Aria felt it deep in her bones—a surge of power that made her chest burn.
Kael stood at the entrance of the mine, his expression grim. "It's time," he said.
Aria joined him, her staff in hand. The heat in her chest was nearly unbearable, the light threatening to spill out with every breath. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm.
"What now?" she asked.
Kael pointed to the horizon, where shadows moved among the trees. "Now, we fight."
The Bloodfangs emerged from the forest like a tide, their golden eyes glowing in the crimson light. Theron led the charge, his massive form towering over the others. His gaze locked onto Aria, a predatory smile spreading across his face.
"Mooncaller," he said, his voice carrying over the distance. "It's time you joined your rightful place at my side."
Aria stepped forward, her chest tight with fear and determination. "I'll never join you."
Theron's smile vanished, replaced by a look of cold fury. "Then you'll die."
The Bloodfangs charged.
Kael moved like a shadow, his dagger flashing as he intercepted the first wave. Aria summoned the light, a blinding burst that sent several wolves sprawling. But the Bloodfangs were relentless, their numbers overwhelming.
Theron pushed through the chaos, his golden eyes fixed on Aria. She raised her staff, preparing to strike, but the Alpha was faster. He grabbed the staff and snapped it in half, his claws inches from her throat.
"You're strong," he said, his voice low and menacing. "But not strong enough."
Aria's heart pounded as she summoned the light again, the heat surging through her veins. The power exploded from her, forcing Theron to stumble back.
She raised her hands, the glow intensifying. For a moment, she felt the moon's full strength flowing through her, and the Bloodfangs hesitated, their confidence faltering.
But Theron didn't retreat. He bared his teeth, his golden eyes blazing. "You'll have to do better than that, girl."