The air inside the stronghold was heavy, carrying the scent of ancient stone and faint traces of ash. The corridor stretched ahead, its walls adorned with carvings that glowed faintly in the darkness. The runes pulsed in rhythm with Aria's heartbeat, their light reflecting in her wide eyes.
Kael moved cautiously beside her, his dagger at the ready. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the soft echo of their footsteps.
"This place feels alive," Aria whispered, her voice barely audible.
Kael nodded, his gaze flicking to the carvings. "It is. The Moonbound built this place to protect their secrets. Whatever they left behind… it's still waiting for someone like you."
Aria tightened her grip on her staff. The heat in her chest flared, the song of the moon growing louder with every step. She couldn't tell if it was guiding her or warning her, but she knew there was no turning back.
---
The corridor opened into a massive chamber, its vaulted ceiling disappearing into darkness. At the center of the room stood a circular platform, surrounded by more glowing runes. Above it hung a massive crystal, suspended in midair and radiating a soft silver light.
Aria stepped forward, drawn to the platform. The moment she set foot on it, the runes flared to life, and the air around her shimmered.
"Aria, wait," Kael said, his tone sharp.
But it was too late.
The light from the crystal intensified, and the chamber filled with a low hum. The runes on the platform began to shift, their patterns twisting and reforming into new shapes.
Aria's vision blurred, and the heat in her chest surged. She staggered, her breath hitching as the world around her seemed to dissolve.
---
Aria found herself standing in a vast, star-filled void. The air was cool and still, and the ground beneath her feet shimmered like glass.
"Mooncaller," a familiar voice said.
Aria turned to see Selara, the guardian she had encountered at the shrine. The woman's silver cloak billowed around her, her luminous eyes filled with a mix of pride and sorrow.
"You've come far," Selara said, her voice echoing like a melody. "But the path ahead will test you in ways you cannot imagine."
"What is this place?" Aria asked, her voice trembling.
"This is the Hall of Echoes," Selara said. "A place where the Moonbound recorded their knowledge, their warnings, and their hopes for the future. It is here that you will find the truth about your power—and the cost of wielding it."
Aria swallowed hard, her chest tightening. "What truth?"
Selara raised her hand, and the void around them shifted. Images appeared in the darkness: battles between wolves and shadowbeasts, the rise and fall of great packs, and the Blood Moon, burning crimson in the sky.
"The Moonbound were guardians of balance," Selara said. "We were created to protect the world from the corruption that the Blood Moon brings. But we were betrayed—hunted by those who sought to claim our power for themselves."
The images shifted to a pack of wolves with glowing red eyes, their snarls filled with malice. At their center was Theron, his golden eyes blazing as he tore through the Moonbound.
"The Bloodfangs," Aria whispered.
Selara nodded. "They are more than a pack. They are agents of the Blood Moon, corrupted by its darkness. And their Alpha seeks to finish what his ancestors began—to extinguish the Moonbound once and for all."
Aria's chest burned, her hands trembling as the images faded. "How do I stop them?"
Selara stepped closer, her gaze piercing. "By embracing your power. But beware—the stronger you become, the greater the risk of losing yourself to the moon's call. The light is a double-edged sword, Aria. Wield it wisely."
---
The vision dissolved, and Aria found herself back in the chamber. The runes on the platform were glowing brighter than ever, and the crystal above her pulsed with light.
Kael stood at the edge of the platform, his expression tense. "Are you okay?"
Aria nodded, though her legs felt like jelly. "I saw her again. Selara. She said… she said the Bloodfangs are connected to the Blood Moon."
Kael's jaw tightened. "That explains a lot."
Aria stepped off the platform, her mind racing. "We need to find out what else this place is hiding. If the Moonbound left something behind—anything that can help us—I need to see it."
Kael nodded, his gaze flicking to the shadows. "Agreed. But stay alert. This place isn't just a library—it's a fortress. And fortresses usually have defenses."
---
They moved deeper into the stronghold, passing through corridors lined with intricate carvings. The air grew colder, and the glow of the runes seemed to dim as they approached another massive chamber.
At the center of the room stood a statue of a wolf, its eyes glowing faintly. Its posture was regal, but there was a tension in its form that made Aria's skin crawl.
Kael held out a hand, stopping her. "Wait."
The moment he spoke, the statue's eyes flared to life, and the room trembled. The wolf's stone form began to shift, its body cracking and breaking as it transformed into a massive, living creature.
A deep growl echoed through the chamber as the guardian wolf stepped forward, its glowing eyes locked on Aria.
"I told you there'd be defenses," Kael muttered, his dagger already in hand.
Aria's chest tightened as the wolf growled again, its body radiating an aura of power. The heat in her chest surged, and she raised her hands, the light spilling forth.
The guardian didn't hesitate. It lunged, its massive claws slashing through the air.
---
Aria dodged the first attack, the force of the guardian's strike shaking the ground. She raised her hands, summoning a barrier of light that deflected the wolf's next blow.
"Kael, stay back!" she shouted, her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her.
Kael hesitated but did as she said, his dagger lowered as he watched the battle unfold.
The guardian moved with incredible speed, circling Aria and striking from every angle. She struggled to keep up, her light flickering as she parried its attacks.
Focus, Selara's voice whispered in her mind. The light is yours to command.
Aria gritted her teeth, grounding herself. She let the heat in her chest rise, the light building until it surrounded her like a shield.
The guardian lunged again, but this time, Aria didn't retreat. She stepped forward, unleashing a wave of light that struck the wolf head-on.
The guardian howled, its form flickering like a flame. But it didn't fall.
"Why won't it stop?" Aria shouted, her arms trembling.
"It's testing you," Kael said, his voice calm. "Prove you're worthy."
Aria nodded, her resolve hardening. She focused all her energy into a single burst of light, her body glowing as the power surged through her.
The light struck the guardian, and this time, it collapsed with a final, echoing howl. Its body dissolved into silver mist, leaving behind a faintly glowing orb.
Aria staggered, her chest heaving as she approached the orb. When she touched it, the mist swirled around her, filling her with a sense of warmth and clarity.
"You've passed the first trial," Selara's voice echoed. "But the path ahead remains perilous. Prepare yourself, Mooncaller. The darkness draws near."