Haunted Luna

Chapter 4 – The Blood Witch's Invitation

A deafening horn echoed through the Obsidian Citadel.

Every warrior in the Forsaken Kingdom froze.

"The Northern Barrier has fallen!"

The warning spread like wildfire through the castle. Soldiers rushed from every corridor, fastening armor and drawing enchanted weapons. The air itself seemed to vibrate with dark magic.

Aurelia stood at the balcony overlooking the fortress. Beyond the towering black walls, the once-peaceful snow-covered forest had become a battlefield. Thick crimson mist rolled across the ground, swallowing ancient trees one by one.

Lady Seraphine appeared beside her.

"My Queen," she said, "you should remain inside."

Aurelia shook her head.

"I've spent enough of my life hiding."

Without another word, she followed Seraphine through the castle gates.

Outside, hundreds of Shadow Warriors had formed a defensive line. Their black armor shimmered beneath the blood-red moon as they faced the approaching mist.

Then...

The mist split apart.

A woman stepped forward.

She wore a flowing crimson gown stained with what looked like fresh blood. Her silver-white hair danced around her like living serpents, and her emerald eyes glowed with unnatural light.

Every Shadow Warrior tightened their grip on their weapons.

"Morgana Bloodrose," Lucien said calmly as he joined Aurelia at the front of the army.

"So," Morgana purred with a smile, "the great Cursed Alpha King finally leaves his throne."

Her eyes drifted to Aurelia.

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to stand still.

"There you are," Morgana whispered. "I've searched for you across lifetimes."

Aurelia frowned.

"You know me?"

"I know what you are."

Morgana laughed softly, the sound sending chills across the battlefield.

"The Shadow Luna..."

"The last piece of my immortality."

Lucien stepped forward, his crimson eyes blazing.

"You'll take no further step."

Dark shadows erupted around him, forming massive spectral wolves that circled their king.

Morgana only smiled wider.

"I didn't come to fight."

She lifted one elegant hand.

From the crimson mist emerged dozens of prisoners—wolves from neighboring packs, chained together and covered in wounds.

Among them were women, children, and elderly wolves.

Aurelia gasped.

"What have you done?"

"They refused to reveal your location," Morgana replied without remorse.

"So I made an example of them."

One frightened child reached toward Aurelia.

"Please..."

"Help us..."

Aurelia's heart clenched.

Before she could move, Lucien gently caught her wrist.

"It's a trap."

"I know," Aurelia whispered.

"But I can't ignore them."

Morgana watched the exchange with amusement.

"You truly are different from every queen before you."

She snapped her fingers.

A massive portal of crimson fire opened behind her.

"I'll make you an offer, Shadow Luna."

"Come to my castle willingly."

"In exchange..."

"Every prisoner walks free."

A heavy silence settled over the battlefield.

Lucien's voice became ice.

"You bargain with lives you stole."

"I create opportunities," Morgana replied.

She looked directly into Aurelia's eyes.

"You have until the next full moon."

"Choose wisely."

"If you refuse..."

She smiled as the chains around the prisoners tightened.

"I'll return one body at a time."

The crimson portal swallowed Morgana and her army.

Within seconds, the battlefield was silent again.

Only the frightened cries of the rescued captives remained.

Aurelia stood motionless, staring at the place where Morgana had disappeared.

Lucien stepped beside her.

"You cannot trust a Blood Witch."

"I know," Aurelia answered.

"But if she's willing to threaten innocent lives just to reach me..."

She turned toward him, determination burning in her golden eyes.

"Then this war is far bigger than either of us imagined."

Far beyond the mountains, inside a cathedral carved from crimson crystal, Morgana sat upon a throne of bones.

A hooded figure emerged from the shadows.

"Did she accept?"

Morgana smiled.

"No."

"But she will."

The hooded stranger lowered their head.

"And if the Cursed Alpha King interferes?"

Morgana's emerald eyes flashed with cruel delight.

"Then it's time to awaken..."

"...the one monster even Lucien fears."