Chapter 21: The Road to the Moon Temple
752 Words
Chapter 21: The Road to the Moon Temple
Fenrir raced across the valley like a silver storm.
Each thunderous stride carried Lyra closer to the Moon Temple, while behind them the united warriors of Blackwood fought desperately to hold back the endless tide of Shade Wolves.
The wind whipped through Lyra's hair as she gripped the guardian's thick silver fur.
"How much farther?" she called.
"Less than an hour," Fenrir replied. "If nothing stops us."
Almost as soon as he spoke, the ground ahead erupted.
Dark spikes burst from the earth, forcing Fenrir to leap over them.
The Shadow King's laughter echoed across the valley.
"Did you truly think I would let you leave so easily?"
Three figures emerged from swirling black portals.
Each wore obsidian armor marked with the crimson wolf emblem.
Unlike the ordinary soldiers, these warriors radiated overwhelming power.
Orion, who had been running beside Fenrir, stopped abruptly.
"The Eclipse Generals..."
Seraphine's expression darkened.
"The Shadow King's most loyal commanders."
The tallest stepped forward, carrying a massive black axe.
"I am General Darius."
Beside him stood a woman with twin curved blades.
"I am General Nyra."
The third, cloaked in black robes and holding a crystal staff, smiled coldly.
"And I am General Varek."
Darius rested his axe on one shoulder.
"Our king has given us one order."
He pointed the blade at Lyra.
"Do not let the Queen reach the Moon Temple."
---
Back in Blackwood Village, Kael led the warriors through wave after wave of Shade Wolves.
His body ached from countless wounds, but he refused to slow down.
"Keep moving!" he shouted.
"We're almost through!"
Damon fought at his side.
"We're losing too many people."
Kael looked around.
Several warriors had fallen.
The healers worked frantically, but the enemy never seemed to end.
His wolf spoke quietly.
She needs more time.
"I know."
Then give it to her.
Kael tightened his grip on his sword.
"I will."
---
Meanwhile, Fenrir skidded to a halt before the three generals.
Lyra climbed down from his back.
"We don't have time for this."
Nyra smiled.
"Oh..."
"You'll make time."
Without warning, she vanished.
A flash of steel appeared beside Lyra.
Clang!
The Moonblade met Nyra's twin daggers just inches from Lyra's face.
The force of the impact sent both women sliding backward.
"Faster than I expected," Nyra admitted.
Lyra steadied herself.
"I've had good teachers."
Orion stepped between Darius and Lyra.
"I'll handle the brute."
Fenrir lowered his head toward Varek.
"The sorcerer is mine."
Seraphine floated behind Lyra.
"That leaves Nyra."
Lyra nodded.
"I can do this."
---
The battle split into four separate duels.
Orion's spear clashed against Darius's enormous axe.
Every strike shook the ground.
Fenrir chased Varek through the forest as the sorcerer unleashed bolts of dark magic.
Trees exploded wherever the spells landed.
At the center of the clearing, Lyra faced Nyra.
The assassin smiled.
"You hesitate."
"I don't."
"You still don't want to kill."
Lyra remained silent.
Nyra circled her like a wolf stalking prey.
"That's your weakness."
She attacked.
Her daggers moved so quickly they became silver blurs.
Lyra blocked one.
Dodged another.
A third sliced across her arm.
Blood trickled down her sleeve.
Nyra laughed.
"You see?"
"Mercy gets people hurt."
Lyra remembered her mother's words.
"Compassion is strength."
But was it?
Right now, compassion felt painfully fragile.
---
Suddenly, Varek raised his crystal staff.
Dark energy shot toward Fenrir.
The guardian roared as black chains wrapped around one of his legs.
"No!" Lyra cried.
She rushed toward him.
Nyra appeared directly in front of her.
"Eyes on me."
The assassin drove a dagger toward Lyra's heart.
At the last possible second, Kael burst into the clearing.
His sword intercepted the strike.
"You'll have to get through me first."
Nyra smirked.
"The rejected Alpha."
Kael stood beside Lyra without taking his eyes off the assassin.
"I told you before..."
He raised his sword.
"...I'm done letting her fight alone."
Lyra looked at him in surprise.
He met her gaze briefly.
"I can't undo the past."
"But I can change the man I become."
Before Lyra could respond, Nyra attacked again.
This time...
Kael and Lyra moved together.
Without speaking.
Without planning.
Their instincts matched perfectly.
The remnants of their broken mate bond flickered to life for a single heartbeat.
The Shadow King, watching from afar, narrowed his eyes.
"No..."
He whispered to himself.
"The bond..."
"It shouldn't still exist."
Far above them, hidden behind the dark clouds...
The Moon Goddess smiled.
- Writer
