The Enemy Inside The Wall
708 Words
The explosion shook Blood Moon Castle from its foundations.
Stone crashed into the courtyard as warriors rushed toward the western wall.
"Protect the civilians!"
"Seal the inner gates!"
"The healers—move!"
Lucien's voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
He caught Elara's wrist just as another section of the tower collapsed.
"Stay with me."
She nodded, unable to tear her eyes away from the thick cloud of dust rising into the sky.
When they reached the western courtyard, the destruction stole her breath.
The watchtower was gone.
Reduced to rubble.
Warriors dug frantically through broken stone, searching for survivors.
A little girl cried as two guards pulled her father from the debris.
He was alive.
Barely.
Elara didn't hesitate.
She dropped to her knees beside the injured man.
"Bring me clean cloths!"
A healer looked at her in surprise.
"My Lady—"
"Now!"
The authority in her voice left no room for argument.
Within moments, cloths and water were placed in her hands.
The man's breathing was shallow.
A jagged piece of stone had pierced his shoulder.
Elara steadied herself.
"This is going to hurt."
The warrior gave a weak nod.
She removed the stone in one swift motion.
He cried out in pain.
Immediately, she pressed the cloth firmly against the wound to stop the bleeding.
The royal healers stared in disbelief.
One whispered to another,
"Those are Luna's healing techniques..."
Lucien heard every word.
His gaze never left Elara.
Meanwhile...
Darius surveyed the shattered tower.
Something caught his attention.
"There."
Half buried beneath the rubble was a small iron object.
He picked it up carefully.
It wasn't part of the tower.
It was a black medallion engraved with the symbol of a coiled serpent.
Darius's expression darkened.
He had seen it before.
Years ago.
On the bodies of assassins who had tried to kill Lucien.
"This can't be..."
He slipped the medallion into his pocket.
Not yet.
Not until he was certain.
Hours later...
The fires had finally been extinguished.
Blood Moon mourned eight fallen warriors.
The castle felt quieter than ever.
Lucien stood alone on the balcony overlooking the valley.
Footsteps approached behind him.
"You should be resting."
He didn't turn around.
"I could say the same to you."
Elara stepped beside him.
She looked exhausted.
There was dried blood on the sleeves of her dress.
Not her blood.
The blood of the people she had helped save.
"They're going to recover," she said softly.
"The healer told me."
Lucien nodded.
"They're alive because of you."
She smiled faintly.
"My mother always said healing is stronger than revenge."
Lucien looked at her.
"She was wise."
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The cool mountain breeze carried the scent of pine through the night.
Finally, Elara broke the silence.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything."
She hesitated.
"When you found me in the forest..."
His expression grew serious.
"...you said I'd finally come home."
"Why?"
Lucien looked toward the crimson moon hanging above the mountains.
"I made a promise."
"To whom?"
He closed his eyes briefly.
"Someone who gave everything to protect you."
Elara's heart skipped.
"My parents?"
Lucien didn't answer.
Instead...
He changed the subject.
"Tomorrow we'll leave for Silver Fang."
She blinked.
"I thought you didn't want me to go."
"I don't."
"Then why?"
"Because if you go alone..."
His golden eyes met hers.
"...you'll never come back."
Far beyond Blood Moon...
In the ruins of an ancient temple...
A cloaked figure knelt before the crimson-eyed master.
"The attack failed."
"I know."
"Lucien still protects the girl."
The master smiled.
"Exactly as planned."
The servant frowned.
"My Lord?"
"Every attack pushes them closer together."
He rose from his throne and walked toward a cracked stone window overlooking the dark forest.
"When she finally falls in love with him..."
His crimson eyes gleamed with cruel anticipation.
"...she'll be much easier to break."
He slowly lifted a weathered parchment.
On it was an ancient prophecy.
Most of the writing had faded with time.
Only one sentence remained clear.
"When the Moon Heir gives her heart... the Final Seal shall be broken."
The master laughed.
A deep, chilling laugh that echoed through the empty temple.
"The countdown has begun."
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