Pregnant with the Alpha king's Triplets

Episode 34

The Forbidden Forest

Dawn broke over the Hidden Village, revealing the destruction left behind by the midnight attack.

Smoke still drifted from the burned cottages.

Warriors moved silently through the ruins, gathering supplies and helping survivors rebuild what little they could.

No one celebrated their survival.

They all understood the truth.

The Shadow King had allowed them to live.

For now.

Inside the ancient temple, the High Elder stood before a weathered stone wall covered with faded carvings. Kael, Lyria, Ronan, Eryx, Garrick, and the remaining Alpha leaders gathered around him.

The old man pressed his palm against the center of the wall.

The symbols began to glow.

With a low rumble, the stone slowly slid apart, revealing a hidden chamber that had remained sealed for centuries.

Dust filled the air as they stepped inside.

At the center of the chamber stood a circular stone pedestal.

Resting upon it was an ancient map made from silver-colored leather.

Unlike ordinary maps, this one shimmered beneath the morning light.

The High Elder carefully unrolled it.

"This was created by the first Moon King."

"No copy exists."

The map revealed mountains, rivers, forgotten kingdoms, and places whose names had vanished from history.

One location glowed brighter than the others.

A vast forest stretched across the northern lands.

Its trees were painted black, while a silver symbol rested at its heart.

"The Forbidden Forest," the elder said.

"The resting place of the First Relic."

Lyria studied the map.

"The Moon Crystal."

The elder nodded.

"It is the first of the Five Ancient Relics."

"It was hidden there long before the Shadow Kingdom rose to power."

Ronan folded his arms.

"If it's been there for centuries, why hasn't anyone claimed it?"

The High Elder remained silent for a moment.

Then he answered.

"Because no one has ever returned."

The room fell quiet.

"The forest is older than every kingdom," he continued.

"It does not obey the laws of this world."

"The paths change without warning."

"The trees create endless illusions."

"And something ancient guards the relic."

Eryx frowned.

"The roar we heard last night."

"Yes."

"The Guardian has awakened."

Kael looked at the map again.

"If the Shadow King reaches the Moon Crystal first..."

"He will corrupt its power," the elder replied.

"And once that happens, the remaining relics will become nearly impossible to recover."

There was no longer any choice.

They had to leave immediately.

Outside the temple, preparations began at once.

Warriors sharpened their weapons.

Healers packed herbs and medicine into leather satchels.

The village blacksmith repaired damaged armor through the afternoon.

The Shadow Dragon watched everything from the cliffs above.

Its silver eyes never left the northern horizon.

As the sun began to set, Lyria walked through the village one last time.

Children waved as she passed.

The same little girl whose father had been healed during the attack ran toward her.

She wrapped her tiny arms around Lyria's waist.

"Please come back."

Lyria smiled gently and knelt beside her.

"I will."

The child removed a small bracelet woven from white flowers.

"For good luck."

Lyria accepted it with a grateful smile.

"Thank you."

Nearby, Kael finished speaking with Garrick.

"You'll remain here?"

Garrick nodded.

"The village still needs protection."

"I'll defend it until you return."

Kael placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I trust you."

As darkness settled across the valley, the High Elder gathered the travelers before the temple steps.

"The journey ahead will test more than your strength."

"The Forbidden Forest feeds on fear, regret, and doubt."

"It will show each of you the thing you fear most."

He turned toward Lyria.

"You must remember who you are."

"No illusion can change the truth."

Lyria nodded.

"I won't forget."

The elder then faced the Shadow Dragon.

The great beast lowered its head before Kael and Lyria.

For the first time in centuries, it would leave the Hidden Village.

A low rumble escaped its throat as if it understood the importance of the mission.

The High Elder raised his staff.

"Go with the Moon Goddess."

"And may her light guide your path."

As the first light of dawn touched the mountains, Kael led the small company out of the Hidden Village.

Lyria walked beside him.

Ronan and Eryx followed close behind.

Above them, the Shadow Dragon soared through the sky, its silver wings shining against the morning sun.

Hours later, they reached the edge of a forest unlike any they had ever seen.

The trees stretched so high that they blocked out the daylight.

A thick mist drifted between the ancient trunks.

Not a single bird sang.

Not a single breeze stirred the leaves.

The entire forest stood in unnatural silence.

Kael rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"This is it."

Lyria took a slow breath.

Then, without another word, they stepped into the Forbidden Forest.

The mist closed behind them, swallowing the path they had used.

There was no way back.

Only forward.