THE LUNA'S ASCENT

Raven strode through the open doors to the corridors of the palace. The guards that stood watch at the door averted their eyes respectful as she shifted back to human form. Their reaction always amused her. She’d long since mastered the art of keeping her clothes on when she went wolf. The clothes usually melted into her fur so that went she shifted back, they stayed on. Therefore she didn’t know why the guards always had to act so prudish. Shortly after entered Paul and Silas, already in human form. They followed closely behind her as always. They were tall and well-built young men who’s duty was to serve and protect Raven. At first she’d hated the thought of being followed around but soon she grew fond of them, taking them on as her little brothers she never had. Meanwhile the Palace guards parted for her. Her demeanor was unwavering as she walked past them, acknowledging their salutes with a small nod. As she walked she took in her surroundings. She lingered on how pitiful it was. The once-stunning palace, now stripped of its grandeur, had become a haunting reflection of its former self. The crimson and gold décor that had once been a symbol of opulence and power had been mercilessly defaced by the West Kingdom’s raiders. What was once breathtaking now bore the scars of ruthless raids. The walls, once adorned with majestic tapestries, were now marred with gouges and burns, as if the very essence of the place had been violated. The dome ceiling overhead, once a masterpiece of intricate design, now hung in disrepair. The once-gleaming bronze wires that had spiraled and interlaced to form complex patterns were now twisted and broken, a stark testament to the violence that had befallen this once-majestic palace. "Your highness," called a voice, breaking her from her reverie. Raven frowned at the familiar voice. Then she turned to its source, coming face to face with Captain Montano. The aging captain of the palace guard had a reputation for being a bit too forward, especially when it came to her. "Captain Montano," Raven acknowledged him coolly. The old man's eyes twinkled with an unsettling admiration as he peered down at her. "Ah, Lady Raven," he purred, his voice dripping with an unsettling charm. "What a fortunate accident this is. Meeting you here, alone." “Alone?” Raven scoffed. “Perhaps your eye sight is getting worse than usual old man”. “Can't you see the fine young gents with me?” she said gesturing to Paul and Silas. The two squared their shoulders and glared at Montano. But Montano didn’t get the message. Montano chuckled, giving Raven and good view of his broken teeth "You're the only one I see, Lady Raven. A woman of your caliber, so beautiful and powerful at the same time…you’re bound to steal all the attention in a room.” Raven's eyes narrowed, her patience waning rapidly. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Captain." Montano ignored her warning and continued to inch closer, his hand reaching out to graze her arm. "I couldn't help but wonder, my lady, if you'd ever consider spending some... private time with a man of my experience." Raven's lips curled into a sardonic smile as she pulled her arm away, her voice dripping with disdain. "Montano, it's amusing that you think your 'experience' would interest me in the slightest. I suggest you keep your advances to yourself and focus on keeping your job, foot soldier." “I'm a retired captain”, started Montano. “Emphasis on Retired” said Raven. "Why exactly did you summon me Montano, even going as far as using the royal horn? I swear on my mother's fangs if you called me here to do your usual nonsense…" Montano stepped closer, his eyes roaming over Raven in a way that made her skin crawl. "Ah, my dear Raven," he purred, his voice dripping with insincere charm. "I simply couldn't resist the opportunity to be in your enchanting presence." Raven fought the urge to punch his head off his neck. She had dealt with his advances countless times, and each encounter left her more disgusted than the last. "Cut to the chase, Captain," she snapped. "Why did you summon me?" Montano's grin widened, and he leaned in closer, invading her personal space. "Ah, Raven, you're as direct as ever. Who knows…perhaps I summoned you to discuss matters of the heart, my dear." That was it! Raven snapped. Emitting a low inhuman growl, Raven bared her teeth. Her canines slowly began to extend. “Get to the point," she growled. “Or else in a few seconds that heart of yours and a few other important organs may go missing". Staggering back, Montano raised his hands in surrender. "Ah, y-yes," he said quickly. "Y-your sister re-requested your presence." Raven's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Did she say why?" she demanded. Montano shifted uncomfortably, his old flare now gone waning. "She didn't say, your highness. I'm merely the messenger." Raven stared at him for a moment, her mind working quickly to assess the situation. Then, with a cold and calculated tone, she said, "Very well, Captain.” Then she gave waved a hand to her loyal squires, Paul and Silas, who had been quietly watching the exchange. Without hesitation, they stepped forward, grabbed Montano by the arms, and began to drag him away. Montano tried to escape their grasp but against the youths’ strength it was like a worm trying to wiggle out of two birds’ claws. Raven continued forward until she reached the ornate double doors leading to her sister's dressing room. Then she paused. She didn’t know why she hesitated. There was just a bad feeling about all this that she couldn’t shake. “Relax, Raven” she said to herself. Then with a sense of purpose, Raven pushed open the grand doors to the dressing room. The room was a whirlwind of activity, with servants actively working and fussing over Katherine. The young woman sat in front of a gilded mirror, her golden hair elegantly styled and her makeup meticulously applied. Her eyes, normally filled with mischief and spirit, were clouded with anxiety. Raven's heart ached for her sister as she approached. She reached out and gently squeezed Katherine's hand, offering a reassuring smile. "Kathy," she said softly, "I'm here." Katherine turned to her older sister, her eyes filling with tears. She gripped Raven's hand tightly, her voice trembling. "Raven, please, you have to help me. I can't marry that Prince. I've heard terrible things about him, and I'm scared." Raven's expression hardened, her protective instincts kicking in. But she knew she couldn’t defend Katherine from everything, even though she wanted to do so badly. “It’s going to be alright Kathy,” Raven managed to say. By now Katherine was crying, causing her mascara and eye dye to bleed, streaking down her face along with the tears. Some of it had gotten on the matrimonial gown so she now looked like a haunting bride from a ghost story. “No”, said Katherine. “Everything is not going to be alright”. Then she leaned forward and whispered sharply, “They say he eats flesh, Raven! That Prince”. Raven leaned back and raised an eyebrow incredulously. “We’re werewolves Kathy. You act like eating flesh is a new thing”. “No no no,” cried Katherine. “Not animal flesh, Raven. They say he eats human flesh”. Raven paused. Then slowly she said, “That’s forbidden”. “Exactly,” Katherine replied with a scared look. Raven Spread her arms and hugged her sister tightly, a mix of emotions swirling within her. "I won't let anything happen to you, Katherine. So rest easy, we'll figure this out together." Katherine drew away from her and shook her head, saying, “No, there’s nothing to figure out”. Then she turned to the maids and commanded, “Tell Raven. Tell her what you told me”. The maids hesitated, shifting uncomfortably under the two Royals’ attention. “Speak”, commanded Katherine again. "I hear he’s called The Orphan Prince, Milady" said the maid who'd been combing Katherine’s hair. “Because when he was born his parents abandoned him and even went as far as building a secluded castle to keep him away from the rest of world”. “And it’s this castle that our poor lady Katherine will be sent to”, added another solemnly. “That’s not true,” said Raven, although even she sounded uncertain. “It’s true, Milady,” said the first maid. “I’ve also heard he’s a cripple, and can never bear children”. "Scarred all over, they say," another added, her voice filled with a morbid fascination. "So many scars that he’s hideous to look at”. "And his heart? Blacker than shadow," chimed in a third, shaking her head sadly. “Enough," Raven snapped, her voice cutting through the room like a knife. Her eyes blazed with fury as she shot a glare at the maids. "You all keep your mouths shut and remember your place. Understood?” The maids cowered under Raven's stern gaze, their gossip silenced, but the damage was already done. Katherine had began shiver and mumble about how her life was ruined forever. Raven’s expression softened but she knew she had to be resolute. She spoke with a gentle yet firm tone, "Kathy, this marriage is necessary to protect our family and our people. It's a rite that goes back several generations. Our ancestors did this to strengthen diplomatic ties with the West Kingdom. It's tradition, Kathy. We can't change that." Katherine, her eyes still glistening with tears, looked up at her sister defiantly. Her next response was swift and unexpected. “Screw Tradition,” she spat. Then with a sudden motion, she head-butted Raven, causing the latter to recoil in pain. "Sorry, sis," Katherine panted, her chest heaving from the unexpected burst of energy. “But I know you'll try to stop me, so I'm buying myself some time”. Katherine ripped off the sleeves of her gown and flung them to the ground. Then before anyone could react, Katherine bolted out of the room, leaving a shocked and bewildered Raven behind. Instantly, Paul and Silas rushed into the room. They glanced between Raven and the door, unsure of what had just transpired. Raven's head throbbed from the impact of Katherine's head-butt. Katherine had shifted form just as their heads collided, making the impact similar to being hit with a mallet. Quickly regaining her composure, She yelled with urgency. "Find her. Catch her before she does anything stupid." Paul and Silas nodded in unison and raced out of the room. Meanwhile the palace was plunged into chaos as the maids and other guards joined the hunt for Katherine.