THE LUNAR KINGS SHATTERED CLAIM

CHAPTER:11

Immediately the being came out from the darkness; everything else I was thinking disappeared from my mind. I was terrified when I saw the face that had always seen both my dreams and my nightmares.

“Arlen?”I said in a shaky, low voice, unable to believe my own eyes at who stood in front of me.

Caden turned his head quickly, his body tensing like a drawn bow. “Who is this?”

Arlen gave a crooked smile, his piercing green eyes filled with amusement and cruelty. “It’s been a long time, Serenity,” he said, his voice smooth like a blade cutting through silk.

I hadn’t seen him since the night he betrayed us (my father, back then in the Moonrise pack), leaving to serve Ronan. My fingers tightened slightly around the dagger at my waist, the familiar weight helping me stay calm as my world seemed to shift.

“You shouldn’t be here, I said, keeping my voice firm.

“Oh, but I should,” Arlen replied mockingly. “Ronan sent me a message. Surrender now, and maybe he’ll show some mercy.”

Caden stepped in front of me, standing as a shield between us. “Tell Ronan he can keep his mercy. We’re coming for him.”

Arlen chuckled, but it was cold and empty. “You’ve always been stubborn, Caden. But do you really think a group of villagers and outcasts can defeat Ronan’s army? You’re walking straight into your own destruction.” Cursed, dethroned lunar king.

The air in the camp felt heavy. The villagers, holding whatever weapons they could find, looked at us for guidance. I could see fear in their eyes, but I also saw determination—people who are willing to fight for their freedom.

I stepped past Caden, standing tall. “Tell Ronan we’re not afraid of him. And tell him that when this is over, he’ll pay for every life he’s taken.”

Arlen’s smile wavered for just a second before he masked it. “Brave words, Serenity. Let’s see if you can back them up.”

Without saying another word, he slipped into the night, vanishing from our sight.

In the morning, the camp was full of life and ready with preparation for the battle. People rushed around, preparing weapons and finalizing plans. Different voices filled the air as alliances were strengthened.

Caden and I stood side by side, watching as the preparations were going on...

“We need to move fast,” Caden said, his voice low but firm. “Ronan won’t wait. He knows we’re coming after him.”

I nodded, my mind already racing with strategies. “The villagers are strong, but they aren’t trained fighters. We have to be smart and strike where they’re weakest.

As we spoke, the scarred man from last night named Markus, as I had learned, walked up to us. He was not looking all happy; rather, his face was set in a hard expression, and there were fears in his eyes.

“There’s something you need to know,” he said with a serious look.

“What is the matter?” I asked, my stomach twisting at his tone.

“Ronan has been spreading rumors. He’s saying the curse isn’t just on the kingdom. He claims it’s tied to your family, Serenity. That it will affect your future children."

The world around me seemed to tilt. My future children? I had never even thought in that direction, but the weight of his words hit me hard.

“That can't be true,” Caden said sharply, brushing his hands against mine in a silent show of support. “He’s trying to weaken you, make you doubt yourself.”

But Markus shook his head. “I don’t think he’s completely lying or wants to weaken you. There’s some truth hidden in what he’s saying. You need to be very careful.”

I swallowed hard, pushing my emotions aside. “It doesn’t change anything, I said, more to convince myself than anyone else. “We still have to stop him, for the kingdom, for everyone counting on us.”

Caden nodded, with a hardened face . “Then we don’t waste any more time. We are moving now.”

The battlefield was a storm of noise and movement. Ronan’s soldiers were waiting for us; their numbers were overwhelming, but we fought with everything and strength we had. The villagers, driven by their purpose, stood their ground against the dark forces.

Caden and I fought side by side, our movements working together effortlessly. Every swing of my blade and every surge of my power were met with his unshakable support. For the very first time in my life, I felt the bond between us not as something weighing me down but as a source of strength and bravery.

“Serenity, behind you!” Caden’s voice pulled me back to focus, and I turned just in time to block an attack from one of Ronan’s men.

Thanks, I muttered, my heart pounding as I struck back, taking my opponent down.

We’ve got this, he said with certainty, steadying me.

But then, a chilling laugh cut through the battlefield. Ronan stepped forward, his presence making the air feel heavier.

“Serenity,” he called out,and his voice dripped with mockery. How noble of you to fight for a kingdom that has already abandoned you. And you, Caden, are still hoping you can save her? Pathetic.”

I clenched my fists, stepping forward to face him. “Your rule ends here, Ronan.”

He smiled with his lips twisting cruelly. “You think you can stop me? You don’t even understand or know what you’re up against.” Or what's coming to you.

As he was speaking, the air around him began to shift and turn, dark energy and forces swirling like a storm. “This curse isn’t just about the kingdom, Serenity. It’s about you, your bloodline, your legacy. And when I’m done, there will be nothing left.”

Caden took full force as he charged at him, their swords clashing in a brutal fight of strength and skill. I wanted to join and help him, to fight by his side, but I couldn’t. The villagers needed me, and my power was their shield.

“Stay focused,” I told myself, forcing my energy into a barrier to protect our people from Ronan’s dark magic.

The battle continued, but Caden and Ronan’s fight became the center of it all. Every strike was a test of will, every movement a fight for survival.

“You can’t win, Ronan taunted, his voice cutting through the chaos. “You’re fighting a battle you’ve already lost, just like your father did.”

Caden’s eyes burned with anger at the mention of his father, his attacks growing more forceful. “You don’t get to speak about him, he said, his voice low and dangerous.

But Ronan only laughed, his confidence unshaken. “And what will you do, Caden? Give up your life for her? Do you really think that will change anything?”

Their fight was more than a battlefield, and suddenly, a surge of dark power burst from Ronan, sending Caden flying backward.

I screamed his name, but before I could reach him, Ronan turned his gaze on me.

“This ends now, he said, while sounding so devilish.

And with a single motion of his hand, the ground beneath me began to c***k apart.

Thanks, I muttered, my heart pounding as I struck back, taking my opponent down.

We’ve got this,he said with certainty, steadying me.

But then, a chilling laugh cut through the battlefield. Ronan stepped forward, his presence making the air feel heavier.

“Serenity,” he called out,and his voice dripped with mockery. How noble of you to fight for a kingdom that has already abandoned you. And you, Caden, are still hoping you can save her? Pathetic.”

I clenched my fists, stepping forward to face him. “Your rule ends here, Ronan.”

He smiled with his lips twisting cruelly. “You think you can stop me? You don’t even understand or know what you’re up against.” Or what's coming to you .

As he was speaking, the air around him began to shift and turn , dark energy and forces swirling like a storm. “This curse isn’t just about the kingdom, Serenity. It’s about you, your bloodline, your legacy. And when I’m done, there will be nothing left.”

Caden took full force as he charged at him, their swords clashing in a brutal fight of strength and skill. I wanted to join and help him, to fight by his side, but I couldn’t. The villagers needed me, and my power was their shield.

“Stay focused,” I told myself, forcing my energy into a barrier to protect our people from Ronan’s dark magic.

The battle continued, but Caden and Ronan’s fight became the center of it all. Every strike was a test of will, every movement a fight for survival.

“You can’t win,”Ronan taunted, his voice cutting through the chaos. “You’re fighting a battle you’ve already lost, just like your father did.”

Caden’s eyes burned with anger at the mention of his father, his attacks growing more forceful. “You don’t get to speak about him,”he said, his voice low and dangerous.

But Ronan only laughed, his confidence unshaken. “And what will you do, Caden? Give up your life for her? Do you really think that will change anything?”

Their fight was more than a battlefield, and suddenly, a surge of dark power burst from Ronan, sending Caden flying backward.

I screamed his name, but before I could reach him, Ronan turned his gaze on me.

“This ends now,”he said, while sounding so devilish.

And with a single motion of his hand, the ground beneath me began to c***k apart.