THE LUNA THEY REJECTED CAME BACK RUTHLESS

This One Was Different

The silence after the impact didn’t last.

It never did.

Because I could still feel them.

Outside.

Moving.

Waiting.

But something else was there too.

Something heavier.

Stronger.

Different.

My chest tightened as the warmth inside me shifted again—this time not just reacting, but warning.

“They’re not done,” I said quietly.

Kael’s expression darkened.

“I know.”

A low, slow sound echoed from beyond the broken doorway.

Not rushed.

Not aggressive.

Measured.

Confident.

My body tensed instinctively.

“That’s not like the others,” I whispered.

“No,” Kael said.

“It’s not.”

The air grew colder as a shadow appeared at the entrance.

Then—

It stepped in.

Taller than the others.

Its movements slower, controlled, like it wasn’t in a hurry.

Like it already knew how this would end.

Its eyes locked onto me immediately.

And this time—

There was no mindless hunger in them.

There was awareness.

My heart pounded.

“That one’s different,” I said.

Kael moved slightly in front of me again—but not fully blocking me.

A compromise.

A warning.

“Stay focused,” he said quietly.

The creature tilted its head slightly, studying me.

Then—

It smiled.

Not wide.

Not obvious.

But enough.

And that alone sent a chill down my spine.

“I found you,” it said.

The voice wasn’t like the others.

Clear.

Controlled.

Intentional.

My grip tightened slightly.

“You’ve been looking,” I replied.

A faint chuckle escaped it.

“Yes.”

The word echoed strangely in the room.

The warmth inside me surged again—but this time, it didn’t feel steady.

It felt challenged.

Provoked.

I raised my hand, focusing, trying to control the energy the way Kael had taught me.

The power gathered.

Responded.

Moved.

I pushed it forward—

But the creature didn’t move.

Didn’t dodge.

Didn’t react.

The force hit it—

And stopped.

Like it had collided with something immovable.

My breath caught.

“That’s not possible,” I whispered.

The creature’s smile widened slightly.

“You’re learning,” it said.

My chest tightened.

“But not fast enough.”

Before I could react—

It moved.

Faster than the others.

Faster than I expected.

One second it was standing there—

The next—

It was right in front of me.

My eyes widened.

I tried to push the energy again—

But it didn’t respond fast enough.

A sharp force hit me, sending me stumbling back as the air knocked out of my lungs.

“Lira!”

Kael moved instantly, stepping between us as his own power surged forward, clashing against the creature’s movement.

The impact echoed loudly, forcing the creature back a few steps—but not far.

Not enough.

My chest rose and fell unevenly as I struggled to regain my footing.

“I… I couldn’t stop it,” I said.

Kael didn’t look back.

“Because this one isn’t like the others,” he replied.

The creature straightened slightly, completely unfazed.

“They won’t be enough for you anymore,” it said calmly.

A pause.

Then—

“That’s why I was sent.”

A chill ran through me.

Because suddenly—

I understood.

This wasn’t random.

This wasn’t trial and error.

They were adapting.

Sending stronger ones.

Testing me.

Pushing me.

And I wasn’t ready.

Not yet.

The warmth inside me flickered again—

Unstable.

Uncertain.

And for the first time since I started learning—

I felt it slip.

Just slightly.

But enough.

Because if I lost control now—

This wouldn’t just be a fight.

It would be a loss.

And this time—

I might not get back up. 😈🔥