The wind howled mournfully through the bony branches of the old trees as his hands shook in the hot air. Lyra clung to her coat. The soft fur protected her from the intense cold that seeped into her bones.
The ultimate fear of food, a constant companion since the Ancients discovered its origins: the last descendants of the blood moon, guardians swore to protect the world from the ancient darkness in time.
Tonight, that calm turns to exciting fear. The ancient books speak of omens, of tremors in the fabric of reality heralding the rise of something important: Rogue Alpha. Tonight, the ground shook beneath his feet; A low voice and fear struck his soul.
Lyra looked at her teacher, Elara, who stood tall, her cold face full of thought. The light shining through the narrow space cut through the silver texture of Elara's black hair and contrasted with the worry in her eyes.
"It's starting," Elara called out, her voice filled with a soft sadness. "The moon is heavy tonight, bearing the weight of the days ahead." "
Lyra swallowed; her throat dry. Fear pushed him back, but inside was the fire of rebellion. Blood flowed in his veins and he was not afraid.
"Now get up," he said in a louder voice than he had ever heard. “We face the darkness together, as the Blood Moon always does. "
Elara's lips curled into a small smile, pride burning in her eyes. “We're together now. "Tonight, we fight not just for ourselves, but for the equality of the world."
Lyra took a deep breath, filled with the night air. Fear remains, but prudence takes over. The tremors may have signaled Alpha's ascension, but the warrior within also stirred. The age of the moon cannot be shaken. A world war had begun.