The Alpha's Regret

The Ancient Enemy

The attack came without warning.

One moment, I was addressing the Council. The next, the sky turned black and the ground shook beneath our feet.

"WHAT IS THAT?" someone screamed.

I ran outside and saw it--a massive tear in the sky, dark energy pouring through.

"The Void," Lyra whispered, appearing beside me, still weak from her injury. "The Moon Goddess warned of this. It's the Shadow King, the ancient enemy of the Luna Chosen."

"How do I stop it?"

"You can't. Not alone."

I turned to find Damian behind me, his wound bandaged but his eyes fierce.

"Together," he said.

I nodded. "Together."

---

The battle against the Shadow King's forces lasted three days.

I fought until my body screamed for rest. Damian fought beside me, our powers combining in ways I never could have imagined.

On the third day, I faced the Shadow King himself.

He was enormous4a towering figure made of darkness, with eyes like burning coals.

"The Luna Chosen," he rumbled. "I have been waiting for you."

"You won't win."

"I already have. Look around you."

I saw the destruction4the city in ruins, the people scattered. My heart broke.

But then I felt something4a warmth spreading through my chest. The bond. Damian was pouring his strength into me.

"Use it," he said in my mind. "End this."

I raised my hands and summoned every ounce of power I had. The silver light that exploded from me was so bright it could have rivaled the sun.

The Shadow King screamed as the light consumed him.

"Nooooo!"

And then he was gone.

I collapsed, exhausted, as the sky returned to its normal blue.

Damian caught me before I hit the ground.

"It's over," he said.

"No," I whispered. "It's just the beginning."

**Hook: The Shadow King is defeated, but the battle has left the realm in ruins. And the Moon Goddess warned that defeating the Shadow King was only the first step. What ancient prophecy is yet to be fulfilled?**