CHAPTER 9: The Queen's Final Message
680 Words
The shimmering image of Queen Selene stood before Lyra, her silver gown flowing as though stirred by a wind from another world.
Lyra's knees weakened.
"Mother..."
The word escaped her lips as a whisper.
She had dreamed of this moment countless times, imagining what it would be like to meet the woman she had never known.
Now, she stood only a few feet away.
Although she knew this was only a magical memory, tears blurred her vision.
Queen Selene smiled sadly.
"My precious daughter..."
"I wish I could hold you one last time."
Lyra reached forward instinctively.
Her fingers passed through the glowing image.
The realization broke her heart.
"You left me."
Selene lowered her eyes.
"I never wanted to."
"I fought until my last breath to protect you."
Lady Seraphine quietly wiped away her tears.
Even Lucien, standing near the doorway, remained silent out of respect.
Selene continued.
"On the night the Moon Kingdom fell, your father and I were betrayed."
"The attack did not come from outside our kingdom."
"It came from someone we trusted."
Lyra's heartbeat quickened.
"Who?"
The image shook her head.
"The spell preserving this memory cannot reveal every secret."
"If I speak his name, the memory will disappear."
Lyra clenched her fists.
"So the traitor is still alive?"
"Yes."
"And he is watching."
A cold chill spread through the room.
Selene looked directly into Lyra's eyes.
"You must trust very carefully."
"Not everyone who kneels before you serves the crown."
"And not every enemy wears the face of a monster."
Lucien exchanged a glance with Lady Seraphine.
The warning was clear.
Someone inside the palace could be working against them.
Selene continued.
"You possess the Blood of the First Moon."
"It is a power no ruler has inherited for centuries."
"When your full abilities awaken, every Alpha in existence will feel your presence."
"Some will follow you."
"Others will try to destroy you."
Lyra swallowed hard.
"I don't know how to be a queen."
"You don't have to know today."
"You only have to take the first step."
The crescent mark on Lyra's wrist suddenly glowed.
Silver light spread across her arm.
Pain shot through her body.
She gasped.
Lady Seraphine rushed forward.
"The Moon Mark..."
"It's awakening!"
The palace trembled violently.
Outside, bells began ringing.
One after another.
Lucien's expression darkened.
"That's the emergency alarm."
A palace guard burst into the hall.
"Commander!"
"We're under attack!"
"What?"
"The Shadow Legion has breached the outer gates!"
Another explosion shook the palace.
Dust rained from the ceiling.
Selene's image flickered.
"There isn't much time."
She removed a silver pendant from around her neck.
Though she was only a memory, the pendant slowly became solid.
It floated toward Lyra.
"The Heart of the Moon."
"It belongs to you."
Lyra caught it with trembling hands.
The moment her fingers touched the pendant, brilliant silver energy erupted throughout the room.
Memories flashed before her eyes.
A laughing little girl.
A woman singing beneath the full moon.
A king lifting her into his arms.
Then...
Fire.
Blood.
Screams.
A hooded figure standing over her parents.
Lyra cried out.
The vision vanished.
She collapsed to one knee.
Lucien caught her before she hit the floor.
"It's alright."
"I've got you."
Outside, wolves howled.
The sounds of battle grew louder.
Lady Seraphine looked toward the palace windows.
"They're here."
"The war has begun."
Selene smiled one final time.
"My daughter..."
"Do not let hatred rule your heart."
"True queens inspire hope, even in darkness."
"I love you."
The image slowly dissolved into thousands of silver lights.
"Mother!"
Lyra reached out desperately.
But it was too late.
The last trace of her mother disappeared.
Silence filled the room.
Then
A deafening crash echoed through the palace.
The great doors exploded inward.
Smoke filled the hall.
Dozens of black-armored warriors stormed inside.
At their head stood a tall figure wearing a mask carved from black bone.
He slowly clapped his hands.
"So..."
"The lost Moon Queen has finally come home."
He raised a glowing black blade.
"This time..."
"The entire royal bloodline dies."
- Writer
