Rise of the Forsaken Luna

Chapter Four

The moon was high when Aria finally fell into a restless sleep, her body still humming with the remnants of her strange, overwhelming power, but it wasn’t peace that met her in slumber,….it was fire. She stood in a burning forest and it was not the smoldering ruins of Elmbrook, but somewhere deeper, older, and colder. The sky above her was pitch black, with no stars. Trees twisted like writhing hands. Flames licked at her bare feet, but they didn’t burn her. She could hear chanting in a language she didn’t know but felt in her bones.

The trees parted, and there he stood,…. The man in the dark robes. His face was half covered by a hood, but his eyes glowed silver like molten steel. Around his neck hung a pendant, and it was just like hers, the one she’d worn her whole life. The crescent-shaped talisman with jagged etchings that pulsed faintly in the dark.

“Who are you?” she demanded, stepping toward him. He tilted his head. “I’ve been watching you, little flame.”

“I’m not yours to watch.”

“No. But you are mine by blood.”

“What does that mean?” she hissed, but the dream was already fading, pulling her back like a tide. Before the shadows took him, he whispered: “You are not what you think and the ones who made you are coming back.”

Aria jolted upright in her bedroll, gasping. Sweat dripped down her back despite the cold mountain air. She clutched the pendant around her neck. It had no seams or locks. It was a strange symbol that made her skin tingle when she stared too long.

A knock shattered the silence. She stood and opened the door slowly….it was Kael. He stood tall and guarded as always, his dark armor dusted with frost, his eyes scanning her face as though he could read every nightmare in it.

“You haven’t slept,” he said.

She shook her head. “I saw a strange man,” she whispered. “In a dream. He’s from the forest.” Kael stiffened. “What did he say?”

“That I’m not what I think I am. That… the ones who made me are coming back.” Kael didn’t blink. Instead, he said: “Lucien needs to speak with you.” They walked in silence through the dim corridors of Nightfall Fortress. The guards watched her differently now and this time, not with contempt, but caution, awe and fear. It unsettled her more than the hatred ever had. When they reached the war room, Lucien was waiting, his eyes shadowed by something deeper than fatigue. Several ancient scrolls were spread across the table, along with worn tomes bound in black leather.

He waved Kael away, then turned to Aria. “Sit.” She obeyed.

“What do you know about your pendant?” he asked. “Nothing. I’ve had it for as long as I can remember. It never opens.”

“It’s not meant to. It’s not a locket, young Aria, it’s a key and it’s older than any Alpha bloodline still standing.” Lucien pulled something from his coat pocket. It was a second pendant and was nearly identical. In this case hers was silver and this one was gold. “This one belonged to your mother.” Aria’s throat went dry. “You knew her?”

“I met her once. This was years ago and she was dying. She gave me this and told me to protect you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Because I wasn’t sure until what you did at Elmbrook. Until I saw the fire in you.” Aria gripped the edge of her seat. “What am I, Lucien?” He opened one of the tomes, flipping to a page marked with an emblem… a flaming crescent.

“You are The Flamebearer. It is a lost bloodline descended from both wolf and void. It is rare and feared. It is also said to hold fire not gifted by the Moon Goddess, but stolen from something older.” Lucien looked up. “You’re not just a wolf, Aria. You’re a Flamebearer. We all thought it was extinct.”

“And the man in my dreams?”

“I believe he’s a Guardian. One of the Keepers of the Old Code. The last protectors of the ancient bloodlines.” She leaned back, pulse thundering in her ears. “So why now? Why show himself now?” Lucien’s expression darkened. “Because a war is coming and your power is waking up.”

That night, Aria wandered through the fortress halls, unable to rest. She passed guards who nodded, advisors who bowed slightly. They were gestures she had never received before. At first, she thought she imagined it, but the whispers returned.

“That’s her.”

“The fire witch.”

“The Flameborn.”

She turned a corner and almost collided with someone. It was Kael. He caught her arms instinctively, holding her steady and the first time, he didn’t pull away.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked.

“No.”

“Me neither.” They stood in silence for a moment, until Kael gestured toward the fortress balcony. “Come on, there is something I want to show you.” They stepped into the open air, where the mountains stretched like jagged knives beneath the stars. Snow drifted lazily, and the moon bathed the world in silver. Kael didn’t speak immediately.

When he did, his voice was quieter than usual. “I lost my sister five years ago. She was twelve and was torn apart during a rogue ambush while I was away on patrol. I still see her face every time I close my eyes.” Aria looked at him, startled by the vulnerability.

“I joined Lucien’s guard because I thought strength could protect people. But sometimes…” He trailed off, then looked at her. “Sometimes strength isn’t enough.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. He nodded, then turned to her fully. “But when I saw you in Elmbrook and the way you shielded those soldiers, the fire you called….I realized something. You’re more than strong Moonlight, you are the hope we all want”. She blinked, stunned.

“I was trained to protect the pack,” Kael said, stepping closer. “But I’ll protect you, Moonlight. Not because Lucien ordered it, but because I want to.” Her heart raced so fast but before either of them could speak again, a horn blared in the distance. They moved apart and ran so fast. Chaos erupted in the lower courtyards. A guard was dead. His throat slashed and body discarded like a ragdoll. More concerning, however, was the note pinned to the gate with a silver dagger. The paper was soaked in blood, but the words were clear:

“The Key has awakened and cannot protect her. Return what was stolen, or we will come for it ourselves.”

Signed: The Hollowed Sons

Lucien’s face turned to stone. “We need to move. Now!!!” Within the hour, the fortress was locked down. Aria was relocated to a secured chamber, flanked by two elite warriors at all times. Kael refused to leave her side. She paced like a caged wolf.

“I can’t hide while others die for me.”

“You must,” Lucien said sharply. “Until we know exactly what they want.” Aria turned to him. “They want the pendant.”

“No,” Lucien said quietly. “They want you.”

Later that night, Aria sat alone in her chamber, the pendant clenched in her fist. Her dreams came faster now and not just the shadow man, but voices, visions and glimpses of a girl who looked like her but wasn’t.

Suddenly, the shadows in the room flickered. She stood, heart thudding and then he was there……The man in black. He stepped from the shadows like they were doors, not barriers. His silver eyes shimmered like moons. He made no move to attack and he only raised a hand in peace.

“You know me,” he said. She raised her chin. “I know of you.”

“I am called Thorne. I was sworn to protect your bloodline but I failed.” Aria’s breath caught. “You knew my mother?”

“I served her.” Thorne stepped closer, and though every instinct in her screamed to run, she didn’t move. “You are the last,” he said. “The last of the Flamebearers and they have found you. The Hollowed Sons will not stop. They were created to destroy your kind.”

“Why?” she whispered.

“Because your fire is not of the Moon. It is older and wilder. You are not just a wolf, you are an elemental being and the Elders fear what they cannot control.” He extended his hand. “You can still choose your path, Aria. But if you run… they will burn everything to find you.”

The door burst open. Kael charged in, sword drawn, but Thorne was already gone. He vanished like smoke in the wind. Only the scent of shadow and fire remained.

By morning, a council had been summoned. Lucien spoke first, explaining everything. The Flamebearers, the prophecy, the Hollowed Sons. Most of the council was skeptical and some were furious. “She’s a threat!!!!” one of them snapped. “We should contain her before others come.”

“She saved half our warriors!!!” Kael growled. “You would be ashes without her!!!” Aria stood slowly, facing them all. “I am not a threat,” she said. “But I am also not your pawn. I will not run and I will not be silenced.”

The room fell quiet. Lucien looked at her, pride flickering behind his calm exterior. “Then we prepare,” he said…“For war.”