Chapter 31: Bond of the Moon
939 Words
The forest clearing stood in silence, broken only by the soft whisper of wind through the trees.
Before Alina stood a legend.
The massive silver wolf shimmered beneath the morning light, its fur glowing with a quiet, lunar radiance that filled the air with both calm and power.
Alina could barely breathe.
She had heard the stories—ancient guardians who once protected the world long before the rise of the Lycan kingdom.
But she had never believed she would stand before one.
Yet here it was.
Lunaris.
The First Guardian of the Moon-Bound.
Behind her, Kael and the Lycan warriors remained tense, uncertain whether the creature before them was ally… or threat.
Kael stepped forward cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
“Alina… can this creature be trusted?”
Before she could answer, Lunaris turned its glowing gaze toward him.
Its voice entered their minds—deep and ancient.
I am not your enemy, Lycan warrior.
Kael stiffened slightly, surprised by the presence in his thoughts.
For centuries, my kind guarded the balance between light and darkness.
The guardian’s gaze returned to Alina.
When the Moon-Bound bloodline faded, we were forced into slumber.
A pause.
Until she awakened us.
Alina lowered her hand slowly from the altar.
“So you’ve been waiting… for someone like me?”
Yes.
Lunaris stepped closer, its massive form moving with quiet grace.
The Moon-Bound bloodline is older than your kings. It is tied to the moon itself.
Alina looked down at her hands as silver light flickered faintly around them.
“I never asked for this.”
The guardian’s voice softened.
Power does not choose comfort. It chooses necessity.
Kael crossed his arms, still watching carefully.
“Then tell us how to defeat Dravoryx.”
Lunaris’ expression darkened.
The Devourer cannot be defeated by ordinary warriors. Even the ancient Lycans feared him.
A chill ran through Alina.
“Then how was he imprisoned?”
The guardian turned toward the distant mountains.
Long ago, three guardians and a Moon-Bound warrior sealed him beneath those peaks.
A pause.
The cost was great. The guardians were nearly destroyed… and your bloodline faded soon after.
Alina swallowed.
“So if he’s free now…”
Then the battle must begin again.
Kael exhaled slowly.
“That means Magnus has unleashed something far worse than an army.”
He believes he can control the Devourer.
Lunaris’ voice grew colder.
He is wrong.
Alina’s eyes hardened.
“Then Magnus has made a fatal mistake.”
---
A roar split the sky.
Every warrior in the clearing looked up.
A massive shadow passed over the treetops.
Kael’s expression darkened instantly.
“He’s here.”
Dravoryx descended like a storm.
His wings beat against the air, sending powerful gusts through the forest. Trees bent as he landed heavily in the clearing.
The ground cracked beneath his claws.
Golden eyes locked onto Alina.
For a moment, he simply stared.
Then—
A grin.
“Well… the Moon-Bound lives.”
The warriors moved quickly, forming a protective circle around her.
Kael stepped forward.
“You go no further.”
Dravoryx glanced at him, unimpressed.
“You must be their strongest warrior.”
His tail flicked lazily.
“How disappointing.”
Then his gaze shifted to Lunaris.
“And a guardian…”
His eyes narrowed.
“Interesting.”
Lunaris stepped forward, placing himself between Alina and the Devourer.
Silver light began to glow around his body.
You will not harm her.
Dravoryx laughed—a deep, echoing sound that shook the clearing.
“Oh, I won’t harm her.”
His gaze lingered on Alina.
“Not yet.”
Alina stepped forward beside Lunaris, her silver eyes meeting his.
“You destroyed Grey Hollow.”
“Yes,” Dravoryx replied without hesitation.
“And you will answer for it.”
His grin widened.
“Such courage.”
His wings stretched outward.
“But courage without power…”
His voice dropped, dangerous and cold—
“…is suicide.”
Without warning—
Dark fire erupted from his jaws.
The blast tore across the clearing.
“Move!” Kael shouted.
Warriors scattered.
Lunaris leaped forward.
Silver light exploded around him as he collided with the attack.
Darkness and moonlight clashed violently.
The impact shook the forest.
When the smoke cleared—
Lunaris still stood.
But the ground beneath him had been scorched and torn apart.
Dravoryx’s eyes gleamed.
“Impressive.”
His gaze shifted back to Alina.
“So the guardians truly have awakened.”
Alina felt the power within her surge.
Her hands glowed brighter, responding to the threat.
Dravoryx’s grin deepened.
“Yes…”
He leaned forward slightly.
“I remember that power.”
Alina didn’t step back.
“You’ll remember defeat too.”
The Devourer laughed.
“We shall see… little Moon-Bound.”
Slowly, he lifted into the air.
“But not today.”
Kael frowned.
“You’re retreating?”
Dravoryx’s eyes flashed.
“Retreating?”
He shook his head.
“No.”
His gaze shifted toward the distant Lycan kingdom.
“I’m preparing.”
His voice echoed across the forest like a promise.
“When we meet again…”
His wings beat powerfully.
“…your kingdom will burn.”
And then—
He vanished into the sky.
---
Silence returned.
But it was no longer peaceful.
The warriors stood shaken.
Alina stared into the sky, her heart racing.
Lunaris stepped beside her.
The battle has begun.
Kael looked toward the distant capital.
“Then we prepare for war.”
His voice hardened.
“Because next time…”
He turned back toward the horizon.
“He won’t come alone.”
- Writer
