Chapter 31: Bond of the Moon
1102 Words
The forest clearing was silent except for the wind moving through the tall trees.
The massive silver wolf stood before Aria like a living legend brought to life.
Its fur shimmered faintly under the morning light, glowing with a soft lunar energy that made the air around it feel calm yet powerful.
Aria could hardly breathe.
She had grown up hearing stories about ancient guardians that once protected the world before the Lycan kingdom was even founded.
But she never believed she would stand face-to-face with one.
Yet here it was.
Lunaris.
The First Guardian of the Moon-Bound.
Kael and the nearby Lycan warriors watched carefully, unsure whether to treat the creature as an ally or a threat.
Kael slowly stepped forward.
His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, though he had not drawn it.
“Aria… are you sure this creature can be trusted?” he asked quietly.
Before Aria could answer, Lunaris turned its glowing silver eyes toward Kael.
The great wolf spoke again—not aloud, but directly into their minds.
I am not your enemy, Lycan warrior.
Kael stiffened slightly, surprised to hear the voice inside his head.
For centuries, my kind guarded the balance between darkness and light.
But when the Moon-Bound bloodline faded, we were forced into a deep slumber.
Its gaze returned to Aria.
Until she awakened us.
Aria slowly lowered her hand from the ancient altar.
“So you’ve been waiting… for someone like me?”
Yes.
Lunaris stepped closer.
The ground barely made a sound beneath its massive paws.
The Moon-Bound bloodline is older than the Lycan kings.
It is tied directly to the power of the moon itself.
Aria looked down at her hands as faint silver light flickered around them again.
“I never asked for this power.”
Lunaris’ voice softened slightly.
Power does not choose comfort.
It chooses necessity.
Kael crossed his arms, still studying the guardian carefully.
“If you know so much, then tell us how to defeat Dravoryx.”
The silver wolf’s expression darkened.
The Devourer of Kingdoms cannot be defeated by ordinary warriors.
His power was feared even by the ancient Lycans.
Aria felt a chill run through her spine.
“Then how was he imprisoned before?”
Lunaris turned its gaze toward the mountains in the distance.
Long ago, three guardians and a Moon-Bound warrior sealed him beneath the northern mountains.
But the price was great.
The guardians were nearly destroyed, and the Moon-Bound bloodline slowly vanished afterward.
Aria swallowed.
“So if he’s free now…”
Then the battle must begin again.
Kael let out a quiet breath.
“That means Magnus has unleashed something far worse than an army.”
Lunaris nodded.
Magnus believes he can control the Devourer.
But creatures like Dravoryx serve no master.
Aria’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Then Magnus has made a terrible mistake.”
At that moment, a sudden roar echoed across the sky.
Every warrior in the clearing immediately looked up.
A massive shadow passed over the treetops.
Kael’s expression hardened instantly.
“He’s here.”
Dravoryx descended from the clouds like a falling storm.
His enormous wings beat against the air, sending powerful gusts through the forest.
Trees bent under the force of the wind as the creature landed heavily in the clearing.
The ground cracked beneath his claws.
Golden eyes locked onto Aria immediately.
For a moment, the Devourer simply stared at her.
Then his monstrous grin appeared.
“Well, well…”
His deep voice echoed like distant thunder.
“The Moon-Bound lives.”
The Lycan warriors quickly surrounded Aria, their weapons drawn.
Kael stepped forward.
“You will go no further.”
Dravoryx glanced at him with mild amusement.
“You must be the kingdom’s strongest warrior.”
His tail flicked lazily behind him.
“How disappointing.”
Then his gaze shifted to Lunaris.
The Devourer’s eyes narrowed.
“And a guardian as well.”
Lunaris stepped protectively in front of Aria.
The air around the silver wolf began to glow faintly.
You will not harm her.
Dravoryx laughed.
A deep, terrifying sound that shook the trees.
“Oh, I won’t harm her.”
His golden eyes gleamed with cruel interest.
“Not yet.”
Aria stepped forward beside Lunaris.
Her silver eyes met the creature’s burning gaze.
“You destroyed Grey Hollow.”
Dravoryx tilted his head slightly.
“Yes.”
“And you will answer for it.”
The Devourer’s grin widened.
“Such courage.”
His wings stretched wide again.
“But courage without power…”
His voice dropped into a dangerous whisper.
“…is merely suicide.”
Before anyone could react, Dravoryx unleashed a blast of dark fire toward the clearing.
The explosion sent warriors flying backward as flames tore through the ground.
Kael barely managed to dodge the attack.
“Move!” he shouted.
Lunaris leaped forward.
The guardian’s body became surrounded by brilliant silver light as he collided with the blast.
The two forces clashed violently in the center of the clearing.
The impact shook the entire forest.
When the smoke cleared, Lunaris stood firm—but deep claw marks burned into the earth beneath his paws.
Dravoryx looked impressed.
“Interesting.”
His golden eyes shifted toward Aria again.
“So the guardians truly have awakened.”
Aria felt the power inside her rising.
Her hands glowed brighter as the energy of the Moon-Bound began responding to the threat.
Dravoryx noticed immediately.
His grin became even darker.
“Yes…”
He spread his wings again.
“That power.”
His voice rumbled with excitement.
“I remember it.”
Aria’s voice remained steady.
“You will remember defeat too.”
The Devourer laughed again.
“We shall see, little Moon-Bound.”
He slowly began lifting into the air again.
“But not today.”
Kael frowned.
“You’re running?”
Dravoryx’s eyes flashed dangerously.
“Running?”
He shook his massive head.
“No.”
The creature looked toward the distant Lycan kingdom.
“I’m preparing.”
His voice carried across the forest like a promise of destruction.
“When we meet again…”
The Devourer’s wings beat powerfully against the sky.
“…your kingdom will burn.”
With that, Dravoryx vanished into the clouds.
The forest slowly grew quiet again.
The warriors looked shaken but alive.
Aria stared into the sky where the creature had disappeared.
Her heart was racing.
Lunaris stepped beside her.
The battle has begun.
Kael looked toward the capital far beyond the mountains.
Then we must prepare for war.
Because the next time Dravoryx attacks…
He won’t be alone.
- Writer
