Chapter 106: The Moon's Trial
671 Words
The council chamber remained silent long after Master Eldric finished speaking.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
The weight of the prophecy hung heavily in the air.
Aria stood frozen beside the table, her mind racing with questions she didn’t know how to answer.
The Moon’s Daughter…
The words echoed again and again in her head.
Kael slowly stepped forward.
His golden eyes locked onto Eldric.
“You’re telling me she might destroy the world.”
Eldric sighed quietly.
“That is what the prophecy warns.”
Kael’s voice became cold.
“Prophecies are not always accurate.”
Darius smirked from the corner of the room.
“True. Half the time they just make people panic.”
But Eldric shook his head.
“This prophecy is different.”
He walked slowly toward the tall window where the Blood Moon shone through the clouds.
“This one has already begun.”
Outside, thunder rumbled again.
The red glow of the moon filled the entire kingdom with an eerie light.
Aria finally found her voice.
“What exactly am I supposed to do?”
Everyone turned toward her.
Eldric studied her carefully.
“The prophecy speaks of a trial.”
“A trial?” Roran asked.
“Yes.”
Eldric nodded slowly.
“The Moon does not give power freely.”
His gaze returned to Aria.
“You must prove yourself worthy of it.”
Kael frowned.
“How?”
Eldric lifted his staff and pointed toward the northern mountains.
“There is an ancient temple hidden in those mountains.”
Aria felt a strange pull in her chest again.
Almost like something was calling her.
“The Temple of the First Moon,” Eldric continued.
“It was built thousands of years ago by the first Moon priests.”
Darius folded his arms.
“And let me guess…”
“Something dangerous is waiting there?”
Eldric gave a faint smile.
“Of course.”
Roran groaned quietly.
“Nothing is ever simple.”
Aria stepped closer to the window, staring toward the distant mountains.
She didn’t know why, but the temple Eldric mentioned felt familiar.
Like she had already been there in her dreams.
“If that temple can help me understand my power…”
She turned back toward the others.
“Then I’ll go.”
Kael immediately stepped forward.
“You’re not going alone.”
Aria looked at him.
“You’re the king. You should stay here.”
Kael shook his head.
“My place is wherever the fate of my kingdom is decided.”
Their eyes met.
For a moment the tension in the room softened.
But Darius quickly interrupted.
“Well, if everyone is going on a dangerous magical journey…”
He stretched his arms.
“I suppose I’ll join the fun.”
Roran sighed.
“I’ll prepare a small escort.”
Eldric raised his hand.
“No.”
Everyone looked at him.
“This trial cannot be completed with an army.”
His eyes rested on Aria again.
“The Moon must judge her without interference.”
Kael’s expression hardened.
“I’m still going.”
Eldric did not argue.
“Very well.”
Then his voice lowered.
“But you should know something.”
Kael frowned.
“What?”
Eldric pointed toward the Blood Moon again.
“The creatures will try to stop you.”
Roran muttered under his breath.
“I knew it.”
Aria took a deep breath.
“Then we leave at dawn.”
Lightning flashed across the sky again.
Far above the kingdom, the massive shadow continued watching.
Its glowing eyes followed every movement inside the castle.
“So they seek the Temple of the First Moon…”
The dark voice rumbled with amusement.
“That will make things easier.”
The creature spread its enormous wings.
“Because the temple…”
Its voice turned colder.
“…belongs to me now.”
The storm clouds thickened around the Blood Moon.
And somewhere deep within the northern mountains—
Something ancient began to awaken.
- Writer
