Chapter 118: After the Blood Moon
607 Words
Silence filled the ancient temple.
The violent clash of power that had shaken the chamber moments ago was now gone. Only the faint glow of moonlight remained, shining through the cracked ceiling above.
Aria slowly lowered her hands.
The silver aura around her faded gently until it disappeared completely.
Her legs suddenly felt weak.
Before she could fall, strong arms caught her.
Kael.
“I’ve got you,” he said softly.
Aria looked up at him, exhaustion clear in her eyes.
“I didn’t realize how much power that took.”
Kael smiled faintly.
“You just defeated the most dangerous enemy we’ve faced.”
Darius stretched his arms dramatically.
“And may I remind everyone that we are still alive?”
Roran glanced around the temple ruins.
“Barely.”
Pieces of broken stone and shattered pillars covered the floor. The once sacred chamber now looked like the aftermath of a battlefield.
Darius kicked a small rock aside.
“Next time we find a mysterious temple, I vote we stay outside.”
Kael ignored him and looked back at Aria.
“You controlled the Moon’s power perfectly.”
Aria shook her head slightly.
“Not perfectly.”
Her eyes moved toward the spot where the Blood King had disappeared.
“He escaped.”
Roran crossed his arms.
“And he said the real war hasn’t started.”
Kael’s expression grew serious.
“Yes.”
Aria stepped away from him and slowly walked toward the center of the temple.
The ancient platform where the Moon’s power had awakened was still glowing faintly.
As she touched the stone surface, a soft pulse of silver light spread across it.
The temple voice returned once more, but this time it sounded calmer.
“Moon Queen…”
Aria looked up.
“The balance has been restored.”
She took a slow breath.
“But the Blood King said a war is coming.”
The voice answered quietly.
“Darkness always rises again.”
The runes across the temple floor began fading.
“This temple has fulfilled its purpose.”
Suddenly the entire structure trembled.
Darius looked up nervously.
“Uh… please tell me this place isn’t collapsing.”
Roran placed a hand on his sword.
“It might be.”
Kael grabbed Aria’s hand.
“We need to leave.”
As they rushed toward the temple exit, the ancient walls behind them slowly began crumbling.
Moonlight poured into the corridor as pieces of the temple roof collapsed.
Moments later they burst outside into the cold night air.
The mountain wind rushed around them.
Above them, the sky had finally cleared.
The Blood Moon was gone.
A peaceful silver moon now hung quietly in the night sky.
Aria looked up at it.
“It’s over.”
Kael stood beside her.
“For now.”
Darius dropped onto a nearby rock and sighed loudly.
“I vote we never deal with ancient prophecies again.”
Roran shook his head.
“That’s not how destiny works.”
Aria’s expression slowly turned serious again.
“The Blood King escaped.”
Kael nodded.
“And he’ll come back stronger.”
Aria clenched her hand slightly.
“But next time… we’ll be ready.”
Far away, beyond the mountains, dark clouds slowly gathered across the horizon.
And somewhere in the shadows of the world—
The Blood King watched the rising moon.
His crimson eyes burned with quiet fury.
“The Moon Queen…”
His voice whispered through the darkness.
“Enjoy your victory while you can.”
Because the next battle…
Would not be fought in a temple.
It would be fought across the entire world.
- Writer
