Chapter 120: Return to the Lycan Kingdom
584 Words
The journey down the mountain took most of the day.
The narrow trail twisted between cliffs and thick pine forests, forcing the group to move slowly and carefully.
Snow melted beneath the warmer sunlight as they descended toward the lower valleys.
For hours, no one spoke much.
The battle inside the temple still lingered in everyone’s mind.
Finally, Darius broke the silence.
“So… just to confirm something.”
He looked at Aria.
“You’re officially a Moon Queen now?”
Aria glanced at him.
“I didn’t exactly apply for the title.”
Darius shrugged.
“Well, destiny rarely asks permission.”
Roran chuckled quietly.
“That might be the smartest thing you’ve said today.”
Kael walked ahead of the group, scanning the forest as they moved.
Even though the sky was clear, something about the air felt tense.
Like the world itself was holding its breath.
Aria noticed it too.
She could feel faint traces of energy drifting through the forest.
Nothing dangerous yet.
But something was changing.
They finally reached the bottom of the mountain just before sunset.
The trees grew taller and thicker here, forming a massive forest that stretched for miles.
Beyond that forest lay the Lycan Kingdom.
Darius dropped his backpack onto the ground.
“I vote we stop here for the night.”
Roran nodded.
“We’ll reach the kingdom by tomorrow.”
Kael agreed.
“We’ll rest, then continue at dawn.”
As the group began preparing a small campfire, Aria walked a short distance away from the others.
The forest was quiet.
A calm breeze rustled the leaves above her.
She looked up at the evening sky.
The silver moon had already begun rising.
For a moment, everything felt peaceful again.
But then—
Her eyes suddenly narrowed.
The moonlight reflected something moving in the distance.
Far beyond the forest line.
Dark shapes.
Hundreds of them.
Aria’s heartbeat quickened.
She stepped onto a nearby rock for a better view.
What she saw made her stomach tighten.
A massive army was marching across the far plains.
Black banners moved in the wind like shadows.
And faint crimson lights glowed among the soldiers.
Aria immediately ran back toward the camp.
“Kael!”
Everyone stood up instantly.
“What happened?” Kael asked.
Aria pointed toward the distant plains.
“There’s an army.”
Darius blinked.
“Please tell me that’s just traveling merchants.”
Roran climbed onto a nearby rock and looked carefully.
His face went pale.
“That’s not merchants.”
Kael stepped beside him.
The moment he saw the army, his jaw tightened.
“Blood warriors.”
Thousands of them.
Their armor reflected the dying sunlight like dark metal.
At the center of the army, a massive crimson banner waved proudly.
The symbol of the Blood King.
Darius stared in disbelief.
“They’re already moving?”
Aria’s voice was quiet but steady.
“The war has already begun.”
Kael turned toward the forest path leading to the kingdom.
“Then we don’t have time to rest.”
He grabbed his sword.
“We need to warn the Lycan Kingdom.”
Roran nodded immediately.
“If that army reaches the kingdom unprepared…”
He didn’t finish the sentence.
They all knew what it meant.
Aria looked back at the distant army one last time.
The crimson lights flickered like burning stars across the plains.
And somewhere among those soldiers—
The Blood King’s influence was spreading.
The storm of war had finally arrived.
- Writer
