Chapter 121: The Lycan Council
733 Words
The gates of the Lycan Kingdom rose like giants against the morning sky.
Massive stone walls surrounded the ancient city, standing tall against centuries of wars and invasions. Silver banners bearing the wolf crest fluttered proudly in the wind.
But today, the guards at the gates looked uneasy.
Kael and the others approached quickly along the main road.
Their long journey from the mountains had ended, but the danger they carried with them had only just begun.
The moment the guards recognized Kael, they immediately opened the gates.
“Prince Kael!”
One of the captains stepped forward and bowed.
“We didn’t expect your return so soon.”
Kael didn’t slow down.
“Call the council immediately.”
The captain frowned slightly.
“The council is already gathered.”
Kael stopped.
“What?”
The captain looked serious.
“They received reports during the night.”
“Reports of what?” Roran asked.
The captain hesitated.
“An army.”
Everyone exchanged glances.
Darius groaned quietly.
“Of course they did.”
Within minutes, they were rushing through the streets of the capital.
The Lycan Kingdom was alive with activity.
Warriors moved through the streets preparing weapons.
Messengers ran between buildings carrying urgent scrolls.
Blacksmiths hammered loudly as they worked to forge new blades.
Aria noticed the worried looks from the citizens.
The people could feel something terrible was coming.
Soon they arrived at the center of the city.
The Royal Hall.
The enormous building stood tall with marble pillars and silver statues of ancient wolf kings guarding the entrance.
Kael pushed open the massive doors.
Inside, the council chamber was already filled.
Twelve elders sat around a circular stone table.
At the head of the table sat the King of the Lycans.
King Alaric.
His silver hair and piercing golden eyes gave him a commanding presence.
The moment he saw Kael enter, his expression darkened.
“You returned sooner than expected.”
His gaze shifted toward Aria.
“And I see you brought the Moon girl with you.”
The room instantly grew quiet.
Aria felt every pair of eyes turn toward her.
Some curious.
Some suspicious.
Kael stepped forward.
“We don’t have time for formalities.”
He placed both hands on the table.
“The Blood King has returned.”
Murmurs spread across the council chamber.
One of the elders slammed his hand against the table.
“That monster was defeated centuries ago!”
Roran spoke calmly.
“He’s alive.”
Another elder pointed at Aria.
“And what does the Moon girl have to do with this?”
Kael looked at them firmly.
“Everything.”
Aria stepped forward slowly.
Silver light briefly flickered in her eyes.
“I awakened the Moon’s power in the ancient temple.”
Gasps filled the chamber.
Even King Alaric leaned forward slightly.
“You’re claiming to be the Moon Queen?”
Aria met his gaze without fear.
“I’m not claiming it.”
She raised her hand.
Soft silver energy glowed across her palm.
“I am.”
The entire chamber fell silent.
Even the elders who doubted her looked stunned.
King Alaric studied her carefully.
Then he leaned back in his throne.
“So the prophecy was real.”
Kael spoke again.
“That’s not the worst part.”
He looked around the room.
“The Blood King is already moving his army.”
The elders exchanged uneasy looks.
“How large?” one of them asked.
Aria answered quietly.
“Thousands.”
A heavy silence fell across the chamber.
King Alaric slowly stood.
His powerful voice echoed through the hall.
“Then the time has come.”
He looked toward the warriors standing near the doors.
“Send messengers to every allied kingdom.”
His golden eyes burned with determination.
“The Lycans will not face this war alone.”
Kael nodded.
“And the Blood King?”
King Alaric’s expression hardened.
“We will prepare for him.”
He turned toward Aria again.
“And if you truly are the Moon Queen…”
His voice lowered slightly.
“Then this war may depend on you.”
Aria felt the weight of those words settle on her shoulders.
Outside the royal hall, war drums began echoing across the city.
The Lycan Kingdom was preparing for battle.
And the fate of the entire world was now tied to the Moon Queen.
- Writer
