Chapter 122: War Drums of the Lycan
706 Words
The sound of war drums spread across the Lycan Kingdom like thunder rolling over the mountains.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Citizens stopped in the streets as the deep rhythm echoed from the towers of the Royal Hall. The signal had not been heard in generations.
War had been declared.
Inside the council chamber, tension hung thick in the air.
King Alaric stood at the center of the room, his powerful presence commanding the attention of every elder and warrior present.
“Send riders to the northern packs,” he ordered.
A messenger bowed quickly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Alert the Iron Fang Legion and the Shadow Guard. I want them ready before sunset.”
More messengers rushed from the chamber.
Kael watched the preparations carefully. The kingdom was moving fast—but he knew it might not be fast enough.
“The Blood King’s army is already marching,” he said.
One of the elders frowned.
“How long before they reach our borders?”
Roran answered calmly.
“If they don’t stop, three days.”
Murmurs of concern spread around the chamber.
“Three days?” another elder repeated.
“That’s impossible. Our forces need at least a week to fully gather.”
King Alaric’s golden eyes hardened.
“Then we fight with whoever is ready.”
The room fell silent.
Aria stood quietly near one of the tall windows, looking out at the capital below.
The city was alive with movement.
Blacksmith fires burned brightly.
Warriors sharpened blades.
Young Lycans trained in the courtyards under the watchful eyes of their commanders.
Fear lingered in the air—but so did determination.
Aria felt the Moon’s power stir softly within her.
Kael approached her.
“You’re thinking about the battle.”
Aria nodded.
“The Blood King is planning something bigger than just an invasion.”
Kael crossed his arms.
“You felt something in the temple too, didn’t you?”
She turned to him.
“Yes.”
Her voice lowered.
“His power… it felt ancient.”
Before Kael could respond, the chamber doors burst open.
A guard rushed inside, breathing heavily.
“Your Majesty!”
King Alaric turned sharply.
“What is it?”
The guard bowed quickly.
“Scouts have returned from the eastern plains.”
The entire room went quiet.
“And?” the king asked.
The guard swallowed.
“The army we spotted… it’s larger than we thought.”
Kael stepped forward.
“How large?”
The guard hesitated before answering.
“At least twenty thousand soldiers.”
Gasps filled the chamber.
Even the elders looked shaken now.
Darius whispered under his breath, “That’s not an army… that’s an apocalypse.”
King Alaric remained calm, though his expression darkened.
“Where are they now?”
“They’ve stopped marching.”
Roran frowned.
“Stopped?”
The guard nodded.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Why?”
The guard looked uneasy.
“They’re building something.”
The council members exchanged confused looks.
“What kind of structure?” one elder asked.
The guard shook his head.
“We couldn’t get close enough to see clearly.”
Aria’s silver eyes narrowed slightly.
A cold feeling crept into her chest.
Kael noticed her expression.
“What is it?”
Aria spoke slowly.
“I think I know.”
Everyone looked at her.
“The Blood King isn’t just invading.”
Her voice dropped into a worried whisper.
“He’s preparing a ritual.”
A heavy silence filled the chamber.
King Alaric leaned forward.
“What kind of ritual?”
Aria’s gaze drifted toward the rising moon outside.
“The kind that could change the balance of the entire world.”
Far away on the eastern plains, thousands of dark soldiers worked under the command of shadowy generals.
At the center of their massive camp stood a giant circular structure made of black stone.
Ancient crimson runes glowed across its surface.
And standing at the heart of it all was the Blood King.
His red eyes burned as he raised his hands toward the sky.
“The Moon Queen has awakened,” he murmured.
A cruel smile spread across his face.
“Now it is time…”
The crimson runes blazed brighter.
- Writer
