Chapter 24: A New Power Awaken
516 Words
The battlefield slowly began to settle.
Royal soldiers moved across the field, tending to the wounded and gathering fallen weapons. The tension of war still lingered in the air, but for the first time that day—
The kingdom could breathe.
At the center of it all stood Alina.
Beside her, the massive Shadow Beast remained kneeling, its towering form casting a long shadow over the battlefield.
No one dared approach.
Even the bravest warriors kept their distance.
Alina slowly lowered her hand.
The silver glow around her faded, and the Moon-Bound power within her finally began to calm.
Kael shifted back into his human form and stepped toward her.
His golden eyes studied both her—and the beast.
“I never thought I would witness this,” he said quietly.
Alina looked at him.
“Witness what?”
Kael glanced at the creature.
“An ancient guardian bowing to someone.”
He crossed his arms.
“These beasts vanished centuries ago. Most Lycans believed they were nothing more than legends.”
Alina looked back at the Shadow Beast.
“But it came when my power awakened.”
Kael nodded slowly.
“Which means your power is far greater than we imagined.”
The Shadow Beast suddenly lifted its massive head.
A low rumble vibrated through its chest.
Alina turned toward it.
“What is it?”
The creature rose to its full height.
Then—
It turned its gaze toward the distant mountains.
Its red eyes narrowed.
Alert.
Watching.
Kael noticed immediately.
“It senses something.”
Alina felt it too.
A faint stirring inside her chest.
The Moon-Bound power reacted—
Uneasy.
Far beyond the battlefield, deep within the forest—
Magnus led his remaining soldiers along a narrow mountain path.
Hours passed before they reached their destination.
A massive stone entrance carved into the mountain itself.
Cold air seeped from the cracks.
Ancient.
Heavy.
One of his soldiers hesitated.
“My Alpha… this place is forbidden.”
Magnus smiled faintly.
“Yes.”
He stepped forward.
“And that’s exactly why it holds the power we need.”
The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.
“Power… for what?”
Magnus placed his hand against the ancient stone door.
“To defeat the Moon-Bound.”
A deep grinding sound echoed through the mountain.
The massive door began to open.
Cold air burst outward.
The torches flickered violently.
Darkness breathed from within.
Deep inside—
Something shifted.
Something that had not moved in centuries.
Magnus’ smile widened.
“Wake up,” he whispered.
“I have a war for you to fight.”
Back at the kingdom—
Alina suddenly clutched her chest.
The Moon-Bound power flared sharply.
Pain shot through her.
Kael moved instantly.
“What’s wrong?”
Alina’s eyes lifted toward the mountains.
Her voice trembled.
“Something… just woke up.”
Beside her, the Shadow Beast released a deep, uneasy growl.
And for the first time—
The ancient guardian stepped back.
Afraid.
Silence fell.
Because if even the guardian feared what was coming…
Then whatever had awakened—
Was far worse.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD