Chapter 47: Dream of the Goddess
809 Words
Night settled heavily over the Lycan castle.
Torches flickered along the ancient stone walls while guards quietly patrolled the halls. The kingdom was finally at rest after the chaos of the battlefield.
But sleep did not come easily to Aria.
Her mind was restless.
Too many things had changed in a single night.
The prophecy.
The glowing mark.
And Kael’s brother… Darius.
She turned in the large bed inside her chamber, staring at the ceiling as moonlight poured through the tall windows.
The crescent mark on her wrist shimmered faintly.
Almost as if it were alive.
Aria sighed softly.
“What are you trying to tell me…?” she whispered.
Her eyelids slowly grew heavy.
And before she realized it…
Sleep claimed her.
---
She was standing in a field of silver light.
The air was warm and peaceful, filled with the soft glow of moonlight that stretched endlessly across the sky.
There was no castle.
No battlefield.
Only quiet.
Aria looked around in confusion.
“Where am I?”
A gentle voice answered.
“In the place where your soul meets the moon.”
Aria spun around.
A woman stood a few steps away.
She was unlike anyone Aria had ever seen.
Her long silver hair flowed like liquid moonlight, and her glowing white eyes held a calm, ancient wisdom.
A soft aura surrounded her, making the entire field shimmer.
Aria’s breath caught.
Something deep inside her heart already knew the answer.
“You’re…”
The woman smiled gently.
“Yes.”
“The one your people call the Moon Goddess.”
Aria’s knees nearly gave out.
“You’re real?”
The goddess stepped closer.
“I have always been real, child.”
Her gaze fell to the glowing mark on Aria’s wrist.
“And you carry my blessing.”
Aria looked down at the crescent symbol.
“This… I didn’t ask for it.”
“I know.”
The goddess reached out and lightly touched Aria’s forehead.
A rush of memories flooded her mind.
Ancient wars.
Shadow creatures destroying entire kingdoms.
A massive dragon-like creature tearing through the world.
Dravoryx.
Aria gasped as the visions faded.
“The Devourer…” she whispered.
The goddess nodded.
“He was once imprisoned between worlds.”
“But the seal is weakening.”
“And now he searches for you.”
Aria’s heart pounded.
“Why me?”
The goddess’ voice softened.
“Because you were chosen to restore balance.”
She gestured toward the glowing moon above them.
“The power you felt on the battlefield was only the beginning.”
Aria shook her head nervously.
“But I barely controlled it.”
“That is why I have come.”
The goddess raised her hand.
A small orb of silver light appeared in her palm.
“You must learn to awaken the power within you.”
Aria hesitated.
“What happens if I fail?”
The goddess’ eyes grew serious.
“If the Devourer kills you…”
Her voice echoed across the glowing field.
“…darkness will consume the Lycan world.”
Aria swallowed hard.
“That’s a lot of pressure.”
The goddess smiled faintly.
“You will not face it alone.”
Images appeared in the air around them.
Kael.
The Lycan king standing beside her on the battlefield.
“The king is bound to you by fate,” the goddess said.
“Together, your powers will grow stronger.”
Aria felt warmth spread through her chest.
But then another image appeared.
Darius.
His cold blue eyes watching from the castle shadows.
The warmth disappeared.
“He is dangerous,” the goddess warned quietly.
“Not all enemies reveal themselves openly.”
Aria frowned.
“You think he’ll betray us?”
The goddess’ expression remained mysterious.
“Some hearts are ruled by ambition.”
“And ambition can destroy kingdoms.”
Suddenly the silver world began to fade.
The goddess stepped back.
“Our time is ending.”
Aria panicked.
“Wait! I still have questions!”
“You will have answers soon.”
The goddess’ voice echoed like distant music.
“But first…”
Her glowing eyes locked onto Aria’s.
“You must survive what comes next.”
Dark clouds suddenly appeared over the silver sky.
A deep roar shook the dream world.
Dravoryx’s shadow rose from the darkness.
The Devourer’s golden eyes burned like fire.
“Soon…” his voice thundered.
The dream shattered.
Aria shot upright in bed, gasping for breath.
Cold sweat covered her skin.
The moonlight still shone through the window.
But the room felt different now.
Heavier.
Dangerous.
Her eyes moved slowly toward the balcony door.
It was slightly open.
And outside…
A tall shadowy figure stood watching her room.
Aria’s heart froze.
Because the moonlight revealed his face.
Darius.
And the smile on his lips was anything but friendly.
- Writer
