Chapter 35: Clash of the Ancient Powers
880 Words
The eastern sea had become a battlefield.
Waves crashed violently against the rocky shore as powerful energies collided in the sky and across the water. Dark clouds gathered above, swirling as if the heavens themselves were watching the battle unfold.
Dravoryx hovered above the cliffs, his massive wings beating against the stormy air.
Below him, two ancient guardians stood ready.
Lunaris, the silver wolf of the moon, stood firmly on the shore, his glowing fur radiating calm but immense power.
Beside him, rising from the ocean, was Thalor, the colossal sea serpent whose massive body curled through the crashing waves like a living storm.
And between them stood Aria.
The Moon-Bound.
Dravoryx’s golden eyes gleamed with excitement.
“Two guardians… and the Moon-Bound herself.”
His deep voice echoed across the coastline.
“How nostalgic.”
Lunaris growled, stepping forward.
You will not harm her.
Thalor’s voice rumbled like thunder through the ocean currents.
Leave this place, Devourer.
Dravoryx laughed.
A long, echoing sound that rolled across the sea.
“You guardians never change.”
His wings spread wide.
“Always protecting.”
His eyes locked onto Aria.
“But protection won’t save her.”
Without warning, Dravoryx dove from the sky.
His massive body crashed toward the shore like a falling meteor.
Lunaris reacted instantly.
The silver guardian leaped forward, his glowing aura bursting outward as he collided with the Devourer midair.
The impact shook the entire coastline.
A powerful shockwave exploded outward, sending sand and water flying in every direction.
Rylan and the other warriors stumbled backward on the rocks.
“By the gods…” Rylan muttered.
The two titanic creatures slammed into the ground, tearing through the cliffs with devastating force.
Dravoryx roared as Lunaris’ claws struck his armored scales.
“You’ve grown bold while sleeping, guardian!”
The Devourer swung his massive tail, striking Lunaris and sending the silver wolf sliding across the rocky shore.
Before Dravoryx could attack again—
The ocean erupted.
Thalor surged from the waves like a living tidal wave.
His enormous body coiled around Dravoryx, locking the Devourer in a crushing grip.
Water exploded into the air as the sea serpent tightened his coils.
Your destruction ends today.
Dravoryx snarled.
“You underestimate me!”
Dark flames burst from his body.
The black fire burned against Thalor’s scales, forcing the sea guardian to release him.
Dravoryx shot back into the sky, hovering above the stormy ocean again.
His golden eyes glowed brighter now.
“So this is the strength of the awakened guardians?”
He cracked his neck slowly.
“Disappointing.”
Aria clenched her fists.
The Moon-Bound energy inside her was roaring like a storm.
She could feel the guardians’ power.
She could feel the Devourer’s darkness.
And something inside her was demanding to be released.
Lunaris stepped beside her again.
You must awaken your power.
Aria shook her head slightly.
“I don’t know how.”
Trust yourself.
Thalor’s deep voice joined the guardian’s.
The Moon-Bound was created to stand beside us.
Dravoryx watched the scene with curiosity.
“Oh?”
His wings spread wider.
“Are we finally reaching the interesting part?”
The Devourer suddenly unleashed another massive blast of dark fire.
The flames rushed toward the shore like a wave of destruction.
Aria closed her eyes.
For a moment, everything around her seemed to fade.
The sound of the ocean.
The roar of the Devourer.
Even the wind.
All she could feel was the power inside her.
The power of the moon.
The silver pendant Kael had given her suddenly began glowing brightly in her hand.
A calm voice echoed within her heart.
You are the Moon-Bound.
Aria’s eyes opened.
And they were glowing.
Brilliant silver light exploded outward from her body.
The incoming flames collided with the energy barrier surrounding her—and vanished instantly.
Dravoryx froze midair.
His eyes widened slightly.
“Well now…”
The silver light around Aria grew stronger.
A pair of glowing lunar symbols appeared beneath her feet.
The power flowing through her felt endless.
Lunaris lowered his head respectfully.
The Moon-Bound awakens.
Thalor bowed slightly within the waves.
Balance returns.
Dravoryx stared down at Aria with renewed interest.
“Impressive.”
But instead of attacking again…
He smiled.
A slow, dangerous smile.
“Very impressive.”
The Devourer lifted himself higher into the clouds.
“But I didn’t come here to finish the battle.”
Aria frowned.
“Then why did you come?”
Dravoryx’s golden eyes gleamed.
“To confirm something.”
He looked between the two guardians and the glowing Moon-Bound.
“And now I know.”
His wings beat once, sending a powerful gust across the ocean.
“You’re not ready yet.”
Aria shouted up at him.
“We will be!”
Dravoryx laughed again.
“Oh, I hope so.”
The Devourer turned toward the distant horizon.
“Because while you were busy awakening guardians…”
His voice carried like thunder across the sea.
“…Magnus has already begun the invasion.”
Aria’s heart dropped.
Far away…
Beyond the mountains…
The war had already begun.
Dravoryx disappeared into the storm clouds.
The ocean slowly calmed.
But Aria’s mind raced.
If Magnus’ army had already attacked…
Then Kael was already fighting the war without them.
- Writer
