Chapter 97: The Legend of the Blood Moon
912 Words
The tremor that shook the kingdom did not return immediately.
But the uneasiness it left behind lingered like a shadow over the land.
In the castle courtyard, the warriors slowly resumed their duties, though their conversations had grown quieter. Everyone had felt the ground shake. Everyone had heard the rumors spreading through the castle.
Something beneath the earth was moving.
Inside the castle, Kael had ordered the council to gather again.
The great council chamber was quieter than before. Sunlight poured through the tall windows, illuminating the large stone table where the leaders of the kingdom now sat once more.
Commander Roran stood near the entrance with several scouts beside him, their travel cloaks still covered in dust from the northern mountains.
Darius leaned lazily against a pillar, though his sharp eyes carefully watched the discussion.
At the center of the room, Kael stood beside Aria.
“The tremor wasn’t natural,” Kael said.
His voice carried clearly through the chamber.
“The scouts confirmed that the northern mountains are cracking open.”
Roran nodded grimly.
“We saw it with our own eyes.”
He stepped forward and spread a rough map across the stone table.
“The ground has split in several places. Some of the fissures are wide enough to swallow a wagon.”
One of the elders leaned forward nervously.
“What could cause something like that?”
Roran shook his head.
“Whatever it is… it’s coming from deep underground.”
The room grew quiet again.
Aria’s gaze drifted toward the tall windows where daylight filled the sky.
Even though the moon was invisible during the day, she could still feel its presence.
Watching.
Waiting.
One of the oldest elders slowly stood from his chair.
His long silver beard nearly touched the front of his robes.
“I believe I know what the prophecy is referring to.”
Everyone in the chamber turned toward him.
Kael nodded respectfully.
“Speak.”
The elder walked slowly toward the center of the room.
“There are ancient records that few remember,” he said.
“They speak of a time long before the first Lycan kings ruled these lands.”
Darius raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? Ancient monsters again?”
The elder ignored the comment and continued.
“In those early ages, the world was not ruled by Lycans or humans.”
He pointed toward the floor.
“It belonged to creatures born from the darkness beneath the earth.”
A quiet murmur spread through the chamber.
Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You’re saying something lived underground?”
The elder nodded.
“Yes.”
He took a slow breath before continuing.
“They were called the Children of the Blood Moon.”
The name alone made the air in the chamber feel heavier.
Aria felt a chill run through her body.
“The prophecy…” she whispered.
The elder nodded.
“The Blood Moon was said to awaken them.”
Roran frowned.
“Creatures that powerful couldn’t have just disappeared.”
“They didn’t,” the elder replied quietly.
“They were sealed.”
Now the entire room had gone silent.
Darius straightened slightly.
“Sealed by who?”
The elder turned toward Kael and Aria.
“By the first True Alpha… and the first Moon’s Chosen.”
Kael exchanged a quick glance with Aria.
The elder continued explaining.
“According to the legends, those two warriors fought together against the Children of the Blood Moon.”
“They drove the creatures back into the depths of the earth and sealed them there.”
Roran crossed his arms.
“And now the seal is breaking?”
The elder nodded slowly.
“If the prophecy is true… then yes.”
Aria’s hand slowly moved to the crescent mark on her skin.
“That’s why the Moon showed me the vision.”
Kael’s jaw tightened.
“How long until the Blood Moon appears?”
The elder walked slowly toward the window and looked up at the bright sky.
“Not long.”
He turned back toward the council.
“The Blood Moon appears only once every thousand years.”
The room fell silent again.
Darius finally spoke.
“And let me guess.”
He smiled faintly.
“This is the year it returns.”
The elder nodded gravely.
“Yes.”
Outside the castle, another faint rumble echoed through the valley.
The earth trembled once more.
Not as strong as before.
But stronger than the first time.
Aria closed her eyes briefly.
“The seal is weakening.”
Kael placed both hands on the council table.
His voice was calm but firm.
“Then we prepare.”
Roran cracked his knuckles again.
“Good.”
He gave a determined grin.
“I was starting to miss the excitement.”
Darius sighed dramatically.
“I knew the peace wouldn’t last.”
Kael turned toward the window.
Beyond the castle walls, the kingdom continued rebuilding after the war.
The people believed the danger had passed.
But Kael now knew the truth.
The war they had fought against Dravoryx…
Had only been the beginning.
Far beneath the northern mountains, deep cracks spread through the ancient stone cavern.
Huge chains buried in the rock continued breaking apart.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
And something massive shifted in the darkness.
Slowly opening its eyes.
Above the world…
The moon quietly waited for the night it would turn red.
The night the Blood Moon would rise again.
- Writer
