Chapter 107: The Journey Begins
866 Words
The first light of dawn slowly spread across the kingdom.
But the morning did not feel peaceful.
The Blood Moon had finally faded behind thick clouds, yet the uneasiness it left behind still lingered over the castle like a shadow.
In the castle courtyard, several warriors prepared horses and supplies.
The mission ahead was dangerous, and everyone knew it.
Commander Roran stood near the gates, checking weapons and armor carefully.
Even though Eldric had said the trial should not involve an army, Roran still insisted on preparing the small group as best as possible.
Nearby, Darius leaned lazily against a stone pillar, watching the preparations with amusement.
“You know,” he said casually, “most people spend their mornings drinking tea.”
He glanced toward the distant mountains.
“But no… we’re going to an ancient temple full of monsters instead.”
Roran rolled his eyes.
“You complain a lot for someone who never leaves.”
Darius shrugged.
“Complaining keeps me entertained.”
The heavy castle doors suddenly opened.
Everyone turned.
Kael stepped into the courtyard.
He wore dark armor instead of his royal robes, and his powerful presence immediately filled the space.
Behind him walked Aria.
Her silver hair shimmered in the early morning light.
But something about her felt different today.
Stronger.
More confident.
The silver mark on her arm glowed faintly beneath the sleeve of her cloak.
Darius noticed it immediately.
“Well,” he said with a small grin.
“Looks like the Moon’s Daughter is ready for her adventure.”
Aria sighed softly.
“I wish people would stop calling me that.”
Kael walked toward the horses.
“We leave now.”
Roran handed him a sword.
“Scouts report strange movement near the northern forest,” he said quietly.
“Creatures?”
Kael asked.
Roran nodded.
“Most likely.”
Kael didn’t look surprised.
“They’re watching us.”
Aria climbed onto one of the horses and glanced toward the distant mountains.
The moment she looked at them, that strange pull returned again.
It felt like something in the mountains was calling her name.
Almost like it had been waiting for her.
Darius noticed her expression.
“Let me guess,” he said.
“You can feel the temple already?”
Aria nodded slowly.
“It’s strange.”
“How so?”
“It feels… familiar.”
Roran opened the massive castle gates.
The road leading north stretched through forests and hills toward the towering mountains in the distance.
A cold wind blew down from the peaks.
Kael mounted his horse and looked at the small group.
“This journey will not be easy.”
Darius smirked.
“When are they ever?”
With that, the group rode out of the castle.
The kingdom slowly disappeared behind them as they entered the dense northern forest.
The trees grew thicker as they traveled deeper.
The sunlight barely reached the ground.
Birds were silent.
The forest felt… wrong.
After several hours of travel, Roran suddenly raised his hand.
“Stop.”
The group halted immediately.
Kael frowned.
“What is it?”
Roran pointed toward the ground.
Large claw marks scratched across the forest floor.
Fresh ones.
Darius leaned forward in his saddle.
“Well… that’s comforting.”
Aria felt the silver mark on her arm pulse again.
Then a low growl echoed through the trees.
The horses became restless.
Kael’s golden eyes narrowed.
“We’re not alone.”
From the shadows between the trees…
Several pairs of glowing red eyes slowly appeared.
One by one, enormous creatures stepped out from the darkness.
The same ancient beasts from the Blood Moon.
But this time there were many of them.
At least ten.
Roran cursed under his breath.
“They’ve been waiting for us.”
The creatures circled slowly around the group.
Their massive wings rustled against the branches above.
Darius sighed.
“Well… I guess the welcoming committee has arrived.”
Kael’s golden aura flared to life.
“Stay close to Aria.”
The monsters lowered their heads and growled.
The battle was about to begin.
But suddenly—
Aria raised her hand.
“Wait.”
The silver mark on her arm began glowing brightly.
The creatures stopped moving.
Their glowing eyes locked onto her again.
Then something unexpected happened.
One of the beasts slowly stepped forward.
Instead of attacking…
It bowed its head.
The other creatures followed.
The forest fell silent.
Darius blinked in disbelief.
“Did… did the monsters just bow to you?”
Aria stared at them in shock.
“I… I didn’t tell them to.”
Kael’s voice was low.
“They recognize your power.”
Aria’s heart raced.
“But why?”
Before anyone could answer—
A powerful roar echoed from deep within the mountains.
The creatures immediately lifted their heads.
Fear filled their glowing eyes.
Then they fled into the forest.
Roran looked confused.
“What scared them away?”
Darius glanced toward the towering mountains ahead.
“I have a bad feeling about this.”
Aria stared toward the peaks.
The strange pull inside her chest grew even stronger.
The temple was close now.
And something inside it was waiting.
- Writer
