Chapter 103: The Creature's Warning
817 Words
The sky remained dark long after the creatures disappeared into the clouds.
The Blood Moon hung above the kingdom like a silent threat, bathing everything in a deep crimson glow.
Smoke still rose from the damaged village.
Warriors moved quickly through the streets, helping injured villagers and putting out the remaining fires.
But the uneasiness in the air refused to fade.
Everyone knew this battle was far from over.
Kael stood at the edge of the forest where the massive creature had first landed.
The ground was completely destroyed.
Trees were uprooted.
The earth was cracked open like something enormous had struck it with unstoppable force.
Roran knelt beside the crater, studying the deep claw marks in the dirt.
“That creature could have destroyed the entire village,” he said.
Kael nodded slowly.
“But it didn’t.”
Behind them, Aria walked closer, her silver eyes scanning the damaged battlefield.
The strange vision she had experienced earlier still lingered in her mind.
The memory felt ancient.
Almost like it belonged to someone else.
Darius leaned casually against a broken tree nearby.
“So let me get this straight,” he said, crossing his arms.
“An ancient monster shows up, destroys half the forest, looks at Aria like she’s an old friend… and then politely leaves?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“That doesn’t sound suspicious at all.”
Kael ignored his sarcasm.
His focus remained on Aria.
“Tell me exactly what you saw.”
Aria hesitated.
The memory felt strange to explain.
“I saw a battlefield,” she finally said.
“A long time ago. There was a woman standing under the moon.”
Kael frowned.
“What woman?”
Aria shook her head slightly.
“I couldn’t see her face clearly… but she was powerful.”
Her voice lowered.
“And those creatures were kneeling before her.”
Roran looked shocked.
“You mean they were obeying her?”
Aria nodded slowly.
“That’s what it looked like.”
Silence fell over the group.
Darius straightened up.
“Well… that changes things.”
Kael’s expression grew darker.
“If those creatures once served someone with moon power…”
His gaze shifted toward Aria.
“Then that someone might have been connected to you.”
Aria’s heart skipped a beat.
“You think that woman was the Moon Goddess?”
Kael shook his head.
“No.”
His voice was firm.
“The Moon Goddess doesn’t walk among mortals.”
Darius smirked.
“Maybe not now.”
Suddenly—
A loud rumble echoed through the forest.
Everyone turned sharply.
The ground began trembling again.
But this time the sound came from deep beneath the earth.
Roran grabbed his sword.
“Something’s moving underground.”
The trembling grew stronger.
Cracks began spreading across the ground like spiderwebs.
Aria felt the silver mark on her arm burn again.
A powerful pulse of energy surged through her body.
Then—
The earth exploded.
A massive claw burst out from beneath the forest floor.
Warriors shouted in alarm as another enormous creature forced its way out of the ground.
This one looked even more terrifying than the first.
Its body was covered in black scales, and its glowing eyes burned like fire.
The monster roared, shaking the entire forest.
Kael’s golden aura ignited instantly.
“Everyone move back!”
The warriors quickly formed defensive lines.
But the creature didn’t charge.
Instead, it stared directly at Aria.
Just like the first one.
Aria’s heart raced.
“Why are they all looking at me?”
Darius sighed.
“Because apparently you’re very popular with ancient monsters.”
The creature slowly lowered its head.
Then something shocking happened.
It spoke.
Its voice was deep and ancient, echoing through the forest like thunder.
“The Moon… has returned.”
Every warrior froze in disbelief.
Kael stepped forward, his claws glowing with power.
“Speak clearly,” he demanded.
“What do you want?”
The creature’s glowing eyes remained fixed on Aria.
“The war… is coming.”
Its voice rumbled again.
“And the one who awakens the Moon… will decide the fate of this world.”
The forest fell silent.
Then the creature slowly retreated back into the cracked earth.
The ground closed behind it, leaving nothing but shattered trees and stunned warriors.
Darius blinked.
“Well,” he said casually.
“That was unsettling.”
Kael turned slowly toward Aria.
His expression was serious.
“The creatures know who you are.”
Aria’s voice trembled slightly.
“But I don’t even know who I am yet.”
High above the kingdom, hidden behind the Blood Moon clouds…
A dark figure watched everything.
His glowing crimson eyes narrowed.
“So the Moon’s chosen has finally awakened…”
His voice was cold.
“Good.”
A cruel smile spread across his face.
“Now the real game can begin.”
- Writer
