Chapter 55: The Summoning
731 Words
The ground trembled violently.
Dark energy burst from the ritual circle like a storm breaking free from the earth. The red symbols carved into the soil burned brighter and brighter until the entire clearing glowed with an eerie crimson light.
Commander Roran shouted, “Everyone back!”
The warriors quickly stepped away from the center of the clearing.
But Aria couldn’t move.
Her crescent mark was blazing with silver light, reacting to the dark power rising from the ritual.
Kael grabbed her arm.
“Aria!”
His voice snapped her back to reality.
“What is happening?” she asked, her voice trembling.
The hooded man laughed softly.
“You are witnessing the first step toward my master’s return.”
The ground suddenly split open.
A massive claw burst through the soil.
Then another.
The earth shattered as a monstrous creature began to pull itself out of the ritual circle.
It was even more terrifying than the beast they had fought at the kingdom gate.
Its body looked like a giant wolf made of shadow and bone. Long spikes covered its back, and its glowing red eyes burned with pure destruction.
Commander Roran cursed under his breath.
“That thing is worse than the last one.”
The hooded man raised his arms proudly.
“Behold… the Devourer’s hound.”
The creature roared.
The sound was so powerful that the trees around the clearing shook violently.
ROOOOOAR!
Kael immediately stepped in front of Aria.
“Roran! Take the warriors and surround it!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The warriors spread out, drawing their swords and preparing for battle.
The monster lunged suddenly.
One of the warriors barely dodged its massive claw.
The ground exploded where the creature struck.
“This thing is fast!” the warrior shouted.
Kael shifted into his massive black wolf form and charged forward.
His claws slashed across the monster’s shoulder.
But unlike the last creature, this one barely reacted.
Instead, it grabbed Kael with one enormous claw and threw him across the clearing.
CRASH!
Kael slammed into a tree, splintering the trunk.
“Kael!” Aria cried.
The monster turned toward her slowly.
Its red eyes burned with hunger.
“You carry the scent of the Moon,” it growled.
Aria stepped back.
Her heart pounded wildly.
The hooded man watched with amusement.
“Yes… destroy her.”
The creature charged.
Aria closed her eyes for a split second.
Focus.
Control.
She raised her glowing hands.
The crescent mark on her wrist flared like a small moon.
Silver light exploded outward.
But this time something different happened.
Instead of a simple blast of energy…
The moonlight formed into a long glowing blade in her hand.
Aria stared at it in shock.
“A sword?”
The creature was already mid-attack.
She didn’t have time to think.
Aria swung the glowing blade.
The silver sword sliced through the monster’s claw.
Dark blood splattered across the ground.
The creature roared in pain.
The warriors stared in shock.
“The Moon’s Chosen created a weapon!”
Kael slowly stood up from the broken tree, shifting back to human form.
Even he looked surprised.
Aria tightened her grip on the glowing sword.
Her eyes shone with determination now.
“You picked the wrong kingdom to attack.”
The monster roared again and prepared to charge.
But the hooded man suddenly raised his hand.
“That’s enough.”
The creature froze.
Kael’s eyes narrowed.
“You’re running?”
The hooded man chuckled.
“No.”
He stepped back into the shadows of the forest.
“I’ve already learned what I needed.”
His red eyes glowed in the darkness.
“The Moon’s Chosen is stronger than expected.”
His voice echoed one final time through the trees.
“Tell your king…”
The wind howled around the clearing.
“…that the Devourer is coming.”
Then the hooded man vanished.
And the monstrous creature slowly dissolved into black smoke.
The forest fell silent again.
Aria lowered the glowing sword as the moonlight faded from her hand.
Kael walked toward her.
“You just created a weapon from pure moon energy.”
Aria blinked.
“I did?”
Kael gave a rare smile.
“Yes.”
But his eyes quickly turned serious again.
“Which means the enemy will come for you even faster now.”
The war had truly begun.
- Writer
