Blessed Luna Rising

chapter8

Chapter 8: The First General of Darkness

A deadly silence fell across the mountain pass.

The icy wind howled between the snow-covered cliffs as two armies faced one another.

On one side stood the elite warriors of the Northern Lycan Kingdom.

On the other stood ten thousand soldiers dressed in black armor.

At their front was Astra.

The Blood King's First General.

Selena could feel the power radiating from her.

It was unlike anything she had ever experienced.

Even the air seemed to bend around the woman.

Astra's crimson eyes settled on Selena.

The smile on her lips widened.

"So this is the Moon Blessed One."

The words sent a chill through Selena's body.

Kael immediately stepped in front of her.

Protective.

Possessive.

Dangerous.

"You will not come near her."

Astra laughed softly.

The sound echoed through the mountains.

"You always were predictable, Kael."

Golden fury flashed in the Lycan King's eyes.

His warriors instantly tensed.

One wrong move.

One single command.

And war would begin.

Selena noticed something strange.

Kael knew Astra.

Not as an enemy.

As someone from his past.

The realization unsettled her.

Astra seemed to notice.

Her smile became knowing.

"Does she know?"

Kael's jaw tightened.

"Enough."

The woman laughed again.

"Oh, she doesn't."

Astra's eyes shifted toward Selena.

"Then allow me to tell her."

The atmosphere immediately darkened.

Kael moved forward.

His voice thundered across the battlefield.

"One more word and I will kill you."

The mountains trembled.

Several enemy soldiers instinctively stepped back.

Yet Astra remained calm.

Amused, even.

"You could try."

For a brief moment, Selena thought the two immortals might attack each other.

Then Astra raised her hands.

"I didn't come here to fight."

No one believed her.

Not even her own soldiers.

The woman tilted her head slightly.

"I came with an offer."

Kael scoffed.

"We have nothing to discuss."

Astra ignored him.

Instead, she looked directly at Selena.

"The Blood King wishes to meet you."

Every warrior instantly raised their weapons.

Murderous intent filled the air.

The old man nearly dropped his staff.

"Impossible."

Astra's smile widened.

"Oh, it's very possible."

Selena frowned.

"Why would he want to meet me?"

The woman's eyes gleamed.

"Because you're important."

"Important enough to start a war over."

The answer only created more questions.

Kael stepped closer.

His wolf appeared behind his eyes.

"Leave."

For the first time, Astra's smile faded.

"The Blood King is offering mercy."

"Mercy?"

Kael's voice was filled with disgust.

"You know nothing about mercy."

The woman sighed.

"As stubborn as ever."

Then she looked at Selena one final time.

"Tell me."

Her voice became softer.

"Have you started remembering?"

Selena froze.

The visions.

The Moon Queen.

The ancient palace.

How did Astra know?

The woman's expression confirmed everything.

"You have."

Kael's face darkened.

"Enough."

A powerful wave of energy exploded from him.

The mountain shook violently.

Snow cascaded down nearby cliffs.

Even Astra's soldiers stumbled.

The First General smiled.

"There he is."

For the first time, Selena understood why everyone feared Kael.

His power was terrifying.

Ancient.

Wild.

Unstoppable.

Astra slowly stepped backward.

"My message has been delivered."

Dark mist began surrounding her.

"But we'll meet again soon."

The crimson-eyed woman looked at Selena.

And spoke words that made her blood run cold.

"When the memories return completely..."

Astra smiled.

"...you'll understand why the Blood King never stopped searching for you."

Then she vanished.

The dark army disappeared with her.

One moment they were there.

The next, the mountain pass was empty.

Only silence remained.

Hours later.

The convoy finally arrived at Silvermoon Citadel.

Selena stood speechless.

The city was breathtaking.

Massive silver walls stretched toward the horizon.

Towering castles glittered beneath the moonlight.

Crystal bridges connected enormous towers.

Thousands of lights illuminated the kingdom.

It looked like something from a dream.

"This is..."

She couldn't finish.

Kael watched her reaction.

A small smile touched his lips.

"Welcome home."

The words surprised her.

Home.

No one had called any place her home since she left the Blackwood Pack.

A strange warmth filled her chest.

Before she could respond, a loud cheer erupted.

The city gates opened.

Thousands of citizens lined the streets.

Lycans.

Werewolves.

Warriors.

Nobles.

Children.

All staring at her.

Selena immediately became nervous.

"Why are they looking at me?"

The old man sighed.

"They know."

"What?"

"The Moon Blessed One has returned."

The crowd suddenly knelt.

Thousands of people.

At the same time.

Selena's eyes widened.

They weren't bowing to Kael.

They were bowing to her.

A young girl stepped forward from the crowd.

She couldn't have been older than eight.

She held a small moonflower in her hands.

The child smiled nervously.

"For you, My Lady."

Selena accepted the flower.

Her heart softened.

"Thank you."

The little girl's face lit up with happiness.

For the first time since her journey began, Selena smiled genuinely.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

Kael watched quietly.

Something in his gaze softened.

For a brief moment, he wasn't looking at a prophecy.

Or a queen.

Or a weapon.

He was simply looking at Selena.

Later that night.

Selena stood alone on a palace balcony.

The kingdom glittered below.

The silver pendant rested against her chest.

Everything felt unreal.

Yesterday she had been a rejected Luna.

Today an entire kingdom was kneeling before her.

The doors behind her suddenly opened.

Kael stepped onto the balcony.

For a moment neither spoke.

The moonlight bathed them both in silver.

Finally, Selena broke the silence.

"Why do they believe in me?"

Kael looked toward the stars.

"Because they need hope."

The answer surprised her.

"You don't?"

His golden eyes met hers.

A strange emotion flickered within them.

"I stopped believing in hope a long time ago."

Something about his voice made her heart ache.

For the first time, she saw beyond the king.

Beyond the warrior.

Beyond the legend.

She saw a lonely man carrying a thousand years of pain.

And suddenly she wanted to know more.

Far more.

Neither noticed the shadow watching them from the palace roof.

Crimson eyes gleamed in the darkness.

A figure hidden beneath a black cloak smiled.

"The Moon Blessed One..."

The stranger whispered.

"At last."

A dagger appeared in his hand.

Its blade dripped with black poison.

And his gaze locked onto Selena.

Tonight, the first assassination attempt would begin.

To be continued...