Chapter 12: The Commander's Truth
659 Words
The ancient temple fell into complete silence.
Kael and Darius stood several meters apart, their swords drawn.
The air between them felt heavy.
Cedric tightened his grip on his weapon.
"Commander Darius..."
"We buried your armor after the war."
Darius let out a bitter laugh.
"You buried an empty suit."
"I survived."
"But survival came with a price."
Kael's silver eyes remained fixed on him.
"You disappeared the night the palace fell."
"I searched for you."
Darius shook his head.
"You searched too late."
For a moment, neither man moved.
Aria stepped forward.
"If you served my parents..."
"Tell me."
"What really happened that night?"
Darius looked at her.
His expression softened.
"You truly have Queen Elena's eyes."
He lowered his sword.
"The kingdom didn't fall because our enemies were stronger."
"It fell because someone opened the palace gates from the inside."
Everyone froze.
Cedric spoke first.
"A traitor?"
Darius nodded.
"Someone the royal family trusted."
Lord Magnus frowned.
"Who?"
Before Darius could answer, the silver key resting on the crystal pedestal suddenly began to glow.
The entire temple trembled.
Cracks spread across the stone floor.
Kael looked toward the ceiling.
"The barrier is breaking."
A deafening roar echoed outside.
Several giant wolves surrounded the temple entrance.
Unlike ordinary werewolves, their fur was completely black, and their eyes burned crimson.
Cedric's face turned pale.
"Shadow Wolves."
"They found us."
Kael immediately gave orders.
"Cedric, protect Aria."
"Magnus, guard the entrance."
Without hesitation, the wolves charged.
The first beast leaped toward Aria.
She instinctively raised her hand.
The crescent mark on the back of her hand burst into brilliant silver light.
A wave of energy exploded outward.
The Shadow Wolf was thrown backward before it could touch her.
Everyone stared in shock.
Aria looked at her glowing hand.
"I didn't..."
"I didn't mean to do that."
Kael smiled proudly.
"The Moon Goddess is responding to you."
More Shadow Wolves rushed inside.
This time, Aria didn't hesitate.
She drew Lunaris.
The legendary sword shone like moonlight as she stepped beside Kael.
Their swords moved together in perfect harmony.
Kael blocked a massive claw while Aria struck from the side.
The Shadow Wolf dissolved into black smoke.
Another lunged toward Cedric.
Before it could attack, Darius intercepted it.
His blade flashed.
The beast collapsed instantly.
Cedric looked surprised.
"You just saved me."
Darius didn't answer.
His eyes remained fixed on the remaining enemies.
Within minutes, the last Shadow Wolf disappeared into smoke.
Silence returned to the temple.
Everyone caught their breath.
Kael turned toward Darius.
"You fought beside us."
"I never joined the Black Moon."
Darius lowered his sword.
"I told you..."
"I survived."
"But after the battle, I was captured."
"They wanted information."
"When I refused..."
"They tortured me for years."
Aria saw genuine pain in his eyes.
"I finally escaped."
"I've been hiding ever since."
"Waiting for the Queen to return."
Aria slowly stepped closer.
"Then help us."
"Help me find the truth."
Darius looked at the silver key.
"That key unlocks the Moon Vault."
"It contains the royal family's greatest secret."
"But once you open it..."
"There will be no turning back."
Aria picked up the glowing key.
The moment her fingers touched it, ancient symbols appeared across the temple walls.
A deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"The Heir has claimed the First Key."
Far away, inside the Black Moon Fortress, the Shadow King slowly stood from his throne.
A soldier rushed into the hall and knelt.
"My Lord..."
"The Queen has obtained the First Key."
The Shadow King's crimson eyes glowed with excitement.
"So..."
"The game has truly begun."
He looked toward the enormous map of the Lycan Kingdom.
"Send Raven."
"If Darius has chosen the Queen..."
"Then he dies with her."
The flames surrounding the throne burned higher as an evil smile spread across the Shadow King's face.
For the first time in twenty years...
The race for the Moon Vault had begun.
To Be Continued...
- Writer
