Chapter 8: The First Blessing
786 Words
A blinding silver light filled the sacred chamber.
Outside, everyone shielded their eyes as the light burst through the temple roof and stretched across the night sky like a bridge of moonlight.
The elders gasped.
Lord Magnus slowly fell to one knee.
"The Moon Goddess has accepted her..."
One after another, every elder bowed.
Even the palace guards lowered their heads.
Only Kael remained standing.
His silver eyes never left the chamber.
A moment later, the light slowly faded.
The giant stone doors opened with a deep rumble.
Aria stepped out.
She looked exhausted, yet strangely different.
Her silver-blue eyes shone brighter than before.
A faint crescent-shaped mark glowed on the back of her right hand.
Everyone stared at it.
Lord Magnus walked forward carefully.
"The Moon Seal..."
"It has appeared."
Aria looked down at the glowing mark.
"What does it mean?"
Before anyone could answer, Kael approached.
His expression remained calm, but relief flashed across his face.
"It means the Moon Goddess has acknowledged you."
"You are no longer just the Lost Queen."
"You are her chosen heir."
Aria was speechless.
She never imagined the trial would change her so completely.
Suddenly, a warm breeze swept across the mountain.
The moonlight gathered around Aria.
Tiny silver lights floated through the air like glowing butterflies.
They circled her before disappearing into the night.
The elders exchanged surprised looks.
Lord Magnus whispered,
"The First Blessing..."
Cedric stepped closer.
"I've only read about this in ancient records."
Aria frowned.
"Blessing?"
Magnus nodded.
"Only a true ruler blessed by the Moon Goddess can receive it."
He pointed toward the stone pillars surrounding the temple.
"Try touching one."
Although confused, Aria obeyed.
The moment her fingers touched the ancient pillar, silver light spread across the cracks.
The broken stone slowly repaired itself.
Everyone stood frozen.
Even Kael's eyes widened.
Cedric laughed in disbelief.
"She healed it."
Lord Magnus smiled for the first time.
"The blessing isn't destruction."
"It's restoration."
Aria slowly pulled her hand away.
"I can... heal things?"
"Not only things," Magnus answered.
"When your power fully awakens, you'll be able to heal wolves, broken lands, and perhaps even the bond between packs."
Aria looked at her glowing hand.
"So this is the power of the Moon Queen..."
Before anyone could continue, a guard rushed up the temple steps.
He was breathing heavily.
"My King!"
Kael immediately turned.
"What happened?"
"The eastern border has been attacked."
Everyone became silent.
"The Black Moon Organization?"
The guard nodded.
"They destroyed two villages."
"They were searching for something."
Kael's face darkened.
"For someone."
His eyes slowly turned toward Aria.
"They're looking for you."
A heavy silence settled over the temple.
Aria felt a chill run through her body.
"They already know I'm alive?"
Lord Magnus answered quietly.
"The moment the Moon accepted you..."
"...every enemy who has been waiting for centuries felt it."
Cedric clenched his sword.
"Then they'll come."
Kael nodded.
"They already are."
Without wasting another second, Kael ordered everyone back to the palace.
The journey down the mountain was unusually quiet.
The joyful atmosphere after the trial had disappeared.
Instead, everyone prepared for war.
Later that night...
Aria stood alone on the palace balcony.
She looked up at the full moon.
"So much has changed."
Only days ago she had been an unwanted girl rejected by her own mate.
Now...
Entire kingdoms were searching for her.
Footsteps approached behind her.
Kael stopped beside her.
"You should rest."
Aria smiled faintly.
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep."
Kael leaned against the balcony.
"Neither will I."
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Aria broke the silence.
"Why are you helping me?"
Kael looked toward the moon.
"Because long before you knew who you were..."
"I made a promise."
"A promise to whom?"
Kael's expression softened.
"To your parents."
Aria's heart skipped a beat.
"You... knew them?"
Kael slowly nodded.
"I fought beside them during the last Lycan War."
"They weren't only great rulers."
"They were my closest friends."
Aria felt tears fill her eyes.
"You never told me."
"It wasn't the right time."
He looked directly at her.
"But someday..."
"I'll tell you everything."
Before Aria could ask another question...
A loud explosion echoed across the palace.
BOOM!
The ground shook violently.
Guards began shouting.
"Enemies!"
"The palace is under attack!"
Kael instantly drew his sword.
His silver aura exploded around him.
He grabbed Aria's hand.
"Stay close to me."
Far above the palace walls...
A man dressed in black stood on the highest tower.
His crimson eyes glowed beneath his hood.
He smiled as he watched the chaos below.
"So..."
"The Lost Queen has finally returned."
His laughter echoed through the night.
To Be Continued...
- Writer
