The Moon Rot

Chapter Twenty-Three: Valley of Silver

The wide valley stretched out before us like an open wound under the blood-red moon. Tall grass swayed in the cold wind as we ran, our feet pounding against the uneven ground. The red path glowed brighter beneath us, guiding us toward the distant northern mountains.

Behind us, the Silver Order’s vans roared out of the mountain pass like angry beasts. Headlights sliced through the darkness. More gunshots cracked the night. Silver darts whistled past us, embedding in the dirt with toxic hisses.

“Split up!” Max shouted. “They’re aiming for Arian!”

“No!” I growled. “We stay together!”

Zara ran on my left, graceful even when exhausted. Her golden eyes flashed with every glance she threw my way. Max stayed on my right, powerful strides matching mine despite the wound on his side.

The orb in my pocket burned hotter. The ancient power surged through my veins, making the glowing patterns flare across my arms and neck. I could feel it begging to be released.

A black van swerved close. A hunter leaned out the window with a heavy silver net launcher.

I reacted on instinct.

I skidded to a stop, turned, and roared. The sound rolled across the valley like thunder. The shockwave hit the van, flipping it violently onto its side. Metal screamed as it tumbled through the grass.

Zara’s eyes widened. “Arian… you’re getting stronger so fast.”

“Too fast,” Max muttered, but there was pride in his voice.

We kept running. Two more vans closed in from the sides, trying to cut us off. Hunters jumped out, weapons raised. Blue electric nets crackled through the air.

Zara leaped high and slashed through one net before it could trap her. Max barreled straight into two hunters, sending them flying. I grabbed a net mid-air, the silver burning my palms, and threw it back at the hunters.

Pain flared in my shoulder again, but I pushed through it.

The valley narrowed ahead into a rocky corridor. The red path led straight through it.

“We’re almost out of the Dead Zone!” Zara called, breathing hard.

A loud mechanical whine filled the air. One of the vans had a mounted weapon on its roof — a large silver cannon that glowed with dangerous energy.

“Get down!” Max yelled.

The cannon fired.

A massive beam of concentrated silver energy shot toward us. I pushed Zara and Max aside at the last second and raised my hands. The glowing patterns exploded with light. I caught the beam between my palms.

It felt like holding lightning.

The silver energy burned my skin and fought against me, but I pushed back. My arms shook. My teeth clenched so hard I thought they might crack.

With a roar, I redirected the beam upward. It exploded against the rock wall, causing a small avalanche of stones.

The effort drained me. My knees buckled for a moment.

Zara was there instantly, supporting me. “You saved us again.”

Max looked back at the remaining vans. “They’re calling for reinforcements. We have to reach the mountains before they surround us.”

We ran into the rocky corridor. The walls rose high on both sides, creating a natural choke point. The red path glowed steadily beneath our feet.

As we neared the end of the corridor, the ancient voice returned, soft but clear in my mind.

"The power grows… but every step north demands more. Are you willing to pay the price, Anomaly?”

I ignored it.

We burst out of the corridor into another wide area. The Dead Zone’s dark influence finally began to fade. The trees ahead looked normal. Healthier.

But the relief was short-lived.

A line of Silver Order soldiers waited for us at the edge of the valley, at least twenty strong, all armed with silver weapons and glowing blue restraints.

They had set a trap.

Their leader stepped forward, his face hidden behind a tactical mask. His voice crackled through a speaker.

“Arian. The Anomaly. Surrender now, and your friends live. Resist… and we take all three of you apart piece by piece.”

Zara bared her teeth. Max growled low and dangerous.

I stood tall between them, the orb burning in my pocket and the ancient power humming in my blood.

I was tired of running.

I took one step forward.

“Then come and try,” I said, my voice carrying across the valley.

The glowing patterns across my body ignited like fire.

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To be continued…