The Moon Rot

Chapter Twenty-Five: The First Sacrifice

The mountains rose before us like ancient guardians as we finally stepped out of the Dead Zone. The red path still glowed under our feet, but it had grown fainter, as if its job was almost done. The air felt cleaner here, colder, carrying the sharp scent of pine and distant snow.

None of us spoke for a long time.

My body ached in ways I couldn’t describe. The ancient power still hummed beneath my skin, but it felt heavier now, like it was waiting for something. The orb in my pocket had cooled slightly, yet I could still feel its presence — a constant reminder of the warning.

Zara walked closest to me, her hand occasionally brushing mine. “You’re still glowing a little,” she said softly. “Even in the dark.”

I looked down. Faint orange lines traced across the back of my hands. “I know. It won’t turn off anymore.”

Max scanned the treeline ahead. “We need to find shelter before sunrise. The Order will regroup. They’ll come harder next time.”

We found a small cave tucked into the mountainside just as the sky began to lighten. It was dry and offered a good view of the valley below. Max built a low fire while Zara checked my wounds. The silver bullet graze on my shoulder had finally started healing properly, but the new burns from the cannon blast across my chest looked angry and raw.

“You took that hit for us,” Zara whispered as she cleaned the wound. Her touch was gentle, but her golden eyes were full of worry. “I saw you almost lose control back there.”

“I didn’t lose it,” I replied. “I used it. There’s a difference now.”

Max sat across the fire, sharpening a piece of broken silver blade he had taken from one of the soldiers. “That difference is what scares me. The more you use it, the more it changes you. I can smell it on you, Arian. The old blood.”

I stared into the flames. “The ancient voice keeps talking about sacrifice. It says I’ll have to lose something. Or someone.”

Silence filled the cave.

Zara leaned her head against my good shoulder. “Then we make sure it doesn’t come to that. We’re in this together.”

We tried to rest, but sleep didn’t come easily. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw flashes — the battlefield, Zara lying still, Max in chains. I woke up gasping more than once.

Just before noon, Max suddenly stood up. “We have visitors.”

We moved to the cave entrance. Far below in the valley, a single black vehicle was making its way up the mountain road. Not a van this time. Something smaller. Faster.

“It’s not the Order,” Zara said, narrowing her eyes. “Look at the symbol on the side.”

A white circle with a broken moon inside.

Max’s expression darkened. “That’s the mark of the Broken Moon Clan. Another group of moon-touched… but they don’t like outsiders. Especially not Anomalies.”

The vehicle stopped at the base of the trail leading up to our cave. Three figures stepped out — two men and a woman, all dressed in dark green with silver accents.

The woman cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted up the mountain.

“Arian, the Anomaly! We know you’re there. The old guardian sent us. We offer safe passage north… but we need to speak with you. Alone.”

Zara’s hand tightened on my arm. “Don’t go.”

Max looked at me. “This could be a trap. Or it could be the help we need.”

I felt the orb grow warm again in my pocket. The ancient power stirred, almost urging me forward.

I stood up slowly.

“I have to go,” I said quietly. “If there’s a chance they can help us reach the safe community, I need to take it.”

Zara’s eyes filled with fear. “What if it’s the sacrifice the voice warned about?”

I pulled her close and pressed my forehead to hers. “Then I’ll come back. I promise.”

Max gripped my shoulder firmly. “We’ll be watching. If anything feels wrong, we’re coming down fighting.”

I walked down the mountain path alone, the red glow fading behind me with every step.

The three strangers waited at the bottom. The woman smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“You’re even more powerful than the stories say,” she said. “The First Guardian chose well.”

As I got closer, I noticed silver chains hidden under their coats.

My stomach twisted.

This wasn’t help.

This was another test.

And the ancient power inside me whispered one clear warning:

Choose.

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To be continued…