THE CURSE OF THE BLACK MOON

A DARK SECRET

A Dark Secret

Manuel stood before the elder’s house, a modest stone cottage nestled at the edge of the forest. Its moss-covered roof and creaking wooden door hinted at its age, and an uneasy silence surrounded it, as if even the wind dared not disturb the place. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the door, before knocking firmly.

The door opened with a soft creak, revealing an elderly man with deep-set eyes and a face lined with years of wisdom and sorrow. His gaze seemed to pierce through Manuel, as if he already knew why he had come.

“You must be Manuel,” the elder said, his voice low and gravelly. “The librarian sent word that you’d be coming.”

Manuel nodded, stepping inside. The air in the cottage was thick with the scent of herbs and old wood. The walls were lined with shelves filled with jars, books, and strange artifacts. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the room.

The elder gestured for Manuel to sit by the fire. “You’ve been asking about Elias,” he said, taking a seat across from him. “And about the curse.”

“I want to know the truth,” Manuel said, his voice steady despite the growing tension. “Is it real? What happened to Elias?”

The elder sighed, leaning back in his chair. “The truth is darker than you can imagine. Elias was not just an ordinary man. He was betrayed by someone he loved—a betrayal so deep that it awakened an ancient curse that had slumbered in these lands for centuries.”

Manuel leaned forward, intrigued. “What kind of betrayal?”

The elder’s eyes darkened. “Elias was in love with a woman named Lila. She was beautiful, but she came from a family bound to dark magic. They were known for meddling with forces beyond their control. Elias never knew that Lila’s family had plans for him—plans to use his bloodline in a ritual meant to bring them power. When he discovered their intentions, it was too late. Lila had already betrayed him, binding him to the curse of the Black Moon.”

Manuel’s heart raced. “So he became the werewolf?”

“Yes,” the elder said, his voice somber. “The curse transformed him into the beast. He lost his humanity, becoming a creature of the night, driven by rage and hunger. The town has lived in fear of him ever since. Each full moon, he roams the woods, searching for those who would cross his path.”

Manuel felt a chill run down his spine. “And Lila? What happened to her?”

“Lila paid for her betrayal,” the elder replied, his tone grim. “Her family tried to protect her, but the curse consumed them as well. Some say her spirit still lingers in the woods, watching over the creature she helped create. Others believe she is cursed to wander, forever seeking redemption.”

Manuel sat in stunned silence, processing the story. The betrayal, the curse—it all felt like a twisted fairy tale, yet the fear in the town was real. The attacks, the strange happenings, the glowing eyes he’d seen in the forest—everything pointed to the curse being very much alive.

“There’s more,” the elder said, his voice lowering. “The curse isn’t just a punishment. It’s a cycle, one that can only be broken by facing the source of the betrayal—the heart of the darkness. If the curse is to end, someone must confront the beast and the spirit of Lila. But no one who’s tried has ever returned.”

Manuel swallowed hard. “And if the curse isn’t broken?”

The elder met his gaze, his expression grave. “Then the beast will continue to haunt these woods, and the town will suffer with every full moon. The curse will claim more lives, just as it has in the past.”

A heavy silence filled the room as Manuel considered the elder’s words. He had come to Black Hollow seeking history, but what he had found was something far more dangerous—an ancient curse that threatened to consume not only the town, but possibly himself as well.

“What should I do?” Manuel asked, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders.

The elder stood, walking to a shelf and pulling down a small, intricately carved box. He handed it to Manuel. “Inside this box is something that may help you—a key to understanding the curse and facing the werewolf. But be warned, the path ahead is treacherous. You’ll need more than just courage to survive.”

Manuel opened the box carefully, revealing a small silver amulet, shaped like a crescent moon. Its surface was etched with strange symbols that glimmered faintly in the firelight.

“Take this,” the elder said. “It’s a protection charm, passed down through generations. It may be the only thing standing between you and the beast.”

Manuel took the amulet, feeling its cool weight in his hand. The full moon was approaching, and he knew time was running out. The dark secret of Black Hollow had been revealed, but the true challenge lay ahead. The curse was not just a story—it was real, and it was hungry for blood.