Chapter 6: The Hunt Begins
1118 Words
The first arrow struck Kael's shoulder.
He staggered only slightly before grabbing the shaft and snapping it in half. Blood soaked through his black coat, but he ignored the pain as another volley of arrows sliced through the night.
"Get down!" he shouted.
Without hesitation, he wrapped one arm around Lyra's waist and pulled her behind a marble pillar. Arrows slammed into the stone, splintering chunks of white rock around them.
The peaceful castle courtyard had become a battlefield in seconds.
Servants screamed as they rushed toward the safety of the palace. Wolves charged from every direction, their howls filling the night air. Guards formed a defensive line around the castle entrance while torches illuminated the masked invaders climbing over the walls.
Selene stood in the center of the chaos, her crimson cloak dancing in the cold wind.
"I warned you, Kael," she called with a smile. "You cannot protect her forever."
Kael slowly drew the sword hanging at his side.
The silver blade reflected the full moon.
"You've always mistaken kindness for weakness."
Selene laughed.
"And you've always mistaken mercy for wisdom."
She raised one elegant hand.
"Kill them."
Dozens of assassins rushed forward.
Steel clashed against steel as Kael met them head-on.
Even wounded, the Alpha King fought with terrifying precision. Every swing of his sword forced another enemy backward. Every movement was calculated, powerful, and effortless.
Lyra watched in amazement.
This wasn't the monster humans feared.
This was a king defending his people.
One assassin slipped behind Kael, raising a poisoned dagger.
"Behind you!" Lyra shouted.
Kael spun just in time, blocking the attack before striking the assassin unconscious with the hilt of his sword.
He glanced toward Lyra.
"Stay close."
She nodded.
"I will."
Before another word could be spoken, a loud howl echoed through the courtyard.
A massive silver wolf leaped from the castle wall and landed beside them.
The wolf transformed into a young man with messy chestnut hair and bright amber eyes.
"My King!"
Kael smiled faintly.
"Finn."
The young warrior grinned despite the battle.
"I secured the eastern gate."
His eyes shifted toward Lyra.
"So you're the famous Blood Bride."
Lyra blinked.
"You've heard about me?"
"The whole kingdom has."
He bowed dramatically.
"I'm Finn Ashclaw, Captain of the Royal Guard."
Lyra smiled despite herself.
"I'm Lyra."
Finn straightened.
"I expected someone scarier."
Kael sighed.
"This isn't the time."
"I know."
Finn laughed.
"But introductions are important."
Even Kael couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips.
For one brief moment, the fear surrounding Lyra eased.
Then the ground exploded.
A deafening c***k echoed beneath their feet.
The marble courtyard split apart.
Dark smoke poured from the opening like living shadows.
One by one, enormous creatures climbed from the darkness.
They looked like wolves...
But something was horribly wrong.
Their fur was black as charcoal.
Their eyes burned crimson.
Long spikes protruded from their backs.
Their jaws dripped black venom onto the stone.
The wolves guarding the castle stepped backward, whining nervously.
"They're afraid," Lyra whispered.
Finn's smile disappeared.
"They should be."
Kael's face hardened.
"Shadow Beasts."
"What are they?"
"The first monsters created by dark magic."
Selene folded her arms proudly.
"They've been starving for centuries."
The largest beast released a roar that shook the castle windows.
Then it attacked.
It tore through both soldiers and wolves without caring who stood before it.
Chaos erupted once again.
Kael transformed into his massive black wolf and slammed into the creature, sending both of them crashing across the courtyard.
The remaining beasts scattered in every direction.
One spotted a frightened little girl hiding beside the fountain.
The child couldn't have been older than six.
She was frozen with fear.
"No..."
Lyra whispered.
Without thinking, she ran.
"Lyra!" Finn shouted.
"Come back!"
She ignored him.
The Shadow Beast lunged toward the child.
Its claws stretched forward.
Its jaws opened wide.
Just before it struck, Lyra threw herself between the monster and the little girl.
She closed her eyes.
"I won't let you hurt her."
Pain never came.
Instead...
Warmth spread through her chest.
The Moon Seal blazed beneath her skin.
Silver light erupted from her hands.
A shimmering barrier surrounded both Lyra and the child.
The Shadow Beast slammed into the magical shield.
A tremendous shockwave blasted across the courtyard.
The creature was thrown backward into a broken statue.
Silence followed.
Every warrior stopped fighting.
Every wolf stared.
Even Selene looked stunned.
"The Moon Queen's Barrier..."
She whispered the words in disbelief.
"So the legends were true."
Lyra slowly opened her eyes.
The silver shield still surrounded her.
The frightened child hugged her tightly.
"Thank you," the little girl sobbed.
Lyra smiled gently.
"You're safe now."
Kael transformed back into his human form and hurried toward her.
His face was pale with worry.
"What were you thinking?"
"There was a child."
"You could have died."
"But I didn't."
She looked directly into his golden eyes.
"I won't stand by while innocent people suffer."
For several seconds, Kael couldn't speak.
He saw strength.
Compassion.
Courage.
Everything a queen should possess.
"You've changed," he said quietly.
Lyra smiled.
"So have you."
Before he could answer, a horn echoed across the valley.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Finn turned toward the western cliffs.
His expression froze.
"My King..."
Kael followed his gaze.
Thousands of black banners appeared beyond the forest.
An enormous army marched toward the castle.
Rows of armored soldiers stretched farther than the eye could see.
At their center rode a warrior dressed in black armor atop a gigantic wolf.
His helmet concealed his face.
Yet Kael recognized him instantly.
His breathing stopped.
"No..."
Lyra looked at him.
"Who is it?"
Kael whispered,
"Darius."
"The brother who betrayed you?"
He nodded slowly.
"I watched him die."
The mysterious rider removed his helmet.
Golden eyes identical to Kael's gleamed beneath the moonlight.
A cruel smile spread across his face.
"Hello... little brother."
Gasps echoed across the battlefield.
Finn stepped backward.
"Impossible..."
Darius raised his sword toward the castle.
"I've returned for my throne."
His gaze shifted toward Lyra.
"And for the Blood Queen."
Kael stepped protectively in front of her.
"You'll never touch her."
Darius laughed.
"You've already lost."
"And why is that?"
"Because you've done the one thing an Alpha King should never do."
Kael remained silent.
Darius smiled wider.
"You fell in love."
The words hung heavily in the night air.
Neither Kael nor Lyra denied them.
High above, hidden within the storm clouds, Selene smiled.
Everything was unfolding exactly as the prophecy had foretold.
Deep beneath the castle, another ancient chain snapped.
The imprisoned Devil let out a roar so powerful that the mountain itself trembled.
The final battle had begun.
- Writer
