Chapter 3: Secrets Beneath the Blood Moon
811 Words
The battlefield erupted into chaos.
Kael's enormous black wolf leaped from the castle walls with terrifying force, landing among the enemy soldiers. His claws tore through shields while his thunderous roar shook the valley. Wolves poured from the forest, striking with deadly precision. They fought not like savage beasts, but like disciplined warriors defending their home.
From the balcony, Lyra watched in horror.
"This can't be happening..."
The soldiers had come for her.
Because of her.
A horn sounded again.
This time it came from behind the castle.
"They're attacking from both sides!" a guard shouted.
Mira rushed into the chamber.
"My Lady, we must leave immediately."
"I'm not leaving him."
"You don't understand. There are assassins inside the castle."
Lyra's heart skipped.
"Inside?"
Before Mira could answer, the window shattered.
A black arrow buried itself in the wall only inches from Lyra's head.
"Down!" Mira cried.
Three masked assassins climbed through the broken window, swords gleaming with silver magic.
"There she is."
"The Blood Bride."
"Kill her!"
The first assassin lunged.
Lyra barely dodged the blade. She grabbed a heavy candlestick and swung with all her strength.
It struck the attacker across the face.
He stumbled backward.
Mira raised both hands.
Blue light exploded from her fingertips, throwing another assassin across the room.
"You're a witch?" Lyra gasped.
"I prefer the term sorceress."
The third assassin smiled coldly.
"So the old servant still remembers magic."
He drew a black dagger covered in strange runes.
Mira's face turned pale.
"No..."
"What is it?"
"That weapon kills immortals."
The assassin charged.
Mira stepped in front of Lyra.
The dagger pierced her shoulder.
She cried out in pain as dark veins spread across her skin.
"Mira!"
"No... don't stop..."
With her remaining strength, Mira released another blast of magic.
The explosion hurled every assassin through the broken window.
Silence returned.
Lyra caught Mira before she collapsed.
"You're bleeding."
"It will not heal."
"Why?"
"The blade is cursed."
Tears filled Lyra's eyes.
"You saved me."
Mira smiled weakly.
"I promised your mother I would."
Lyra froze.
"My... mother?"
Before Mira could explain, another roar echoed through the castle.
The entire building shook violently.
Outside, Kael fought like the nightmare humans believed him to be.
Dozens of soldiers surrounded him.
None survived for long.
Yet something felt wrong.
The witches weren't attacking him directly.
They were buying time.
A crimson beam of light suddenly shot into the sky from deep within the forest.
Kael's eyes widened.
"The ritual..."
He turned toward the castle.
"Lyra!"
Inside the highest tower, candles burst into crimson flames.
Ancient symbols appeared across the stone floor by themselves.
Lyra felt unbearable heat spreading through her chest.
She clutched her heart.
"It hurts..."
A glowing mark slowly appeared beneath her collarbone.
It looked like a crescent moon wrapped in thorny vines.
Mira stared in disbelief.
"The Moon Seal..."
"What is happening to me?"
"You truly are..."
She stopped herself.
"What?"
"The last heir."
Before Lyra could ask what she meant, the tower doors exploded inward.
A woman dressed in crimson robes entered, surrounded by swirling black smoke.
Her beauty was breathtaking.
Her smile was terrifying.
"After three centuries..."
She looked directly at Lyra.
"...I've finally found you."
"Who are you?"
The woman curtsied elegantly.
"I am Selene."
"The king's former High Priestess."
Mira's expression twisted with hatred.
"Traitor."
Selene laughed.
"I simply chose the winning side."
"You murdered the royal family."
"They stood in my way."
She raised one graceful hand.
Chains of black magic erupted from the floor, wrapping around Lyra's wrists and ankles.
Lyra struggled desperately.
"What do you want?"
"You."
Selene stepped closer.
"And the power sleeping inside your blood."
"The prophecy was never about saving this kingdom."
"It was about awakening an ancient god."
Lightning flashed outside.
Kael burst through the tower wall in his wolf form, sending stone flying everywhere.
His golden eyes burned with fury.
Selene smiled.
"Right on time, my king."
Kael transformed back into his human form, his clothes torn and stained with blood.
"Release her."
"You know I can't."
His voice turned dangerously calm.
"This is your final warning."
Selene tilted her head.
"Will you kill the woman who raised you?"
Lyra looked between them in shock.
"You... raised him?"
Kael's jaw tightened.
"When I was a child."
Selene's smile widened.
"And now he'll watch me finish what I started."
She placed one hand over the glowing mark on Lyra's chest.
The Moon Seal blazed with brilliant silver light.
A wave of ancient power exploded through the tower.
Everyone was thrown backward.
For one breathtaking moment, Lyra's eyes glowed pure silver.
A voice-not her own-echoed through the room.
"The Blood Queen has awakened."
The castle fell silent.
Even the wolves stopped howling.
Kael stared at Lyra in stunned disbelief.
"The prophecy... is real."
And somewhere beneath the castle, something ancient opened its eyes.
- Writer
