The Blood Oath
1001 Words
The royal crest.
Lyra stared at the mirror in disbelief.
Her breathing became shallow.
"No..."
She whispered.
"It can't be."
The hooded figure disappeared into the burning palace as thousands of Shadow Wolves stormed through the gates.
The screams of soldiers echoed through the Hall of Memories.
Then...
Everything froze.
The image dissolved into silver mist.
---
Queen Selene's reflection returned.
She looked older now.
More tired.
The black armored hand shot from the shattered mirror.
Its fingers closed around Lyra's wrist.
Cold.
Unnaturally cold.
It felt as though life itself was being drained from her body.
---
"Ah!"
Lyra cried out.
She struggled to pull away.
But the grip tightened.
The Hall of Memories trembled violently.
Ancient pillars cracked.
Silver flames flickered wildly.
---
Queen Selene's image rushed forward.
Though she was only a memory...
She placed both hands against the mirror.
"Release her!"
Silver light erupted from her palms.
The black hand hissed.
Dark smoke rose from its armor.
Yet...
It refused to let go.
---
A low chuckle echoed from beyond the mirror.
"So..."
"Even after death..."
"You still protect her."
The voice was calm.
Cold.
Ancient.
It carried enough authority to make the Hall itself shake.
---
Lyra looked beyond the black hand.
Inside the darkness behind the mirror...
A tall figure slowly appeared.
He stood with both hands behind his back.
His face remained hidden beneath a hood of living shadows.
Only two crimson eyes burned through the darkness.
Watching her.
Studying her.
---
Queen Selene's expression turned pale.
"You..."
"It cannot be."
---
The figure smiled.
"I told you."
"There is nowhere in this world..."
"...I cannot reach."
---
The pressure inside the Hall became unbearable.
Cracks spread across the ceiling.
Ancient statues collapsed.
The Hall of Memories had never been invaded before.
---
Outside...
The Moon Temple bells rang wildly.
Fenrir's eyes snapped open.
His silver wings burst outward.
"No!"
He roared.
"The Hall has been breached!"
---
Cassian immediately drew the Sword of the First Alpha.
"How?"
Fenrir's face was grim.
"Only one being possesses enough power to touch the Hall from outside reality."
---
Cassian's blood ran cold.
"The Shadow King."
---
Without another word...
Fenrir charged toward the hidden staircase.
Cassian followed close behind.
The entire temple shook beneath their feet.
---
Back inside the Hall...
Lyra could barely breathe.
The hooded figure took one slow step forward.
He was still trapped behind the mirror.
Yet his presence alone overwhelmed the ancient chamber.
---
"So..."
He spoke quietly.
"You truly have her eyes."
---
Lyra stared at him.
"Who are you?"
---
The figure laughed softly.
A laugh filled with centuries of loneliness.
---
"I've watched you..."
"...since the day you were born."
---
Queen Selene slammed both hands against the mirror again.
"Don't listen to him!"
---
The figure ignored her completely.
His crimson eyes never left Lyra.
---
"I made you a promise once."
---
"And I intend to keep it."
---
With one violent pull...
The black armored hand dragged Lyra closer to the mirror.
Only inches remained between them.
She could now see the figure clearly.
His hood shifted slightly.
For a brief moment...
She saw part of his face.
Young.
Handsome.
Covered by strange silver markings.
Then...
Her eyes fell upon something else.
Around his neck...
Hung the other half of the royal pendant.
Exactly like the one Malrik carried.
Exactly like hers.
---
Lyra's heart nearly stopped.
"How..."
---
The figure smiled.
Then whispered words that shattered everything she believed.
---
"Call me..."
"...Father."
---
BOOOOOOOM!
The Hall of Memories exploded in blinding silver light.
Yet her smile remained gentle.
"You've seen the beginning."
She said softly.
"But not the truth."
---
Lyra wiped away the tears gathering in her eyes.
"Who was it?"
"Who betrayed us?"
Selene slowly shook her head.
"I cannot tell you."
"The Hall does not reveal names."
"It only reveals memories."
---
"Why?"
Lyra cried.
"I deserve to know!"
---
"You do."
Selene whispered.
"But knowledge gained too early..."
"...can destroy the future."
---
The mirror rippled again.
A new memory appeared.
This time...
It showed the royal throne room.
Queen Selene stood beside a tall man wearing silver armor.
His face was hidden from view.
He knelt before her.
Then...
Without hesitation...
He drew a dagger.
Instead of pointing it at the Queen...
He sliced his own palm.
Blood dripped onto the marble floor.
---
"I swear."
He declared.
"My blood."
"My name."
"My descendants."
"My life."
"They shall forever protect the Moon Queen."
---
The blood began glowing.
Ancient silver symbols surrounded the throne.
The entire palace trembled.
---
Lyra frowned.
"What is that?"
---
Selene smiled.
"The Blood Oath."
---
"The oldest promise in the Moon Kingdom."
---
"An oath..."
"...that even death cannot break."
---
Suddenly...
The memory shifted.
The same silver-armored man stood on a battlefield.
He was surrounded by enemies.
Hundreds.
Thousands.
Still...
He never stepped away from the Queen.
---
Selene looked at Lyra.
"His bloodline still exists."
---
"When the Queen awakens..."
---
"They will always find her."
---
Lyra's heart skipped.
Cassian.
She remembered his words.
"My family swore an oath before you were born."
Could he...
Really be descended from that knight?
---
Before she could ask...
The mirror cracked.
A sharp sound echoed through the chamber.
CRACK!
Another crack followed.
Silver light leaked through the fractures.
---
Selene's expression suddenly changed.
She looked frightened.
"Impossible..."
---
"They found the Hall."
---
The chamber shook violently.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
The silver flames flickered wildly.
---
A cold voice echoed from somewhere beyond the mirror.
"So..."
"This is where you've been hiding."
---
The liquid surface of the mirror turned black.
A hand slowly emerged from within.
Not a memory.
Not an illusion.
A real hand.
Covered in black armor.
Its fingers reached toward Lyra.
Queen Selene's eyes widened in horror.
"RUN!"
The black hand burst completely through the ancient mirror.
Someone...
Had just invaded the Hall of Memories.
- Writer
