Chapter 11: The Forbidden Training
885 Words
The morning sun had barely risen above the mountains when Verra awoke.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
Then she saw the tiny sparks dancing across her fingertips.
Crack!
A strand of golden lightning leaped from one finger to another.
Verra immediately clenched her fist.
The sparks vanished.
But her heart began racing.
The power was still there.
Waiting.
Watching.
Growing.
Outside the cave, the resistance camp was already bustling with activity. Warriors sharpened their weapons while scouts prepared for another day of reconnaissance.
Yet every time Verra walked past them, they stared.
Not with fear.
With awe.
Word of what happened against Kael Blackfang had spread throughout the camp.
The True Luna had awakened.
The Dragon Storm had returned.
And hope had returned with it.
Inside the council chamber, Elder Rowan stood before an ancient map.
Several resistance leaders surrounded him.
The moment Verra entered, everyone rose to their feet.
She immediately frowned.
"Please stop doing that."
A few warriors exchanged nervous smiles.
To them, she wasn't merely Verra anymore.
She was their future Queen.
"Thea," Rowan said carefully, "we need to discuss your training."
Verra sat down.
"What kind of training?"
The old warrior's expression became serious.
"The Dragon Storm."
The room fell silent.
"You cannot control it."
Verra already knew that.
During her fight with Kael, the power had erupted on its own.
She hadn't summoned it.
She hadn't controlled it.
It had simply answered her emotions.
And that frightened her.
"What happens if I lose control?" she asked quietly.
No one answered immediately.
Finally, Rowan spoke.
"The same thing that happened to previous wielders."
Verra frowned.
"What happened?"
The old warrior looked away.
"They died."
Meanwhile...
Far inside Storm Wind territory...
Alpha Daven Morgan stood in his office staring at the silver ribbon.
The ribbon he had found beneath the Narra Tree.
The ribbon that belonged to the girl from his childhood.
Verra.
He had no proof.
No certainty.
Only instinct.
But his wolf refused to let it go.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
Marcus entered carrying several reports.
"You haven't slept again."
Daven ignored the comment.
Marcus sighed.
"Still thinking about her?"
Daven looked up.
"What if she's alive?"
Marcus froze.
For years, Daven had never spoken those words aloud.
Not once.
"What makes you think that?"
Daven tossed the ribbon onto the desk.
Marcus immediately recognized it.
"Where did you get this?"
"Near the Narra Tree."
The Beta's eyes widened.
Now he understood why Daven looked different.
Why hope had returned to his eyes.
Marcus slowly sat down.
"If she's really alive..."
He paused.
"What will you do?"
Daven stared out the window.
For the first time in years, he answered honestly.
"Find her."
Later that night...
Verra followed Rowan deep into the mountains.
The old warrior carried a lantern.
The path grew narrower with every step.
Eventually they arrived at a massive stone door covered in ancient symbols.
Golden flames were carved into its surface.
Lightning surrounded the fire.
Verra's heartbeat accelerated.
"What is this place?"
Rowan smiled.
"The Sanctuary of Stormfire."
The door slowly opened.
Ancient energy flooded outward.
Verra immediately felt her power react.
Golden sparks danced across her skin.
The fire within her answered the call.
Inside the sanctuary stood dozens of stone statues.
Each one depicted former rulers of the Dragon Fire Pack.
Kings.
Queens.
Lunas.
Warriors.
And every one of them held fire and lightning in their hands.
Verra stared in amazement.
"They all possessed the Dragon Storm?"
Rowan nodded.
"The original bloodline."
He then pointed toward the largest statue.
A beautiful woman stood with her hand raised toward the moon.
Golden flames surrounded her.
Lightning crowned her head.
Verra felt drawn toward the statue immediately.
"Who is she?"
Rowan lowered his voice.
"Aurora Dragona."
"The first True Luna."
The moment Verra stepped closer...
The statue suddenly glowed.
The sanctuary trembled.
And a voice echoed through the chamber.
"Blood of my blood..."
Verra froze.
Rowan's eyes widened.
The voice wasn't coming from the statue.
It was inside her mind.
"The storm has awakened."
"The darkness rises."
"Prepare yourself."
A vision exploded before Verra's eyes.
She saw Geneva.
Standing atop a black throne.
Dark fire surrounded her.
Black lightning split the sky.
Entire cities burned.
Thousands of wolves screamed.
Then another vision appeared.
Daven.
Wounded.
Kneeling.
Blood covering his body.
Verra gasped.
The vision vanished instantly.
She staggered backward.
"What was that?"
Rowan grabbed her shoulders.
"What did you see?"
Verra struggled to breathe.
"Geneva."
The old warrior's face darkened.
"What about her?"
Verra looked toward the glowing statue.
Fear filled her silver eyes.
"She's coming."
At that same moment...
Inside her private chamber...
Geneva Dragona stood before an ancient black mirror.
The forbidden artifact pulsed with dark energy.
The Seer's warning echoed inside her mind.
"Darkness will consume you..."
Geneva slowly extended her hand.
The mirror responded immediately.
Black flames erupted from its surface.
Dark lightning coiled around her fingers.
Pain shot through her body.
Agonizing.
Unbearable
Yet Geneva smiled.
Because beneath the pain...
She felt power.
A power unlike anything she had ever known.
The mirror whispered.
"More..."
Geneva's crimson eyes gleamed.
"Yes."
The darkness wrapped around her arm.
Slowly spreading.
Slowly corrupting.
And far away...
The Moon Goddess watched from above.
Because the war between Light and Darkness had officially begun.
- Writer
