Episode 17: The First Moon Rises
625 Words
The entire forest trembled.
Not from an attack.
Not from an enemy.
From something awakening.
Something ancient.
The silver sword floated beside Zara, glowing brighter than ever.
Everyone stared.
Even the Shadow King.
Even the hunters.
Even the Crimson Reaper.
Nobody moved.
Because everyone knew.
Something beyond their understanding had arrived.
The voice from the sword echoed again.
"After centuries of silence..."
The sky filled with silver light.
"The First Moon has awakened."
Zara felt her heart stop.
The First Moon.
The power everyone feared.
The power everyone wanted.
The power inside her.
She stepped backward.
"No."
The sword moved closer.
Not threatening.
Comforting.
"You have carried my power since birth."
Zara shook her head.
"I don't want this."
The voice became softer.
"That is why you were chosen."
Everyone looked confused.
Valeria whispered.
"Chosen because she refused power?"
The hunter nodded slowly.
"The greatest power has never belonged to those who desire it."
His eyes stayed on Zara.
"It belongs to those who fear what it can become."
Caden watched Zara carefully.
He could feel her emotions through the bond.
Her fear.
Her confusion.
Her pain.
He stepped forward.
"Zara."
She looked at him.
"I don't know who I am anymore."
For the first time, she looked like the girl he lost.
Not a queen.
Not a warrior.
Just Zara.
Caden walked closer.
"You are still you."
She shook her head.
"Am I?"
The question broke him.
Because he knew exactly why she asked.
Everyone had been telling her who she was.
A princess.
A queen.
A weapon.
A key.
But nobody had asked what she wanted.
Caden reached for her hand.
Slowly.
Giving her the choice.
She looked at his hand.
Then placed hers in it.
The bond exploded.
Silver and black energy surrounded them.
Everyone stepped back.
The hunter's eyes widened.
"Impossible."
The Shadow King looked alarmed.
"What?"
The hunter stared.
"The bond is complete."
Caden frowned.
"What does that mean?"
The hunter looked at Zara.
"It means she accepted him."
A pause.
"And he accepted her."
The silver light grew stronger.
"The Alpha and Luna are no longer two."
Everyone became silent.
"They are one."
The moment the words ended...
A scream echoed.
Not from a warrior.
From the mountains.
The earth cracked.
A massive shadow rose from beneath the ground.
Everyone turned.
The Shadow King's expression changed.
"No."
Zara looked at him.
"What is it?"
For the first time...
Her father looked afraid.
"The ancient enemy."
The shadow continued rising.
The hunters stepped back.
The Crimson Reaper stopped smiling.
Even Selene froze.
Caden tightened his grip on Zara's hand.
"What is that?"
The Shadow King answered quietly.
"The reason your mother died."
Silence.
A creature emerged from the darkness.
Not a wolf.
Not a human.
Not anything anyone had seen before.
Its body was covered in black armor.
Its eyes were empty.
And its voice shook the world.
"The Moon Child."
Everyone froze.
The creature looked at Zara.
"Finally."
A pause.
"You have awakened."
Zara lifted the sword.
"Who are you?"
The creature smiled.
"I was created to destroy your kind."
The air became colder.
"I am the last creation of the ancient gods."
The hunter whispered.
"The Void Beast."
The name alone terrified everyone.
The creature looked at Zara.
"The First Moon chose you."
Its eyes moved to Caden.
"And the bond chose him."
A dark smile appeared.
"Perfect."
Zara felt dread.
"Perfect for what?"
The creature answered.
"To end the world."
The sky cracked open.
Darkness covered the moon.
And the silver light around Zara began fading.
Because something was happening.
Something nobody expected.
The First Moon's power...
Was being drained.
The creature smiled.
"Thank you for waking her."
It looked at Zara.
"Now I can take everything."
- Writer
