Episode 13: The First Hunter
734 Words
The voice echoed across the mountains.
"Found you."
Every wolf turned toward the sound.
Weapons were raised.
The warriors prepared for battle.
But Zara remained frozen.
Because the voice was not angry.
Not loud.
Not threatening.
It was calm.
Almost certain.
Like whoever spoke already knew the outcome.
The Shadow King stared into the darkness.
His expression was different.
Not fear.
Something worse.
Recognition.
"They should not be awake."
Caden looked at him.
"Who are they?"
The Shadow King didn't answer.
His eyes remained fixed on the mountains.
"The First Hunters were created before the kingdoms existed."
The wind grew colder.
"They were not born."
A pause.
"They were made."
Zara tightened her grip on the silver sword.
"Made by who?"
The Shadow King looked at her.
"By the ancient Moon Gods."
Everyone became silent.
Even Valeria.
The Moon Gods.
A name spoken only in legends.
A power older than wolves.
Older than kings.
Older than magic itself.
Caden stepped closer to Zara.
"Why would they come for her?"
The Shadow King looked at him.
"Because they fear what she will become."
Zara's eyes narrowed.
"I don't even know what I am."
The Shadow King stared at her.
"That is exactly why you are dangerous."
Before she could respond...
A figure appeared on the mountain edge.
Alone.
No army.
No weapon raised.
Just one person standing in the darkness.
Everyone waited.
Then the figure stepped forward.
A man.
Tall.
Covered in silver armor.
His eyes were golden.
Not red.
Not blue.
Gold.
The moment he looked at Zara...
The mark on her wrist burned.
She gasped.
The hunter smiled.
"There you are."
Caden immediately moved in front of her.
"Stay back."
The hunter looked at him.
"The Black Mountain Alpha."
His eyes scanned him.
"The man who abandoned the Silver Moon Luna."
Caden's jaw tightened.
But he didn't deny it.
The hunter looked back at Zara.
"You don't even know what you carry, do you?"
Zara stepped beside Caden.
"I know enough."
The hunter raised an eyebrow.
"Do you?"
His gaze fell on the sword.
"That belonged to your mother."
Zara's fingers tightened.
"You knew her?"
The hunter became quiet.
Then he nodded.
"Yes."
Everyone froze.
The hunter looked at Zara.
"She begged us to protect you."
Zara's breathing stopped.
"Protect me?"
The hunter nodded.
"Your mother knew what would happen."
Her eyes filled with confusion.
"What would happen?"
The hunter's expression became serious.
"You would awaken."
The silver energy around Zara started moving.
Like it recognized him.
"You were never supposed to live an ordinary life."
Zara looked away.
"I wanted one."
The hunter's expression softened slightly.
For the first time, he looked human.
"I know."
That surprised her.
The hunter stepped closer.
Caden growled.
But Zara lifted her hand.
Stopping him.
"Why are you here?"
The hunter looked at her.
"To take you."
Everyone moved.
The Blood Wolves prepared to attack.
But the hunter continued.
"Not to kill you."
A pause.
"To save you."
Nobody understood.
The Shadow King suddenly appeared beside Zara.
"You will not take my daughter."
The hunter looked at him.
"Your daughter?"
A cold smile appeared.
"You lost the right to call her that when you abandoned her."
The Shadow King's face darkened.
The hunter looked at Zara.
"The Shadow King is not the only one who hid the truth."
Zara froze.
"What?"
The hunter reached into his armor.
He pulled out an old necklace.
A necklace she recognized.
Her mother's.
Impossible.
Her eyes widened.
"Where did you get that?"
The hunter looked at her sadly.
"Your mother gave it to me before she died."
Zara felt like the world stopped.
"No."
The hunter stepped closer.
"She left you one final message."
The necklace began glowing.
A woman's voice filled the air.
Soft.
Familiar.
"Zara..."
Tears immediately filled her eyes.
Her mother.
After twenty years...
Her mother was speaking to her.
"If you are hearing this..."
The voice trembled.
"It means the darkness has found you."
Zara covered her mouth.
The message continued.
"But there is something you must know."
The forest became completely silent.
"You were never the weapon."
A pause.
"You were never the curse."
The silver light exploded around Zara.
"You are the key."
The message ended.
And the hunter whispered the words that changed everything.
"The war was never about the throne."
He looked at Zara.
"It was about what is sleeping inside you."
- Writer
