Chapter 13: Moonborn Lessons
673 Words
Chapter 13: Moonborn Lessons
The mountain temple had stood untouched for centuries.
Built into a cliff face north of Shadowfang, it shimmered faintly under moonlight—its stones carved with old runes, its air thick with magic. Most forgot it existed. Only a handful knew how to find it.
Ariya stood at the threshold now, wind teasing her cloak.
“I thought I was done with surprises,” she muttered.
Kael smirked beside her. “With you? Never.”
Inside, the temple felt alive. Vines glowed along the walls. Crystals pulsed from deep within the rock. The moment Ariya stepped across the threshold, the mark on her collarbone warmed like a heartbeat.
Waiting in the center chamber was a woman wrapped in violet robes, hair white as frost but eyes young—burning with golden light.
“You’re late,” she said without turning. “Moonborns used to be more punctual.”
Kael stiffened. “She was attacked. Twice.”
The woman finally faced them. “Then she must learn faster.”
Ariya frowned. “Who are you?”
“I’m Lysandra,” the woman said. “And I’m the last Moonborn mentor still alive.”
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The First Lesson
Lysandra wasted no time.
She led Ariya deep into the heart of the temple, where waterfalls flowed over crystal veins, and magic hummed in the walls.
“Your power comes from the moon, yes,” Lysandra explained, “but it listens to your will. Not your fear. Not your anger. You.”
She snapped her fingers.
A series of candles lit across the room—then snuffed out at once.
“Try.”
Ariya closed her eyes, exhaled, and raised her hand.
A flicker of flame danced on her palm… then exploded outward, lighting every candle—and Lysandra’s sleeves.
“Oops—”
Lysandra waved off the flames. “Better than most.”
Hours passed as Ariya repeated motions, summoned light, slowed water, and even levitated briefly off the ground—though she landed hard.
Still, Lysandra never praised. Only corrected.
By dusk, Ariya lay in the grass outside the temple, utterly exhausted.
Kael joined her in silence, lying beside her, his fingers brushing hers.
“You don’t have to prove anything to anyone,” he said.
“I’m not,” she whispered, eyes fixed on the stars. “I’m proving it to me.”
Kael kissed her knuckles. “And I love that about you.”
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Lysandra’s Warning
Later, as Kael slept inside the temple, Lysandra stood beside Ariya in the outer gardens.
“The more you awaken, the more she’ll feel you.”
“Mairead,” Ariya said.
Lysandra nodded. “She was meant to carry the Moonborn power. But fate chose differently. It broke her.”
“Why me?”
“Because you still believe in love. In loyalty. In something more than war.”
Ariya swallowed. “But if she’s broken… can she be saved?”
Lysandra’s eyes darkened. “Only if you kill what broke her. And that may be herself.”
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Back at the Palace – Days Later
Ariya returned changed.
Her steps were quieter. Her magic was steadier. She no longer flinched at her own strength.
In the courtyard, she sparred with Kael’s soldiers. She moved like moonlight—quick, precise, deadly.
Kael watched from the stairs, arms crossed, pride obvious in his eyes.
That night, she came to him, tired but glowing.
He opened his arms.
She slid into them without a word.
No fire. No passion. Just skin to skin. Safe. Steady. Together.
> "We’ll be ready for her,” Kael whispered.
> “I know,” Ariya said.
And for the first time in weeks… they slept without nightmares.
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Far North
Queen Mairead stood before a circle of mages, her eyes glowing white.
“She’s awakened,” one whispered.
Mairead smiled. “Then so will I.”
She stepped into the frostfire pool, magic crashing around her.
And the ice began to melt.
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🌒 END OF CHAPTER 13
- Writer
