Bound by moonfire

An unwanted rescue

The mercenaries charged down the hillside like a wave of steel.

Their horses thundered across the valley, while the archers remained hidden in the tall grass, loosing arrows with deadly precision.

"Move!" Kael shouted.

He spurred his black stallion forward, placing himself between the attackers and Lyra. His rune-covered sword flashed as he knocked an arrow from the air before twisting in the saddle to deflect another.

Captain Rowan wheeled his horse around.

"They're trying to split us apart!"

The leader of the mercenaries laughed.

"That's exactly the plan!"

With a sharp whistle, half of the riders broke away, circling around the trio like wolves surrounding their prey.

Lyra tightened her grip on the reins of her chestnut mare.

"I've never fought on horseback."

"Then don't fight," Kael called back without looking at her.

"Ride."

One of the mercenaries lunged at her with a curved saber.

Lyra ducked just in time.

The blade sliced through a lock of her hair instead of her neck.

Her horse reared in fright.

She nearly lost her balance.

"Lyra!" Captain Rowan shouted.

Before he could reach her, another rider blocked his path.

Steel clashed against steel.

The valley echoed with the sounds of battle.

Kael cut down another attacker with a swift strike before steering his horse toward Lyra.

"Stay close to me!"

"I'm trying!"

Three arrows shot toward her at once.

Kael raised his free hand.

Dark mist burst from his palm, swirling into a shield just long enough for the arrows to strike it and fall harmlessly to the ground.

Lyra stared.

"You use shadow magic."

Kael's eyes remained fixed on the enemy.

"Not all shadow magic is evil."

The words lingered in Lyra's mind.

She had spent her entire life believing the people of Noctis were monsters.

Yet the prince beside her was risking his life to protect her.

The leader of the mercenaries noticed the exchange and smirked.

"So the prince has become the Moonborn's bodyguard."

He drew two daggers from his belt.

"I wonder how much the Shadow King will pay for his own son's head."

Kael's expression didn't change.

"More than yours."

The mercenary laughed.

"I like you."

Then he hurled both daggers.

Kael knocked one aside.

The second flew past him.

Straight toward Lyra.

Time seemed to slow.

She saw the spinning blade.

She tried to move.

But her horse stumbled over a rock.

The dagger was only inches away—

A brilliant silver light burst from the crescent mark on her wrist.

The dagger froze in midair.

Every person on the battlefield stopped.

The weapon hung suspended before Lyra's face, surrounded by shimmering moonlight.

The mercenaries stared in disbelief.

"No one said she could do that," one whispered.

Lyra looked at her glowing hand.

"I... I didn't..."

The suspended dagger suddenly shot backward.

Not toward Lyra—

Toward the mercenary leader.

His eyes widened.

He barely managed to dodge as his own blade embedded itself deep into the trunk of an oak tree behind him.

Silence filled the valley.

Then the leader burst into laughter.

"A Moonborn indeed."

His smile faded into something colder.

"The bounty just doubled."

He raised his hand.

From the ridges overlooking the valley, more riders appeared.

Dozens of them.

Captain Rowan's face paled.

"There were never twenty..."

"There are at least sixty."

Kael scanned the surrounding hills.

His jaw tightened.

"This wasn't an ambush."

"It was a trap."

Before anyone could react, a deafening horn echoed through the valley.

Not the mercenaries' signal.

Not the Shadow King's.

It came from somewhere deeper in the mountains.

Every mercenary suddenly froze.

Their leader's confident expression disappeared.

"No..."

He turned toward the northern cliffs.

"They're here."

The ground began to tremble.

Small stones rolled down the slopes.

A deep growl echoed through the valley—so powerful that even the horses became restless.

Kael's silver eyes widened.

For the first time since Lyra had met him...

He looked genuinely afraid.

"Everyone," he said quietly.

"Get off the road."

"We're too late."

From the mouth of a nearby canyon, an enormous shadow emerged, blotting out the morning sun.

Its golden eyes opened and they were looking directly at Lyra.

The valley fell silent. Even the wind seemed to stop.

The enormous creature stepped out of the canyon, its body covered in shimmering black scales that reflected both sunlight and shadow. Massive wings folded against its back, and two curved horns rose from its head like polished obsidian.

Lyra's breath caught.

"A... dragon?"

Captain Rowan slowly shook his head.

"No."

"That's a Night Drake."

Kael's expression remained fixed on the creature.

"And judging by its size..."

"...it's ancient."

The Night Drake lowered its head, its golden eyes studying the three travelers with unsettling intelligence.

The mercenaries who had surrounded them moments before were suddenly the ones backing away.

Their leader swallowed hard.

"This wasn't part of the job."

One of his men whispered, "Should we retreat?"

The leader didn't answer.

No one dared move.

The Night Drake inhaled deeply.

A cloud of dark mist escaped its nostrils, spreading across the valley floor.

Every horse became restless.

Lyra's mare whinnied and stamped her hooves.

Kael reached for the reins.

"Stay calm."

"I'm trying," Lyra whispered, though her hands were trembling.

Without warning, one frightened mercenary loosed an arrow.

"No!" the leader shouted.

Too late.

The arrow struck the Night Drake's shoulder.

It didn't pierce the scales.

It merely bounced off.

For one heartbeat, nothing happened.

Then the dragon lifted its head and roared.

The sound rolled through the mountains like thunder.

The force of it knocked riders from their horses and sent birds fleeing from the cliffs.

The mercenaries broke ranks instantly.

"Run!"

They scattered in every direction.

The Night Drake spread its enormous wings.

With a single powerful beat, it launched into the air.

Its shadow swept across the valley.

Then it dove.

The creature landed directly among the fleeing mercenaries.

Chaos erupted.

Horses bolted in terror.

Weapons flew from trembling hands.

The mercenary leader barely rolled aside before the Night Drake's tail smashed into the ground where he had been standing, leaving a deep crater in the earth.

Captain Rowan stared in disbelief.

"It's attacking them..."

Kael frowned.

"No."

"It's driving them away."

As if proving his point, the Night Drake ignored several fallen mercenaries, choosing instead to chase them toward the southern hills.

Within minutes, the valley was empty.

The surviving mercenaries had disappeared.

Only Lyra, Kael, Captain Rowan... and the dragon remained.

The Night Drake slowly turned.

Its golden eyes settled on Lyra.

Her heart hammered against her ribs.

"It's looking at me."

Kael stepped in front of her.

"Stay behind me."

The dragon took one slow step forward.

Then another.

It was close enough now that Lyra could see faint silver markings etched into its scales.

They looked strangely familiar.

The same symbols carved into the Temple of Selene.

The same runes glowing on Kael's sword.

The creature lowered its massive head until its eyes were level with Lyra's.

Instead of growling...

It simply watched her.

The pendant around Lyra's neck began to glow.

Warm moonlight spread across her chest.

The crescent mark on her wrist answered with a soft silver pulse.

The Night Drake blinked.

Then, to everyone's astonishment...

It bowed.

Captain Rowan's jaw dropped.

"I've... never seen anything like that."

Kael slowly lowered his sword, though he remained cautious.

"It recognizes her."

Lyra swallowed.

"Recognizes me?"

Before Kael could answer, a calm voice echoed across the valley.

"Not just her."

"It recognizes what she is."

The three of them spun toward the cliffs.

Standing atop a large boulder was a woman dressed in a long emerald-green cloak. A bow rested across her back, and her silver hair danced in the mountain breeze.

She looked no older than thirty, but there was an ancient wisdom in her bright green eyes.

The Night Drake glanced at the woman before stepping aside.

As though making way for her.

She descended the rocky slope with effortless grace.

When she reached the valley floor, she stopped a few paces from Lyra.

Then she smiled.

"So..."

"The last Moonborn has finally awakened."

Kael immediately stepped between the stranger and Lyra.

"Who are you?"

The woman folded her hands calmly.

"My name is Seraphine."

"I am one of the last Moon Guardians."

Her gaze shifted to Lyra.

"And I've been searching for you... for seventeen years."

The valley was silent once more.

Only the distant cry of an eagle echoed through the mountains.

Lyra stared at the woman in the emerald cloak, searching her face for any sign of deception.

"You've been looking for me?" she asked cautiously.

Seraphine nodded.

"For seventeen years."

"Ever since the night you disappeared."

Lyra frowned.

"I didn't disappear."

"I grew up in Silverbrook."

A shadow crossed Seraphine's face.

"That's what you were meant to believe."

Lyra felt a chill run through her.

"What do you mean?"

Before Seraphine could answer, Kael stepped closer, placing himself protectively between them.

"How do we know you're telling the truth?"

Seraphine smiled faintly.

"I expected the Prince of Noctis to be suspicious."

Kael didn't return the smile.

"Answer the question."

Instead of speaking, Seraphine reached into her cloak and drew out a small silver pendant.

It was almost identical to the one hanging around Lyra's neck.

The only difference was the symbol engraved on its back—a full moon surrounded by twelve tiny stars.

Lyra instinctively touched her own pendant.

As soon as the two pendants were close to one another, they began to glow.

Soft silver threads of light stretched between them like strands of moonlight.

Captain Rowan took a slow step back.

"I've never seen relics react like that."

Seraphine gently closed her hand around her pendant, and the light faded.

"The Moon Relics only respond to those chosen by the Moon Goddess."

She looked directly at Lyra.

"Your pendant belonged to your mother."

Lyra's breath caught.

"My... mother?"

Seraphine nodded.

"Queen Elara."

The name meant nothing to Lyra.

But it clearly meant something to Kael.

His eyes widened ever so slightly.

"Queen Elara died during the Eclipse War," he said quietly.

"That's what the kingdoms were told," Seraphine replied.

Captain Rowan stared at her in disbelief.

"Are you saying history is a lie?"

"I'm saying history remembers only what the victors allow."

A heavy silence settled over the group.

Lyra struggled to steady her breathing.

"Who were my parents?"

Seraphine hesitated.

"There are answers I can give..."

"...and answers that must wait."

Lyra's frustration flared.

"Everyone keeps saying that!"

"First my grandmother."

"Then Captain Rowan."

"Now you."

She took a step forward.

"I'm tired of being treated like a child."

"I deserve the truth."

Seraphine's expression softened.

"And you shall have it."

"But not here."

She looked toward the southern horizon.

"The Shadow King's army is still searching these mountains."

Her gaze shifted toward the valley entrance.

"And they aren't the only ones."

Kael followed her line of sight.

His hand immediately moved to his sword.

"What did you sense?"

Seraphine didn't answer.

Instead, she knelt and pressed her fingertips against the ground.

After a few seconds, she stood.

"Six riders."

"They're close."

Captain Rowan frowned.

"Mercenaries?"

"No."

"Worse."

Kael's expression darkened.

"The King's elite scouts."

Seraphine nodded.

"They've found your trail."

Without another word, she gave a sharp whistle.

The Night Drake lifted its enormous head.

To Lyra's astonishment, the dragon walked calmly toward Seraphine and lowered one wing.

"As if inviting her to climb aboard."

Lyra blinked.

"You can... ride it?"

A playful smile appeared on Seraphine's face.

"I've known him for over a century."

Captain Rowan nearly choked.

"Over... a century?"

Seraphine looked at him with amusement.

"The Moon Guardians age differently."

Kael folded his arms.

"So the legends were true."

"Some of them."

Seraphine's smile faded.

"Not all."

A distant horn echoed through the mountains.

Then another.

Kael mounted his stallion immediately.

"They're coming."

Seraphine looked at Lyra.

"The Sanctuary lies beyond the Frostpeak Mountains."

She pointed toward the towering snow-capped peaks in the distance.

"It is hidden from ordinary eyes."

"No map can reveal it."

"No army can find it."

"And no shadow can enter it without permission."

Lyra stared at the mountains.

"So that's where we're going?"

"Yes."

Seraphine's expression grew serious.

"But reaching it will not be easy."

She paused.

"The Frostpeaks are protected by ancient trials."

"Many have entered."

"Few have returned."

Before Lyra could ask what those trials were, the sound of galloping horses thundered through the valley.

Kael drew his sword.

"They're here."

From the ridge above, six riders dressed in black cloaks appeared.

Each wore silver armor engraved with the royal crest of Noctis.

Their leader removed his hood.

Kael's face went pale.

"It can't be..."

The rider smiled coldly.

"Hello, little brother."

Lyra looked from the newcomer to Kael in shock.

"You have... a brother?" The rider's smile widened.

"I have come to take you both home."

A heavy silence settled over the valley.

Lyra looked from Kael to the rider on the ridge. The resemblance was unmistakable. They shared the same silver eyes and dark hair, but where Kael's face was calm and restrained, the stranger wore a confident smile that never reached his eyes.

"You never told me you had a brother," Lyra whispered.

Kael didn't take his eyes off the newcomer.

"I didn't think I'd ever see him again."

The rider guided his horse down the rocky slope, followed by the five elite scouts. Unlike ordinary soldiers, they moved with perfect discipline, never once breaking formation.

When he reached the valley floor, he dismounted with effortless grace.

He gave Kael a small, mocking bow.

"It's been a long time."

Kael's jaw tightened.

"What are you doing here, Darius?"

"So you remember my name."

Darius smiled, though there was little warmth in it.

"I've come with Father's orders."

His gaze shifted to Lyra.

"And to escort our honored guest."

Lyra instinctively stepped closer to Kael.

"I'm not your guest."

"No," Darius replied smoothly.

"Not yet."

Captain Rowan moved beside Kael, sword drawn.

"If you've come to take the girl, you'll have to go through us."

Darius glanced at Rowan with mild amusement.

"A brave speech."

"But unnecessary."

He raised one gloved hand.

The five scouts remained still, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons.

"We're not here to fight."

Seraphine gave a quiet laugh.

"You expect us to believe that?"

Darius finally noticed her standing beside the Night Drake.

His smile faded.

"A Moon Guardian."

"That complicates matters."

"It usually does," Seraphine answered.

The Night Drake let out a low growl, causing the scouts' horses to shuffle nervously.

For the first time, Darius looked slightly uneasy.

"You've made interesting allies, Brother."

Kael's voice remained cold.

"State your purpose."

Darius reached into his cloak and produced another sealed scroll.

"This message isn't from the king."

He tossed it toward Kael.

"It's from our mother."

Kael caught it instinctively.

His eyes widened as he recognized the silver wax seal—a white moonflower.

His hands trembled ever so slightly.

"Our mother is dead," he said.

"That's what Father wanted everyone to believe."

Darius's expression softened for just a moment.

"I thought so too."

Lyra watched Kael carefully.

He broke the seal.

As he read the letter, the color drained from his face.

His breathing became uneven.

"Kael?" Lyra asked gently.

He didn't answer.

His silver eyes remained fixed on the final line of the letter.

Darius spoke quietly.

"Now you know."

"Know what?" Lyra demanded.

Kael slowly lowered the parchment.

"There was no illness."

"No accident."

He looked toward the distant mountains, his voice barely above a whisper.

"My father..."

"...had her killed."

A stunned silence followed.

Even the wind seemed to stop.

Darius closed his eyes briefly.

"I wish it weren't true."

Kael clenched the letter in his fist.

Every emotion he had kept hidden—grief, anger, betrayal—flashed across his face.

For the first time since Lyra met him, the prince looked utterly broken.

Suddenly, Seraphine's expression changed.

She looked sharply toward the sky.

"Everyone, down!"

A streak of black fire tore through the air.

It slammed into the ground between the two brothers, exploding in a shower of dark flames.

The force threw everyone backward.

Lyra hit the ground hard, her ears ringing.

When the smoke cleared, a familiar figure stood in the center of the crater.

A silver mask.

A black cloak.

Glowing violet eyes.

The masked man.

He slowly clapped his hands.

"What a touching family reunion."

His gaze swept over Kael, Darius, Seraphine, and finally rested on Lyra.

"It saves me the trouble of hunting you one by one."

The Night Drake roared, spreading its wings.

The masked man smiled beneath his mask.

"Excellent."

"I was hoping you'd bring the dragon."

Dark energy gathered around his outstretched hand, twisting into a massive spear of black crystal.

Seraphine's eyes widened.

"Impossible..."

"He has the Spear of Eclipse."

The masked man lifted the weapon toward the Night Drake.

"Let's see if an ancient guardian can still bleed."