BLOOD OF THE FIRST

CHAPTER 05

“What’s going on?”

“What’s happening to her?”

“Somebody DO SOMETHING!!!”

I screamed in panic at the poor child, illuminating with light so bright it felt like she would explode.

Then suddenly, something miraculous happened. She changed form; her whole body had morphed into the brightest red wolf I’ve ever seen, and even more miraculous was when she changed back to her human form. Her features had changed completely. Her hair became white and full, covering her face. So were her brows, lashes, and her eyes. All white. It was really terrifying and amazing, so much so that we all stood in awe.

No one dared move. I took cautious steps towards her.

“Raya.”

She raised her head fully to look at me, and that was when I saw it: the crescent moon and three stars representing divinity resting on her forehead and humming silently. So the legends were true. Our clan has been blessed with the divine weremage.

No one knew exactly how weremages came to be, but every wolf clan has weremages who receive visions and point their leaders in the right direction. Although, due to selfish interests, some weremages became evil and used their powers for the wrong reasons.

“Xander,” she called in what sounded like a serene voice.

Gasps spread across the room. No one has ever addressed me by my name.

“The first of your name. You are born for greatness. But your doom is coming faster than that greatness.”

“What do you mean?” I asked cautiously.

“They will hunt you just as they would hunt her. Find her before they do.”

“Her? Her who?” I asked, confused.

“My master. The Luna.”

“The Luna? Who’s she? Where would I find her?” I pressed on.

“Follow your heart, great king, for only it can take you to her.”

“I’m confused.”

“Beware of who you call your own. The road is long and dangerous. Beware. Go! Answer your destiny’s call.”

And just like that, the humming stopped and she fell, exhausted, to the floor.

The advisors in the room who didn’t go for battle rushed to my side to pick her up. Her pale face looked exhausted.

For a moment, no one spoke. Malcolm was the first to break the silence.

“No one must hear of this,” he whispered, even though there was no need. No one could hear us.

Silvia nodded, followed by Marvin.

A lot of thoughts were going through my head. I can’t trust who I call my own. I literally call everyone close to me my own. I trust my people. Who, then, can I not trust?

Then who is the Luna? Should I just head anywhere in this destiny quest? How would I hear my heart talking?

I dismissed them, leaving just me and the already passed-out Raya.

Her sister, Rhea, had gone to fight.

Raya had always been the quiet one, forced to be silent beside her sister’s loudness. Rhea is colorful, outspoken, confident, and daring. With Raya’s new earned features, I bet she would be as confident as Rhea, but I wouldn't want that. No one could know about her existence, and I need her close to me.

Even though timid, she already gives good advice, so it won’t raise suspicions if I promote her to special advisor—or maybe I promote both her and her sister.

A cough erupted from her as she sat straight, looking at me with confident yet unreadable eyes.

“You must kill those present here earlier,” she said without blinking.

“WHAT?”

“You must. Battle is near, and everyone will be tested. You want to keep my identity a secret, then it has to be just you and I,” she finished.

How did she know I wanted to keep her hidden? Moreover, she’s being reasonable considering I don’t even know who and who not to trust. But I’m not one to silence my trusted advisors like they mean nothing.

I invited them back and allowed Raya to repeat what she said, and to my surprise, they didn't disagree.

“I’d never be able to forgive myself if I, under enemy’s pressure, break this trust,” Marvin told me.

So they all agreed to be poisoned, but it’s a slow poison. The plan was to go join the others in battle and allow the poison to take effect so it doesn’t look suspicious.

“It’s been an honor serving you, my Lord. Im happy to know I’d be dying for you.” Malcom had said before he left.

They didn’t say goodbye to anybody. They just went off to battle immediately after taking the poison.

There and then, I made the rule to never allow my advisors to fight again. I'm not ready to lose any more of them. To anyone who heard, it all made perfect sense.

I dismissed Raya, who had used her veil to cover her face so her eyes and mark won't be visible. It’s agreed that she would stay covered, and it’s not a terrible plan as she was a shy person who walks with her head bowed anyway. She just needs to convince people that she needed a change of style and changed her hair color, as that was the only visible thing—her white bangs now covering her face.

I had retreated to my room, thinking everything through again. A lot had happened and I’ve been made to act instinctively. Aside from finding the supposed Luna, everything had been settled. Or so I thought, until a messenger came in hurriedly bearing two pieces of news.

I ran to the court, pretending to be shocked by the news of my advisors passing. It’s been eight hours since the consumption. The pain could not be faked, though; their sacrifice meant a lot and it would not be forgotten.

Then came the second news everyone had been either too eager or too reluctant to say.

“We have a mage,” Boaz, my oldest advisor, said.

I looked around, shocked. Was the sacrifice in vain? Who could have revealed what we decided to keep?

I was about to find out when Rhea came in smiling alongside Raya—who had managed to find a hooded outfit that hides her face well—and Malia, the oldest wolf in the clan.

“We have a mage,” Malia said immediately as she stood in front of me.

“I know we have a mage. How did you know that?” I asked, and everyone erupted in laughter.

“How did we know that?” she said amidst laughter before continuing, “She appeared right in front of us.”

I became even more confused.

“What do you mean? Who appeared right in front of you?”

“Rhea. Rhea did,” she said confidently as Rhea stepped forward with proud, graceful steps.

What exactly is going on?