The Return of the Unchosen Luna

Chapter 3- celebration

The charismatic Kael commander of the rebels nodded in agreement as we were finalizing our strategy.

"Leandra, our success depends on you rather greatly. Your power will enable us to enter the throne room unseen bypassing the council's defenses. "

I nodded, overcome with resolve. I was ready to contribute to the rebels' goal attainment. The evening of the insurrection arrived, and we started to silently negotiate the shadows of the city. Xenon stood by my side, his gaze searching the roofs and lanes for any hint of threat. I could sense the energy of the council radiating from inside as we got toward the palace. Every cell in my body seemed to be resonant with this strong, pulsating energy.

When we arrived at the royal gates, I lifted my hands to concentrate my power. The gates opened, and we silently and fast slid inside. Every chamber and passageway in the palace were a maze of possible hazards. But we easily negotiated the convoluted paths with Xenon's direction and my wizardry.

She spat "You fools.You believe you can outshine us?

On our side, the moon grants us power.

I grinned, confident suddenly flooding me. "We possess something Lyra does not. The truth is here with us. Lyra's eyes narrowed as she looked at Xenon and me alternately.

"You believe the truth would save you? We can directly shape reality itself. You are not at all like us. "

Xenon moved forward, fixed on Lyra. "We'll see about that," he remarked with a challenging tone.

As the two of them squared off, the air seemed to buzz with activity. The enchantment was rising, the lunar force coursed through me. Lyra abruptly lifted her hand, and a flash of vitality flew toward us.

My own hands raised, and a barrier of moonlight sprang forth to deflect the blow. The fighting was still going. I battled side by side with Xenon, our magic whirling together in a dance of shadow and light. The council's guards entered the chaos, but we moved fluidly and in unison. I started to see Lyra was more potent than I had thought as the battle raged on.

Her magic grew stronger with every instant, as if she were absorbing energy from the moon itself. Still, I wouldn't give up. I felt the power of the moon burst through me like a river of light, channeled. The magic answered my feelings, getting stronger and more forceful. The fight continued, the result precariously hanging.

Would the council crush us beneath their foot or would we triumph? As we battled the council's army, the glitter of magic whirled about us. Xenon's gaze locked with mine, and together we let out a strong magical blast. The council's guards staggered back, opening us a path.

Lyra's face become mechanical, as she called forth a black, whirlpool vortex. "You may have power, Leandra," she snorted, "but I have the secrets of the ancient arts."

Xenon grabbed my hand as the vortex tore toward us.

"Hold on," he murmured.

We focused the moon's power together to build a shield of light able to resist the vortex. The counterattack's ferocity sent us staggered back, but we soon found our feet. I developed an odd relationship to the force of the moon as the war waged on. The magic seemed to be reacting to my feelings, strengthening and intensuating itself. I shot across the room with a sudden surge of vitality. I dropped hard, confused and blinded.

Xenon hurried to be at my side, his eyes ablaze with alarm. "Leandra, no!" he said, getting me upright.

I shook off the vertigo, will burning inside me. "I'm fine," I responded, speaking deliberately.

" Let's finish this." Resolved anew, we started a last attack against Lyra and the council. Though I believed that united we could accomplish anything, the result teetered. Xenon and I let out a sharp shout, releasing a simultaneous blast of magic that rocked the very ground of the royal room. Lyra staggered back, shock spreading in her eyes as the council's defenses collapsed. The rebels seized the opening and the guards stumbled, their morale damaged. Leading the charge, Kael's sword flashed in the moon's illumination. Furious, Lyra called forth a great surge of dark energy. However, I was prepared. Using the power of the moon, I fashioned an attack-reversing barrier of pure light. The shield started to light more brilliantly, and I sensed magic developing within of me.

I attacked counteractively with great force, sending Lyra flying across the room. The head of the council fell hard, her eyes blazing with resentment. She knew, though, she was beaten. Closing in on her and the surviving guards, the rebels surrounded.

Kael said, "It's over," his voice firm. " The council is done."

As the rebels celebrated their triumph, the throne room burst in applause.

Xenon turned to face me and started to grin. "You did it, Leandra," he remarked, admiringly gleaming eyes. "You preserved Aethereia."

But the impression that more was to come persisted in me as the celebration went on. My path was far from finished, and the force of the moon still surged within me.

The result of the revolt! Kael came to me, a thankfulness on his face as the dust fell. "Leandra, you have rewritten history. The populace would celebrate the council's collapse.

Xenon nodded with approval. "Still much has to be done, though. We must build a new government that really reflects the people." I nodded, a sense of accountability flooding over me.

"I'm ready to assist in whatever capacity."

Kael grinned. "We shall need all the assistance available to us. Let us, however, rejoice our success for now. People will want to witness their fresh heroes."

I felt satisfaction and success as the rebels started to demolish the council's strongholds. We had triumphed, having battled for something more than just ourselves. But I sensed still more to come as I gazed up at the moon. The force of the moon flowed inside me; I knew my path was far from finished. Xenon looked at me and I sensed comprehension there.

"The power of the moon is great in you, Leandra," he remarked. "Your destiny is to fulfill."

Feeling both exhilaration and anxiety, I grinned. Ahead was what? Only time will tell. I knew my trip was far from finished; the force of the moon still flowed within me.

"You have a destiny to fulfill," Xenon's words stayed with me.

The more days went by, I started to understand the actual scope of my ability. I could repair the ground, call the energy of the moon, and even control the tides. Looking up to me as a symbol of hope and rebirth, the people started to follow. But enormous responsibility follows great power. For the benefit of Aethereia and its people, I understood I had to use my skills sensibly.

Xenon turned become my closest friend, helping me negotiate the complexity of rule and apply my authority for the benefit of others. We labored assiduously to reconstruct and heal the ground. Aethereia thrived during the months. Strong crops developed, the heavens cleared, and people coexisted peacefully with the environment. Though I knew there remained more to be done, I was glad with what we had achieved. I had an unusual feeling one day as I stood on the balcony staring up at the moon. The power of the moon shot within me and I felt something approaching.

Xenon materialized next me, his gaze fixed on mine. His voice low, he whispered, "What is it, Leandra?"

I hesitated, not sure how to put it. "I don't know," I said, "but I think the moon is trying to tell me something."

Xenon's expression grew solemn. "Let's investigate the truth together."