The Shadow Emperor…
The name echoed through the forest like a curse.
Even the wind seemed to die.
Aria stared at the swirling darkness within the Shadow Gate.
Those crimson eyes were no longer just watching.
They were waiting.
The First Alpha stepped in front of her, his silver staff glowing with ancient runes.
“No one moves,” he commanded.
His calm voice carried such authority that even the Shadowborn hesitated.
Malakar’s smile slowly returned.
“So…
you still fear him.” The First Alpha’s expression remained unreadable.
“I fear what he will do to this world if the final seal is broken.” A deep, mocking laugh rumbled from beyond the Gate.
“You always did choose hope over power, old friend.” The First Alpha tightened his grip on the staff.
“I chose life.” Kael forced himself to his feet.
Every breath sent pain through his battered body, but his eyes never left Aria.
She was safe.
That was all that mattered.
Rowan rushed to his side.
“My King, you’re injured.” “I’ve had worse.” “You’ve broken three ribs.” Kael managed a faint smile.
“Then don’t let Aria find out.” Rowan almost laughed despite the danger.
“Too late.” Both men turned.
Aria was already kneeling beside Kael.
Without a word, she tore a strip from the sleeve of her gown and gently pressed it against the cut on his forehead.
“You should be resting,” she whispered.
Kael looked into her silver eyes.
“I could say the same to you.” She smiled sadly.
“You got hurt protecting me.” “I would do it again.” “Kael…” “I would do it a thousand times.” For a heartbeat, the battle disappeared.
There was only the two of them.
Watching from across the clearing, Malakar’s eyes narrowed.
“So the bond is already this strong…” The First Alpha struck his staff against the earth.
Silver light spread across the battlefield in a great circle.
Ancient symbols rose from the ground, surrounding the Shadow Gate.
“The seal is weakening,” he said.
“But it has not fallen.” He turned to Aria.
“Moonborn Queen.” She stood.
“Yes?” “You carry the power to strengthen the seal.” Aria looked at the towering gateway.
“I don’t know how.” “You don’t.” He smiled gently.
“But your heart does.” Before she could ask what he meant, the Queen’s Heart pendant lifted from her chest, floating in the air.
The Moonblade answered with a brilliant silver glow.
The crescent mark on her wrist blazed once more.
Three lights…
One power.
The First Alpha nodded.
“The relics have accepted you.” Malakar’s smile vanished.
“No!” He thrust both hands toward the Gate.
“Open!” Dark energy exploded from his body.
The Shadow Gate trembled violently.
Cracks spread across its ancient stone frame.
The crimson eyes within the darkness opened wider.
The First Alpha raised his staff.
“Aria!” “Take my hand!” She obeyed without hesitation.
The moment their hands met, silver light rushed through her body.
Visions flooded her mind.
She saw an ancient kingdom beneath a silver moon.
A queen standing beside a king.
A baby wrapped in moon-white blankets.
A man with kind silver eyes lifting the child into his arms.
“My daughter…” Then…
Fire.
Screams.
Betrayal.
A black-cloaked figure opening a gate of shadows.
The same crimson eyes watching from beyond.
Aria gasped and stumbled back.
“My father…” “He’s fighting.” The First Alpha looked at her in surprise.
“You saw him?” She nodded, tears filling her eyes.
“He’s alive.” “And he’s still protecting the Gate.” The ground shook again.
The Shadow Emperor’s voice boomed across the battlefield.
“She remembers…” The crimson eyes locked onto Aria.
“Then the time for hiding is over.” A gigantic hand began pushing through the Gate, forcing the ancient seals apart.
The silver barrier cracked.
The First Alpha’s face grew grave.
“We cannot win this battle today.” Malakar laughed triumphantly.
“At last…
you admit it!” “We don’t need to win today,” the First Alpha replied.
“We only need to deny you.” He turned to Kael.
“Lycan King.” Kael stepped forward immediately.
“What must I do?” “Take the Moonborn Queen.” “Leave this place.” Kael frowned.
“And you?” The old guardian smiled.
“I made a promise to the First Queen a thousand years ago.” “It is time I kept it.” Aria’s heart sank.
“What are you saying?” The First Alpha gently placed his hand on her head.
“My child…” “Some guardians protect the future…” “…by giving up their own.” Before anyone could stop him, he struck his staff into the heart of the silver seal.
The entire forest erupted in blinding moonlight.
Kael instinctively pulled Aria into his arms, shielding her from the explosion.
A roar shook the heavens.
Then…
Everything went white.