The crimson-eyed raven soared through the night.
It crossed frozen mountains…
Dark forests…
And a valley where no living wolf dared to tread.
At the center of the valley stood a fortress carved into black stone.
The raven landed silently on a throne of obsidian.
Malakar raised his hand.
The bird dissolved into black smoke.
Its memories flooded his mind.
He saw Kael.
He saw Aria.
He saw the First Alpha’s sacrifice.
A slow smile spread across his face.
“So…” “The Guardian is gone.” One of his generals stepped forward.
“My Lord, should we prepare another assault?” Malakar shook his head.
“No.” “The Moonborn believes she has won.” “Let her.” “Hope is far easier to destroy than fear.” Back at the Lycan Castle…
The castle was unusually peaceful.
For the first time in days, no alarms rang through the halls.
No warriors raced across the courtyard.
But Kael remained restless.
He stood before a large map in the war room.
Every known Shadowborn attack had been marked with black pins.
Rowan entered quietly.
“You haven’t slept.” Kael didn’t look up.
“Neither have you.” Rowan smiled.
“I learned from the best.” Kael sighed.
“They’re too quiet.” “The enemy is planning something.” Rowan nodded.
“I feel it too.” Before either man could speak again…
A royal guard burst through the doors.
“My King!” Kael turned immediately.
“What is it?” “The Keeper of the Archives requests your presence.” “She says…” “…the Crown has awakened.” Moments later…
Kael and Aria entered the oldest chamber beneath the castle.
The air smelled of ancient parchment and burning candles.
The elderly librarian stood beside a stone pedestal.
Resting upon it was the silver crown from Aria’s vision.
It shimmered with soft moonlight.
The old woman bowed deeply.
“My King.” “My Queen.” Aria instinctively shook her head.
“I’m not—” The old woman smiled kindly.
“The Crown has already decided.” Before Aria could respond…
The silver crown began to float.
It drifted slowly across the room.
Then…
It stopped directly above Aria.
Everyone held their breath.
The crown gently settled upon her head.
It fit perfectly.
The moment it touched her…
Silver light flooded the chamber.
Ancient runes appeared across the walls.
Long-forgotten murals began to glow.
One mural showed a queen standing beside a silver-eyed king.
Another showed a baby wrapped in moonlight.
Then…
The final mural lit up.
It showed a man with crimson eyes driving a black blade into the back of the king.
Aria gasped.
“Malakar…” The old librarian nodded.
“He murdered your father…” The room fell silent.
“But…” She continued.
“…he failed.” Kael frowned.
“What do you mean?” The old woman walked to the glowing mural.
She touched the image of the fallen king.
“It wasn’t your father’s death.” “It was his sacrifice.” The mural shifted.
The king’s body dissolved into pure silver light.
That light wrapped itself around the Shadow Gate.
Aria’s eyes widened.
“My father…” “He became part of the seal?” The librarian nodded slowly.
“He gave up his freedom to imprison the Shadow Emperor.” A tear slipped down Aria’s cheek.
“So all these years…” “He’s been fighting.” “Yes.” “And every time the Shadow Gate weakens…” “So does he.” Suddenly…
The crown on Aria’s head began to burn.
Pain shot through her mind.
She cried out.
Visions flashed before her eyes.
A hidden temple.
A waterfall of silver light.
A man with silver eyes chained inside a circle of glowing runes.
He slowly lifted his head.
Their eyes met.
For the first time in eighteen years…
Aria saw her father.
His voice echoed inside her mind.
“My little moon…” His tired smile never reached his eyes.
“Don’t come looking for me…” The vision shattered.
Aria fell to her knees.
Kael caught her before she hit the floor.
“Aria!” She looked up, tears streaming down her face.
“I found him.” Kael’s heart skipped a beat.
“Where is he?” Aria took a trembling breath.
“I don’t know…” “But he’s alive.” “And he’s alone.” Far away…
In a forgotten temple hidden beneath the roots of the World Tree…
A weary man slowly opened his silver eyes.
A single tear rolled down his face.
“My daughter…” “You’ve finally awakened.” Outside the temple…
Unseen by him…
A hooded assassin watched from the shadows.
Then quietly disappeared into the darkness.