C10 The Truth of the Moon Keeper

The first thing Aria felt was warmth.

Not the warmth of sunlight.

Not the warmth of a fire.

It was the warmth of another person holding her.

She slowly opened her eyes.

Kael was sitting beside her.

His hand was wrapped around hers.

For several seconds, Aria simply stared at him.

Then she remembered.

The Dark King.

The battle.

The Moon Gate.

The voice.

She suddenly sat up.

"Where is he?"

Kael immediately placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Easy."

"Where is the Dark King?"

"He disappeared."

"Disappeared?"

"After the gate closed."

Aria looked around.

She was lying inside a large room decorated with silver curtains and ancient paintings.

"Where are we?"

"My chambers."

Aria frowned.

"Why?"

"You collapsed."

"I know that."

"You've been unconscious for almost six hours."

Her eyes widened.

"Six hours?"

Kael nodded.

"The kingdom has been secured."

"And the wounded?"

"We're treating them."

"How many died?"

Kael's expression darkened.

"Thirty-seven."

Aria lowered her gaze.

Guilt immediately settled inside her chest.

"Because of me."

"No."

She looked up.

"The attack happened because of the Dark King."

"Because of me."

Kael shook his head.

"Aria, listen to me."

His voice softened.

"You didn't bring those people here."

"But they came for me."

"They came because they fear you."

"That's not better."

Kael sighed.

"Being powerful doesn't mean you're responsible for every person who fears you."

Aria looked away.

"I still don't know what I am."

Kael was silent.

That silence told her enough.

"You know more than you're telling me."

He didn't deny it.

"Some things."

"Then tell me."

Kael leaned back.

"The Moon Keeper is an ancient position."

"Seraphina already told me that."

"There is more."

Aria waited.

"The Moon Keeper was created when the first wolves and Lycans formed their alliance."

"Why?"

"To prevent another war."

Aria frowned.

"Between wolves and Lycans?"

"Between every supernatural bloodline."

She stared at him.

"Every bloodline?"

Kael nodded.

"Wolves, Lycans, witches, shadow creatures, and the ancient beings that existed before them."

Aria's heart began beating faster.

"And the Moon Keeper?"

"Was the guardian of the balance."

"What happened?"

"The last Moon Keeper disappeared."

"When?"

"Over a thousand years ago."

Aria stared at him.

"That's impossible."

"Normally, yes."

"Then how can I be her?"

Kael's gaze remained fixed on her.

"Because the Moon Keeper doesn't die the way ordinary beings do."

Aria's eyebrows furrowed.

"What does that mean?"

"The power passes through blood."

She slowly touched her pendant.

"So it chose me."

"No."

Kael's answer surprised her.

"It didn't choose you."

"Then what?"

"You were born for it."

Aria went silent.

A knock came at the door.

Kael stood.

"Come in."

Seraphina entered.

She carried an old wooden box.

Her face was serious.

"You're awake."

Aria nodded.

"I have questions."

"I know."

Seraphina placed the box on the table.

"Then perhaps it's time you received answers."

Aria moved closer.

"What is that?"

"Something your mother left behind."

Her heart stopped.

"My mother?"

Seraphina nodded.

"She gave it to me the night she sent you away."

Aria stared at the box.

"Why didn't you give it to me before?"

"Because you weren't ready."

"I'm ready now."

Seraphina looked at Kael.

He nodded.

The woman slowly opened the box.

Inside lay several ancient documents.

A silver ring.

A small crystal.

And a folded piece of cloth.

Aria reached for the cloth.

Her fingers trembled as she unfolded it.

A name was embroidered into the fabric.

Elara Nightshade.

Her mother's name.

Aria's eyes filled with tears.

"She made this."

"Yes."

Aria held it against her chest.

For the first time, she possessed something that had belonged directly to her mother.

"There's a letter."

Seraphina pointed toward the bottom of the box.

Aria picked it up.

The paper was old.

The edges were worn.

But the writing remained clear.

She opened it.

My little moon,

If you are reading this, then I am no longer there to explain the truth.

Aria's breathing became uneven.

She continued.

I wish I could have watched you grow.

I wish I could have taught you about your wolf.

I wish I could have seen the woman you became.

But I knew the day you were born that they would come for you.

Not because you were weak.

Because you were powerful.

Aria's fingers tightened around the letter.

You carry something ancient inside your blood.

Something even the oldest kings fear.

The Moon Keeper lives through you.

Aria stopped reading.

Her eyes moved slowly across the page.

Never trust anyone who tells you that your worth depends on your rank.

Never believe the wolves who call you weak.

And never allow anyone to convince you that you were born to serve them.

You were born to choose.

Tears rolled down Aria's cheeks.

Then she reached the final lines.

There is one person you must find when your power awakens.

His name is Kael.

Aria slowly looked up.

Kael stared back at her.

Her heart skipped.

The letter continued.

He will not know everything.

He may not even understand why you are connected.

But his blood carries the other half of the bond.

Trust him only when he proves that he deserves it.

The letter ended there.

Aria lowered it.

Kael looked away.

"She knew you."

"Yes."

"And she knew we would meet."

"I didn't."

"But she did."

Kael nodded.

"Apparently."

Aria stared at him.

"What does the other half of the bond mean?"

Kael didn't answer immediately.

Seraphina did.

"The Moon Keeper was never meant to stand alone."

Aria looked at her.

"What was she meant to have?"

"A Guardian."

Kael's eyes hardened.

"Seraphina."

The woman ignored him.

"The Guardian was bound to protect the Moon Keeper throughout every lifetime."

Aria slowly turned toward Kael.

"You're the Guardian."

Kael nodded.

"Yes."

Silence filled the room.

Aria's heartbeat quickened.

"So our bond..."

"Was created long before either of us was born."

She looked at him.

"Then how did you become my mate?"

Kael's expression softened.

"I don't know."

Seraphina answered quietly.

"Perhaps because the Moon Goddess decided the Guardian should become more than a protector."

Aria looked down.

"More?"

Seraphina smiled faintly.

"Your mate."

The room suddenly felt smaller.

Aria looked at Kael.

Neither of them spoke.

Then the crystal inside the box began glowing.

Seraphina's smile disappeared.

"What is that?"

Aria reached toward it.

The moment her fingers touched the crystal...

A voice echoed inside her mind.

"Find the First Blood."

Aria gasped.

The crystal cracked.

Kael immediately grabbed her hand.

"What happened?"

"I heard something."

"What?"

"It told me to find the First Blood."

Seraphina's face went pale.

"That's impossible."

"What?"

"The First Blood is dead."

Kael looked at her.

"Are you certain?"

"I was taught that the First Blood disappeared after the First Kingdom fell."

Aria stared at the cracked crystal.

"Then why is it calling me?"

No one answered.

A sudden alarm sounded outside.

Kael immediately turned toward the door.

"What now?"

A warrior rushed inside.

"Your Majesty!"

Kael straightened.

"Report."

"The western barrier has been breached."

Kael's expression hardened.

"By whom?"

"We don't know."

"How many?"

The warrior swallowed.

"One."

Aria frowned.

"One person broke the barrier?"

The warrior nodded.

"He isn't attacking anyone."

"Then what is he doing?"

"He is standing in the courtyard."

Kael grabbed his sword.

"Take me there."

Aria stood.

"I'm coming."

"No."

She glared at him.

"Don't start."

Kael sighed.

"You just woke up."

"And I'm still the reason he came."

"That's exactly why you should stay here."

Aria shook her head.

"No."

Seraphina stepped forward.

"Let her go."

Kael looked at her.

"Why?"

"Because if the visitor broke the western barrier alone..."

She looked toward Aria.

"...then he may have come for her."

Kael's expression darkened.

"Fine."

He looked at Aria.

"But you stay beside me."

She nodded.

"I will."

They hurried through the palace corridors.

The kingdom was still recovering from the attack.

Warriors stood at every entrance.

Healers moved between the wounded.

Families gathered in frightened groups.

As Aria passed, many Lycans looked at her.

Some bowed.

Others simply stared.

She had never experienced anything like it.

They weren't looking at her with pity.

They were looking at her with something close to reverence.

Aria hated it.

"I don't want them to bow."

Kael glanced at her.

"They believe you're their queen."

"I'm not."

"Not yet."

She stopped walking.

"What did you say?"

Kael continued toward the courtyard.

Aria hurried after him.

"Kael."

He looked back.

"Nothing."

"You definitely said something."

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"You heard me."

Before she could respond, the courtyard gates opened.

The moment Aria stepped outside...

She felt it.

A familiar presence.

Cold.

Ancient.

Powerful.

The warrior standing in the center of the courtyard slowly turned.

He was dressed in a long black cloak.

His face was hidden beneath a hood.

Kael immediately drew his sword.

"Identify yourself."

The stranger didn't answer.

Instead, he looked directly at Aria.

Then he removed his hood.

Aria froze.

She knew that face.

Not because she had seen it before.

Because she had seen it in her visions.

The golden eyes.

The same eyes as Kael's.

The stranger smiled.

"My name is Lucien Draven."

Kael's sword dropped slightly.

Aria looked at him.

"Who is he?"

Kael's face had gone completely pale.

"My brother."

The stranger's smile widened.

"The dead prince has returned."

Aria's heart stopped.

Lucien stepped forward.

"And I have come to collect what belongs to my family."

His eyes moved to Aria's pendant.

"The Moon Keeper."

"My brother."

The words hung in the courtyard.

Aria stared at Lucien.

Then she looked at Kael.

"You told me you were an only child."

Kael's jaw tightened.

"I believed I was."

Lucien laughed softly.

"Of course you did."

Kael raised his sword.

"You died."

"I was supposed to."

"What happened?"

Lucien's smile disappeared.

"Your father happened."

Silence fell.

Kael's eyes narrowed.

"My father?"

Lucien nodded.

"He tried to erase me."

"Why?"

"Because I discovered the truth."

Aria stepped forward.

"What truth?"

Lucien looked at her.

"The truth about your mother."

Kael moved between them.

"Don't."

Lucien ignored him.

"Your mother did not die because she was weak."

Aria's heart pounded.

"Then why?"

"Because she refused to give your father what he wanted."

Kael's expression darkened.

"My father wanted the Moon Keeper's power."

Lucien nodded.

"And when Elara refused..."

He paused.

"...he ordered her death."

Aria's breathing stopped.

Kael's eyes flashed with anger.

"You are lying."

"I watched it happen."

Kael stepped forward.

"You were a child."

"I was old enough to remember."

Lucien's voice became colder.

"I watched our father order his warriors to hunt her."

Aria's hands trembled.

"Why did he want her power?"

Lucien looked directly at her.

"Because the Moon Keeper can control the Moon Gate."

"I know."

"No."

Lucien shook his head.

"You know what the gate does."

He stepped closer.

"You don't know what lies beyond it."

Aria frowned.

"What lies beyond it?"

Lucien smiled.

"An army."

Kael's face changed.

"An army of what?"

"Those who existed before the wolves."

Aria's stomach tightened.

"The ancient beings."

Lucien nodded.

"The First Blood."

Kael's grip tightened around his sword.

"The First Blood was destroyed."

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

Lucien looked toward the palace.

"But they weren't destroyed."

Aria touched her pendant.

"Where are they?"

Lucien looked at her.

"Waiting."

"Waiting for what?"

"For you."

A cold breeze swept through the courtyard.

Aria felt the pendant grow warm.

Lyra stirred inside her.

"He is telling the truth."

Aria swallowed.

"Why?"

Lucien's expression became serious.

"Because you are the key."

Kael stepped forward.

"Enough."

Lucien looked at him.

"You still don't understand."

"Then explain."

"The Moon Keeper doesn't merely open the gate."

Lucien pointed toward Aria.

"She commands what is behind it."

Kael's eyes widened.

Aria's heart raced.

"So if I open it..."

"You could unleash an army powerful enough to destroy every supernatural kingdom."

Silence.

Aria looked at her hands.

"I don't want that."

Lucien's expression softened.

"I know."

"Then why did you come?"

"To stop you from making the same mistake your mother made."

Aria looked up.

"What mistake?"

"Trusting the wrong people."

His gaze shifted toward Kael.

Kael's eyes turned gold.

"Choose your next words carefully."

Lucien smiled.

"You've already chosen her."

"She is my mate."

"Exactly."

Lucien stepped closer.

"And that is why you're dangerous."

Aria frowned.

"What does that mean?"

"The Guardian was created to protect the Moon Keeper."

Lucien's eyes darkened.

"But the bond has another purpose."

"What?"

"It can be used to control her."

Kael's expression changed.

"No."

Lucien nodded.

"Yes."

Aria looked at Kael.

"Is that true?"

Kael didn't answer.

Her heart sank.

"Kael."

He finally looked at her.

"I didn't know."

"You knew there was a bond."

"I knew I was meant to protect you."

"But not this?"

"No."

Lucien laughed.

"That is why Father feared the Guardian."

Kael's face hardened.

"My father is dead."

"His plans aren't."

Aria suddenly understood.

"The Council."

Lucien nodded.

"They have been searching for the Moon Keeper for eighteen years."

"Why?"

"Because they want to control the gate."

Aria's eyes narrowed.

"And the Blackwood Pack?"

Lucien looked at her.

"They are involved."

Her stomach dropped.

"How?"

"The Blackwood bloodline was created to serve the old kings."

Kael shook his head.

"That's impossible."

"Is it?"

Lucien looked at him.

"Ask your Council why they know so much about Aria's bloodline."

Aria remembered the Luna Trials.

The ancient symbols.

The way the elders had reacted to her power.

The fear in their eyes.

Everything suddenly made sense.

"They knew."

Kael looked at her.

"They knew what I was."

Lucien nodded.

"Not everything."

"But enough."

Aria's fists tightened.

"Why did they force me into the Luna Trials?"

"To awaken your power."

Her eyes widened.

"The trials weren't meant to test me."

"No."

"They were meant to activate the Moon Keeper."

Lucien nodded.

"The first trial awakened part of your power."

Aria remembered the strange darkness she had purified.

The feeling of something ancient opening inside her.

"The Council wanted that."

"Yes."

Kael looked furious.

"I'll destroy them."

Lucien shook his head.

"That won't solve anything."

"Why?"

"Because they aren't the real enemy."

Aria looked at him.

"Then who is?"

Lucien's gaze moved toward the mountains.

"The man who sits beneath them."

Aria's blood ran cold.

"The Dark King."

Lucien nodded.

"He isn't gone."

Kael's sword lowered slightly.

"You said the gate closed."

"It did."

"Then how is he still here?"

Lucien looked at Aria.

"Because he never entered through the gate."

Aria's eyes widened.

"What?"

"He was already inside."

A terrible silence followed.

Aria felt cold spread through her body.

"Inside where?"

Lucien pointed toward the ground.

"Beneath this kingdom."

Seraphina suddenly appeared behind them.

Her face was pale.

"Lucien..."

He turned.

"You remember."

She looked at him with fear.

"I thought you were dead."

"I was."

"For eighteen years."

Lucien nodded.

"Then why return now?"

His eyes moved toward Aria.

"Because she awakened."

Seraphina closed her eyes.

"The prophecy."

Lucien nodded.

"The final part has begun."

Aria looked between them.

"What prophecy?"

Neither answered.

"Tell me."

Seraphina looked at Lucien.

He gave a slow nod.

She sighed.

"The prophecy says that when the Moon Keeper awakens, the ancient kingdoms will rise again."

Aria swallowed.

"And?"

"The Guardian will choose between love and duty."

Kael looked at Aria.

Seraphina continued.

"The Dark King will rise."

A chill passed through the courtyard.

"And the Moon Keeper will either unite the kingdoms..."

She paused.

"...or destroy them."

Aria stared at her.

"I don't want either."

Seraphina stepped closer.

"You don't get to choose what happens."

Aria's expression hardened.

"Then what exactly am I supposed to do?"

"Become strong enough to choose."

Lucien smiled faintly.

"That is why I came."

Kael immediately stepped forward.

"You are not taking her anywhere."

"I'm not here to take her."

Lucien looked at Aria.

"I'm here to train her."

Kael shook his head.

"No."

Aria looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because I don't trust him."

Lucien laughed.

"You don't have to."

Aria stared at Lucien.

"Can you teach me to control this power?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell me the truth about my mother?"

"Yes."

"Can you help me stop the Dark King?"

Lucien's expression became serious.

"If you're willing to learn."

Aria looked at Kael.

He was silent.

She knew what he wanted to say.

But she also knew what she needed.

"I'll do it."

Kael's eyes widened.

"Aria."

"I need to understand my power."

"I can teach you."

"You don't know how."

Kael couldn't argue.

Lucien smiled.

"Then we begin tonight."

Aria frowned.

"Tonight?"

"The Dark King won't wait."

A sudden scream echoed from the western side of the palace.

Everyone turned.

A warrior came running into the courtyard.

"Your Majesty!"

Kael immediately moved.

"What happened?"

"The prisoners."

"What prisoners?"

"The Hollow Moon soldiers."

"What about them?"

"They're dead."

Kael's expression hardened.

"All of them?"

The warrior nodded.

"Every single one."

Lucien looked toward the palace.

"He's sending a message."

Aria's pendant began glowing.

She suddenly heard a whisper.

"Come below."

Her eyes widened.

"Did you hear that?"

Kael looked at her.

"Hear what?"

The voice came again.

"Come below."

Aria looked toward the palace floor.

Someone was calling her.

Not from the mountains.

Not from the gate.

From beneath them.

She took a step forward.

Kael grabbed her wrist.

"Don't."

"I have to."

"No."

The voice whispered again.

"Moon Keeper."

Aria's eyes turned silver.

Kael stared at her.

"Aria..."

She looked at him.

"I think I know where the Dark King is."

Lucien's expression changed.

"Where?"

Aria pointed beneath the palace.

"Under us."

A deep rumble shook the ground.

Cracks spread across the courtyard.

The warriors stumbled.

Kael grabbed Aria.

"Everyone back!"

The stone floor suddenly collapsed.

Aria fell.

"Kael!"

He reached for her.

Their fingers touched.

But the ground broke apart between them.

Aria dropped into darkness.

"ARIA!"

She fell through the ancient passage.

Wind screamed around her.

Then—

Something caught her.

A pair of enormous black wings wrapped around her body.

Aria gasped.

A voice whispered beside her ear.

"You finally came."

Her heart stopped.

She slowly turned.

Two crimson eyes stared into hers.

The Dark King smiled.

"Welcome home, Moon Keeper."