Chapter 4: The Blood Moon Ambush
Chapter 4: The Blood Moon Ambush
The sky disappeared beneath a storm of burning blue arrows.
They fell like rain.
Warriors scattered in every direction.
The first arrow struck a stone pillar.
Instead of splintering, it exploded into icy blue flames.
The fire spread across the courtyard without consuming the stone.
Selene's expression hardened.
"Moonfire."
"They've brought Moonfire."
One of her captains cursed under his breath.
"I thought that weapon was destroyed."
"So did I."
Kael raised his sword.
"Shield the civilians!"
Blackridge warriors rushed toward the terrified guests.
Panic swept through the ceremony grounds.
People screamed as the elegant celebration dissolved into chaos.
Lydia stumbled across the marble steps.
"My dress!"
"My dress is on fire!"
No one stopped to help her.
They were too busy trying to survive.
Aria watched another arrow streak toward a group of children frozen near the banquet tables.
Without thinking, she ran.
"Get down!"
The children dropped to the ground.
Aria raised the Moonblade.
The glowing sword met the arrow in midair.
A burst of silver light shattered the projectile before it could explode.
The children stared at her with wide eyes.
One little girl whispered, "She saved us."
Across the courtyard, Kael saw everything.
For years, he had believed Aria was weak.
Tonight, she was risking her life for people who had mocked her only minutes earlier.
Regret crept into his heart.
But it was already too late.
A deep horn echoed across the mountains.
Every warrior turned toward the northern ridge.
Figures dressed in midnight-black armor emerged from the darkness.
Unlike the Ashen Fang, these soldiers marched in perfect silence.
No growls.
No shouting.
Only disciplined footsteps.
Their armor carried a symbol no one recognized.
A black crescent wrapped around a crimson moon.
Selene's face went pale.
"The Crimson Eclipse."
Even the scarred Ashen Fang commander looked stunned.
"They actually exist..."
Aria frowned.
"I thought your people were the enemy."
"We're mercenaries."
The scarred warrior tightened his grip on his axe.
"They're monsters."
The leader of the new army stepped forward.
He wore a silver mask that concealed everything except his piercing amber eyes.
His voice echoed across the ruined courtyard.
"Deliver the Moon Heir."
"No one else has to die."
Kael planted his sword in front of him.
"Not while I'm breathing."
The masked man laughed.
"You mistake courage for power."
He snapped his fingers.
A massive wolf stepped out of the darkness behind him.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
The beast stood nearly twice the size of an ordinary werewolf.
Its fur was black as midnight.
Its eyes glowed a terrifying shade of crimson.
Scars covered its body.
Metal chains hung loosely around its neck like trophies from forgotten battles.
One elder collapsed to his knees.
"I've only read about them..."
"A Blood Wolf."
The giant beast released a thunderous roar.
The ground trembled beneath everyone's feet.
Several Blackridge warriors instinctively stepped backward.
Fear spread through their ranks.
The masked commander pointed toward Aria.
"Bring her to me."
The Blood Wolf charged.
It crushed stone beneath its paws.
Its roar shook the valley.
Kael intercepted it.
His sword slashed across the beast's shoulder.
The strike barely slowed it.
One massive paw slammed into Kael's chest.
He was thrown across the courtyard.
He crashed through a marble fountain.
Blood stained his shirt.
Lydia screamed his name.
Aria stared in horror.
No one had ever defeated Kael so easily.
The Blood Wolf turned toward her.
Its crimson eyes locked onto hers.
It took another step.
Then another.
Selene moved in front of Aria.
"You'll have to kill me first."
The masked commander smiled beneath his silver mask.
"That can be arranged."
Before anyone could move, the iron key in Aria's pocket began to vibrate.
She pulled it out.
The ancient metal glowed with brilliant silver light.
The Moonblade responded instantly.
So did the pendant around Selene's neck.
A low rumble echoed beneath the estate.
The earth itself began to shake.
Cracks spread across the marble courtyard.
The guests stumbled as the ground split open.
An enormous circular doorway slowly rose from beneath the stone.
Its surface was covered in ancient runes that shimmered beneath the moonlight.
Every person present stood frozen.
Selene whispered the words she had prayed never to say again.
"The Vault..."
"It has finally awakened."
The glowing doorway released a pulse of silver energy that swept across the battlefield.
Every warrior—friend and enemy alike—felt its power.
Then a voice echoed from deep beneath the mountain.
Cold.
Ancient.
May you like
Waiting.
"The Heir has returned."
