Chapter 9: The Temple of Ashes
Chapter 9: The Temple of Ashes
The black pillar of light pierced the night sky.
It stretched beyond the clouds.
Beyond the Blood Moon.
Beyond anything the wolves had ever witnessed.
Fenrir's crimson eyes narrowed.
"They found it..."
The words carried a weight that silenced the battlefield.
Aria looked toward the distant horizon.
"What is it?"
Fenrir answered without taking his eyes off the pillar.
"The Temple of Ashes."
"The resting place of the Ember Crown."
The Guardian's expression darkened.
"I thought it was only a legend."
"It was."
Fenrir replied.
"Until tonight."
Lucien wiped the blood from his lips and laughed.
"Our expedition reached the temple three hours ago."
"They've already crossed the first trial."
Kael stepped forward.
"What is the Ember Crown?"
Fenrir's gaze shifted toward him.
"It is one of the Four Sacred Relics."
"It grants dominion over strength."
"Placed upon the head of a worthy Alpha..."
"It can unite every pack."
He paused.
"But worn by one consumed by ambition..."
"It enslaves every wolf who hears the Alpha's command."
A chill swept through the valley.
Lydia whispered,
"They could build an army without fighting."
"Exactly."
Selene looked at Aria.
"They planned this for decades."
Lucien nodded.
"Longer."
"The Crimson Eclipse didn't begin twenty years ago."
"It began generations ago."
The Guardian's jaw tightened.
"So there were traitors before you."
"There always were."
Lucien's smile faded.
"Power attracts the weak."
Suddenly, the Heartstone pulsed violently.
Silver energy raced across Aria's arm.
A vision flooded her mind.
She stood inside a gigantic circular chamber.
Four stone pedestals surrounded a throne.
Upon each pedestal rested a different relic.
A silver crystal.
A blazing golden crown.
A sapphire spear.
A moonlit sword.
The throne remained empty.
Then shadows poured into the chamber.
One by one, hooded figures slaughtered the Council.
Blood covered the ancient floor.
A hooded warrior approached the throne.
Just before placing the Ember Crown upon his head—
Adrian Vale appeared.
Aria's father drove the Moonblade into the floor.
A burst of silver light shattered the chamber.
The relics vanished.
Hidden.
Scattered.
The vision ended.
Aria staggered backward.
"I saw him."
Selene caught her before she fell.
"My father hid them."
Fenrir nodded.
"He divided their power."
"So no tyrant could claim them all."
Kael frowned.
"Then how did the Crimson Eclipse find one?"
No one answered.
Until Lucien spoke.
"Because someone inside the Council survived."
The Guardian froze.
"What?"
"They were never all killed."
"There was one elder who escaped."
"He carried half the map."
Selene's eyes widened.
"Elder Rowan..."
Lucien smiled.
"He lived."
"And eventually..."
"He chose our side."
The Guardian slammed his spear against the ground.
"Liar!"
Lucien shrugged.
"Believe whatever helps you sleep."
"But the second relic is awakening."
The black beam intensified.
Far across the horizon, thunder rolled.
Fenrir lifted his head.
"The Crown has accepted a bearer."
Every wolf felt an invisible pulse sweep across the land.
For an instant...
Their instincts urged them to kneel.
Even Kael clenched his fists as his body resisted the strange command.
"What... was that?"
Fenrir's voice grew grim.
"The Ember Crown has chosen."
Aria looked horrified.
"Chosen who?"
Lucien's smile widened.
"You'll meet him soon."
"He has waited his entire life for this night."
Before anyone could question him further, a Crimson Eclipse scout burst from the forest.
His armor was torn.
His breathing ragged.
"Commander!"
Lucien turned.
"What happened?"
"The temple..."
The scout fell to one knee.
"There was resistance."
Lucien frowned.
"From whom?"
The scout swallowed hard.
"A single warrior."
"He slaughtered nearly forty of our men."
Everyone exchanged stunned glances.
"One man?" Kael asked.
The scout nodded.
"He wore silver armor unlike anything we've seen."
"He carried a blue spear."
Fenrir's eyes widened.
"No..."
The Guardian whispered the same word.
"It can't be."
Lucien's confidence faltered.
"Who was he?"
The scout looked terrified.
"He called himself..."
"...the Last Sentinel."
Silence returned.
Fenrir slowly closed his eyes.
"I thought they had all fallen."
Aria stepped closer.
"Who are the Sentinels?"
"The Moon Council had four protectors," Fenrir said quietly.
"Each guarded one Sacred Relic."
"They swore to die before surrendering their charge."
The Guardian lowered his head.
"Their order disappeared twenty years ago."
Fenrir shook his head.
"Not disappeared."
"Hidden."
Hope flickered across Selene's face.
"If one Sentinel still lives..."
"Then the relic hasn't truly fallen."
Lucien's expression hardened.
"Perhaps."
He reached down and reclaimed the Shadow Spear from the rubble.
"But he cannot stop what's already begun."
The black beam suddenly vanished.
Darkness swallowed the horizon.
For several long seconds...
Nothing happened.
Then—
A deafening roar echoed across the mountains.
Not the howl of a wolf.
Not the cry of a beast.
The roar of an army.
Thousands of wolves answered in unison.
One after another.
Across forests.
Across valleys.
Across distant kingdoms.
Fenrir looked toward the east with growing concern.
"The Crown has issued its first command."
Kael felt his heart pound.
"What command?"
Before Fenrir could answer, wolves throughout the valley abruptly turned toward the eastern horizon.
Their eyes glazed over.
One by one...
They began walking.
Ignoring friends.
Ignoring family.
Ignoring fear.
Drawn by an irresistible force.
Lydia grabbed Kael's arm.
"They're leaving."
Kael watched in disbelief as dozens became hundreds.
"They're marching..."
May you like
Fenrir's voice thundered across the valley.
"They are answering their new king."
