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Chapter 30: The Burden of Shadows
Last Updated:
2025-01-22 11:47:24
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Blood moon's curse Chapter 31: Between the Light and Shadows
The path back to the cabin was shrouded in silence, except for the occasional rustle of leaves and the crackle of twigs beneath their feet. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and fading moonlight. Aria walked between Kael and Lucian, her mind churning with thoughts she couldn’t quite piece together.Lucian, as always, moved with a quiet grace, his steps barely audible despite the uneven forest floor. His presence was as steady as it was unsettling—a reminder of the inhuman strength that lay beneath his calm exterior.“Lucian,” Kael said, breaking the quiet, “you’ve been unusually quiet. Care to share what’s on your mind?”Lucian didn’t look at him. His gaze was fixed ahead, his voice cool. “This forest hides many secrets. Some we’ve stirred, others are stirring themselves. I’m trying to decide which will strike first.”“Reassuring,” Kael muttered, adjusting the grip on his sword.Aria glanced at Lucian. “Do you think we’re being followed?”“I don’t think,” Lucia
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Blood moon's curse Chapter 32: A Fragile Peace
The morning came slowly, sunlight threading through the cracks in the cabin’s wooden shutters. The air inside was cold, carrying the faint smell of damp wood and ash from the previous night’s fire. Aria stirred from a restless sleep, her mind already heavy with the weight of everything they’d been through.Kael was outside, his familiar voice muffled as he muttered to himself, likely checking the perimeter or sharpening his blade. She could hear the occasional scrape of metal against stone, a sound that had become oddly comforting in its consistency. But it wasn’t Kael her thoughts lingered on.It was Lucian.He hadn’t returned, and though she told herself it was expected—after all, he was a vampire, not a companion bound by the same rules as them—there was an ache she couldn’t quite name. Something about his absence felt wrong, as if a piece of their fragile puzzle had been misplaced.The cabin door creaked open, letting in a burst of crisp air and Kael’s tired frame. He carried a sm
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Blood moon's curse Chapter 33: Shadows of the Past
The air in the cabin was warmer than usual, the small fire in the hearth crackling softly as its light danced on the wooden walls. Aria sat cross-legged on the floor, a tattered map spread out in front of her. The map was old, its edges frayed, and the markings were faint, but it was the best they had. She traced a finger along the faded lines, her mind racing with plans and possibilities.Kael lounged on one of the chairs nearby, his boots propped up on the edge of the table. He was whittling a piece of wood into a crude figure, the shavings gathering in a small pile at his feet. His presence was as steady as ever, grounding her in the moment, even as her thoughts drifted to the larger threats looming beyond the forest.Lucian, however, was a shadow at the edge of the room. He leaned against the far wall, his arms crossed and his eyes half-lidded, as though he wasn’t truly present. But Aria knew better. She could feel the weight of his gaze, the unspoken tension that had been buildin
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Blood moon's curse Chapter 34: Secrets in the Moonlight
The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale glow over the village. The soft hum of crickets and the distant rustle of leaves filled the night air, but inside Aria’s small home, the atmosphere was anything but peaceful.Aria sat at the wooden table, her head in her hands, the weight of Lucian’s revelation still pressing heavily on her chest. Kael stood by the window, his arms crossed as he stared out into the night, his jaw tight with frustration. Lucian was seated in the shadowed corner of the room, silent as always, his presence a constant reminder of the tension that now hung between them.“This isn’t enough,” Aria said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. She raised her head, her eyes red from sleepless nights. “Knowing there’s something out there, something ancient and unstoppable… It feels like we’re already losing.”Kael turned from the window, his expression hard but not unkind. “We’ve faced impossible odds before, Aria. You’ve faced impossible odds. And you survived. Yo
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Blood moon's curse Chapter 35: Shadows of the Eastern Path
Dawn broke over the village, bathing the rooftops and cobblestone streets in a soft golden glow. The quiet hum of morning life began to stir—roosters crowed, and the faint sound of pots clanging echoed from the homes of early risers. But inside Aria’s small cottage, the mood was far from serene. Kael slung his bag over his shoulder with a huff, his sword gleaming where it hung at his hip. “I still think this is a bad idea,” he muttered, glancing at Lucian, who stood near the door, unnervingly still as always. “We’ve already decided,” Aria replied, cinching the strap of her own pack. “The monastery is our best chance at answers. Unless you’ve got a better plan?” Kael frowned, his gaze shifting to the window. “Yeah, well, wandering into the mountains on the word of someone who keeps secrets isn’t exactly my idea of smart.” Lucian’s voice was calm, but it carried an edge that silenced Kael. “I’ve already agreed to be transparent. If that’s not enough for you, perhaps you should st
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Blood moon's curse Chapter 36: The Unseen Weight
The morning air on the ridge was sharp and cold, biting against Aria’s cheeks as she stood gazing into the misty valley below. From here, the forest stretched endlessly, a dark, breathing mass of ancient life that seemed to hum with its own pulse. They had made it past the wraiths, but the encounter had left its mark—on their bodies and their spirits.Kael sat nearby, sharpening his blade with slow, deliberate strokes, the metallic scrape echoing in the quiet. His expression was tight, his jaw clenched as if the act of maintaining his weapon was the only thing grounding him.“Did you sleep at all?” Aria asked softly, breaking the silence.Kael glanced at her, his brown eyes weary. “Didn’t feel much like sleeping after that. You?”Aria shook her head. “Not really. Every time I close my eyes…” She didn’t finish the thought. They both knew what haunted them.Lucian stood a few paces away, his back to them, his silhouette sharp against the rising sun. He had barely spoken since they’d set
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Blood moon's curse Chapter 37: The Monastery’s Test
The dim corridor stretched on, the air heavy with a silence that seemed alive. Aria’s footsteps echoed faintly as she walked, each step a hesitant rhythm against the cold stone. The whispers in the air grew louder, curling around her ears like tendrils of smoke. They weren’t words, not exactly—more like impressions, fragments of emotions that pressed into her mind.You are not welcome.Kael kept close behind her, his sword drawn, his movements deliberate. “This place is wrong,” he muttered. “Every instinct I have is telling me to turn back.”Lucian, leading the way, stopped abruptly. His hand rested on the wall, his head tilting slightly as if he was listening to something beyond their hearing. “The monastery is testing us,” he said quietly. “It knows we’re here.”“Testing us for what?” Aria asked, her voice tense.“To see if we’re worthy of its knowledge—or if we’re threats to its existence,” Lucian replied. His tone was calm, but his expression was tight, the faintest hint of unease
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The air in the monastery felt heavier as the trio stepped further into its labyrinth of corridors. Each wall seemed to shift subtly, the etchings on the stone pulsating faintly like a heartbeat. It wasn’t just a building—they could feel it. The monastery was alive, observing them, judging their every move.Aria walked at the center of the group, her thoughts still clouded by the shadow she had faced. She could feel its presence lingering in her mind, like the afterimage of a nightmare. She glanced at Lucian and Kael, wondering what trials they had faced in their separate paths. Neither had spoken much since emerging from their portals, and the silence between them felt too thick to break.Finally, it was Kael who spoke, his voice cutting through the stillness. “So, are we going to talk about it, or are we just going to pretend nothing happened in there?”Lucian didn’t turn around. “What we faced is personal.” His tone was clipped, but not unkind. “Sharing it doesn’t change what’s ahea
Last Updated : 2025-01-22
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Blood moon's curse Chapter 73
The morning light crept through the trees, casting a soft glow on the forest floor. Aria awoke to the sound of birds chirping, but her mind was still heavy with the events of the previous night. The weight of their journey pressed on her, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead loomed in her thoughts like an ominous cloud. But there was also a sense of purpose now—a resolve that had formed within her the moment she’d spoken those words to Lucian.She glanced around, noting that everyone was already up. Dorian was sharpening his sword, Eldrin was tending to their supplies, and Evangeline was quietly meditating, her eyes closed, her focus entirely inward. Lucian stood by the edge of the clearing, looking out into the woods, his posture tense as always, but there was something softer about him this morning.Aria stood and walked toward him, her footsteps barely making a sound on the soft earth. He turned when he heard her approach, his expression unreadable.“Morning,” Aria said quietly, h
Blood moon's curse Chapter 72: Secrets Unveiled
The sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest as Aria and the others made their way through the dense woods. The eerie calm that had settled in the wake of the explosion still lingered, and despite the outward silence, every member of the group could feel the weight of impending danger pressing in on them.Aria walked slightly ahead, her mind racing with the events that had unfolded in the past hours. Lucian’s power, the destruction of the stone structure, the overwhelming force they had barely escaped from… it all felt like the beginning of something much larger, something neither of them could fully comprehend. But the question lingered—why did it feel so personal?“Do you think it’s over?” Aria’s voice broke through the quiet, directed toward Lucian, who walked beside her, his eyes scanning the path ahead.Lucian’s lips were pressed into a tight line, his jaw tense. “No,” he replied shortly, his voice colder than usual. “That was only a warning. Whatever is
Blood moon's curse Chapter 71: Unseen Threads
The moon hung low in the sky, a silver sliver amidst the darkened canvas of the night. The aftermath of battle was heavy, like a thick fog settling over the land. But even amidst the quiet, there was an undercurrent of tension—something looming just beyond the horizon.Aria stood at the edge of the camp, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her sword. She wasn’t sure if she was waiting for something to appear or simply lost in thought, but her eyes were sharp, scanning the distance. Lucian was nearby, overseeing the preparations for their departure, but he had given her space. He understood her need for solitude, for clarity.She sighed, pushing her hair back from her face, the wind catching it and whipping it around her shoulders. The battle had been brutal, but it wasn’t over."Lucian," she called, her voice steady but tinged with an unspoken question.He looked up, his eyes locking with hers instantly, as though he had been waiting for her to speak. "What is it?"Aria hesitated.
Blood moon's curse Chapter 70
Aria stared at Lucian, the weight of his words pressing down on her. A god—an ancient, sleeping god—was inside of him. And if he lost control…She shook off the thought. Not now. Not when he was here, standing before her, watching her like she was the only thing tethering him to this world.A small, wry smile tugged at her lips. “So, let me get this straight,” she said, tilting her head. “You’re an ancient vampire, cursed by a god, stronger than anything I’ve ever seen… and you’re still brooding about it?”Lucian blinked, then let out a surprised laugh. “Brooding?”“Yes,” she said, crossing her arms. “All this doom and gloom. ‘Oh no, Aria, I might lose control. I might destroy everything.’” She dropped her voice into a dramatic imitation of his deep tone. “It’s a bit much, don’t you think?”Lucian raised a brow. “I just told you I have the power of an eldritch god inside me, and your response is to mock me?”Aria grinned. “What else am I supposed to do? Cry? Run? I’d rather tease you.
Blood moon's curse Chapter 69
The silence between them was thick, pressing down like an unseen force. The ruins of the battlefield stretched around them, but the real war was happening in the space between Lucian and Aria.Aria’s pulse thrummed in her ears. Not just a vampire. Those words echoed in her mind, refusing to settle. She took a cautious step closer, watching Lucian as if he might shatter.“Then what are you?” she asked, her voice quiet but unwavering.Lucian exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. The silver glow in his eyes hadn’t faded completely, a lingering reminder of whatever had surfaced within him.“I don’t know how to explain it,” he admitted. “Not in a way that won’t make you run.”Aria’s brow furrowed. “Lucian, I just watched you tear through Vayne like he was made of paper. I’ve seen you fight before, but that? That was different. That was something else.”His jaw tightened, his eyes flickering to the darkened corners of the ruins, as if expecting something—or someone—to emerge. “It
Blood moon's curse Chapter 68
The night was thick with the scent of blood and smoke. The battle had raged on longer than expected, and Aria’s strength was waning. Her fingers trembled against the cold stone of the ruined castle walls as she struggled to stay on her feet. Adrian was nowhere in sight. The last thing she had seen before she collapsed was a flash of silver and the wicked grin of their enemy. Then—darkness.A sharp pain tore through her ribs as she gasped awake, her surroundings unfamiliar. Chains rattled against the cold stone floor, and the sharp scent of iron filled her lungs. A prison. But not just any prison—this was his domain. The one place she never thought she’d end up.The torches lining the damp walls flickered with an eerie glow, casting long shadows across the room. She was bound, her wrists shackled above her head, her body aching from wounds she didn’t remember receiving. The air was suffocating, thick with the scent of dark magic. Aria gritted her teeth. She wouldn’t go down like this.
Blood moon's curse Chapter 67: A Blade in the Dark
The war drums thundered in the distance.The air was thick with the scent of metal, the promise of blood hanging between the trees as Aria and her army prepared for battle. The hunters were closing in—Selene had reported their march would reach the stronghold’s borders by sundown.But before the sun could set, the world shifted beneath Aria’s feet.It happened fast. Too fast.One moment, she was issuing orders to the sentinels stationed at the gate, her mind focused on war strategies and defensive positions. The next, a sharp, searing pain pierced her side.She gasped, stumbling forward as warmth bloomed beneath her ribs. A dagger.She barely had time to register the attack before a second strike followed, slashing across her arm. Pain exploded through her senses, her vision blurring as she fell to one knee.Shouts erupted around her, but her attacker moved faster than the guards could react. A strong arm wrapped around her neck, yanking her backward into the shadows.Her body screame
Blood moon's curse Chapter 65: The Gathering Storm
The wind howled through the tunnels of the stronghold, an eerie whisper that sent a chill down Aria’s spine. She stood at the war table once more, staring at the glowing script Aurelis had revealed.Evangeline knows your weakness. The Heart is calling to her. She is coming for you.The words burned in her mind, a warning wrapped in inevitability. They had spent weeks preparing, fighting, and running, but now there was no more time. Evangeline was making her final move.The door creaked open behind her. Lucian entered first, his crimson eyes scanning the dimly lit chamber before settling on her. Kael followed a moment later, his expression unreadable. Selene, Dorian, and Aurelis trailed in after them, their faces marked with the same grim understanding.“The scouts have returned,” Selene said. “It’s worse than we thought.”Aria turned to her, bracing herself. “How bad?”Selene set a parchment down on the table, unrolling it to reveal hastily drawn battle formations. “Evangeline’s army
Blood moon's curse Chapter 65: Duel of Crimson Fates
Aria’s blade clashed with Evangeline’s with a deafening roar, the force of their power rippling through the clearing. The Heart pulsed within Aria, its energy surging through her veins like molten fire.Evangeline smirked, her movements fluid and precise as she countered Aria’s attacks. “You’ve grown stronger,” she said mockingly. “But strength without control is nothing more than chaos.”Aria gritted her teeth, refusing to let Evangeline’s words shake her. She focused on the rhythm of the fight, the clang of steel and the hiss of dark energy filling her ears. Each strike felt heavier than the last, the weight of the Heart’s power pressing down on her.“You don’t know anything about control,” Aria spat, feinting left before delivering a powerful upward strike.Evangeline barely dodged, her smirk faltering for the briefest moment. “Oh, but I do,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. “I’ve mastered the darkness, embraced it. And you, little hunter, will never understand what it takes
