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Chapter 30: A Lesson in Power
Last Updated:
2024-12-31 00:23:30
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Dark Luna Rising Chapter 31: A Lesson in Loss
The woods were his haven, a place where the noise of the pack couldn’t follow. Yet tonight, the silence pressed down on Diego like a weight. Just a few yards away, Erika’s house in Black Lake stood illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight. From his perch high in an old oak tree, Diego could see her silhouette flitting past the window.He told himself this wasn’t stalking—he was only here to ensure her safety. But the ache in his chest betrayed him. He was here because he missed her.The pain of their last fight gnawed at him, a constant reminder of his failures. Diego knew he’d been the one to push her away, but his pride wouldn’t let him dwell on that. What mattered now was her safety, her well-being. Being close to her, even if she didn’t know it, eased the ache just a little.Earlier, he’d positioned himself behind a row of bushes. The shadows and his natural stealth made him practically invisible. But for some reason, his usual grace had failed him. An exposed root tripped him
Last Updated : 2025-01-01Dark Luna Rising Chapter 32: Following Crumbs
Diego tracked Maria down to her modest cottage near the edge of Black Lake’s residential district. The house stood weathered but welcoming, with flowerbeds meticulously arranged along the front. He knocked lightly on the faded wooden door, taking a step back to wait.The door opened a crack, and Maria’s lined face appeared in the gap, her sharp eyes narrowing as she looked him over. “Can I help you?” she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.“Maria, right?”“Who’s asking?”Diego removed his hood and softened his tone. “Ma’am, I hope I’m not intruding. My name is Rocco. I was hoping you could help me.”Maria studied him for a moment, suspicion flickering across her features. “Help you with what?”“It’s about the Regis family,” Diego said, careful to keep his voice low. “I’ve heard you might’ve seen something that night… when they…” He hesitated, the words catching in his throat. “When it happened.”Maria’s expression tightened, and she began to close the door.Diego quickly added, “I
Last Updated : 2025-01-02Dark Luna Rising Chapter 33: Ripples of Memories
The first rays of sunlight spilled over Black Lake, gilding the water’s surface in soft gold. A thin mist hovered above the lake, wrapping the surrounding pines in an ethereal veil. Erika pulled her jacket tighter against the morning chill as she and Gabriel strolled along the winding trail that skirted the shoreline.“It’s beautiful,” Erika murmured, her voice carrying a note of nostalgia. “I used to come here with my father. He’d bring an old fishing rod—nothing fancy. We’d sit on that rock over there.” She pointed to a flat boulder half-submerged near the shore. “He was patient, taught me to be the same. ‘Fishing isn’t about catching,’ he used to say. ‘It’s about learning to be still.’”Gabriel smiled faintly, his hands clasped behind his back as he walked. “Guido was a man of simple wisdom. He always found lessons in the mundane. Did he ever teach you to skip stones?”Erika chuckled softly. “Oh, yes. He was a master. I never quite got the hang of it, though. My stones always sank l
Last Updated : 2025-01-03Dark Luna Rising Chapter 34: Stranger in Town
The morning mist still lingered over Black Lake, casting a silvery sheen on the water’s surface. Erika sat on the porch steps, gripping a steaming mug of coffee, the warmth seeping into her trembling hands. Gabriel leaned against the railing, arms crossed, his expression thoughtful but guarded. He had just finished explaining her magical heritage for what felt like the hundredth time, but none of it seemed to register with her the way he hoped.“I don’t understand how you’re so calm about this,” Erika muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. She stared down at her mug, the dark liquid swirling in time with her racing thoughts. “You expect me to just… accept that I’m part Lycan, part something else, and oh, by the way, I might have powers I can’t control?” Her voice wavered, edged with frustration and fear. “What if I hurt someone, Gabriel? What if I lose myself?”Gabriel sighed, his tone patien
Last Updated : 2025-01-04Dark Luna Rising Chapter 35: Unspoken Concerns
The air inside the Di Rocco Pack’s stronghold was thick with tension when Diego stepped through the towering oak doors. The dim light of the early evening streamed through the high windows, casting long shadows across the stone walls. His return to Valentia was anything but quiet—pack members turned to him with expectant, wary eyes as he made his way toward his study. He could feel their unease, hear their murmured questions: Where had he gone? Why hadn’t he told anyone?Diego knew this was coming. He could feel the ripple of unrest his absence had caused, but it didn’t matter. His mind was still on Black Lake—and on Erika.Inside his study, Diego barely had a moment to settle before Alessandro stormed in, his expression dark with frustration. He shut the door firmly behind him and crossed the room, the tension rolling off him in waves."You can't just disappear like that, Diego," Alessandro said, voice low but sharp. "Two
Last Updated : 2025-01-05Dark Luna Rising Chapter 36: Elementals
The dawn was muted under a shroud of gray clouds as Erika followed Gabriel through the forest trail. The lake glimmered faintly in the distance, its surface rippling gently under a chill breeze. The air smelled damp, heavy with the scent of pine needles and earth after a recent rain. She hugged herself against the cold, her nerves tightening with every step."You’re tense," Gabriel observed as they stopped near the lake’s edge. He set down a satchel filled with what looked like ancient tools—stones, vials of herbs, and a silver bowl. "Relax, Erika. Magic responds to your state of mind. If you're anxious, it'll resist."She gave him a pointed look. "Easier said than done." Her voice trembled despite her attempt to sound casual.Gabriel chuckled softly, his usual calm demeanor making her feel slightly less on edge. "I get it. The first time I tried anything magical, I nearly set my shoes on fire. But you’ll be fine." He crouched near the wa
Last Updated : 2025-01-06Dark Luna Rising Chapter 37: Untamed Shadows
As they made their way back through the forest, Erika tried to keep her focus on Gabriel’s words, but her mind wandered. The crack in the boulder played on repeat in her head. She had felt the earth’s energy, but it was fleeting, like something she could barely grasp. Was this what her powers were supposed to feel like—raw, untamed, and unpredictable?A sharp breeze stirred the leaves around them, carrying with it a faint metallic scent that made Erika pause mid-step.Gabriel slowed as well, his sharp eyes scanning the trees. "Do you smell that?"Erika inhaled deeply. The scent wasn’t just metallic—it was coppery, familiar. "Blood."Gabriel nodded, his expression darkening. "Stay close." He led her toward the source of the smell, moving swiftly but silently through the underbrush. Erika followed, her heart pounding.They emerged into another small clearing. There, on the ground, lay the lifeless body of a deer. Its thr
Last Updated : 2025-01-07Dark Luna Rising Chapter 38: Silent Sheep
The clearing near the edge of the woods was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. The captured rogues knelt in a line, restrained by members of Diego’s pack. None of them made a sound. No grunts, no complaints. Their expressions were blank, as if the fight had drained every ounce of emotion from them.Erika stood between Diego and Gabriel, her eyes narrowing as she studied the captives. Their wild appearances—matted hair, ragged clothing, and unblinking stares—sent a shiver down her spine. These weren’t ordinary rogues. There was something off about them."Start with him," Diego said, gesturing to the rogue in the center, a tall man with a deep scar running down the side of his face.Alessandro stepped forward, crouching to meet the rogue’s eyes. "Who sent you?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.The rogue didn’t respond. He didn’t even flinch."Answer the question," Alessandro
Last Updated : 2025-01-08
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Dark Luna Rising Chapter 67: The Breaking Point
The fire in the war chamber burned low, sending wavering shadows across the stone walls. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood and tension—heavier than the iron weapons stacked against the far wall. Malrik stood at the head of the war table, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Diego lingered nearby, silent but alert.Erika didn’t hesitate. “This plan to assassinate the King—it won’t give us the future we perceived. It’ll only play into Bor Khulan’s hands, with no peace in between.”Malrik’s golden eyes narrowed. “Care to elucidate?”Erika stepped forward, bracing her palms against the rough wood of the table. “You think Bor Khulan cares about your cause? Your people? He doesn’t. He’s using all of us—me, you, Diego—to carve his way to the throne.” She looked directly at Malrik, her voice steady. “When this war is over, he’ll be the onl
Dark Luna Rising Chapter 66: The Game Begins
The wind was restless that night. Although the pack and everyone they’d rescued from the cage were brought to safety, the air carried whispers of danger as they waited in the abandoned ruins beyond Blackthorn. The mood was thick with unspoken words and unresolved tension, but none of them broke the silence.Hugo and Gabriel took turns watching the horizon for movement. Erika sat calmly beside Malrik while he casually twirled a dagger between his fingers.Bor Khulan would come.Or he wouldn’t.Either way, Diego was prepared for the worst.His fingers twitched at his side, itching to grab his weapon. Everything about this felt like a setup. He didn’t trust Malrik, and he sure as hell didn’t trust the man they were waiting for.Bor Khulan—the rebellion’s supposed benefactor, the one pulling strings in the shadows. Diego had only heard of him through whispers, t
Dark Luna Rising Chapter 65: Specters of Menace
The air in Blackthorn's interrogation hall crackled with tension as the guards closed in. Twelve of them. Armed. Ready.Diego barely had time to think. No escape. No talking their way out of this.This was a fight.The first guard lunged—Malrik met him halfway.The man barely had time to react before Malrik’s fist caved into his chestplate, sending him crashing into the wall like a ragdoll.Then the battle erupted.A guard swung at Diego—he dodged, twisting his body before driving an elbow into the man’s ribs. The soldier grunted, stumbling back. Diego didn’t give him a second chance. He grabbed the man’s wrist, twisted it sharply, and stole his sword in one smooth motion.Steel flashed. Blood splattered.Across the hall, Erika had already taken down two guards. Fast. Precise. Ruthless. She flipped over one opponent, drove her dagger into his shoulder, then kicked him hard in the chest—
Dark Luna Rising Chapter 64: The Cage
The air inside Blackthorn Prison was thick with damp stone and the stench of unwashed bodies. The moment Diego stepped through the narrow crack in the outer wall, he felt the shift—a weight pressing down on him, as if the walls themselves knew they didn’t belong.They crouched in the shadows of an abandoned storage chamber, hidden behind rusted crates and barrels that stank of rot. Faint torchlight flickered beyond the barred doorway, casting jagged shadows along the stone floor.Malrik adjusted the dagger at his hip, his lips curled in satisfaction. “Haven’t been in Blackthorn in years. Brings back memories.”Erika shot him a glare. “We’re not here for nostalgia.”Diego ignored them both, scanning the chamber. No guards. No movement. But something felt off.Too easy.Gabriel knelt beside him, whispering, “We need to move. The prison shifts its watch every three hours—we have a smal
Dark Luna Rising Chapter 63: Rain of Swords
The sun dipped below the jagged peaks of Devil’s Horn, swallowing the settlement in the shadows of dusk. The air grew cooler, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. The fires in the village flickered like distant stars, but the heart of the rebellion was far from resting.They were preparing for war.Diego stood near the edge of the settlement, fastening the last of his weapons onto his belt. The weight of the blades felt familiar, grounding. Behind him, Hugo checked the straps on his gear while Gabriel whispered a quiet incantation over a set of vials—protective spells, no doubt. Nearby, Malrik and his warriors were gearing up, their presence a silent reminder that this mission was no simple infiltration.It was a message.Erika approached, her movements swift and sure as she secured a dagger to her thigh. The moonlight caught the edges of her hair, making her seem ethereal—untouchable. She barely glanced at Diego before addressing
Dark Luna Rising Chapter 62: Into The Fire
The war chamber felt heavier than it should, the air thick with tension and unspoken emotions. A single oil lamp cast flickering shadows over the grand oak table, illuminating the tattered map of Blackthorn Prison. Red ink scrawled across it in deliberate lines, marking guard rotations, weak points, and underground passages that could either be a way in—or a death trap.Malrik stood at the head of the table, fingers tapping against the rough parchment. “The prison is fortified on all sides. Outer walls are reinforced with silver-laced stone. Guards at every post. Patrols change every three hours. If your pack is there, they’ll be in the lower levels—where the High Council keeps high-risk prisoners.”Diego’s eyes traced the map, heart pounding at the thought of his people locked away in those cells, at the mercy of their enemies. “So, what’s the plan?”Malrik gave a tight smile. “We get in. We get your p
Dark Luna Rising Chapter 61: Devil's Bargain
The heavy wooden doors of the dining chamber shut with a resounding thud as the guards took their positions outside. Diego shifted in his seat, his instincts prickling with unease.Malrik leaned back in his chair, his fingers laced together in a way that exuded both confidence and control. His piercing gaze flickered over Diego, Gabriel, and Hugo before finally settling on Diego with a knowing smirk.“You want an alliance,” Malrik said smoothly. “Very well. But alliances are built on trust. And trust… must be earned.”Diego’s jaw tightened. “Go on.”Malrik’s smirk deepened. He stood, walking leisurely to the map spread out on the far table. It was littered with markings—territories controlled by The Board, known strongholds, weak points. Diego’s eyes immediately locked onto a region circled in red.“Blackthorn Prison,” Malrik said, tapping a finger against the map. &ldqu
Dark Luna Rising Chapter 60: A Line in the Sand
The scent of roasted meat and spiced tea filled the dining chamber, but Diego barely noticed it. His gaze was fixed on Erika. She looked healthy, her dark hair gleaming in the firelight, her posture at ease as she sliced into a piece of bread. No chains, no signs of distress.And beside her—his mother.Dunia met his eyes with a calm, unreadable expression. She took a slow sip from her tea, as if she were at a leisurely brunch rather than in the stronghold of their supposed enemy.Diego’s hands clenched into fists. What the hell was going on?Malrik gestured toward the long wooden table. “Sit, Diego. Eat. We have much to discuss.”Diego barely heard him. His entire world had narrowed to Erika, sitting there as though she belonged.“You’re safe,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended.Erika finally looked up at him, her gaze level. “I told you before—I can take care of myself.
Dark Luna Rising Chapter 59: Path of No Return
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, the sound of rustling leaves a constant reminder that they were deep in enemy territory. Diego led the way through the dense forest, his keen senses on high alert. Gabriel followed closely, his footsteps unnervingly light for a man who had spent most of his life buried in books. Hugo, on the other hand, grumbled under his breath as he trudged behind them, his broad frame less suited for the stealth required of this mission.They had been traveling for hours, weaving through the shadowed terrain of the valley that curved toward Devil’s Horn. Despite their caution, Diego couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. He signaled for a stop and scanned the forest. The trees stood still in the absence of wind, yet something felt off.Gabriel stepped up beside him, voice low. “You sense it too?”Diego gave a terse nod. “We’re not alone.”Hugo exhaled sh
