Lorian yanked Aria roughly behind him, his breath still ragged from the previous fight. His wounds hadn't healed, but there was no time to think about them. Dozens of werewolves stood before them.In the center of the pack, a man in a black suit with glowing silver eyes stared coldly. The new Alpha.Aria clutched Lorian’s arm. Her heart pounded, and blood trickled down her face from a wound on her temple. They were exhausted.And now, they had to fight the entire pack.The man—the new Alpha—smirked. "You've caused enough trouble. It's time to end this."He raised his hand, signaling.Dozens of werewolves growled and lunged.---The Chase Through the ForestLorian shoved Aria forward. "RUN!"Aria gasped but forced her legs to move. She ran with everything she had, tearing through the dark forest. Branches whipped against her face and arms, but she didn’t care. She had to survive.Behind her, the sounds of battle raged. Growls, roars, the sickening crunch of bones breaking. Lorian was f
Lorian stood in front of Aria, his body still drenched, his breathing ragged. Aria stared at the tall figure standing between the trees, her heart pounding. This was no ordinary werewolf.The moonlight illuminated his face, revealing cold, sharp eyes. His hair was jet black, his skin pale, with a scar stretching from his temple to his jaw. His golden eyes gleamed—a mark of a true Alpha."Lucian…" Lorian whispered, his voice filled with fury.Aria tensed. That name was not unfamiliar. Lucian was not just an Alpha—he was the leader of the largest pack in the region.Lucian stepped closer, every movement calculated. "I didn’t expect you to come this far, Lorian."Lorian lifted his chin, shielding Aria behind him. "I don’t care about your threats, Lucian. I will never surrender."Lucian smirked. "I know. That’s why I came alone."In a flash, Lucian moved.Lorian blocked the first strike with his arm, but Lucian’s strength sent him staggering backward. Aria took a step back, clutching the
Aria bit her lip, holding her breath as the mysterious figure stood between them and Lucian. The moonlight illuminated his face, revealing sharp eyes filled with secrets.Lucian let out a low growl, his gaze burning with fury. "I can't believe you're still alive…"The figure smirked. "Unfortunately for you, I'm still breathing. And it looks like I arrived just in time."Aria struggled to process the situation, her mind still in turmoil. Beside her, Lorian lay severely wounded, blood pouring from the gash in his abdomen. She pressed her hands against the wound, but they trembled.Lucian stepped forward, his eyes turning a golden-red hue. "You have no place here anymore, Rael."That name sounded unfamiliar to Aria, yet it clearly unsettled Lucian and the other werewolves surrounding them.Rael smiled, but there was darkness in his gaze. "Lucian, you've made too many mistakes. It's time someone stopped you."Lucian let out a low chuckle. "And you think that someone is you?"Suddenly, he
Aria couldn’t tear her gaze away from Lorian. His body was still trembling, his once-dark eyes now glowing gold, reflecting the raging power within him. His muscles tensed, and a low, almost inhuman growl rumbled from his chest.Rael watched warily. “He’s entering the transition phase. This won’t be easy.”Aria gripped Lorian’s hand tightly, though her fingers were beginning to go numb from the sheer force of his growing strength. “Lorian, I’m here… Can you hear me?”Lorian stiffened. His jaw clenched so hard that the veins in his neck bulged, and suddenly, his body jerked backward, slamming against the cave wall with a sickening thud.Aria gasped. “Lorian!”Rael held her back. “Don’t go near him yet.”Lorian arched his back, panting heavily. Sweat mixed with blood dripped down his face, and slowly, claws began to emerge from the tips of his fingers. His chest rose and fell erratically, as if he was battling something far greater than himself.Then, suddenly, a roar tore from his thro
Lorian still had Lucian pinned to the ground. His sharp claws were only inches away from the man's face. His breath was ragged, his body still fully in its wild wolf form.Aria didn't dare move. Her eyes met Lorian’s, searching for the man she knew beneath that feral gaze."Lorian..." she whispered, her voice trembling.Lorian tensed, his grip wavering slightly—something was pulling him back from the darkness.Lucian seized the moment. With a swift motion, he drew a silver dagger from beneath his cloak and swung it toward Lorian."No!" Aria screamed.Lorian let out a deep, guttural snarl, his sharp instincts detecting the threat. With brutal speed, he dodged and then seized Lucian’s wrist before the blade could reach him—so fast it was barely visible to the human eye."You’re a fool," Rael muttered from behind.Lorian slammed Lucian back into the ground, this time with enough force to crack the earth beneath them. Lucian groaned in pain, blood seeping from his mouth.But Lorian didn’t
Lorian’s roar echoed through the air, piercing the darkness of the forest now thick with the scent of death. His body trembled, not from weakness, but from something far greater awakening within him. The golden light radiating from his body grew brighter, illuminating the tense faces of his enemies.Aria held her breath. She had never seen him like this before.Lucian, clutching the wound on his chest, staggered back. "No… this is impossible…"The werewolves surrounding them hesitated, their instincts screaming that this was something far beyond an ordinary alpha.Lorian lifted his head, his eyes now glowing with an intensity that was both mesmerizing and terrifying. A low growl rumbled from his throat, and in an instant, his body exploded in light.His black fur began to change—turning silver. His form grew larger, stronger, more imposing.Rael’s eyes widened in shock. "Dear gods… this… this is ancient power…"Lucian took another step back, his confidence shattered. "No… this can’t b
The night wind howled, carrying the thick scent of blood and death in the air. Aria gripped Lorian’s hand tightly, her eyes filled with worry as she stared into the silent forest. The sounds of battle had faded, leaving only the eerie whisper of the wind.Rael stepped closer, his expression tense. “We have to leave. This isn’t over yet.”Lorian remained silent, his gaze fixed on the spot where Vaelin had disappeared. There was something in his eyes—confusion, anger, and something else. Something Aria had never seen before.She took a deep breath, trying to push down the fear tightening in her chest. “Lorian?”He finally turned to her, but his expression was unreadable. “I’m fine.”But Aria knew he was lying.Rael growled. “If you’re fine, stop standing there like a statue! We need to move before something worse comes.”Lorian nodded at last. “Alright. Let’s go.”They started moving, pushing through the darkness of the forest. But after only a few steps, Aria felt something strange.Th
The night grew darker, illuminated only by the faint glow of the moon filtering through the gaps in the trees. Roars and the clash of bodies filled the air as the battle between Lorian, Aria, Rael, and the shadow creatures summoned by Vaelin intensified.Aria leaped, narrowly dodging the razor-sharp claws of one of the creatures. She nearly lost her balance as her foot landed on the cracked earth. Gripping her silver dagger tightly, her eyes darted, searching for an opening to strike."Aria, watch out!" Rael shouted from a distance before he was pulled into a fierce struggle with three creatures at once.Lorian had fully shifted into his wolf form—his silver fur gleamed under the moonlight, his fangs bared in a snarl as he lunged at the creature that tried to pounce on Aria. One powerful bite to the neck made the creature thrash violently before collapsing to the ground, dead.But there were too many of them.Vaelin stood atop a high tree branch, observing the battle with a calm expre
Aria stood frozen on the balcony, her heart pounding violently in her chest. The cold night wind bit at her skin, but it was nothing compared to the fear coursing through her veins.Down below, an army of hooded figures stormed the castle gates with overwhelming force. The guards fought back, but they were clearly outnumbered.Amid the chaos, a woman stepped forward with effortless grace.Seraphina.The Goddess of Darkness—who was supposed to exist only in legends—now stood before her, real and undeniable.Seraphina’s golden eyes gleamed in the darkness, her lips curling into a faint smile.“Aria…” Her voice reached Aria’s ears despite the distance between them.A shiver ran down Aria’s spine.Rael, standing beside her, grabbed her hand. “We have to go! She’s here for you!”Aria snapped out of her daze and rushed after Rael. They hurried down the staircase, heading toward the great hall, where the royal knights were already preparing for battle.Lorian and Elroth were there, along wit
Aria remained silent, her mind consumed by the name she had just heard.Seraphina.The Goddess of Darkness.How could she have seen a figure that was supposed to exist only in legends?Rael watched her with concern. "Aria, are you alright?"Aria nodded slowly, though her mind was filled with confusion. "I... I saw her. She spoke to me."Lorian frowned. "What did she say?"Aria tried to recall Seraphina's words. "She said she had been waiting for me for a long time."Elroth let out a heavy sigh. "That doesn’t make sense. If Seraphina is real and has been waiting for you… that means you have some connection to her."A chill ran down Aria’s spine. "That’s impossible. I’m no one.""But you can wield the power of Light," Rael pointed out. "And now… the Goddess of Darkness has come to you?"Lorian looked at the altar before them. "This stone might be the key to everything."Elroth stepped closer, staring at the black stone that still pulsed with energy. "I can feel the power within it. This
The darkness was supposed to be gone.Aria could still feel the lingering warmth of light energy coursing through her body, yet deep inside, something felt off. Like a faint whisper in the air, an elusive presence trying to break into her thoughts.Rael still held her hand, making sure she remained steady. "How do you feel?"Aria let out a heavy breath. "I'm fine. Just a little… empty."Lorian gazed at the altar where Vaelin had vanished. "Then we need to make sure he's truly gone."Elroth frowned. "He's not completely erased. I can still sense traces of his presence."Aria turned to him, eyes filled with concern. "What do you mean?"Elroth looked down at the cracked temple floor. "His energy hasn't disappeared. It has only moved. He might still be searching for a new vessel."Rael clicked his tongue. "Unbelievable. So, we can never really kill him, can we?"Lorian sighed. "He's not an ordinary being. He has surpassed death itself."Silence settled over them.Aria clenched her fists.
Their footsteps echoed through the dark, cold stone corridor. The flickering light from the torch Elroth carried barely illuminated a few steps ahead, casting long, shifting shadows along the walls.Aria could feel the air here was different. It was heavier, as if filled with an unseen presence. With every step she took, a cold shiver crept down her spine.“This temple has been abandoned for a long time,” Lorian whispered, tracing the ancient carvings on the walls. “But I can still feel the old energy flowing through it.”Elroth nodded slowly. “This place was once a temple of light, but after Vaelin's influence seeped in, it became something much darker.”Rael let out a heavy sigh. “Why do we always end up in places filled with dark energy? Can’t we, just once, fight in a more pleasant setting?”Lorian shot him a look. “Since when has battling darkness ever been pleasant?”Rael shrugged but then stopped short, his expression shifting as he spotted something ahead.“Oh, great. That’s n
Rael could still feel the warmth of Aria’s hand in his grasp. They had just returned from the battle inside Aria’s consciousness, successfully driving Vaelin out of her mind. But the victory felt bitter.Because they all knew—this wasn’t truly over.Elroth stepped forward, his gaze sharp. “You need to get ready. Vaelin isn’t the type to give up so easily.”Aria took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Her body still felt weak, as if the battle had drained every last bit of her strength.Rael turned to Lorian. “We need to make sure he never comes back. Is there a way to seal him away forever?”Elroth shook his head. “Vaelin is an ancient spirit. As long as darkness exists in this world, he will always find a way back.”Lorian clenched his fists. “So we just wait for him to attack again?”Elroth’s expression was grave. “No. We strike first.”The room tensed.Rael frowned. “What do you mean?”Elroth pulled a thick book from the shelf and flipped it open. “Vaelin may have lost Aria’s
Rael stared blankly at the spot where Aria had disappeared. The air around him felt colder, as if all warmth had vanished along with her departure.“No…” he whispered.Lorian slammed his sword into the ground, his breath heavy with rage. “Damn it! I knew this wasn’t over!”Rael lifted his head, his eyes filled with both confusion and fear. “What do we do now?”Lorian remained silent for a moment before responding in a firm voice, “We take this to the Tower of Light. If anyone can help her, they’re there.”The two of them ran through the tower’s massive gates, which swung open as they approached. The long corridor they entered was illuminated by floating magical lights, casting an almost ethereal glow.At the end of the hallway, an elderly man in white robes awaited them. His silver hair and sharp gaze marked him as someone of great importance.“We need help!” Rael called out.The old man—Grandmaster Elroth—studied them with keen interest. “I’ve been expecting you.”Lorian was taken ab
The morning air still carried the remnants of the night’s chill as Aria, Lorian, and Rael stood among the ruins of the castle where Vaelin had been defeated. The rising sun cast its golden light over the last traces of darkness that had shrouded the place overnight.Yet, despite their victory, none of them felt truly relieved.Aria stared at the sword in her hand—the weapon that had absorbed Vaelin’s power and sealed the darkness within its glowing blue blade. But something felt... off.“We should leave,” Lorian broke the silence. “No one knows if any of Vaelin’s followers remain.”Rael nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on Aria. “Are you alright?”Aria let out a slow breath. “I don’t know.”Lorian and Rael exchanged glances. They could sense the change in her. Since last night’s battle, something in her aura had shifted.“What do you feel?” Lorian asked, his voice softer than usual.Aria bit her lip before answering, “Ever since I killed Vaelin, something has been echoing in my mind
The sky above Lumina Fortress was dark, as if mirroring the tension that loomed over the place. The cold night air swept through the ruins, carrying the scent of blood and lingering magic from the battle that had just ended.Aria stood among the rubble, her fingers still gripping the bluish-silver sword she had just discovered. The glow of the blade dimmed, as if exhausted after driving Vaelin away moments ago. But Aria knew… the battle wasn’t over.“We need to leave before he returns,” Rael said, his voice hoarse and cautious.Lorian, standing beside Aria, nodded in agreement. “Vaelin might have retreated, but that doesn’t mean he’s given up. He’s definitely planning something.”Aria bit her lip. Her whole body still trembled, not from the cold, but from the surge of power that had nearly consumed her. The blue light within her still pulsed, ready to explode at any moment.“I won’t run,” Aria finally said, looking at her two companions with determination. “We have to fight him to the
The atmosphere inside Lumina Fortress was so silent that Aria could hear her own heartbeat. The air was cold—colder than it should be. The flickering light from the altar in the center of the room wavered, as if uncertain whether to remain lit or fade into darkness entirely.Lorian stood beside her, his sharp eyes scanning every corner of the chamber. Meanwhile, Rael leaned against the wall, clutching the wound on his ribs, blood still seeping through his fingers."We can't stay here forever," Rael muttered, tension thick in his voice.Lorian nodded. "I know. But we need time to plan. Vaelin won't give up so easily."Aria remained fixated on the altar. Something inside her felt… awakened.She reached out, touching the cold stone surface once more. And at that moment, a surge of visions crashed into her mind.A flash of blue light.Voices screaming.Blood.And a promise, etched deep within her consciousness, as if it belonged to another life."Aria, you are our last hope. If you fail…