LOGINThe doors of the ancient palace began to shake.BOOM.Dust fell from the ceiling.Another impact.BOOM!Clover tightened her grip around Kael’s hand.“How long do we have?”Seraphine looked toward the doors.“Not long.”Aiden raised his sword.“Then we fight.”Seraphine shook her head.“You cannot fight the First Darkness.”“Why not?”“Because it isn’t a creature.”“It is the darkness that existed before magic.”Aiden’s grip tightened around his sword.“Then what can stop it?”Seraphine looked at Clover and Kael.“They can.”⸻The doors exploded.A wave of black smoke rushed into the palace.The Moon Oracle raised a shield.The impact sent her flying.“Oracle!”Clover ran toward her.“I’m fine!” she shouted.But the shield was already cracking.The First Darkness entered the chamber.Its enormous form towered above them.“Seraphine.”The ancient Queen stepped forward.“You’ve been hiding for a long time.”“And you have been searching for even longer.”The creature’s crimson eyes moved
The staircase seemed to have no end.Clover and Kael descended slowly, with Aiden and the Moon Oracle following close behind.The deeper they went, the colder the air became.Ancient silver symbols covered the walls.Some were written in the language of witches.Others were carved with symbols Clover had never seen before.Then Kael stopped.“Clover.”She turned.His face had gone pale.“What is it?”He pointed to the wall.There was a carving of a wolf.Three eyes.The same symbol that had appeared on his chest.Clover touched it.The stone immediately glowed.A voice whispered through the darkness.“The Guardian has returned.”Kael stepped backward.“What guardian?”The Oracle stared at him.“You.”⸻They continued downward.At the bottom of the staircase stood an enormous silver door.Three symbols were carved into it.A crescent moon.A wolf.And a witch’s staff.Clover placed her hand against the moon.Kael placed his against the wolf.The Oracle hesitated before touching the fin
Clover screamed. The black mark spread across her arm like living ink. Kael grabbed her before she fell. “Clover!” Her eyes flashed silver. Then black. Then gold. The entire castle shook. Selene stood frozen, staring at the shattered golden crown in her hands. “No…” The ancient voice inside her whispered: “She is awakening.” Selene looked toward Clover. “What have you done?” Clover slowly lifted her head. “I didn’t do anything.” The Moon Oracle stared at her in disbelief. “You didn’t have to.” “What does that mean?” The Oracle stepped backward. “The Crown has recognized its true vessel.” Aiden looked at Clover’s arm. “The darkness isn’t consuming her.” “It’s becoming part of her.” ⸻ Kael held Clover tightly. “Look at me.” She looked into his eyes. For a moment, she was herself. Then a strange voice escaped her lips. “Run.” Kael froze. “What?” Clover’s eyes turned completely black. “Run!” A blast of energy threw Kael across the hall. “KAEL!” Clover
The silver box lay open in Clover’s hands.Inside was the golden crown.It wasn’t large.It wasn’t decorated with jewels.Yet the moment Clover looked at it, the entire chamber seemed to hold its breath.Kael stared at the crown.“That’s the true Moon Crown?”Clover shook her head.“No.”She remembered her mother’s words.The true Moon Queen was never meant to wear the Crown.“She was meant to destroy it.”The Moon Oracle slowly approached.“I have heard stories about this.”Clover looked at her.“What stories?”“The first Moon Queen discovered that the Moon Crown was consuming the power of every Queen who wore it.”“So why did they keep wearing it?”“Because without it, the Moon Kingdom would lose its protection.”Aiden frowned.“Then destroying it would leave the kingdom defenseless.”The Oracle nodded.“Unless…”“Unless what?”She looked at Clover.“Someone replaces the Crown’s power.”⸻A sudden pain shot through Clover’s palm.The black mark appeared again.Kael immediately grabb
The chamber went completely dark. “Clover!” Kael’s voice echoed through the darkness. She reached for him. “Kael!” Her fingers found his hand. Then— BOOM! A burst of crimson energy threw them apart. Clover hit the stone floor. “Kael!” She looked up. He was standing several feet away. His head was lowered. His shoulders were trembling. “Kael?” Slowly, he raised his head. His eyes were crimson. Not completely. A thin ring of gold remained around his pupils. Clover’s heart broke. “You’re still in there.” Kael clenched his fists. “Run.” “What?” “Get away from me.” His voice trembled. “I can feel it.” “The darkness is inside my head.” The mysterious woman smiled. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Clover glared at her. “Undo it.” “I didn’t create it.” “Then who did?” The woman looked toward the darkness above them. “She did.” Clover froze. “Who?” The woman pointed at her. “Your mother.” ⸻ The Moon Oracle stepped forward. “That’s impossible.” The woman laughe
Clover stood frozen in the middle of her room. The black mark on her palm continued to glow. She stared at it, afraid to touch it again. The vision had been too real. Kael. His crimson eyes. Blood on his hands. And her lifeless body in his arms. “No…” She shook her head. “It was only a vision.” But deep inside, something told her otherwise. A knock sounded at the door. Clover quickly pulled her sleeve over the mark. “Come in.” Kael entered. The moment he saw her face, his expression changed. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing.” He walked closer. “Clover.” She avoided his eyes. “I said I’m fine.” Kael gently took her hand. Then he saw the mark. His face went pale. “What is that?” Clover pulled her hand away. “I don’t know.” Kael stared at her. “Why didn’t you tell me?” “Because I don’t want you to worry.” “I’m already worried.” Before Clover could answer, a loud bell rang throughout the castle. Once. Twice. Three times. Kael immediately turned toward the door







