Chapter 21: The Beast Beyond the Gate

The ancient voice echoed across the crimson sky.

“At last…”

“My prison weakens.”

Every warrior on the battlefield froze.

The earth trembled violently beneath their feet as cracks spread through Moonhaven’s walls. The crimson eclipse darkened until daylight seemed to vanish completely.

Lyra looked up at the Blood Gate, her silver eyes reflecting the monstrous red glow.

“What… is inside that gate?”

Lucien’s face was grim.

“The first creature ever born from Blood Magic.”

Karl frowned.

“You mean a werewolf?”

Lucien slowly shook his head.

“No.”

“A nightmare.”

The crack in the Blood Gate widened.

A massive claw covered in black scales pushed through the opening.

The sky itself groaned under its weight.

Villagers screamed.

Children buried their faces against their mothers.

Even the Blood Hunters took several steps backward.

Victor’s confidence disappeared.

“My Lord…”

“You never told us something like this was imprisoned.”

Malrik’s crimson eyes gleamed with excitement.

“You feared it.”

“I worship it.”

The claw withdrew.

For a brief second…

Everything became silent.

Then a pair of glowing crimson eyes appeared inside the Gate.

They were larger than an entire castle.

The creature didn’t step through.

It simply watched.

Its gaze swept across the battlefield until it settled on Lyra.

A deep laugh rumbled from beyond the Gate.

“The Moon Princess lives…”

Lyra felt an icy chill run through her body.

“It… knows me.”

Suddenly, the silver pendant around her neck floated into the air.

A brilliant beam of moonlight burst from it, piercing the crimson sky.

The Blood Gate shook violently.

The creature roared in fury.

Lucien’s eyes widened.

“The pendant…”

“It’s responding!”

Arnold turned toward Lyra.

“Don’t fight it.”

“Listen to it.”

The moonlight surrounding Lyra grew brighter.

A soft feminine voice echoed in her heart.

“Daughter…”

Lyra closed her eyes.

“Mother?”

“The Royal Pendant carries my final blessing.”

“The Gate cannot be closed by strength…”

”…only by a heart untouched by hatred.”

A single silver tear rolled down Lyra’s cheek.

“But I’m scared.”

“Courage is not the absence of fear.”

“It is choosing to stand despite it.”

The voice faded.

The pendant gently settled back against her chest.

Malrik’s expression twisted with rage.

“No!”

“You will not interfere!”

Dark energy exploded from his body.

Black flames wrapped around his arms as he charged toward Lyra.

“I’ll kill you before the blessing awakens!”

Karl intercepted him.

Their fists collided with a deafening explosion.

BOOM!

The impact shattered nearby boulders.

Karl slid backward, leaving deep trenches in the earth.

Malrik smiled.

“You’ve improved.”

Karl bared his teeth.

“I’ve finally found something worth protecting.”

Without hesitation, Arnold attacked from Malrik’s left while Lucien struck from the right.

For the first time…

The three greatest warriors fought as one.

Their coordinated assault forced Malrik backward.

Arnold’s sword sliced across his shoulder.

Karl’s claws tore through his armor.

Lucien’s greatsword struck his chest with tremendous force.

Malrik staggered.

Blood dripped onto the battlefield.

He looked down in disbelief.

“…You injured me.”

Victor gasped.

No one had drawn Malrik’s blood in years.

Malrik’s laughter echoed across the valley.

“Excellent.”

“I was beginning to think this would be boring.”

He lifted both hands toward the Blood Gate.

“Awaken…”

“My servants.”

The crimson lightning struck the battlefield again.

But this time…

It didn’t strike the Blood Hunters.

It struck the fallen.

The bodies of dead hunters began to move.

One after another, they slowly rose to their feet.

Their eyes glowed with empty crimson light.

Moonhaven’s warriors stared in horror.

“They’re…”

“They’re dead.”

“How are they standing?”

Lucien clenched his jaw.

“Blood Puppets.”

“They feel no pain.”

“They never stop.”

The undead army charged.

Moonhaven’s warriors were quickly overwhelmed.

For every puppet they cut down…

Two more rose.

Karl fought relentlessly, but exhaustion was beginning to show.

Arnold’s breathing grew heavier.

Even Lucien’s movements slowed.

They couldn’t keep this up forever.

Lyra looked around at the battlefield.

People she had come to care about were falling.

Moonhaven…

The only place that had welcomed her without asking for anything in return…

Was being destroyed.

She closed her eyes.

“No more.”

When she opened them again, the silver mark spread across her neck and shoulders like living moonlight.

Her voice rang across the battlefield with a calm strength she had never possessed before.

“I won’t run anymore.”

She stepped forward.

Moonlight gathered in her outstretched hands, forming a radiant silver bow unlike any weapon ever forged.

A single glowing arrow appeared on its own.

Lucien’s eyes widened.

“The Moon Bow…”

Arnold whispered in disbelief.

“It hasn’t existed for centuries.”

Karl looked at Lyra, awe filling his eyes.

His wolf spoke softly.

She is becoming the Queen she was born to be.

Lyra drew the shining bowstring.

The silver arrow pointed not at Malrik…

But at the Blood Gate itself.

The Moon Goddess’s voice echoed one final time.

“Choose wisely, my child…”

“For one arrow…”

”…will change the fate of every kingdom.”