Chapter 31: The Forgotten Oath

The moon hung high above the Silver Pass.

Its pale light poured through the broken roof of the ancient shrine, bathing the cracked marble floor in silver.

No one spoke.

Adrian’s final words echoed in Lyra’s mind.

“Your father begged me to kill him.”

She couldn’t believe it.

Her father had been a brave king.

A loving husband.

A devoted father.

Why would he ever ask his own brother to take his life?

It made no sense.

Karl remained awake outside the shrine.

His sharp silver eyes scanned the forest beyond the cliffs.

His wolf was restless.

He’s playing with her mind.

Karl nodded silently.

“He wants her confused.”

Because confused hearts make reckless choices.

Karl tightened his grip on his sword.

“Then I’ll make sure she doesn’t face him alone.”

Inside the shrine…

Lyra sat beside the ancient statue of Elara.

She held the Ring of Unity in her hands.

It shimmered beneath the moonlight.

Suddenly…

The ring grew warm.

A pulse of silver light spread across the room.

The runes on the temple floor glowed once more.

Lucien immediately stood.

“It’s happening again.”

The light gathered before Lyra, forming the transparent image of an elderly man dressed in royal armor.

His silver beard reached his chest.

His eyes were kind.

Yet filled with sorrow.

Lyra gasped.

“Who are you?”

The spirit smiled gently.

“I am King Orion.”

“The first ruler of Lunaris.”

Everyone instinctively bowed.

Even Lucien lowered his head.

King Orion looked at Lyra with quiet pride.

“So…”

“The Moon Throne has finally found its heir.”

Lyra hesitated.

“I don’t understand any of this.”

“I’ve never ruled anyone.”

“I’ve made mistakes.”

“I’ve been afraid.”

The old king smiled.

“And that is exactly why you were chosen.”

She frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“The throne does not choose the strongest.”

“It chooses the one who understands compassion.”

Arnold stepped forward.

“Your Majesty…”

“If the throne chooses kindness…”

“Why did Lunaris fall?”

A shadow crossed Orion’s face.

“Because someone broke…”

“…the Forgotten Oath.”

The room became silent.

Lucien’s expression darkened.

“I’ve heard legends.”

“But no one knows what the oath truly was.”

Orion nodded.

“Few remember.”

With a wave of his hand…

The air shimmered.

A vision appeared.

It showed four rulers standing together beneath the full moon.

One human king.

One Alpha King.

One Lycan Emperor.

And the King of Lunaris.

Each placed a hand upon a silver altar.

Orion spoke softly.

“Thousands of years ago…”

“The four kingdoms swore never to seek dominion over one another.”

“They would protect balance.”

“They would protect peace.”

“And above all…”

“They would never allow Blood Magic to rule.”

The vision changed.

One ruler stepped away from the altar.

His face disappeared beneath shadows.

“The oath was broken.”

“And the world has paid the price ever since.”

Lyra watched silently.

“So…”

“The Shadow King wants to break the balance completely?”

Orion nodded.

“He believes peace creates weakness.”

“He seeks one kingdom.”

“One ruler.”

“One will.”

Karl folded his arms.

“He wants absolute power.”

“Yes.”

“But there is something even he fears.”

Everyone looked toward Orion.

“The Moon Throne.”

Lucien frowned.

“Why?”

Orion’s eyes met Lyra’s.

“Because the one who sits upon it…”

“…can erase Blood Magic forever.”

Silence fell.

Even the wind outside seemed to stop.

Suddenly

A sharp whistle cut through the night.

Karl spun toward the entrance.

“Incoming!”

A flaming arrow crashed into the shrine.

BOOM!

The explosion shattered one of the marble pillars.

Smoke filled the room.

“Protect Lyra!” Arnold shouted.

Warriors rushed to form a defensive circle.

Another explosion shook the temple.

Then another.

Outside…

Hundreds of torches surrounded the Silver Pass.

Damien stared in disbelief.

“They found us already?”

Rowan climbed onto a fallen pillar for a better view.

His face drained of color.

“No…”

“It isn’t the Shadow King’s army.”

Karl frowned.

“Then who?”

The enemy ranks slowly parted.

A woman dressed in crimson armor rode forward on a magnificent white wolf.

Her long black hair flowed behind her.

A jeweled crown rested upon her head.

She couldn’t have been older than twenty-five.

Yet every soldier bowed as she passed.

She stopped just beyond bowshot.

Her emerald eyes locked onto Lyra.

Then…

She smiled.

It wasn’t a cruel smile.

It was almost… relieved.

She removed her helmet and called out across the valley.

“Princess Lyra!”

“My name is Queen Seraphina of the Eastern Dominion.”

“I have not come to fight.”

The soldiers behind her lowered their weapons.

“I have come…”

“…to fulfill a promise I made to your mother.”

The entire shrine fell silent.

Lucien’s eyes widened.

“Seraphina…”

“I thought she disappeared years ago.”

Queen Seraphina looked directly at Lyra.

“There is no time to explain.”

“The Shadow King is already marching here.”

She raised her hand.

“If you wish to live…”

“Come with me.”

Far away, inside Blackthorn Citadel, Adrian stood before a massive war table.

A general entered and knelt.

“Your Majesty.”

“The Eastern Queen has reached the Princess first.”

Adrian smiled calmly.

“I expected she would.”

The general looked confused.

“Should we stop her?”

Adrian turned toward the window, where black ravens circled beneath the moon.

“No.”

“Every move they make…”

“…brings Lyra exactly where I need her to be.”

His smile slowly faded into something unreadable.

“And soon…”

“…she will learn the truth about the night her father died.”