THE ISLE OF ETERNAL WOLVES

Chapter 21

The Isle of Eternal Wolves

The first light of dawn broke through the crimson clouds, but the world no longer felt the same.

The Blood Moon Eclipse had stained the skies, and whispers of war spread from one kingdom to another.

Inside the Moon Temple, preparations were already underway.

Kael tightened the straps of his armor while warriors loaded supplies onto three ancient spirit horses. The Blood King stood apart, gazing toward the eastern sea where a thick blanket of silver mist hid their destination.

"The Isle of Eternal Wolves," he said quietly. "No ship has reached it in five hundred years."

Ariana stepped beside him, the Moon Crown now hidden beneath a silver cloak.

"Then we'll be the first."

He smiled faintly.

"You sound just like you did before."

Kael overheard the comment and frowned, but he said nothing.

---

By noon, the three of them had reached the edge of the Black Sea.

No waves crashed against the shore.

The water was unnaturally still, like polished glass.

At the center floated an old wooden boat with no oars and no sailor.

"It came for us," the Blood King said.

The moment Ariana stepped aboard, the boat began moving on its own.

No wind.

No current.

Only silence.

Hours passed before the mist thickened.

Shapes began appearing inside it.

Ghostly wolves.

Hundreds of them.

They walked across the surface of the sea without sinking.

Kael instinctively reached for his sword.

"They're watching us."

"They're judging us," the Blood King corrected.

One ghostly wolf approached Ariana.

Instead of attacking, it lowered its head.

Then another followed.

Soon every spirit wolf bowed as the boat drifted between them.

Ariana felt warmth spread through her chest.

"They remember me."

---

As night fell, a massive island emerged from the fog.

Towering silver trees stretched into the sky.

Waterfalls shimmered with moonlight.

Ancient statues of wolves lined a path leading toward a colossal stone gate.

The moment Ariana stepped onto the island, the gate slowly opened with a thunderous rumble.

A deep voice echoed across the land.

"The Moon Queen has returned."

The ground shook.

From every corner of the island, armored warriors appeared.

There were twelve of them.

Each wore silver armor marked with glowing runes.

Their eyes shone like stars.

The leader carried a giant spear carved from white crystal.

He knelt before Ariana.

"For five centuries..."

"We have waited."

Tears filled Ariana's eyes.

"You... never left."

The guardian lowered his head.

"Our oath was eternal."

Kael exchanged surprised glances with the Blood King.

"They're really alive."

The guardian rose and looked at Kael.

"You are the Alpha who carries the Queen's heart."

Kael nodded.

"I'll protect her with my life."

The guardian's expression remained unreadable.

"Words are easy."

"Prove them."

Before anyone could react, he struck the ground with his spear.

The earth split apart.

A massive arena rose from beneath the island.

Silver flames ignited around its edges.

"The First Trial begins."

Kael stepped forward.

"I'll fight."

"No," the guardian replied.

"This trial belongs to the Queen."

Ariana walked into the center of the arena.

The gate behind her slammed shut.

Suddenly, the silver flames turned black.

Dark mist gathered before her, twisting into the shape of a familiar woman.

Ariana's breath caught.

It was... herself.

Not as she was now.

But as the Moon Queen from five hundred years ago.

The woman's silver eyes held both sadness and strength.

She slowly drew a glowing sword.

"If you wish to reclaim your throne," she said.

"You must first defeat the person you used to be."

Outside the arena, Kael gripped the bars of the gate.

"Ariana!"

The Blood King's face grew grim.

"This isn't a battle of strength."

"It's a battle of the soul."

The silver flames surged higher, cutting Ariana off from everyone.

The former Moon Queen raised her sword.

Ariana lifted her own weapon with trembling hands.

The first strike was about to fall.

And only one version of the Moon Queen would leave the arena.