Elira stood at the edge of the clearing like a ghost summoned by fate. Her silver cloak shimmered under the dawn light, her eyes unreadable, lips parted like she had something to say but didn’t know where to begin.I rose slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements. Arlen was already behind me, blades unsheathed, ready to strike."Don’t," I whispered to him. "Not yet."She took a step forward. "I’m not here to fight."“Strange,” I said, my voice colder than the air. “You usually bring fire and death when you visit.”Her mouth tightened. “I came alone.”“No army waiting behind the ridge?”“No. Just me. And answers."Answers. My fingers itched toward my blade, not out of fear, but out of instinct. This woman this half of the prophecy was the shadow to my light. We were bound by blood and fate and something even darker. I had spent my whole life hating her. Fearing her. Now she was here, asking me to listen.“Say what you came to say,” I told her.She hesitated. “You saw the murals,
Elira stood at the edge of the clearing like a ghost summoned by fate. Her silver cloak shimmered under the dawn light, her eyes unreadable, lips parted like she had something to say but didn’t know where to begin.I rose slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements. Arlen was already behind me, blades unsheathed, ready to strike."Don’t," I whispered to him. "Not yet."She took a step forward. "I’m not here to fight."“Strange,” I said, my voice colder than the air. “You usually bring fire and death when you visit.”Her mouth tightened. “I came alone.”“No army waiting behind the ridge?”“No. Just me. And answers."Answers. My fingers itched toward my blade, not out of fear, but out of instinct. This woman this half of the prophecy was the shadow to my light. We were bound by blood and fate and something even darker. I had spent my whole life hating her. Fearing her. Now she was here, asking me to listen.“Say what you came to say,” I told her.She hesitated. “You saw the murals,
Elira stood at the edge of the clearing like a ghost summoned by fate. Her silver cloak shimmered under the dawn light, her eyes unreadable, lips parted like she had something to say but didn’t know where to begin.I rose slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements. Arlen was already behind me, blades unsheathed, ready to strike."Don’t," I whispered to him. "Not yet."She took a step forward. "I’m not here to fight."“Strange,” I said, my voice colder than the air. “You usually bring fire and death when you visit.”Her mouth tightened. “I came alone.”“No army waiting behind the ridge?”“No. Just me. And answers."Answers. My fingers itched toward my blade, not out of fear, but out of instinct. This woman this half of the prophecy was the shadow to my light. We were bound by blood and fate and something even darker. I had spent my whole life hating her. Fearing her. Now she was here, asking me to listen.“Say what you came to say,” I told her.She hesitated. “You saw the murals,
The drums still echoed in my bones long after the ritual ended.I had grown up hearing tales of the Crescent Flame and the Phoenix Rising, of prophecies buried beneath blood and stone, but never once did I think those myths would manifest in my lifetime or that my son would become their centerEzren slept soundly now, curled between worn furs and moonstone charms in the quiet sanctuary we prepared for him. I stood beside him, watching his chest rise and fall, each breath a prayer. I wasn’t ready to lose him not to fate, not to war, not to prophecy.A hand gently touched my shoulder. Rafael. Silent, but always present when I needed him most."You haven’t rested," he said.I shook my head. “Neither has the world.”He didn’t argue. He simply stood beside me, our silence saying more than any words.Outside, the wind carried a different scent woodsmoke and steel. Soldiers from the western packs had begun to arrive. Banners flew high, unfamiliar sigils next to our own. Wolves we hadn’t seen
The moment Elira declared herself, everything in me snapped into focus. She looked like Ophelia, yes but something colder lived behind her eyes. Not pain. Not grief. Strategy. Purpose.Her wolves surrounded us, but they did not attack. Not yet.I moved closer to Ophelia, close enough that our shoulders touched. My fingers grazed the hilt of my sword, but her calm presence steadied me."What exactly do you want, Elira?" I asked, voice low.Her lips curled, the fire behind her casting long shadows over her pale face. "Recognition. Truth. My rightful place. I want the world to remember who I am.""You want a throne that no longer exists," Ophelia replied. "You want to rule ashes."Elira's smile faltered for a fraction of a second. Then she raised her chin. "You don't understand what was lost. You were never meant to be the one."The wind picked up, whirling around us like a warning. The tension crackled like kindling waiting to ignite."And you were?" I challenged. "Hiding in shadows whi
The fire crackled behind me as I stood before the Moonstone Council once more. The great hall, now rebuilt with new stones and sacred ash, pulsed with renewed energy. There were no thrones only seats, all equal, all facing each other.Ezren sat beside me, sleepy-eyed but attentive, a parchment in his lap where he doodled stars and wolves with half a mind to magic. Rafael stood just behind, a constant presence my shield and my anchor."We've received word from the Northern Ridge," I began, my voice strong but steady. "A faction of Crescent loyalists has gathered there. They refuse to recognize our peace accords."A murmur rose from the circle. Councilors exchanged glances. Fear. Weariness. A familiar tension.Rafael stepped forward, eyes scanning the room. "We do not seek another war, but we will not allow oppression to fester. If they raise blades, we will defend. But we will try words first."An elder wolfess to my right Councilor Maren nodded slowly. "Let them be given a choice. The