The battlefield was a fractured picture of blood and ruin, the once-proud lands of the Bloodburn Kingdom now little more than a desolate warzone.
Drakar's knees dug into the dirt, his breath coming in labored gasps as Luna's fingers clenched his neck with an unrelenting grip. His mind spun, struggling to reconcile the impossibility standing before him.
"I-Impossible..." Drakar rasped, his voice trembling as his wide eyes fixed on Lupus, unable to believe what he just heard, "Your son died... and if I remember right, none of his children had the potential to become your heir."
But on second thought, it made sense considering how ridiculously strong she was.
Lupus stepped forward, his tall, commanding presence dwarfing even the gathering draconians.
His blood-red eyes held no malice, only a calm, measured authority as he spoke, "That you know of," he said evenly, gesturing toward Luna, "But here she is. She has already grown to nearly my strength, and it won't be long before she surpasses me entirely and takes on the mantle of Moon Guardian. If you disrespect her one more time, I can't control what she will do to you. This also means you will respect her wish to protect whatever is left of her foster kingdom."
Drakar's teeth ground together, his pride at war with his survival instinct, "Are you telling me to spare Rowena and whatever is left of her people?" he snarled, his voice low and dangerous, "You can't tell me what to do! I conquered her kingdom-I have the right to own them- urgh!"
His words choked off in a garbled gasp as Luna's grip tightened, cutting off his air. Her eyes gleamed with unrestrained fury, the flames of her anger burning as fiercely as the blood-red lightning that had heralded her arrival.
"He is not the one ordering you," Luna said through gritted teeth, her voice a razor-sharp edge, "I am the one ordering you to stay the hell away from Rowena and her people unless you want me to tear you apart right here and now. I have already seen the pathetic way you die, but I can make it happen now and before any of your men can even reach me. Don't test my patience. You have no idea what I am feeling right now," Luna felt her heart tremor once again upon remembering Ceti's sacrifice.
She wanted to stop her but she couldn't.
If she came out forcibly, she knew Ceti would take that chance to never come back. But besides that, she knew how much Ceti wanted to save Rowena and those she cared about...She herself wanted to do that as well, but she had yet to come to terms with the painful decision Ceti had made.
Drakar's body trembled involuntarily under her gaze, and for a fleeting moment, he found himself utterly paralyzed, especially when she said that she had "seen" his death.
He knew a Moon Guardian could have visions of the future, but if she saw his death, does it mean his plans related to the "key" would fail? No! That cannot be...She must be trying to scare him!
Yet the weight of her fury bore down on him, silencing him more effectively than her grip around his neck. But his pride clawed its way to the surface, and he rasped out through gritted teeth, "Y-You kill me... you'll face the wrath of my armies... Do you think you can handle that consequence?"
Luna's lips curled into a cold, humorless smile, "I'm prepared to test that and see who wins. But it doesn't change the fact that you won't be alive to see the outcome."
Drakar's fists clenched in frustration and fear. He turned his gaze toward Lupus, desperation etched into his features, "You... You're willing to go to war for your granddaughter?"
Lupus tilted his head slightly, his expression as calm and unreadable as a mountain. He said simply, "She's the granddaughter I never had the chance to properly care for. If I don't support her, then what good am I?"
"You did well," Lupus said with a nod, taking the hilt from the Red Witch's hand. His calm yet commanding voice carried through the silence, "We are done now."
The Red Witch stepped back without a word, her cloak swirling around her as if the shadows themselves were escorting her away.
Drakar's fists clenched, his body trembling with fury while Lupus turned to look at him calmly, "You think this is yours just because you barely know what it's capable of? Your ancestors were self-centered like you... only caring about themselves. Your desire to use this 'key' to gain immortality by sacrificing your people will never come true."
Drakar's chest heaved as his words faltered. He could see it-the thing he had fought and bled for-slipping through his grasp. His mind raced with possibilities, weighing the risks of attacking Lupus and his werewolves. But every option led to disaster. Even if he succeeded, it would cost him most of his men, leaving him vulnerable to his enemies. The humiliation and frustration burned hotter than any fire.
Lupus turned his piercing gaze onto Drakar, his tone still calm but unyielding, "Your people have paid the price for your arrogance long enough. Leave now. If you choose to challenge me
and my people, I will ensure you never leave this place alive."
Drakar stood frozen, his pride at war with his survival instinct. He gnashed his teeth, suppressing the storm of rage threatening to consume him. His men looked to him for direction, their hesitation palpable.
"We are done here. Come, Luna," Lupus said, gesturing to his granddaughter. Luna shot one final glare at Drakar, her eyes promising vengeance if he dared to cross her path again. With a sharp nod, she followed Lupus, her posture radiating authority and restrained
fury.
As they walked away from the devastated battlefield, Lupus turned to Luna. His voice was steady but carried a hint of warmth. "I have kept my word, fulfilling the two conditions your sister wanted-bringing your family back into our clan and protecting those she cherished." Luna's expression didn't soften. Her gaze remained cold, and her voice was laced with quiet fury, "You misunderstand," she said icily. "I, too, cherish and love everything my sister did. Even if I was asleep, I always knew what she was doing. I felt everything she felt, and that included the pain and sorrow when she made the decision to sacrifice herself. And yet you... you didn't stop her or help her because you wanted me to fulfill your plans, taking advantage of her desperation to make a "deal". You didn't even shed a tear or bat an eyelid after losing a granddaughter. I will never forgive you for what you've done."
Lupus paused, his expression momentarily softening. His eyes, normally so imposing, seemed to carry a trace of regret, "I understand if you resent me," he said quietly, "But I hope you will come to understand me with time. For now, let's return to our home. I have a lot to
tell you." Luna shook her head firmly, her silky white hair catching the light of the crimson-tinged sky, "You should head back first. I need to do something before I return."
Lupus studied her for a moment, his gaze unreadable. Then, with a nod of acceptance, he
turned to leave. "Very well. I will be waiting," he said before walking away, his werewolves following close behind, their collective aura still heavy in the air.
As the werewolves disappeared into the distance, Luna stood alone amidst the ruins of the Bloodburn Kingdom. Her gaze swept across the devastation-broken castles, streets soaked in blood, and the smoldering remnants of what was once a proud and rich kingdom. Her fists tightened, her eyes shimmering with barely restrained pain. Memories of her sister's
sacrifice and the faces of the people who depended on her swirled in her mind, fueling her
resolve.
And then, in a crackling burst of blood-red lightning, Luna vanished from the battlefield, her destination known only to her and the storm raging in her heart.
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