Night fell slowly over the forest.
The pack territory looked different under the moon.
Silver light poured through the tall trees, turning the ground pale and quiet. The air felt colder… but also strangely alive.
In the large clearing behind the Alpha house, several warriors stood at a distance, watching carefully.
No one spoke.
At the center of the clearing stood Aria.
She looked up at the bright moon hanging in the sky.
Her wrist had already begun glowing again.
The crescent mark pulsed softly with silver light.
Beside her, Alpha Kael watched carefully.
"You okay?" he asked.
Aria nodded slowly.
"I think so."
Then she frowned slightly.
"But it feels… stronger tonight."
Kael looked at her glowing wrist.
"That's the moon."
Behind them, Ikechukwu stepped into the clearing, tapping his wooden staff against the ground.
"Yes."
He looked up at the sky.
"The moon is awake."
Aria rubbed her wrist nervously.
"And that means?"
The old man smiled slightly.
"That means your power will listen more clearly tonight."
Kael crossed his arms.
"Or explode more violently."
Aria shot him a look.
"Very encouraging."
Several warriors nearby chuckled quietly.
Ikechukwu pointed his staff toward the center of the clearing.
"Stand there."
Aria walked forward slowly.
The moonlight hit her directly.
The silver glow on her wrist immediately brightened.
Her breathing became uneven.
Kael noticed.
"You okay?"
Aria nodded quickly.
"Yes… but it feels like something is pulling the power out of me."
Ikechukwu nodded calmly.
"That is normal."
He stepped closer.
"The moon recognizes you."
Aria blinked.
"That sounds creepy."
The old man chuckled softly.
"In my homeland we say something about destiny."
Kael sighed loudly.
"Here comes another proverb."
Ikechukwu ignored him.
"The child chosen by the river…"
He tapped his staff once.
"…cannot refuse the water."
Aria stared at him.
"So basically I don't have a choice."
"Yes."
Kael muttered under his breath.
"At least he's honest."
Aria took a deep breath.
"Alright… what do I do?"
Ikechukwu's expression became serious.
"Close your eyes."
She hesitated.
"Why?"
"Because power listens better when the mind is quiet."
Aria slowly closed her eyes.
The forest sounds became clearer.
The wind.
The leaves.
The distant movement of wolves on patrol.
And above all of it…
The moon.
Her wrist began glowing brighter.
Silver light slowly spread across her hand.
Then her arm.
Kael straightened immediately.
"Something's happening."
Ikechukwu nodded.
"Yes."
The old man watched carefully.
"Do not interrupt her."
Aria's breathing deepened.
Inside her chest… the power felt alive.
Like a heartbeat that didn't belong to her.
The light grew stronger.
Soon the entire clearing was glowing faintly.
The warriors began stepping back.
"This is getting intense," one of them whispered.
Kael didn't move.
He watched Aria carefully.
Suddenly—
The ground trembled.
CRACK.
A small wave of silver energy burst from Aria's body.
Several leaves shot into the air.
Her eyes snapped open.
They were glowing.
Bright silver.
Kael froze.
"Aria?"
Her voice sounded different.
Stronger.
"I can feel it."
Ikechukwu leaned slightly on his staff.
"Good."
Aria slowly lifted her hand.
The silver light gathered around her fingers.
Then—
WHOOSH.
A powerful wave of energy shot across the clearing, slicing through the air like wind.
It slammed into a large tree.
BOOM.
The tree split cleanly in half.
Silence fell.
Aria stared at her own hands in shock.
"I… did that?"
Kael's eyebrows lifted slightly.
"That was impressive."
Ikechukwu nodded calmly.
"Yes."
But his expression suddenly became serious.
Because he felt something else.
Someone else.
Watching.
Far beyond the clearing.
Deep in the dark forest.
Two red eyes glowed faintly.
Magnus smiled slowly in the shadows.
"Beautiful."
His voice was barely a whisper.
The Moon Vessel was awakening.