Whispers of the bound wolf

The Rise of the Moon's Chosen

Chapter 12: Whispers of the bound wolf

The ruins of the Forgotten Valley unfolded before them, silent and ominous. The battle with the first Guardian had left Marcos weary, but there was no time to rest. The next trial awaited, and with every step, he could feel the weight of Fenrir's presence growing stronger.

"Do you hear that?" Selene whispered.

Marcos frowned. "Hear what?"

She hesitated, gripping her bow tighter. "Voices. They're whispering… but I don't see anyone."

Jax let out a dry chuckle. "Oh great, creepy whispers. Exactly what we needed."

Astrid, the Shadow Seer, exhaled. "We are approaching the Second Seal. This place is steeped in ancient magic. The voices you hear are echoes of the past."

Marcos remained silent, but deep inside, he knew the whispers weren't just echoes.

They were calling to him.

---

The Path of Shadows

The group advance forward, the ground underneath them shifting with every step. The valley was filled with crumbling temples and shattered statues, relics of a time long before the rise of the werewolf packs.

Marcos could feel it now—the pull of something ancient and powerful.

"Chosen One…"

He stopped.

The voice was different this time. It wasn't an echo of the past.

It was real.

Selene grabbed his arm. "Marcos?"

He turned to her, but before he could speak, the ground beneath them cracked.

A deep rumbling shook the valley.

Jax cursed. "What now?!"

From the ruins ahead, something moved.

A dark figure rose from the stone, its form shifting like living shadows.

The Second Guardian had awakened.

---

The Trial of Darkness

The Guardian towered over them, its body wrapped in black mist. It had no eyes, no face—only a gaping void where its head should be.

"Only those who embrace the shadows may pass."

Marcos stepped forward. "Then let's get this over with."

The Guardian lashed out.

A wave of darkness swept over the group, engulfing them in pure blackness.

Marcos gasped as the air turned cold. He could see nothing.

Then—a whisper.

"Are you afraid, Chosen One?"

Marcos spun, but there was no one there. Only the voice.

"You fight against fate, but you know the truth, don't you?"

Marcos clenched his fists. "Shut up."

"You are not a hero. You are a vessel."

A figure emerged from the darkness—his father.

Alpha Mongo stood before him, his gaze empty and cold.

"You were never meant to lead, my son. Only to be consumed."

Marcos' heart pounded. This wasn't real. It couldn't be real.

He stepped forward—but his father vanished.

In his place stood Fenrir.

The great beast loomed over him, its eyes burning like molten fire.

"You cannot fight me, Marcos. You are already mine."

Marcos gritted his teeth. "I will never be yours."

Fenrir laughed, the sound shaking the darkness itself.

"Then prove it."

---

The Return to the Light

Marcos shut his eyes.

He focused on the Moon's power within him.

He could still feel the weight of the dagger in his hand , the echo of its ancient magic.

Light and shadow are merely reflection of the same coin.

Marcos took a deep breath.

Then he slashed through the darkness with the Moonfire Dagger.

Light erupted from the blade.

The shadows screamed as they were torn apart.

Suddenly, Marcos was back in the valley.

Selene, Jax, and the others stood nearby, dazed but unharmed.

The Guardian of Shadows staggered, its form unraveling.

"You have passed the trial." Its voice was barely a whisper. "But the final test remains."

The Guardian crumbled into dust, and the path ahead became clear.

Astrid turned to Marcos, her expression unreadable.

"The next battle will not be against a Guardian."

Her eyes darkened.

"It will be against yourself."

Marcos said nothing.

But deep inside, he knew—the final battle with Fenrir was coming.

And he wasn't sure if he would survive.

---

To Be Continued…

---

What's Next in Chapter 13?

Marcos and his warriors reach Fenrir's prison.

The truth about Marcos' connection to Fenrir is revealed.

The final battle begins.