The First Trial

The Rise of the Moon's Chosen

Chapter 11: The First Trial

The Forgotten Valley was near.

Marcos and his warriors were at the edge of a great chasm, looking down at the ruined land below. The sky was gray and lifeless, the air thick with the scent of old magic and decay.

Jax exhaled. "Well, this place definitely screams 'bad idea.'"

Selene ignored him, her green eyes scanning the valley. "I do not see anything, but I can feel something ."

Marcos gripped the Moonfire Dagger tightly. "Then we keep moving."

Darius hesitated. "Marcos, are you sure you're okay?"

Marcos turned to him. "I'm fine."

It was a lie.

Ever since they left the Forest of Whispers, the voice in his head had grown stronger.

Come to me, Chosen One.

Your destiny awaits.

He shoved the voice aside and led the way into the valley.

---

The First Guardian

They had barely walked for an hour when the ground shook beneath them.

A low growl echoed through the valley.

Selene drew her bow. "Something's coming."

From the shadows of the ruined temple ahead, a figure emerged.

It was a wolf—but unlike anything they had seen before.

Its fur was black as the abyss, its eyes burning like molten gold. Runes glowed along its body, and its claws dripped with black mist.

Darius cursed. "That's not a normal wolf."

Astrid, the Shadow Seer, stepped forward. "That is a Guardian of the Seal."

Jax gripped more firmly on his sword. "Okay, and what does that mean for us?"

Astrid's voice was grim. "It means it won't let us pass."

The Guardian's eyes locked onto Marcos.

"Only the worthy may cross into the depths," it growled. "Prove yourself, or be devoured."

Marcos didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, his body tensing for battle.

"Then let's see if I'm worthy."

---

Marcos vs. The Guardian

The Guardian lunged first, moving faster than any wolf Marcos had ever faced.

Marcos barely dodged as the beast's claws ripped through the air, leaving trails of black mist.

Selene fired an arrow. It pierced the Guardian's side—but the creature didn't even flinch.

Jax swore. "This thing is cheating."

Darius charged with his blade, but the Guardian knocked him aside with a single swipe.

Marcos snarled. "Enough."

His silver eyes flashed. He lunged forward, his claws slashing against the Guardian's chest.

The beast howled but didn't fall. Instead, it opened its jaws—

And unleashed a blast of shadowfire.

Marcos barely leapt out of the way, landing hard on the cracked earth. His chest burned from the heat.

Astrid shouted. "You can't fight it like a normal wolf! You have to break the Seal!"

Marcos gritted his teeth, gripping the Moonfire Dagger.

Break the Seal…

His gaze flickered to the runes glowing on the Guardian's body.

Then he understood.

---

The Final Strike

Marcos dodged another swipe and rushed forward.

The Guardian lunged—but Marcos twisted at the last second, slipping past its claws.

With a roar, he plunged the Moonfire Dagger into the largest rune on its chest.

The Guardian froze.

The runes on its body flickered—then shattered.

The beast staggered back, its golden eyes wide. "You… truly are the Chosen."

Then, with a final growl, it dissolved into mist.

Silence fell.

Marcos exhaled, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Selene approached. "That was insane."

Jax laughed nervously. "You could've warned us before fighting a damn ancient beast."

Astrid stepped forward. "The First Seal has been broken. But there are more trials ahead."

Marcos tightened his grip on the dagger. "Then let's keep moving."

He didn't say it aloud, but deep inside, he could feel it—

Fenrir was waiting.

And the battle for his soul had just begun.

---

To Be Continued…

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What's Next in Chapter 12?

The Second Guardian of the Seal appears.

Marcos begins to hear Fenrir's voice more clearly.

The final steps toward Fenrir's prison.