Chapter 11: The Path to Shadow Vale

The war room remained heavy with tension long after Aldric's message had been read.

Celestia ran her fingers over the parchment again, feeling the weight of its meaning. He knew. The Lycan King had always been a looming shadow in their war, but now it was clear—he wasn't just after The Saints Moon Pack. He was after her.

Darius stood by the table, his sharp gaze locked onto the map, as if searching for answers hidden within its inked lines. Elias leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his usual smirk replaced with hard contemplation.

Lucien, however, looked restless. "We shouldn't be entertaining this," he said, voice edged with irritation. "It's an obvious trap."

"No one said we'd walk in blind," Darius responded, his tone even.

Celestia inhaled deeply, her mind racing through the possibilities. Aldric wouldn't call for a meeting unless he was certain he had the upper hand.

"We need more information before we commit to anything," she said, setting the scroll down. "We can't afford to step into the unknown."

Elias nodded. "Agreed. I'll send scouts immediately."

Darius finally looked up from the map, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "If we do this, we go as equals. No submission. No weakness."

Celestia held his gaze. "Then we make sure he understands that."

---

*Preparation for the Unknown

The next day, the pack moved with a sense of urgency. Scouts were dispatched to Shadow Vale, slipping through the dense forest under the cover of dawn. Warriors trained relentlessly, sharpening their claws and minds for the battles to come.

Celestia spent hours in the training grounds, perfecting her control over her abilities under Elder Selene's watchful eye.

"Again," the elder instructed, standing firm despite the swirling energy Celestia was trying to contain.

Celestia exhaled, summoning the silvery-blue mist of her lunar energy. It coiled around her like a living force, flickering with power, but just as she was about to command it forward, it slipped from her control.

A sharp crack echoed as the force shattered the stone dummy in front of her.

Selene frowned. "You hesitate."

Celestia clenched her jaw. "It's unstable."

"It's connected to your emotions. If you let doubt seep in, it will spiral out of control."

Celestia wiped sweat from her brow, her heart pounding. The power inside her was growing, but with each day, it became harder to master.

Selene softened slightly. "You have the blood of Astraea running through you, child. But power means nothing without control."

Celestia met her gaze, determination settling in. "Then I'll master it."

Selene nodded approvingly. "Good. Because soon, you'll have no choice."

---

By evening, the scouts returned, their expressions grim.

Elias was the first to approach Darius, urgency clear in his voice. "We have a problem."

Celestia, standing beside Darius, straightened. "What did you find?"

The scout hesitated before answering. "Shadow Vale isn't just a meeting ground." He swallowed hard. "It's a trap."

Darius's jaw clenched. "Explain."

The scout exhaled sharply. "The ruins are surrounded. Lycans are stationed around the perimeter, hidden within the old stone walls. We estimate at least a hundred of them, if not more."

A sharp silence filled the room.

Celestia's stomach twisted. Aldric had played his hand. He wasn't just summoning them—he was waiting to ambush them.

Lucien scoffed. "I told you. He wants us dead."

Darius exhaled through his nose, thinking. "And yet he still wants us to come. That means he needs something."

"Me," Celestia murmured.

Darius turned to her. "Yes. But he wouldn't risk revealing his forces just to kill us. There's something more."

Elias frowned. "So, what's the move? Do we refuse?"

Darius shook his head. "No. We go."

Lucien's fists tightened. "Are you insane?"

Darius's golden gaze turned sharp. "Refusing gives him the advantage. If we don't show, he'll attack us on his terms. At least this way, we control how the confrontation unfolds."

Celestia nodded. "We turn his trap against him."

Darius stepped toward the map, dragging a dagger across the surface, marking their path.

"We bring only our strongest warriors. Elias, you and Rhea will form a secondary unit in the shadows, watching our backs."

Elias smirked. "Always."

Darius continued. "Lucien, you'll lead a small force at the border of Shadow Vale. If things go wrong, you'll be our signal for retreat."

Lucien hesitated before nodding.

Darius turned to Celestia. "We walk in together. No fear."

Celestia met his gaze. "I was never afraid."

He smirked slightly. "I know."

---

*The Journey to Shadow Vale

The night before their departure, the pack remained restless. Celestia walked the perimeter, feeling the weight of the upcoming confrontation.

She found Darius standing at the cliffside, gazing at the moonlit valley below.

"You should be resting," he murmured.

Celestia stepped beside him. "And so you should."

He exhaled, his golden eyes reflecting the moon. "Tomorrow changes everything."

She nodded. "Yes."

Darius turned to her. "Whatever happens, we fight together."

Celestia reached out, placing a hand over his. "Always."

A rare softness passed between them, but before either could speak, Elias approached.

"It's time."

By dawn, they rode out, moving swiftly through the forest. The wind was cold, and the air smelled of danger.

By midday, the ruins of Shadow Vale loomed ahead.

The ancient stone walls stood tall, crumbling in places but still eerily imposing. Dark banners marked with the Lycan sigil fluttered in the breeze.

Celestia's heart pounded as they approached the center of the ruins.

Then, he appeared.

King Aldric Varos.

The Lycan King stood at the top of the steps, his form imposing, his silver eyes sharp with amusement. His dark armor gleamed under the overcast sky, and a twisted smirk played on his lips.

Darius's posture stiffened beside her.

Celestia inhaled slowly. It begins.

---

End of Chapter 11