Chapter 12: The Trap Springs

Celestia's heartbeat thundered in her ears as King Aldric's words sank in.

"Oh, nothing much. Just a war. And you… you're going to make it interesting."

The Lycans moved, circling the ruins like silent predators. Celestia could sense the shift in energy—this was no simple meeting.

Darius stepped forward, his golden eyes locked on Aldric. "Then let's stop pretending this is a negotiation."

Aldric smirked, his arms spreading as if welcoming a challenge. "You're right. I never intended for this to be a mere discussion. This… is an invitation."

Celestia's fingers curled into fists. "An invitation to what?"

Aldric chuckled. "To show me what you're capable of."

He snapped his fingers.

A sudden howl tore through the air.

From the shadows of the ruins, dozens of Lycans emerged, their eyes glowing with bloodlust. Some dropped from crumbling archways, others stepped from behind broken pillars, forming an iron-tight perimeter.

They were surrounded.

Celestia's breath hitched as she counted—at least fifty warriors, not including Aldric himself.

Darius didn't flinch. "This isn't a fight you want."

Aldric's grin widened. "On the contrary. I think this is exactly what I want."

Celestia sensed it then—a subtle shift in Aldric's stance, the way his fingers flexed at his sides. He wanted to test them.

Darius turned his head slightly, barely a movement, but Celestia understood. Be ready.

The tension snapped.

A Lycan warrior lunged.

Darius sidestepped, his fist slamming into the attacker's ribs. The Lycan snarled, but before he could recover, Darius grabbed him by the throat and threw him into another approaching enemy.

Chaos erupted.

Elias and the warriors outside the ruins must have seen the signal because arrows rained down from the cliffs, striking several Lycans before they could react.

Celestia twisted, her power surging as she extended her hands. Moonlight pulsed from her palms, slamming into a Lycan charging toward her. He yelped as the force sent him flying back into a ruined column.

Lucien was already in motion, his twin daggers flashing as he cut down the closest enemy.

Elias dropped from above, landing beside Darius. "You were right," he panted, drawing his sword. "It was a trap."

Darius let out a humorless chuckle. "A predictable one."

But Aldric wasn't moving.

He stood at the steps of the ruined temple, watching. Waiting.

Celestia's stomach twisted.

He's testing us. He's not fighting seriously.

A terrifying realization settled over her.

This is only the beginning.

Celestia dodged a clawed swipe, her boots skidding across the dirt. A Lycan twice her size lunged at her, fangs bared. She raised her hands, summoning her lunar energy.

A burst of silver light flared around her. The Lycan roared in pain as the energy burned against his skin, forcing him back.

But Celestia wasn't done.

Her power surged. The air trembled around her as her eyes glowed with ethereal light.

"Enough!"

A shockwave burst from her body, sending nearby Lycans sprawling. The ground cracked beneath her feet as lunar energy swirled like a storm around her.

The battlefield fell silent.

Even Aldric looked intrigued.

"Well, well," the Lycan King mused, rubbing his chin. "That's… unexpected."

Celestia's breathing was heavy. She wasn't sure what just happened.

Darius stepped beside her. "Are you alright?"

She nodded. "I think so."

Aldric's smirk returned. "Then let's see how far you can go."

He vanished.

Celestia's eyes widened.

He's fast—

Before she could react, Aldric reappeared behind her.

A sharp pain exploded in her side as he struck her, sending her flying.

Celestia hit the ground hard, the air knocked from her lungs.

Darius roared, his power surging as shadows erupted from his body. He launched himself at Aldric, their fists colliding with an earth-shaking force.

The battle had truly begun.

Darius's movements were a blur, his fists a storm of strikes. Aldric dodged and parried, grinning as if enjoying himself.

"Come now, Saints," Aldric taunted. "I expected more from the 'strongest Alpha.'"

Darius's eyes darkened. "You talk too much."

The shadows around him thickened. He vanished into them, reappearing behind Aldric with deadly speed. His fist connected with the Lycan King's ribs, a sickening crack echoing through the ruins.

Aldric coughed, stumbling, but his grin never faded.

"Now that's more like it."

Then he lunged.

Darius barely had time to block as Aldric's clawed hand struck his arm, slicing through his coat. Blood splattered onto the dirt.

Celestia struggled to stand, her power flickering. She had to do something.

Aldric turned his gaze to her, smirking. "I wonder, Luna… have you truly awakened yet?"

Celestia's breath hitched.

He knew.

He knew about her hidden power.

And he was waiting for her to realize it.

Elias and the others fought fiercely, cutting down Lycans one by one. But they were outnumbered.

Lucien cursed. "We need to end this—fast."

Celestia's pulse pounded.

Her power wasn't enough. Not yet.

She clenched her fists.

No. I refuse to be weak.

She forced herself up, her vision sharpening. The moon above was hidden behind clouds, but she could still feel it. The power was there. She just had to claim it.

She took a deep breath.

And let go.

The air hummed as her power surged.

A lunar storm erupted from her, blinding silver light illuminating the battlefield. The Lycans around her howled as the energy forced them back, their bodies seared by the intensity.

Darius shielded his eyes.

Aldric merely raised a brow. "Ah. There it is."

Celestia felt it.

The full extent of her Lunar Embrace.

Her wounds healed instantly. Her limbs felt lighter, her strength tripled. She could hear everything—every heartbeat, every whisper of movement.

Aldric tilted his head. "Now the real fight begins."

Celestia charged.

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End of Chapter 12