Chapter 13 - The Reckoning

A stillness hung over the battlefield.

Celestia's pulse pounded like a war drum, her senses heightened beyond anything she had ever known. Her Lunar Embrace was fully awakened, and it pulsed in her veins like molten silver. The ruins trembled beneath her, the very air humming with her presence.

Across from her, King Aldric smirked, brushing dust from his coat like this was all a game.

"Now, this is interesting," he murmured, golden eyes gleaming.

Celestia didn't hesitate. She moved, her body a blur of silver light.

Aldric's smirk faltered.

Then, she struck.

Celestia's palm collided with Aldric's chest, unleashing a shockwave that sent dust and shattered stone flying. Aldric skidded backward, boots digging into the dirt, his expression shifting into one of genuine surprise.

Darius, watching from a distance, felt a surge of pride and concern. This wasn't just a boost in power. This was something else entirely.

Aldric let out a low chuckle, rolling his shoulders. "Not bad." His stance shifted, muscles coiling. "But let's see if you can keep up."

Then, he vanished.

Celestia barely registered the movement before pain exploded in her side—Aldric's fist slammed into her ribs, sending her hurtling across the battlefield.

She hit the ground hard, skidding to a stop as dust rose around her.

Darius saw red.

With a roar, he lunged.

Their fists met in an earth-shattering collision, shockwaves rippling outward. Darius drove a knee toward Aldric's ribs, but the Lycan King twisted, blocking and countering with a brutal elbow strike.

Darius barely dodged in time, shadows swirling around his form as he retaliated with a precision strike to Aldric's jaw.

The impact sent Aldric staggering—but only for a moment. He grinned, wiping a smear of blood from his lip.

"Finally," Aldric said, eyes glinting. "I was wondering when the real Saints would show up."

Darius didn't reply. He was already moving, fists and shadows striking in tandem.

Celestia groaned, pushing herself up, her body still struggling to adapt to the surge of power. She turned her gaze to the battlefield—Darius and Aldric clashed in a blur of motion, their strikes creating tremors through the ruins.

But something felt wrong.

Aldric was toying with them.

Darius landed a brutal punch to Aldric's ribs, the sickening crack of bones breaking echoing through the night.

Aldric stumbled back—but instead of pain, he laughed.

Then, before their eyes, his wounds sealed instantly.

Celestia's breath hitched.

Darius narrowed his eyes. "That regeneration… That's not natural."

Aldric tilted his head. "Ah, you noticed." His smirk widened. "I'll give you a hint, Saints. This isn't just Lycan healing."

Celestia's stomach twisted.

Darius' expression darkened. "The Broken Moon Cult…"

Aldric grinned like a predator. "Clever."

Before they could react, Aldric roared—his body pulsing with dark energy. A force erupted from him, sending both Celestia and Darius flying backward.

The ground beneath them splintered, shockwaves tearing through the ruins.

Then the Lycans attacked.

Elias and Lucien were already in motion.

Elias's sword flashed in the moonlight, cutting down a charging Lycan. "We need to get to them!"

Lucien cursed, twin daggers slicing through an enemy's throat. "Easier said than done!"

The Saints Moon warriors fought fiercely, but the enemy kept coming. The Lycans surrounding them weren't just ordinary fighters—they were enhanced, their eyes gleaming with the same unnatural energy radiating from Aldric.

"We're outnumbered!" one of the warriors shouted.

Elias gritted his teeth. "Then we fight smarter."

With a signal, the archers positioned above released another volley, arrows tipped with silver raining down upon the battlefield. Several enemy Lycans collapsed, howling in pain.

But it wasn't enough.

Aldric wasn't just here to fight.

This was a declaration of war.

Celestia gasped for air, her body burning with power. She could feel it—the full embrace of the moon, raw and endless.

But it was too much.

Her head pounded, her vision flickering between clarity and chaos. Every instinct screamed at her to let go—to unleash everything.

But something deep inside whispered caution.

If she lost control… would she still be herself?

She clenched her fists. No. I refuse to be weak.

Taking a deep breath, she centered herself, forcing the energy into balance. Not wild, not reckless—but hers to command.

And then she moved.

A Lycan lunged at her.

She caught him midair, her grip like iron, and threw him into another approaching enemy.

Before another could react, she raised her hand—moonlight crackled from her palm, forming a spear of pure silver energy.

She hurled it.

The spear pierced through three Lycans at once, their bodies collapsing into the dirt.

Lucien froze mid-fight, watching. "What the—?"

Elias let out a low whistle. "She's getting scary."

Celestia didn't stop. She weaved through the battlefield like a storm, striking down enemies left and right. Her movements were unnatural, fluid, deadly.

And then—she turned back to Aldric.

Aldric was waiting for her.

Celestia barely had time to react before he vanished again—only to reappear directly in front of her.

His fist slammed into her stomach, the impact sending her crashing through a stone wall.

She coughed, blood trickling from her lips.

Aldric approached slowly, golden eyes gleaming. "You're strong, Luna. Stronger than I expected."

Celestia struggled to rise, her body aching.

Aldric knelt before her. "But tell me… do you truly understand what you are?"

His words sent a chill down her spine.

Aldric smiled. "You think you're the predator here?" He leaned closer. "You're still in a cage, Celestia. You just haven't realized it yet."

Her blood ran cold.

Then, before she could react—he was gone.

The battle stopped.

The remaining Lycans vanished into the night, retreating without another word.

Darius rushed to Celestia's side, his golden eyes full of concern. "Are you alright?"

She nodded weakly. "I… think so."

But deep inside, she wasn't sure.

Aldric's words echoed in her mind.

You're still in a cage, Celestia.

She had won the battle.

But why did it feel like she had lost something else?

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End of Chapter 13