The Mirror of the Soul

The cold wind blowing from the north bit into my skin, sending exhaustion through every muscle in my body. My legs still trembled atop the altar stone, my breath ragged after the battle within myself against my own shadow.

I lowered my gaze to the lake water below, which was slowly calming again. Its surface reflected my face — no dark shadow, no terrifying figure, only me, Elara, just as I was.

For the first time, I could look at my own face without fear.

Lucan stood not far away, watching me with deep concern. He kept a cautious distance, as if afraid of frightening me further, but the look in his eyes couldn't hide his relief.

"You defeated it," he said quietly.

I took a deep breath, feeling my chest somehow lighter.

"I haven't completely won… but at least I can accept that it's part of me."

Lucan tilted his head, surprised.

"Part of you?"

I gave him a faint smile.

"That shadow was my own fear. I can't destroy it… only accept it."

Lucan seemed to ponder my words, then nodded slowly.

"You are wiser than many who have ruled here."

I carefully stepped down from the altar stone, back to the damp lakeshore. Each step felt steady, even though my body was still weary.

That was when I saw something among the rocks — a faint bluish-silver gleam. I focused my gaze, then crouched down to pick it up.

The object was about the size of my fist, shaped like a crescent-moon pendant, with a crystal pulsing dimly at its center.

"The second key…" I whispered.

My hand trembled as I touched it. A warm flow spread into my skin, slowing the rush of my pulse. It felt like the touch of some ancient guardian, soothing me.

Lucan stepped closer, eyeing the object carefully.

"That is the blood seal of the last Luna generation. A symbol of power passed down through the line."

I held it tightly, trying to calm the trembling of my emotions.

"And now… its responsibility is mine."

We both sat down by the lake, letting our breathing return to normal. The mist was slowly lifting, revealing the line of pine trees across the water. Black birds flew low over the surface, a sign that the sun was almost setting.

"How does it feel?" Lucan asked softly.

I looked down at the crescent-moon pendant in my hand.

"Heavy… but also relieving. As if I can finally hear my mother's voice without breaking apart."

Lucan looked at me, then spoke honestly,

"I don't know whether to be happy or worried seeing you get closer to the Luna's destiny."

I turned to him, searching his eyes.

"Are you afraid I might change?"

Lucan was silent for a moment, then let out a sigh.

"I'm afraid of losing you."

Warmth bloomed in my chest at those words. There was a honesty I had never expected from a Wolf King as hardened as him.

We decided to make a temporary camp by the lakeshore. Lucan lit a small fire, while I tried to clean the scratches on my arm from my shadow's earlier grip.

Yana would surely scold me if she saw how reckless I'd been.

I chuckled to myself at the thought, then turned to Lucan.

"I want to go home to the castle after this," I murmured.

Lucan nodded.

"We must prepare to face the clan elders. Now that you hold the second key, they won't sit idly by."

I swallowed hard, realizing how quickly the world could change.

As night fell, stars began to appear in the bluish-purple sky. The Black Lake reflected the sky, creating the illusion of another universe below my feet.

I hugged my knees, sitting close to the fire, letting its warmth calm my thoughts.

Lucan sat beside me, only a short distance away. For the first time, he looked more human than wolf — his eyes gentle, his expression honest.

"I won't let anyone kidnap you or hurt you," he said suddenly.

I turned, startled.

"Why are you so sure?"

Lucan looked straight at me.

"Because I won't allow myself to lose you."

His words made my chest feel warm, though part of me was still unsure of so many things.

I stared into the dancing flames.

"Lucan, if I change someday… if I lose my soul… please remind me who I am."

Lucan gave me a faint smile, something I rarely saw.

"I promise."

The night wind blew harder, making the fire flicker. I pulled my cloak tighter, gazing up at the star-filled sky as if whispering a silent prayer.

Mother, if you can hear me…

I will fight to the end.

And deep inside me, for the first time, I felt more prepared to bear this entire legacy.

The air around the campfire slowly warmed my body, but my thoughts still churned. The firelight danced in my eyes, throwing shifting shadows across the lake's surface, as though fire and water were reflecting secrets yet to be revealed.

Lucan watched me quietly. His gaze was deep, a little worried, but also proud.

"You conquered your fear today," he said at last.

I lowered my head, hiding my flushed face.

"I haven't truly conquered it… I've only made peace with it."

Lucan glanced up at the sky.

"That's stronger than you realize, Elara."

For a moment we sat in silence, accompanied only by the crackling of burning wood. The night wind played through my hair, carrying a faint scent of pine forest.

"You know," I murmured, "when I saw my own shadow there… I felt so fragile. Like all my weaknesses were laid bare."

Lucan turned quickly, staring at me intently.

"That doesn't make you weak."

I gave a faint smile.

"Maybe. But it was terrifying."

Lucan leaned in a bit, his voice low.

"I was afraid once, too."

I was surprised, turning to him.

"You? A Wolf King?"

He chuckled softly, the first genuine laugh I had ever heard from him.

"Yes. I was afraid when I had to become king, when everything depended on me. And I was afraid… when you arrived."

"Afraid of me?" I raised my eyebrows.

Lucan looked deep into my eyes.

"Afraid of losing you, even before I truly knew you."

My heart dropped, then pounded unevenly.

I gripped the crescent-moon pendant in my hand, feeling its gentle pulse. The second key seemed to beat along with my own pulse, reminding me of who I was, and what I had to protect.

"Lucan," I called softly, "what if all of this is too big for me to bear?"

Lucan gently, yet firmly, patted my shoulder.

"You don't have to bear it alone."

I drew a long breath, trying to strengthen my resolve.

"But I'm the Luna heir. All their hopes rest on me."

Lucan lowered his gaze slightly, staring into the fire.

"Hope can never destroy you if you stay true to who you really are."

I stayed silent for a long time, thinking about his words.

**

The night grew deeper, the stars clearer across the sky. The moon hung high, its light sparkling across the still surface of the Black Lake.

Suddenly, I felt as if something was calling me from the middle of the lake.

I slowly stood, gazing at the silent, dark water.

"Do you feel it?" I whispered to Lucan.

Lucan stood as well, tightening his jaw.

"What do you feel?"

"There's… a whisper," I said, my gaze distant. "From within the lake."

Lucan stepped closer, alert.

"Don't go near it alone."

But curiosity overcame my fear. I walked to the water's edge, staring at the surface that once again reflected my face.

This time, behind my reflection, there was a faint silhouette of another woman — long-haired, wearing a torn white cloak, her eyes full of wounds.

My heart thundered.

"Mother…"

The silhouette opened its mouth, though I couldn't hear her voice. Her lips moved, saying something I couldn't catch.

"What are you trying to tell me?" I cried softly, my eyes hot with tears.

Lucan grabbed my arm, keeping me from falling.

"Elara, calm down."

I held my chest, trying to steady my shaking.

"I have to know what she means… she appeared in the mirror, in the pendant, and now in this water!"

Lucan looked at me sharply.

"Maybe she's trying to warn you."

I turned to him, my breath catching.

"A warning about what?"

Lucan took a deep breath.

"About whatever waits for you in your next steps."

I fell silent, still staring at the water. The silhouette slowly faded, leaving only a formless dark shadow.

I felt empty and relieved at once. Maybe it wasn't time yet to understand all of Mother's messages. Maybe there was still a long journey ahead.

Lucan patted my shoulder again.

"We should rest. Tomorrow we head back to the castle."

I nodded.

"Yes… tomorrow."

But in my heart, another worry grew — what if the elders wouldn't accept me even with the second key in my hand?

What if Luna's blood was still seen as a disgrace?

I slowly wiped my tears. I can't waver now. Not after coming this far.

I looked at Lucan, trying to smile.

"Thank you for staying by my side."

Lucan looked at me for a long moment, then gave a faint smile.

"And I will stay here, until the end."

We sat close together, watching the fire, letting silence speak for us. No more words were needed. Because in that silence, I felt more heard than ever before.

And as the night wind carried the scent of burning wood, I made a promise to myself — whatever awaited me at the castle later, I would not run away.

I was Luna.

Their heir.

And this was my path.