Beneath The Root of Eldrane

The forest thinned as dawn broke, cold light spilling through bare branches like judgment. Selene tightened her grip on Darius's arm, steadying him as they moved northward. Each step felt like a countdown. She didn't know what waited in Eldrane, but the name tasted old, heavy with the weight of something forgotten.

They hadn't spoken much since Neris disappeared into mist. There were too many shadows behind them and too many questions ahead.

Darius broke the silence first. Do you believe her?

Selene didn't have to ask who. "About the temple? The ruin? The bond?"

All of it.

She nodded slowly. I have to. If I don't… then everything I've seen, everything I've done killing those men, taking the sword—means nothing. And I need it to mean something.

Darius looked at her, his face paler than usual. It already does.

They moved until the trees thickened again. The ground changed less green, more stone. Strange symbols appeared on the trunks, old and angular, carved deep as if to hold something in… or out.

Selene paused. We're close.

How do you know?

I don't." She touched one of the marks. It burned cold against her skin. "But it feels like the air's listening.

Darius was about to respond when the wind shifted.

Selene turned. Something was watching.

A shadow peeled itself from the treeline, but it wasn't the Obsidian this time. It was a woman ,tall, robed in ash-grey, her face hidden beneath a veil. But Selene felt her presence in her bones.

Darius stepped in front of her instantly.

The woman raised one hand in peace. I mean no harm.

Then step back, Darius growled.

I've waited long enough, Alpha. She comes to me willingly, or not at all.

Selene stepped forward. Who are you?

The woman tilted her head. I am what remains of Eldrane.

The temple? Selene asked.

The guardian of it.

And what do you want with me?

The sword called you. That alone is reason enough.

Selene didn't lower her guard. What happens if I enter?

You remember who you are.

I already know—

No. You remember the blood. The vow. The betrayal. You remember what you were made to forget.

Behind her, Darius stiffened.

Selene's grip tightened on the blade. And if I don't like what I find?

The woman's voice dropped. Then you will die before the moon burns full.

Selene's heart jumped. What's that supposed to mean?

But the woman was already turning, walking through the trees. Come. The gate opens only once.

Selene looked at Darius.

I don't like it, he said.

Neither do I, she whispered. "But I need to know. I need to understand why everything is chasing me, why this sword burns when I touch it, why even Victor's shadows hesitate when I stand my ground.

I should go with you.

Selene shook her head. You're still healing. And this… I think I have to do this part alone.

Darius hesitated. "If anything happens—"

Then I'll fight my way back to you.

She brushed his cheek with her hand, then turned and followed the woman into the trees.

The path narrowed. The light dimmed.

And then the trees ended and the earth dropped.

A spiral staircase cut directly into stone descended into the ground. Moss clung to the walls. Bones lined the steps like guardians. Selene hesitated at the top.

The woman stopped. This place remembers you.

Selene's throat was dry. Why?

Because your mother bled here, the woman said.

Selene's knees almost gave out. What did you say?

She was the last to stand in this temple and swear her life to the Moonblood line.

Selene felt the words hit like arrows. You knew her?

I buried her.

The silence stretched until Selene took the first step.

Then the next.The walls hummed. Her blood thrummed. The sword began to glow.

As she descended, flickers danced along the stone visions. Her mother's face, young and wild. Rituals drawn in silver. An army kneeling in the dark. A betrayal.

At the base, the chamber opened wide. A pool of black water lay still in the center, circled by ancient markings. Above it, suspended by nothing, hovered a crystal orb pulsing with white fire.

The woman stopped at the edge. This is your inheritance.

Selene approached the water. What do I do?

Bleed. Look. Choose.

She raised the blade and slit her palm. Blood hit the water.

The pool shifted.

Visions poured up.

Her mother running. A baby hidden in a forest. Victor's hand covered in blood. The Obsidian sealed in chains. And then—

A memory Selene didn't know she had.

Victor's voice whispering into her cradle: She'll never remember. And if she does, I'll make her forget again.

Selene stumbled back, gasping.

"You see now," the woman said.

Selene's hand trembled. He knew. From the beginning. He knew who I was.

And he made you forget.

Selene stared at the glowing orb. Her reflection swirled in its surface part girl, part weapon.

Who am I really? she whispered.

You are the end, the woman said. Or the beginning. The blade in your hand chooses which.

From above, a crack split the air.

Darius's voice echoed down the tunnel—panicked. "Selene!"

She turned toward the stairs, heart pounding.

But it was too late.

The ground shook.

And something vast and ancient stirred beneath them.