The battlefield became whirl of motion, shadow, and silver light.
Maria moved like a force of nature, her silver aura was cutting through the undead wolves that entered the eastern ridge.
Each strike was precise, every movement controlled, not just instinct, but strategy
Her squad followed her seamlessly, their actions a reflection of her calm command.
A scream tore through the chaos. One of the Alphas had been dragged down by a skeletal wolf stitched together with blackened sinew. Maria's chest burned with fury.
"No!" she shouted.
Silver fire erupted from her hands, sweeping across the ridge in a wave.
The undead disintegrated instantly, leaving nothing but ash and scorched earth.
The squad pressed forward, cutting through corrupted wolves with deadly precision, each move guided by Maria's growing mastery of her power.
The Ashen King watched from a ridge above, his skeletal crown catching the Moonlight.
"You grow stronger every time we meet," he said softly, his voice carried by the wind. "Do you know what that makes you?"
Maria's eyes blazed silver. "I'm the Luna.
You will not touch my people.
He laughed, low and deliberate. "Oh, Luna, you are perfectbrilliant, and yet naive.
You think victory comes from power alone.
The ground trembled beneath her, darkness crawling around his form.
She could feel his presence feeding on the shadows, testing her control, probing for fear.
She steadied herself. Moonlight surged, wrapping around her like armor, every movement flowing from intent, not instinct.
Before she could strike, he vanished
reappearing far across the battlefield.
The attack was a test, not a true strike. Maria recognized it for what it was, a warning the Ashen King was patient.
He did not need to win tonight. He only needed to watch.
By dawn, the ridge was cleared of undead.
Smoke and ash rose to the sky, but the Moonlight on Maria's fur and hands had not dimmed.
She stood among her squad, chest heaving, eyes still glowing faintly.
Kael joined her, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. "You were magnificent. Every move, every command it's why you were chosen.
Maria exhaled, feeling both exhaustion and a fierce surge of pride. This is only the beginning. He will not forgive this.
Kael's eyes softened as he met hers.
Then we prepare. And next time, we strike harder.
Far beyond the ridge, in shadows untouched by the Moon, the Ashen King's skeletal crown glimmered. His smile was cold, patient, and deadly. "Interesting," he murmured.
"She moves perfectly. Soon, the hunt begins in earnest."