The pain struck without warning.
Maria gasped, clutching her chest as a sharp, searing agony tore through her veins.
The Moon above flickered,just for a moment but she felt it as clearly as a wound carved into her soul.
Something was wrong.
She staggered on the stone balcony of the stronghold, silver eyes widening as the bond between her and the Moon trembled violently.
The air felt heavy, tainted, suffocating.
"My Luna!" a guard shouted, rushing toward her.
Before he could reach her, a deep horn blasted through the valley long, sharp, and filled with terror.
Alarms followed, echoing through the mountains like cries of doom.
"The barrier has fallen!" another wolf screamed.
Maria straightened despite the pain. She didn't need confirmation.
She could feel it,the ancient lunar shield protecting their lands had been breached.
And worse, the Moonwell was screaming.
Kael appeared beside her instantly, sword already in hand.
"You felt it too."
She nodded.
"The Moonwell is being corrupted."
Explosions erupted along the northern ridge as dark creatures poured from the forest wolves twisted by necromancy, their eyes hollow and glowing green.
The Ashen King had begun his assault.
"I'll lead the defense," Kael said firmly.
"No." Maria's voice hardened. "You protect the people.
I protect the Moon."
Without waiting for protest, she shifted.
Silver light engulfed her body as bones reshaped and fur burst forth. Her massive silver wolf leapt from the balcony, racing toward the sacred clearing.
At the Moonwell, darkness churned through the once-pure waters. Standing at its edge was the Ashen King himself, skeletal crown gleaming.
"You felt me call," he crooned.
"The Moon bleeds for you."
Maria growled, stepping into the corrupted water despite the pain burning her skin.
"I am the Moon's chosen," she snarled.
"And I will never belong to you."
Silver fire exploded from her body, clashing violently with darkness. The forest trembled as Luna and shadow collided, and the Moon screamed overhead.
The war had truly begun.