Chapter 12: The Soul Mark

No one inside the Moon Temple spoke.

The glowing silver marks on Serena and Aero's wrists continued shining beneath the moonlight.

Even after the sacred beam faded, the symbols remained.

'Rowan... explain this,' Aero said quietly.

The elderly advisor was still staring at the marks in disbelief.

'I... I don't fully understand it myself.'

'You mentioned a Soul Mark.'

'Yes.'

'Then start there.'

Rowan took a slow breath.

'According to the oldest legends, the Moon Goddess only grants a Soul Mark when two destinies become permanently connected.'

Serena immediately raised her hand.

'Connected how?'

Rowan hesitated.

'No one truly knows.'

'That's becoming a very common answer around here.'

Several nobles awkwardly looked away.

Magnus stepped closer to examine the glowing symbol.

'Does this mean they're truly married now?'

'Not exactly,' Rowan replied.

'The ceremonial marriage remains ceremonial.'

'The Soul Mark is something entirely different.'

'Can it be removed?' Serena asked hopefully.

Rowan slowly shook his head.

'Every record says it disappears only after fate has fulfilled its purpose.'

'Wonderful,' Serena muttered.

'I officially dislike fate.'

A few nobles couldn't hide small smiles.

Even Aero looked slightly amused.

Only slightly.

The ceremony ended soon afterward.

As the guests slowly left the temple, whispers spread through every hallway of the castle.

'The Moon Goddess blessed them.'

'The prophecy is real.'

'The kingdom has entered a new age.'

News traveled faster than anyone expected.

Serena walked beside Aero in complete silence.

Neither of them knew what to say.

Finally, she spoke first.

'So...'

'So,' Aero replied.

'That wasn't supposed to happen.'

'No.'

'Does strange magic always interrupt your ceremonies?'

'Usually they're less dramatic.'

She laughed softly.

'I'll take that as progress.'

For the first time, Aero allowed himself a genuine smile.

It was brief.

Barely noticeable.

But it was real.

Serena stopped walking.

'There.'

'What?'

'You smiled.'

Aero immediately returned to his usual expression.

'You imagined it.'

'No chance.'

'I definitely saw it this time.'

'Then keep it to yourself.'

'Too late.'

'Lily is never going to believe this.'

Aero sighed quietly.

'You're impossible.'

'I've been told that before.'

Back inside the throne room, Rowan and Magnus remained behind.

Both men looked troubled.

'What worries you?' Magnus asked.

Rowan closed the ancient prophecy scroll.

'The Soul Mark wasn't mentioned in the version I showed His Majesty.'

'There's another version?'

'A forbidden one.'

'Why was it forbidden?'

'Because every Alpha King who received the Soul Mark faced the same ending.'

Magnus frowned.

'Which was?'

Before Rowan could answer, footsteps echoed outside.

Aero entered the room.

'What ending?'

Rowan immediately fell silent.

'Nothing important.'

'Don't lie to me.'

The old advisor looked away.

'I'll tell you when I'm certain.'

'You're already certain.'

Several long seconds passed.

Finally, Rowan spoke.

'Every king blessed with the Soul Mark eventually fought the greatest battle of his life.'

'That doesn't sound unusual.'

'None of them fought for the throne.'

'Then what did they fight for?'

'The woman carrying the matching mark.'

The room became quiet.

Aero looked down at the glowing symbol on his wrist.

His expression remained unreadable.

Late that night, Serena stood alone on the balcony outside her chamber.

She gently traced the silver mark with her fingertips.

'Permanent...'

The word made her uneasy.

'Missing home?'

She turned around.

Aero had quietly stepped onto the balcony.

'A little,' she admitted.

'And a little terrified.'

'Understandable.'

'Does the mark bother you?'

Aero looked at his own wrist.

'I don't fear the mark.'

'What do you fear then?'

He remained silent for several moments.

'Failing the people who depend on me.'

Serena studied him carefully.

'You're always thinking about everyone else.'

'Someone has to.'

'Who thinks about you?'

The unexpected question caught him off guard.

He didn't answer.

Because he couldn't.

The truth was...

No one had asked him that in years.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden cry of an eagle circling above the castle.

Magnus appeared below in the courtyard.

'Your Majesty!'

Aero immediately leaned over the balcony.

'Report.'

'Scouts from the northern watchtower have returned.'

'What happened?'

'The Black Fang army has disappeared.'

Serena frowned.

'Disappeared?'

'Yes,' Magnus answered.

'Every tent.'

'Every soldier.'

'They abandoned the camp before sunrise.'

'Where did they go?' Aero asked.

Magnus slowly looked toward the dark forest surrounding the capital.

'That's the problem.'

'No one knows.'