Chapter 13: Into the Dark Forest

The war room fell into complete silence.

'An entire army doesn't simply disappear,' Magnus said, staring at the map.

'Especially not three thousand warriors.'

Aero rested both hands on the strategy table.

'When did the scouts discover the camp was empty?'

'Just before sunrise,' Magnus replied.

'Any signs of battle?'

'None.'

'Tracks?'

'Very few.'

'Almost as if they vanished into thin air.'

Rowan slowly shook his head.

'No army can erase its own trail.'

'Unless someone wanted us to believe they disappeared,' Aero replied.

The room grew quiet again.

'Order another scouting party.'

'Double the search radius.'

'I want every valley, every river crossing and every forest path inspected.'

'Yes, Your Majesty,' Magnus answered.

He immediately left to carry out the order.

Aero remained staring at the map.

Something didn't feel right.

Darius wasn't reckless.

He was patient.

Dangerously patient.

Hours later...

Serena wandered through the royal library.

Since the ceremony, almost everyone bowed respectfully whenever she passed.

It made her uncomfortable.

'Please stop doing that,' she whispered after another servant lowered his head.

'I'm still the same person.'

The servant smiled nervously before hurrying away.

'This is going to take some getting used to,' Serena sighed.

She wandered between towering bookshelves until one old leather-bound book caught her attention.

Its cover displayed the same crescent symbol that now rested on her wrist.

'Interesting...'

As she reached for the book, another hand reached for it at the same time.

'Sorry,' Serena said automatically.

'You found it first,' Aero replied.

She looked up in surprise.

'Do you always appear without making a sound?'

'Apparently.'

'One day you're going to give me a heart attack.'

'I'll try to avoid that.'

Serena smiled.

'Progress.'

'What progress?'

'That sounded almost like concern.'

'It was practical.'

'Sure it was.'

Aero ignored the comment and picked up the book.

'This contains records of the Moon Goddess.'

'Can I read it?'

'Of course.'

'You trust me with ancient royal records?'

'After everything you've already experienced... I doubt a book will be the greatest surprise.'

She laughed softly.

The sound echoed through the quiet library.

Later that afternoon...

A scout returned to the castle covered in dirt and sweat.

'Your Majesty!'

'Report.'

'We found tracks inside Blackwood Forest.'

'Human?'

'No.'

'Wolf?'

'Thousands of them.'

'The Black Fang army?'

'Yes.'

'Why would they enter the forest?' Rowan asked.

The scout swallowed.

'Because they're searching for something.'

'Did you discover what?'

'No.'

'But...'

'Speak.'

'They've surrounded the ancient Moon Ruins.'

Rowan's face immediately changed.

'Impossible...'

'What's wrong?' Serena asked.

The old advisor looked toward Aero.

'The Moon Ruins were sealed centuries ago.'

'What's inside them?'

'No one knows.'

'The entrance has never been opened.'

'Until now,' Aero finished quietly.

'Prepare my horse.'

'You're going yourself?' Magnus asked.

'Yes.'

'It's dangerous.'

'Which is exactly why I need to see it myself.'

Serena stepped forward.

'I'm coming too.'

Three pairs of eyes turned toward her.

'Absolutely not,' Aero answered immediately.

'Why not?'

'Because if Darius is searching for the Moon Ruins... then you're his real objective.'

'Exactly.'

'Which means I might know why he's there.'

'It's too risky.'

'You've said that about almost everything since I arrived.'

'Because almost everything has been risky.'

Serena crossed her arms.

'I'm tired of hiding inside the castle while everyone else risks their lives.'

'This isn't your battle.'

'Maybe not.'

'But somehow I keep ending up at the center of it.'

Aero remained silent.

She wasn't wrong.

Rowan quietly cleared his throat.

'Your Majesty...'

'If the prophecy truly revolves around Lady Serena... perhaps the ruins will only respond if she is present.'

Magnus looked unconvinced.

'Or we'll be delivering her straight into Darius's hands.'

Another long silence followed.

Finally, Aero spoke.

'If she comes... she doesn't leave my side.'

Serena smiled.

'Deal.'

'Don't celebrate yet.'

'You'll be following every order I give.'

'We'll negotiate that part later.'

'No.'

'Worth a try.'

Even Magnus couldn't hide a smile.

Early the next morning, a small group gathered outside the castle gates.

Aero.

Serena.

Magnus.

Ten elite royal guards.

The morning air was cold enough to cover the ground with silver frost.

Aero mounted his black stallion before looking toward Serena.

'Have you ever ridden a horse?'

'Once... at a birthday party when I was twelve.'

'That doesn't inspire confidence.'

'I'll manage.'

Moments later, Serena discovered she would not be riding alone.

'Wait...'

'There's only one spare horse?'

'Correct,' Magnus replied with suspicious amusement.

'And?'

'You'll ride with His Majesty.'

Serena looked at Aero.

Aero looked at Serena.

Neither seemed particularly pleased.

'This is going to be awkward,' Serena muttered.

'Very,' Aero agreed.

A few minutes later, they rode out of the capital.

The towering castle slowly disappeared behind them.

Ahead waited the ancient Blackwood Forest.

A place where, according to legend...

The first doorway between worlds had once been opened.