Chapter 15: The Shadow's Revelation

The clearing erupted into chaos.

Steel clashed against steel as the masked warriors surrounded the royal guards from every direction.

Aero stepped in front of Serena without hesitation.

His sword flashed beneath the sunlight, blocking an incoming strike before the attacker could reach her.

'Stay behind me,' he ordered.

'I can help.'

'Not this time.'

Another masked warrior lunged toward Serena.

Before she could react, Magnus intercepted the attack with a powerful swing of his blade.

'Lady Serena, don't leave His Majesty's side!'

'I'm trying!'

The battlefield became a blur of movement.

The elite royal guards formed a protective circle around Serena while fighting off wave after wave of attackers.

Despite being outnumbered, they refused to surrender even a single step.

Meanwhile, Alpha Darius stood near the Moon Gate with his hands calmly folded behind his back.

He hadn't drawn his weapon.

He simply watched.

'You're not joining the fight?' Aero asked coldly.

'Why should I?' Darius replied.

'My men are merely keeping yours occupied.'

'Occupied for what?'

Darius smiled.

'To let you see the truth.'

Aero's grip tightened around his sword.

'Speak clearly.'

'You're protecting the wrong enemy.'

'Serena isn't my enemy.'

'I know.'

'Then stop speaking in riddles.'

Darius slowly walked closer.

Neither king lowered his guard.

'Tell me something, Aero.'

'Have you wondered why the Moon Gate awakened after centuries of silence?'

'Because the prophecy has begun.'

'Only partly.'

'Then explain the rest.'

Darius looked toward Serena.

'She isn't the only traveler between worlds.'

Those words stunned everyone nearby.

'What do you mean?' Serena asked.

'Someone came before you.'

Rowan's face immediately turned pale.

'Impossible...'

'You knew?' Aero asked sharply.

The old advisor remained silent.

'Rowan,' Aero repeated.

'Answer me.'

The elderly man slowly lowered his head.

'There were... rumors.'

'Rumors about what?'

'Nearly twenty-five years ago... another human appeared in this world.'

Serena stared at him.

'Another person from Earth?'

'Yes.'

'What happened to them?'

Before Rowan could answer, Darius spoke first.

'She disappeared.'

'Without opening the Moon Gate.'

'Without returning home.'

'No one ever found her again.'

A chill ran through Serena's entire body.

'You're lying.'

'I wish I were.'

Aero's attention shifted toward Rowan.

'Why was this hidden from me?'

'Because every record was destroyed by your grandfather.'

'Destroyed?'

'He believed the truth would create panic throughout the kingdom.'

'So you kept the same secret from me.'

Rowan closed his eyes.

'I was trying to protect you.'

'No.'

Aero's voice remained calm.

'You were deciding what I deserved to know.'

For the first time in years, disappointment appeared across his face.

It hurt Rowan more than any punishment could have.

Suddenly, another scream echoed across the battlefield.

One of the royal guards collapsed after being struck by an arrow.

'Fall back!' Magnus shouted.

'Protect the king!'

The masked warriors immediately pressed forward.

They weren't trying to kill Serena.

They were trying to separate her from Aero.

'They're targeting the formation!' Magnus realized.

'Don't let them break through!'

Aero blocked another sword strike before grabbing Serena's hand.

'Stay with me.'

'I am.'

'No matter what happens... don't let go.'

She nodded firmly.

For the first time since arriving in this world, Serena wasn't acting out of fear.

She trusted him.

Completely.

The silver Soul Mark on both of their wrists suddenly began glowing.

Brighter than ever before.

A pulse of silver light exploded outward from their joined hands.

Every masked warrior within several feet was thrown backward.

Even Aero looked surprised.

'What was that?' Serena whispered.

Rowan stared in disbelief.

'The second seal...'

'It awakened.'

The glowing light slowly faded.

Darius watched everything without fear.

Instead...

He smiled.

'Good,' he said quietly.

'Exactly as the prophecy foretold.'

'You're not trying to stop the prophecy?' Aero asked.

'No.'

'Then why bring an army?'

'Because someone else is coming.'

'Someone far more dangerous than me.'

The forest suddenly became unnaturally silent.

Even the sounds of battle faded.

A cold wind swept across the ancient ruins.

Dark mist slowly gathered around the Moon Gate.

Darius's expression finally grew serious.

'He's here...'

Rowan's hands began trembling.

'No... it can't be.'

'Who?' Serena asked.

No one answered immediately.

Then, from within the swirling darkness, a deep voice echoed across the ruins.

'After all these centuries...'

'The gate finally awakens.'

A tall figure dressed in black armor slowly stepped out of the shadows.

His face remained hidden beneath a hood.

Only his glowing crimson eyes were visible.

Every warrior on the battlefield instinctively stepped back.

Even Alpha Darius lowered his head respectfully.

'Welcome... my king,' Darius said.

Rowan whispered the name everyone feared.

'The Shadow King...'