Chapter 17: The Beast Beyond the Gate

The gigantic claw continued forcing its way through the cracked Moon Gate.

Stone shattered across the ruins.

The ground trembled so violently that several royal guards lost their balance.

'Fall back!' Magnus shouted.

The soldiers immediately formed a defensive line around Serena.

No one had ever witnessed anything like this.

Not even Rowan.

The Shadow King's crimson eyes never left the creature.

'It's waking much faster than I expected,' he murmured.

Aero tightened his grip on his sword.

'What exactly is trapped inside?'

'A creature born before our kingdoms existed.'

'Its true name has been forgotten.'

'The ancient records simply called it... The Void Beast.'

Another deafening roar erupted from the gate.

The sound echoed through the entire forest.

Flocks of birds burst from the trees, fleeing into the sky.

Serena instinctively covered her ears.

'Why was something like that sealed away?'

The Shadow King looked at her.

'Because it feeds on worlds.'

Silence followed.

'Worlds?' Magnus repeated.

'Entire civilizations.'

'Whenever two dimensions lose balance, it awakens.'

'The Moon Gate wasn't built to connect worlds.'

'It was built to imprison this monster between them.'

Rowan slowly closed his eyes.

'The oldest prophecy...'

'We misunderstood it.'

'It was never about saving one world.'

'It was about saving both.'

Suddenly, dark energy exploded from the crack in the gate.

Several guards were thrown backward.

One of the ancient pillars collapsed with a thunderous crash.

'Move!' Aero shouted.

Without thinking, he wrapped one arm around Serena and pulled her away from the falling stone.

The massive pillar crashed exactly where they had been standing.

Dust filled the clearing.

'Are you hurt?' Aero asked.

'No... thanks to you.'

Their eyes met for a brief moment.

Neither of them noticed the silver Soul Marks glowing brighter again.

The Shadow King noticed.

So did Darius.

'Their bond is growing faster than expected,' Darius whispered.

'It has to,' the Shadow King replied.

'Otherwise none of us will survive.'

Magnus pointed toward the gate.

'It's coming out!'

The enormous claw was followed by another.

Then two glowing violet eyes appeared within the darkness beyond the doorway.

The creature wasn't fully free.

But it was close enough to reach beyond the prison.

'We have to push it back!' Rowan cried.

'Can we?' Serena asked.

'Not by force,' the Shadow King answered.

'Only the Moon Gate itself can seal it again.'

'Then how do we activate it?'

'Three awakened seals.'

'The first was Courage.'

'The second was Trust.'

'The third...'

His voice trailed off.

'Love,' Serena finished quietly.

No one denied it.

Aero looked toward the glowing gate.

Then toward Serena.

He understood what the prophecy demanded.

But feelings couldn't be forced.

Before anyone could speak again, the Void Beast attacked.

A gigantic wave of black energy burst from the gate.

'Shield wall!' Magnus roared.

The royal guards locked their shields together.

The impact sent every soldier sliding backward.

Cracks spread across the metal.

Several shields shattered instantly.

'It'll break through!' one guard shouted.

'Not while I'm standing,' Aero answered.

His wolf aura erupted around him.

Golden energy surrounded his body.

The ground beneath his feet cracked as he stepped forward.

'Your Majesty!' Magnus called.

'You'll drain yourself!'

'If I don't... everyone dies.'

For the first time since arriving in this world, Serena witnessed the full power of the Alpha King.

The air itself seemed to bow before him.

Golden light clashed against the darkness pouring from the gate.

The forest shook beneath the collision.

Even the Void Beast paused.

'Remarkable,' the Shadow King whispered.

'He's already stronger than I ever was.'

Despite his strength, Aero slowly began losing ground.

The dark energy continued pushing forward.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

'Aero!' Serena shouted.

'Stay back!' he ordered.

'I can't lose you too.'

The words escaped before he realized what he had said.

Everything around them seemed to freeze.

Serena stared at him.

'...Too?' she whispered.

Aero remained silent.

The Shadow King lowered his eyes.

He knew exactly what those words meant.

Centuries ago...

He had spoken almost the same sentence.

Suddenly, Serena ran forward.

'Serena, stop!' Magnus shouted.

Ignoring every warning, she grabbed Aero's hand.

'You don't have to fight this alone.'

The Soul Marks on their wrists burst into brilliant silver light.

A pillar of moonlight descended from the sky.

The ancient runes across the Moon Gate awakened one after another.

Rowan's eyes widened.

'The Third Seal...'

'No,' the Shadow King interrupted softly.

'Not yet.'

'But... it's finally beginning.'