Chapter 5: The Moon Gate Prophecy

Aero caught Serena before she collapsed completely.

For a brief moment, the world around him seemed to disappear.

The silver glow inside her eyes wasn't natural.

It wasn't magic he recognized.

It felt ancient.

Older than the kingdom itself.

'Your Majesty!'

Magnus rushed into the royal garden the moment he heard Serena cry out.

He stopped beside them, his hand already resting on the hilt of his sword.

'What happened?'

'I don't know,' Aero answered honestly.

Even he couldn't explain what he had just witnessed.

Moments later, Elder Rowan arrived, breathing heavily from hurrying across the castle.

The instant he saw Serena's glowing silver eyes, all color drained from his face.

'The Moon Seal...'

His voice was barely above a whisper.

'Moon Seal?' Magnus repeated.

'What are you talking about?'

Rowan slowly knelt beside Serena.

His weathered hands trembled slightly as he examined her face without touching her.

'I've only read about this in the oldest records of the kingdom.'

'Explain,' Aero ordered.

Rowan looked at his king.

'The prophecy you read yesterday wasn't complete.'

'You omitted something?'

'Because I believed that part was nothing more than folklore.'

'Tell me now.'

The old advisor nodded.

'It says that when the woman from another world awakens the Moon Seal, the forgotten gateway between worlds will begin opening once again.'

'The Moon Gate,' Aero said quietly.

'Yes.'

'And what happens if it opens?'

'No one knows.'

'That's not an answer.'

'Because history never recorded what happened after.'

Silence settled over the garden.

Serena slowly opened her eyes.

The silver light disappeared almost immediately.

'Why is everyone staring at me?' she asked weakly.

Aero helped her sit upright.

'You fainted.'

'I remember seeing... something.'

Rowan leaned forward eagerly.

'Tell us everything.'

Serena closed her eyes, trying to remember the vision.

'I saw a woman dressed in white.'

'Did she speak?'

'Yes.'

'What did she say?'

'She kept repeating the same sentence.'

Everyone waited.

'Find the Moon Gate before the Shadow King does.'

Magnus instinctively gripped his sword.

Rowan lowered his head.

Even Aero's expression became noticeably more serious.

'Who's the Shadow King?' Serena asked.

No one answered.

Instead, Aero helped her stand.

'You're exhausted.'

'I'm also confused.'

'You'll receive answers.'

'When?'

'When we understand them ourselves.'

Later that afternoon, Serena was moved from the eastern tower to a guest chamber inside the royal palace.

Although guards remained stationed outside, the room felt nothing like a prison.

Large windows overlooked the western forest.

Fresh flowers rested inside crystal vases.

A fireplace burned quietly against one wall.

'This is the nicest prison I've ever seen,' Serena muttered.

Lily entered carrying folded clothes.

'His Majesty asked me to bring these.'

Serena accepted the neatly folded blue dress.

'He's certainly full of surprises.'

'The king?' Lily smiled.

'One minute he imprisons me. The next he sends comfortable clothes.'

'His Majesty isn't cruel.'

'No... just impossible to understand.'

Lily laughed softly.

'Most people in the castle say the same thing.'

'Has he always been like this?'

'Ever since becoming king.'

'Does he ever smile?'

The maid paused thoughtfully.

'Very rarely.'

'That's sad.'

'He carries the entire kingdom on his shoulders.'

'Still... everyone deserves a reason to smile.'

Lily looked at Serena with quiet curiosity.

'Perhaps that's why fate brought you here.'

'Please don't start talking about fate.'

'Why not?'

'Because every time someone mentions fate, something strange happens.'

Across the castle, Aero stood inside the royal training grounds.

His sword sliced effortlessly through the air.

Every movement was fast, precise and perfectly controlled.

Magnus watched silently before finally speaking.

'You're distracted.'

'Am I?'

'You haven't landed a proper strike in several minutes.'

Aero lowered his sword.

'That noticeable?'

'Only because I've trained with you for twenty years.'

'Then tell me what you think.'

'About Serena?'

'Yes.'

'I don't believe she's lying.'

'Neither do I.'

'But that doesn't mean she's harmless.'

'Exactly.'

'If the prophecy is true, then every kingdom will eventually learn she's here.'

'Which means they'll come looking for her.'

'Or try to eliminate her before she fulfills the prophecy.'

Aero remained silent.

For the first time in years, he felt as though events were unfolding beyond his control.

That evening, Serena stepped onto the balcony outside her room.

The setting sun painted the mountains gold.

Somewhere beyond the castle walls, wolves began howling together beneath the rising moon.

The sound was haunting.

Yet strangely beautiful.

'I've never heard anything like that before,' Serena whispered.

'They sing to the Moon Goddess.'

She turned around.

Aero stood quietly at the balcony entrance.

'You really should make more noise when you walk,' Serena said.

'People usually hear me coming.'

'Apparently I'm not people anymore.'

A faint hint of amusement appeared in his eyes.

Not quite a smile.

But close enough for Serena to notice.

'How are you settling in?' he asked.

'Better than expected.'

'Good.'

'I still want to go home.'

'I know.'

'Can I ask you something?'

'Go ahead.'

'Do you always carry the weight of the world on your shoulders?'

Aero looked toward the distant mountains.

'A king doesn't have much choice.'

'Maybe.'

'Maybe?'

'Leadership doesn't mean carrying every burden alone.'

Those simple words lingered in the evening air.

No one had ever spoken to Aero that way before.

Before he could respond, footsteps approached.

Rowan bowed respectfully.

'Your Majesty, the Royal Council has reached a decision.'

'Already?'

'Yes.'

'What decision?' Serena asked.

Rowan looked at both of them before speaking.

'According to the oldest laws of the kingdom, until the Moon Gate is found, the woman chosen by fate must remain under the Alpha King's direct protection.'

'That doesn't sound terrible,' Serena admitted.

Rowan cleared his throat.

'There is one more condition.'

'Which is?'

'To satisfy the ancient law, she must be recognized as the Alpha King's ceremonial bride until the prophecy is fulfilled.'

Serena's jaw dropped.

'I'm sorry... what?'

Aero stared at Rowan in complete disbelief.

'Absolutely not.'