Moonbound: The Outcast’s Awakening

The mine was quiet, but Aria couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching her.

The events of the battle played over in her mind like a broken record. The light that had burst from her hands, the song of the moon humming in her chest, the terror in the rogues' eyes as they fled.

She couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she felt the pull—the call of something beyond her understanding.

Kael noticed her restlessness. He sat near the fire, sharpening his dagger. His gaze flicked to her every so often, his green eyes shadowed with concern. "You've been quiet."

"I'm fine," she said, though her voice lacked conviction.

"You're not," Kael said, setting the dagger aside. "What's going on?"

Aria hesitated, unsure how to put her feelings into words. Finally, she said, "It's the moon. I can feel it, like it's… calling to me."

Kael leaned forward, his expression serious. "What does it feel like?"

"Warm," she said. "And cold at the same time. It's like a melody in my head, but I can't make sense of it. It's getting louder."

Kael frowned, rubbing his chin. "That's not a good sign."

"What do you mean?"

"The Moonbound don't just hear the moon," Kael said. "They're connected to it. The stronger the call, the closer you are to something important—or dangerous."

Aria's stomach churned. "So what do I do?"

"You follow it," Kael said simply.

---

The next day, they left the mine. Aria's determination had hardened overnight, and she knew she couldn't ignore the call any longer. Kael agreed to guide her, though he made it clear he didn't like the idea.

"The closer you get to the source of your power, the more attention you'll draw," he warned. "We'll be walking straight into danger."

"I know," Aria said, her voice steady. "But I need answers."

Kael didn't argue.

They moved quickly through the borderlands, avoiding well-traveled paths and keeping to the shadows. Aria relied on the hum in her chest to guide them, the song growing louder and more insistent with each step.

As they traveled, the landscape began to change. The jagged cliffs gave way to rolling hills, dotted with ancient ruins and overgrown statues. The air grew colder, the scent of pine and damp earth filling her senses.

Kael paused near a crumbling archway, his gaze scanning the horizon. "We're getting close," he said.

Aria nodded, though her chest felt tight with anticipation. She couldn't explain it, but she knew they were on the verge of something important.

The source of the song was a hidden shrine nestled in a grove of silver trees. The grove seemed untouched by time, the air shimmering with an otherworldly light.

Aria stepped forward, her breath catching as she saw the shrine. It was small but intricately carved, the stone covered in swirling patterns that glowed faintly in the moonlight. At its center was a pool of water, its surface perfectly still despite the gentle breeze.

"This is it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kael followed her, his expression wary. "Be careful. Places like this… they're not always safe."

Ignoring his warning, Aria approached the pool. The hum in her chest was deafening now, the song resonating through every fiber of her being. She knelt beside the water, her reflection shimmering in the moonlight.

"What do you want me to do?" she murmured.

The water rippled, though she hadn't touched it. A soft voice echoed in her mind, calm and melodic.

You are the Mooncaller. Rise.

The glow from the pool intensified, and the light engulfed her.

--

Aria found herself standing in a vast, star-filled void. The ground beneath her feet was solid yet invisible, and the moon hung low in the sky, larger and brighter than she had ever seen it.

A figure stepped forward from the shadows—a woman cloaked in silver, her hair flowing like liquid light. Her eyes were pale and luminous, and her presence radiated power.

"Who are you?" Aria asked, her voice trembling.

"I am Selara," the woman said, her voice echoing like a distant melody. "Guardian of the Moonbound. And you, Aria Silversky, are the last of your kind."

Aria's chest tightened. "The last? What does that mean?"

Selara's expression softened. "The Moonbound have always been rare, their power coveted and feared. The Bloodfangs hunted them to extinction, hoping to claim their strength for themselves. But you survived, hidden among the wolves who rejected you."

The weight of her words pressed down on Aria. "Why me? Why now?"

"Because the balance has been broken," Selara said, her gaze turning distant. "The Blood Moon rises, and with it, the darkness that seeks to consume this world. Only you have the power to stop it."

Aria shook her head, fear and doubt swirling in her mind. "I'm not ready for this. I don't even know what I'm doing."

"You will learn," Selara said, her voice firm. "But you must act quickly. The Bloodfangs are moving, and their Alpha is not the only threat you face."

"What do you mean?"

Selara's form began to fade, her voice growing fainter. "Trust in your power, Mooncaller. And trust in those who stand beside you. Together, you may yet restore the light."

---

Aria gasped as the vision ended, her body trembling. She was back at the shrine, the glow of the pool fading.

Kael knelt beside her, his hands on her shoulders. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Aria nodded, though her mind was spinning. "I… I saw her. Selara. She said I'm the last Moonbound."

Kael's expression darkened. "The last?"

"She said the Blood Moon is rising," Aria continued. "And the Bloodfangs are only part of the danger. There's something worse coming."

Kael's grip tightened on her shoulders. "Then we don't have time to waste. If the Blood Moon is as bad as it sounds, we need to prepare."

Aria looked at him, her fear mingling with determination. "We will. I won't let this world fall."

Kael nodded, his green eyes fierce. "Then let's make sure you're ready to fight."