The temple floor groaned as the ancient stone split wider.
Dust fell from the towering pillars while the hidden staircase beneath the ruins revealed itself fully, spiraling down into darkness. A cold wind rushed upward from the depths, carrying the scent of ancient magic.
Lyra felt it instantly.
The power below called to her wolf like a distant heartbeat.
Her silver aura flickered softly around her skin.
Darius stepped slightly in front of her, his body tense, eyes fixed on Kael and the wolves behind him.
"No one is going down there," Darius said firmly.
Kael chuckled.
"You still think you have a choice?"
His crimson eyes glowed brighter as he gestured toward the staircase.
"That vault belongs to the Moonborn. And she," he pointed at Lyra, "is the key."
Lyra stepped forward before Darius could stop her.
"If the vault opens for me," she said calmly, "then I'll go."
Darius turned sharply.
"Lyra—"
"But not with you controlling it," she added coldly, her gaze locking with Kael's.
Kael tilted his head, amused.
"Brave."
Behind him, his elite rogue wolves shifted restlessly. Their dark fur bristled, their eyes filled with hunger for battle.
Darius's voice dropped to a low warning.
"You're not taking a single step closer to her."
Kael sighed dramatically.
"You Alphas are always so dramatic."
Then his expression hardened.
"Fine."
His voice echoed through the ruins.
"Take her."
The rogue wolves lunged.
The temple exploded into chaos.
Darius shifted instantly.
Bones cracked as his massive black wolf burst forward, fur rippling like shadows under the moonlight. His roar shook the ancient walls.
He slammed into the first rogue midair, sending it crashing into a broken pillar.
Lyra didn't hesitate.
Silver light burst from her body as she shifted as well.
Her wolf emerged in a flash of glowing silver fur, larger and more powerful than before. Her eyes burned like twin moons.
The rogues hesitated for only a second.
Then they attacked.
Lyra moved like lightning.
She dodged the first wolf's jaws and slammed her paw into its ribs, sending it tumbling across the stone floor. Another lunged from the side, but she twisted midair and sank her teeth into its shoulder.
The temple echoed with snarls and crashing stone.
Darius tore through two rogues at once, his black wolf moving with brutal precision.
But Kael didn't join the fight.
He simply watched.
Smiling.
Slowly… he walked toward the staircase.
Lyra noticed first.
Her wolf growled deeply.
He's going to the vault.
She broke away from the rogue she was fighting and sprinted across the temple floor.
Kael reached the top of the staircase just as Lyra landed in front of him, blocking the path.
Her silver wolf stood tall, glowing in the moonlight.
Kael's lips curved into a grin.
"Ah… there you are."
He shifted.
His transformation was slower but far more terrifying.
Muscles expanded. Bones twisted. Crimson energy wrapped around his body like flames.
When his wolf emerged, it was massive—larger than Darius, with dark red fur and burning eyes.
The ground trembled beneath his paws.
Lyra's wolf bared her teeth.
You won't enter that vault.
Kael's wolf chuckled darkly inside her mind.
Oh, little Moonborn…
I don't need permission.
He lunged.
Their bodies collided with explosive force.
Silver and crimson energy burst across the temple floor as they crashed into the ancient pillars.
Lyra felt his strength immediately.
Kael wasn't just powerful.
He was unnaturally strong.
Their claws locked as they pushed against each other, growling.
"You're stronger than before," Kael growled.
Lyra's silver eyes blazed.
"And you're still insane."
Kael's wolf laughed again.
"Not insane."
He shoved her backward with brutal force.
"Chosen."
Behind them, Darius finally broke through the remaining rogues and turned toward the staircase.
"Lyra!"
But Kael moved faster.
He slammed his paw into the temple floor.
The ancient symbols lit up instantly.
A wall of glowing energy burst from the runes, blocking the path between Darius and the staircase.
Darius crashed into it with a furious roar.
The barrier held.
Kael smirked at Lyra.
"Just you and me now."
The staircase behind him glowed brighter.
The vault was opening.
Lyra's wolf steadied herself.
Her silver aura flared brighter than ever before.
"If you want the vault," she said quietly,
"You'll have to go through me."
Kael's crimson eyes gleamed.
"That was always the plan."
Then he attacked again.
And beneath the Moonborn temple, the ancient vault continued to open…
awakening a power that had been sealed away for centuries