The battlefield fell into a tense silence after Kael's words.
Smoke curled into the sky above Silver Ridge, and the sound of distant fighting still echoed across the valley. But for Lyra, everything seemed to fade except the pounding of her heart.
The temple was under attack.
The Heart of the Moonborn trembled faintly inside her chest, as if confirming Kael's claim.
Darius stepped closer to her, his voice low and urgent.
"If what he says is true, the temple is in danger."
Lyra clenched her fists.
The warriors training there were still inexperienced. Without her connection to the Heart, the temple's defenses would be weaker.
But Silver Ridge was also falling apart around them.
Wolves were injured. Their Alpha was struggling to hold the remaining forces together.
Kael watched her carefully from the ridge, his crimson aura swirling lazily around him.
"This is what leadership looks like, Lyra," he said mockingly. "Every choice costs something."
Lyra's silver eyes flashed.
She hated that he was right.
A wounded wolf cried out nearby as another rogue lunged toward him. One of the Moonborn warriors quickly intercepted the attack, but the battlefield was still chaotic.
Darius leaned closer.
"We can't split evenly," he said quietly. "If Kael's army reaches the temple, the Heart could fall into his hands."
Lyra closed her eyes for a moment.
The Heart pulsed again.
This time, its energy felt clearer—almost guiding her thoughts.
She opened her eyes.
"We divide," she said firmly.
Darius frowned slightly.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Lyra turned toward the Moonborn warriors who had followed her.
"Five of you will remain here with Darius and help Silver Ridge drive the rogues away."
Darius looked surprised.
"And you?"
Lyra's silver aura flared brighter.
"I'm going back to the temple."
The warriors nodded immediately.
None of them questioned her decision.
Kael tilted his head with interest.
"Running already?"
Lyra looked directly at him.
"No," she said calmly.
"I'm protecting what matters."
Without another word, she turned and sprinted toward the forest.
Her silver aura streaked through the trees as she ran faster than she ever had before.
Behind her, the battle at Silver Ridge continued, Darius leading the remaining Moonborn warriors into the fight.
But Lyra's focus was far away.
The temple.
The Heart.
The wolves she had left behind.
The wind roared past her ears as she pushed her body harder.
Then suddenly—
A distant explosion of crimson energy lit up the sky.
Lyra's heart skipped.
That direction…
It was the temple.
"No…" she whispered.
She ran faster.
Branches snapped beneath her paws as she raced across hills and through dense forest.
Finally, the temple came into view.
But what she saw made her stop cold.
Rogue wolves surrounded the Moonborn temple.
Dozens of them.
Their red eyes glowed in the darkness, and crimson energy crashed against the temple's silver barrier.
Inside the temple grounds, the young Moonborn warriors fought desperately to hold the line.
The first Alpha stood at the entrance like an ancient guardian, smashing rogue wolves aside with terrifying strength.
Yet the enemy numbers kept growing.
And at the center of the attacking army stood a massive wolf Lyra had never seen before.
His body was covered in dark scars, and crimson power radiated from him like fire.
He turned slowly as Lyra arrived.
A cruel smile appeared on his face.
"So," he said.
"The Moonborn heir has returned."
Lyra stepped forward, her silver aura blazing like moonlight.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
The massive wolf chuckled.
"I am Ragnar, Kael's war general."
He cracked his neck and stepped closer.
"And my mission," he growled, "is to bring him the Heart of the Moonborn."
The rogue army surged forward again.
Lyra's aura expanded across the battlefield as she prepared to fight.
Behind her, the temple glowed brighter, the Heart responding to her presence.
The final defense had begun. 🐺✨