Reign of the Forsaken Moon - Chapter 36: Chapter 36

The full moon rose blood-red over Windrest.
Its crimson glow shimmered across the snowy stone walls, casting long shadows that twisted like ancient spirits. Every wolf in the kingdom, from pup to elder, felt the weight of the night pressing on their bones. It was a night for reckoning, for oaths forged in blood, and for flames that would either crown a queen—or consume her.
Seraphina stood alone at the center of the Trial Ring, a wide circle carved into the heart of Windrest’s upper courtyard. The Crescent Blade hung at her side, its runes glowing faintly in rhythm with her heartbeat.
Around her, hundreds watched in silence—pack leaders, warriors, advisors, and those still undecided. Some had pledged to her already. Others were waiting to see if she was truly worthy of the blade… and the war to come.
Darian stood just beyond the edge of the circle. His presence was a balm. But tonight, he could not help her. No one could.
This was a trial of Luna blood.
And it had to be faced alone.
The First Flame
Elder Korrin, a priest of the old rites, stepped forward and raised his staff.
“Let it be known,” he called, “that Seraphina Lunea, Twice-Born Luna of Windrest, Daughter of Flame and Heir of the Moon, now stands to claim the Crescent Flame by rite of trial. By doing so, she seeks to unite the fragmented bloodlines under one howl and take up arms as the moon’s champion.”
A murmur moved through the crowd.
Korrin looked at her, expression grave.
“You understand the cost?”
“Yes,” Seraphina said.
“If you fail—”
“Then I was never meant to lead.”
He nodded and struck the ground three times.
The runes beneath her feet ignited.
Trial of Spirit
A gust of cold air tore through the circle.
In a blink, the world shifted. The spectators disappeared, replaced by mist and memory. Seraphina found herself in a frozen glade beneath a moonless sky. Snow drifted down like ash. And before her stood… herself.
Or rather, the first Seraphina. The one who had ruled before the fall. Before death. Before rebirth.
Her reflection had eyes full of rage and fire.
“You let them die,” it hissed.
“I tried—”
“You failed them. Elric. Liora. They called for you and you did nothing.”
Tears threatened, but Seraphina stood tall.
“I died for them.”
The spirit lunged, clawing with shadows. But Seraphina summoned the Crescent Blade and met herself blow for blow. Steel against memory. Will against guilt.
In the end, she stood over her past self’s fallen form, breathless.
“I still hear them,” she whispered. “And that’s why I’ll never stop fighting.”
The glade vanished.
Trial of Flesh
She reemerged in fire.
The second stage began with pain—real and raw.
The ground beneath her feet became molten stone. Blades of silver rained from the sky, each one meant to test her body’s limits. She danced between them, bleeding, her muscles screaming with every twist and roll.
A spectral wolf formed in the flame. Towering. Monstrous. Celestine’s warped likeness.
“You will break,” it snarled.
Seraphina gritted her teeth and lunged.
They clashed, magic flaring with each strike. Her blade sank into the beast’s chest, but fire erupted from its wounds instead of blood.
“You are not the only heir!” it roared.
“No,” Seraphina said, “but I’m the only one who remembers what it means.”
She buried the Crescent Blade into its heart.
The fire died.
Trial of Heart
The last stage brought her to the quiet woods of her childhood.
There, beneath a tree long burned to ash in real life, sat her children.
Liora and Elric.
Whole.
Smiling.
“Mama,” they called.
Her knees gave out.
“I missed you,” she whispered, crawling forward.
They didn’t move. Just sat, watching her.
“If you take the blade,” Elric said softly, “you’ll never see us again. Not in dreams. Not in tethers.”
“If you don’t,” Liora added, “more will die. People who believe in you.”
Seraphina’s heart cracked.
“I just wanted to hold you again.”
“Then hold Windrest,” they said together.
The vision faded.
And she stood alone in the ring once more.
The Awakening
The flames that had ringed the trial circle surged inward.
Seraphina, bloodied and shaking, raised the Crescent Blade high.
The blade howled.
Every wolf present dropped to one knee.
Even those who had doubted.
Even Rynn.
Even the stubborn elders.
And Darian… he bowed not out of obligation, but pride.
Korrin raised his staff one final time.
“The Crescent Flame answers you, Luna. Windrest is yours.”
Blood on the Wind
But peace did not follow triumph.
A raven landed on the war table that night, a scroll bound to its leg.
It bore Celestine’s seal.
Seraphina broke it with trembling fingers.
> You played your game of trials well.
But now we play mine.
I have the Alpha of the Skycliff Pack.
And the child of one of your new allies.
Come for them… or bury their bones with your guilt.
Seraphina’s eyes blazed.
“Where’s Kael?” she asked.
Mira, pale, responded, “Skycliff… that’s where he was sent two days ago.”
“Then she has him.”
The Bond Fractures
Later that night, Darian came to her chamber.
He found her standing in front of the war map, fingers clenched so tightly the parchment had torn beneath them.
“She’s baiting you,” he said gently.
“I know.”
“You can’t go alone.”
“I wasn’t planning to.”
“Good.”
A beat.
“Because I’m going,” he added.
She looked at him sharply. “No.”
“You need to lead the alliance here. Prepare the fortress. Ready the wards.”
“Darian—”
“I swore to protect you,” he said. “But right now… I can protect your people better by saving Kael. And showing Celestine we’re not afraid to hunt.”
Tears burned her eyes.
“I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t.”
He cupped her face, kissed her like a promise, and whispered:
> “I’ll come back. Or she’ll burn with me.”
The Last Light
As dawn crept over Windrest, Seraphina watched Darian ride out with a small strike force, Mira and a handful of elite scouts at his side.
She felt the pull of the Crescent Blade, now sheathed at her hip.
And somewhere far away, the Gate trembled again.
But this time, it wasn’t fear.
It was anticipation.