The air in what remained of Luna Village felt colder than anywhere I had ever been. The wind cut through me as if trying to strip away every fear I had hidden inside.
I stood staring at the monument of the Snow Queen, the last Luna who had failed to protect her people. In those eyes carved from stone, it was as if an unspoken message still lingered.
"She must have fought until her final breath," I murmured softly.
Lucan stood not far beside me, gazing at the statue with a dark look in his eyes.
"Failure doesn't mean weakness, Elara," he said.
I turned to him. "And if I fail too?"
Lucan reached for my shoulders, his serious gaze sending a tremor through my chest.
"You're different. You're not alone."
We left the village square, walking along a narrow path covered by a thin layer of snow. My steps grew heavier, as if every inch of earth here demanded the stories left unfinished.
Among the remains of shattered houses, I saw moon symbols carved into the walls, cracked and sealed under ice. It felt like watching history being murdered, piece by piece.
"You know," I said while walking, "sometimes it feels like they're all angry at me. Like I arrived too late."
Lucan turned sharply. "They're not angry. They're waiting."
I fell silent, trying to process his words.
Waiting for what? I wondered, a pain pressing in my chest.
Suddenly, I heard the snap of a branch ahead of us. Lucan reacted instantly, blocking my way and sharpening his senses.
"Stop," he whispered.
I held my breath, feeling my heartbeat pound even faster.
From behind the ruins of a stone building emerged a tall figure. His body was wrapped in a black cloak, the hood covering nearly his entire face. Around him, the air seemed to swirl, refusing to get close.
I smelled something unfamiliar — bitter, cold, and sharp, like rusted metal.
Lucan growled low, his eyes turning golden.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
The figure stopped, then slowly turned toward us. His voice was deep, echoing like something born of cracked stone.
"The blood of Luna has awakened. The gate will open."
I stiffened, feeling my palms grow damp with cold sweat.
"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice shaking.
The figure didn't answer, only raised his hand. From his palm emerged a blue light, pulsing like a heartbeat.
Lucan stepped forward, ready to defend me.
"Don't come any closer!"
But something in my blood responded to that light. It felt like a subtle pull, calling me closer.
"Lucan, wait," I whispered. "I… I need to see it."
Lucan turned quickly, his eyes sharp.
"Elara—"
"I'm okay," I said, trying to convince him, though half of it was a lie.
Slowly, I stepped forward, approaching the hooded man. The blue glow in his palm seemed to guide me, dancing gently.
As I drew close enough, I caught a glimpse of his pale, cracked face under the hood — not entirely human.
"The second key," he murmured, "is kept in the Black Lake. Guarded by your own shadow."
I froze.
My own shadow?
"What do you mean?" I pressed him.
But the figure suddenly trembled, his body breaking into thousands of shards of ice, carried away by the wind.
I reached out, trying to catch them, but they vanished into thin air.
Lucan rushed to me, holding my shoulders.
"Are you all right?"
I nodded, though my heart was still pounding too fast.
"He said… the Black Lake," I whispered. "Guarded by my own shadow."
Lucan looked at me intently.
"The Black Lake is far to the north. We need to prepare."
I took a deep breath.
"What if I fail again, Lucan? What if I can't face… my own shadow?"
Lucan looked firmly into my eyes, then gently touched my cheek.
"You will be strong enough. Because this time, you don't have to fight alone."
We continued onward, leaving the ruins of the village toward a narrow trail twisting through the spruce forest. The sky was turning gray, a sign that a snowstorm might soon arrive.
In my heart, a heavy fear pressed against me — not only because the Black Lake sounded terrifying, but because the word shadow reminded me of the darkness inside myself.
Maybe there, all of my fears would be waiting.
And maybe… there, I would have to choose who I truly wanted to save.
Lucan urged his horse forward a bit faster, glancing back at me.
"We need shelter before the snow falls," he said.
I nodded, following behind him.
Each step through the forest felt heavier, but also more real. This was no dream. This was my path, whether it was destined — or chosen by me.
And even though it was frightening,
for the first time,
I did not want to run anymore.
**
The winter wind grew even sharper against my skin as we descended from the village ruins. Lucan led his horse while I walked beside him, stepping across the snow that covered the broken stones. Each step felt as if the world itself was trying to keep us from moving forward.
I hugged myself, trying to chase away the chill. There was a strange feeling I couldn't describe — the sense that the road ahead wasn't just a journey, but a trial.
Lucan turned, looking at me over his shoulder.
"Can you still walk?"
I nodded slowly, even though my legs were trembling.
"I have to."
His eyes stayed on me, as if reading my thoughts. Then he murmured softly,
"Never doubt your steps, Elara. This world… demands courage."
We stopped at the edge of a wide ravine, where a black lake stretched below. Its surface barely rippled, like a dark mirror holding secrets thousands of years old.
I held my breath as I looked at it. That lake was not only terrifying, but also mesmerizing. As if something there was calling to my blood.
Lucan stood beside me.
"That is the Black Lake," he said quietly. "Where most of the last Luna vanished… and where the darkest secrets are buried."
My heart beat faster.
"And there… I will find the second key?"
Lucan nodded.
"And perhaps discover a part of yourself you've never known."
I swallowed hard, staring at the glossy black water, shimmering like obsidian. Every reflected shadow on its surface seemed to dance, changing shape, revealing vague forms.
"Are we going down now?" I asked hesitantly.
Lucan turned to me, his gaze stern yet gentle.
"Yes, but be careful. There is something there that does not like to be disturbed."
The descent to the lakeshore was tense. Snow-covered stones were slippery, and the wind from the water carried a suffocating metallic scent.
I nearly slipped several times, but Lucan was always ready to catch my arm. Somehow, his touch calmed me, even if part of me still doubted him.
"Do you… feel something strange?" I asked softly.
Lucan frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Like… someone is watching me. Not just looking, but piercing into my mind."
Lucan looked at me for a long moment, then spoke with a serious tone,
"This lake is a mirror for anyone who comes here. It will call out the deepest shadows in your heart. Don't let fear take control."
When we finally reached the lakeshore, I could barely breathe. The water was so dark it felt like staring into a bottomless abyss. On its surface, I saw my own reflection — but strangely, my eyes glowed faintly.
I turned to Lucan, trying to contain my panic.
"My eyes… they changed?"
Lucan nodded.
"Your Luna blood is responding to this place. You can't stop it, Elara."
I exhaled shakily, trying to steady my heart.
"What do I have to do?"
Lucan pointed to a large stone in the middle of the water, barely protruding above the surface.
"There. The second key is hidden beneath that altar stone. But…"
I looked at him anxiously.
"But what?"
Lucan's gaze was intense, so serious it made my breath catch.
"This place will demand a sacrifice. You must be brave enough to face your greatest fear."
My heart raced faster. I stepped slowly toward the stone, my feet heavy as if chained.
As I stepped onto the first rock at the lake's edge, whispers began to swirl around me.
"…unworthy…"
"…traitor…"
"…tainted blood…"
I covered my ears, trying to focus my mind.
"They are not your voices, Elara," I told myself to calm down. "Don't listen."
But the whispers grew stronger, stabbing into my mind with terrifying words.
"…you will destroy them…"
"…even your mother failed, do you think you can win?"
I trembled, holding back tears.
My steps stopped on top of the altar stone. And at that moment, the water churned beneath me, creating a dark whirlpool. From within it emerged a figure — a shadow. My own form, but with glowing red eyes and a cruel smile.
"Who are you?" I hissed.
The shadow laughed softly, a sound that nearly froze my blood.
"I am your fear. I am your worst possibility. I am… you."
I swallowed hard, fighting a wave of nausea.
"Why did you appear?"
"Because only I can keep you alive in this world. You are weak, Elara. You are too… human."
I shook my head quickly.
"No. I'm not just human. I carry Luna blood!"
The shadow laughed again, louder this time, making ripples echo across the entire lake.
"Prove it," it whispered.
Suddenly, the shadow lunged toward me, grabbing my arm with an icy grip like iron. I tried to pull away, but its hold was unbreakable.
Behind me, I heard Lucan shout,
"Elara!"
But his voice felt distant, as if it couldn't break through the barrier between me and the shadow.
"If you cannot defeat me," the figure hissed, "then I will take over."
I panted, struggling for breath.
"I… I won't give up!"
The shadow smiled cruelly, then pressed its fingers into my chest, sending a burning pain into my ribs.
"Prove it, Luna heir. Or let me become you."
I bit my lip, holding back the searing pain spreading through my whole body.
"You cannot run forever, Elara."
I looked at it, tears filling my eyes. Then, from somewhere deep inside, my mother's voice echoed in my mind.
"Rise. Your blood is not a curse."
I groaned, gathering every ounce of strength to resist the shadow's grip.
"I… am me!"
A purple light exploded from my palm, forcing the shadow to recoil, screaming in rage.
I collapsed to my knees on the altar, gasping for breath. Tears mixed with sweat on my face.
Lucan was instantly there, grabbing me before I could fall into the water.
"You did it," he said softly, though his voice was still tense.
I looked at him, trembling, but with a hint of relief.
"You did it," he repeated.
And for the first time…
I believed those words.