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Chapter 3 - The Moonlight Guardian

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Chapter 3: Shadows of the Crown

The next morning dawned with golden light and smoke still lingering in the air from the chaos of the night before. Ji Sok Han was restless, unable to sleep. The moon's mark on his palm still glowed faintly, and Duri had snored loudly from his perch atop the wardrobe all night.

"Rise and shine, Guardian!" Duri announced, tumbling off the wardrobe and floating toward him. "We've got royal business to worry about."

Ji sat up. "You mean monsters?"

"Worse," Duri said with a wicked grin. "Politics."

Moments later, Ji found himself walking behind a pair of palace guards through the long marble halls of Daehara's inner court. Word had spread like fire that he had unleashed a blast of moonlight. Nobles were whispering. Servants stared. Even his father — a decorated general — hadn't spoken to him that morning.

The Queen Regent had summoned him.

Inside the throne room, the tension was thick. Princess Yeonhwa, his childhood friend and heir to the throne, stood beside the Queen, her face tight with worry.

"Ji Sok Han," the Queen said coldly. "You channeled sacred moonlight last night in front of the entire city. Do you deny this?"

Ji lowered his head. "No, Your Majesty."

Whispers filled the room. Some looked in awe. Others in fear.

Duri appeared beside Ji's ear. "Keep calm. She won't bite. Not in front of witnesses."

The Queen stood. "Then the stories are true. The Guardian has awakened." She looked down at him. "Do you understand the burden you carry?"

Ji looked up. "I'm starting to."

A pause.

Then, surprisingly, the Queen nodded. "Then you must begin training immediately. But know this—"

She stepped forward, her eyes sharp. "You will be watched. The throne cannot afford uncontrolled miracles."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ji said.

As he exited the court, Yeonhwa followed.

"Ji," she said softly. "Is it true? Are you the Guardian?"

He nodded. "I didn't ask for this. It just… happened."

She smiled faintly. "Neither did I ask to become heir, but we rise to meet the moon."

Ji's heart beat faster. "You believe me?"

"I've always believed in you."

Behind them, Duri coughed. "Alright, lovebirds, time to go. We've got a cursed forest to find and a moon-temple to break into."

Ji raised an eyebrow. "Break into?"

"Details," Duri said, grinning. "Let's just say Chapter Four's going to be fun."

Ji laughed quietly as he followed them into the corridor. But deep inside, he could feel the pressure building. He wasn't just a boy anymore. He was something more—and with that came a thousand eyes watching, judging, waiting.

And somewhere in the darkness beyond Daehara's gates, something else was stirring.

A shadow moved across the treetops near the outer wall. Hooded figures in black robes whispered under their breath. In their hands, they held a relic — a shattered fragment of the moon, corrupted by darkness.

"The Guardian has awakened," one whispered.

"Then we must begin the Eclipse."

Thunder rolled across the sky.

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To Be Continued in Chapter 4: The Forest of Whispering Leaves

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