The village bell rang, loud and frantic, shattering the fragile dawn. Dogs barked, children cried, and villagers rushed to gather their belongings. Outside the eastern gate, a dark haze seeped through the tree line, carrying with it the unmistakable cold of the shadows.
Iris clutched Luna's arm, her voice trembling. "They found us… already."
Luna's jaw tightened. "Stay close."
Selene stood at the window, her silver pendant glinting faintly. "They've surrounded the eastern side. They won't wait long before they move in."
"What do they want from me?" Iris whispered, though the question was almost to herself. Her heart raced, but her gaze never left Luna's profile. The warrior's calm steadied her, even as dread coiled in her stomach.
"They want her bloodline," Selene said grimly, nodding at Luna. "But taking you—her heart—is another way to break her."
Luna's grip on her sword tightened. "Not while I breathe."
They hurried into the square where villagers gathered in panic. The headman, a frail old man, wrung his hands. "We've seen creatures before, but never so many. What do we do?"
"Take the children and the elderly to the monastery paths," Luna ordered. "Don't wait. Just go."
The old man hesitated, but one look into her eyes and he obeyed. Soon, the square thinned as families hurried toward safety.
Iris squeezed Luna's hand, her voice low. "You're protecting everyone again."
Luna glanced at her, her features softening despite the danger. "I can't do otherwise."
Iris's chest ached with love, fierce and protective. She reached up and kissed her quickly, ignoring Selene's sharp glance. "Then I'll protect you too."
The first shadow slipped into the square, its form like black smoke twisted into human shape. More followed—ten, twenty, then countless, until the square seemed to darken under their presence.
"They're not waiting anymore," Selene said, drawing her twin blades. "Get ready."
Luna stepped forward, sword gleaming in the morning light. "Stay behind me, Iris."
"No," Iris said firmly. She raised her small dagger, though her hands shook. "I won't be useless."
A growl rolled through the square as the shadows surged forward.
The battle erupted.
Luna moved like a storm—sword flashing, cutting through shadow after shadow. Each strike dispelled them in bursts of smoke and ash. Her movements were precise, practiced, but fueled by rage.
Selene fought with equal ferocity, blades spinning, each slash leaving streaks of silver in the air. She covered Luna's flank without needing words, as if they shared a silent rhythm.
Iris tried to stay close, stabbing at smaller shadows that slipped through. Fear threatened to overwhelm her, but every time she heard Luna's voice—"Stay with me, Iris!"—courage flared again.
One shadow lunged at her from behind. Before Iris could turn, Selene struck it down, her blade shattering it into nothingness. Their eyes met for a brief second.
"Keep your eyes open," Selene muttered. "She can't guard you from everything."
Iris nodded breathlessly. "Thank you."
But for every shadow they cut down, more poured into the square.
"They're testing us," Luna growled, sweat streaking her face. "They're waiting for us to tire."
Selene's pendant glowed faintly as she pressed a hand to her chest. "No—they're being guided. Someone's controlling them nearby."
Luna's eyes narrowed. "Then we cut the source."
They pushed toward the eastern gate, fighting through endless waves. Iris stayed close, darting behind Luna and Selene, her dagger flashing when she could. She wasn't strong, but she was determined.
At the gate, the air shimmered. A figure stood beyond the shadows—a woman cloaked in black, her face half-covered, eyes burning with envy and hate.
"I knew I'd find you here, Luna." Her voice was venomous, echoing unnaturally through the square. "The lost heir, clinging to her fragile human."
Luna stiffened. "Who are you?"
The woman's laughter was cold. "One who was denied what should have been mine. And now I'll tear everything you love apart." She raised her hand, and the shadows surged forward like a tide.
The battle reached its breaking point.
Luna fought desperately, her blade striking faster, harder. Selene's movements grew strained, her breathing sharp. Even Iris's arms trembled from holding her dagger.
At one moment, a shadow's claw nearly struck Iris's face. Luna blocked it with a fierce cry, shoving it back. "Don't you dare touch her!"
Iris's eyes filled with tears, not from fear, but from the raw love in Luna's voice. She pressed herself against Luna's back, whispering, "I'm here. I won't leave you."
The warmth of her words gave Luna strength. With a final surge, she carved through the last line of shadows at the gate.
The woman in black retreated into the forest, shadows swirling after her. Her voice lingered on the wind: "Enjoy your fragile peace, Luna. I will return—and next time, I'll take everything."
Then the darkness faded.
The square was silent except for the ragged breaths of the three who remained. The villagers slowly returned from hiding, eyes wide with awe. They whispered among themselves, calling Luna and Selene protectors, saviors.
Iris leaned into Luna, exhausted but unbroken. "We did it."
Luna sheathed her sword, her arm circling Iris tightly. "For now."
Selene wiped her blades clean, her expression grim. "That woman wasn't bluffing. She knows who you are, Luna. And she won't stop."
Luna nodded slowly, determination burning in her eyes. "Then neither will I."
That night, the village headman offered them shelter again, this time with reverence. But Luna refused.
"We can't stay," she said quietly to Iris. "If they come back, these people will pay the price for us."
Iris's heart ached at the thought of leaving behind safety and warmth, but she understood. "Where will we go?"
"North," Selene answered. "Toward the mountains. Toward the truth of why they hunt you."
Luna looked down at Iris, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Will you walk with me, wherever this path leads?"
Iris smiled through her weariness, eyes shining with devotion. "Always."
They kissed, sealing their vow beneath the cold stars.
The road awaited them once more. Behind, the village lights flickered like fading fireflies. Ahead, the mountains rose, dark and foreboding.
But between the shadows and the storm, Iris and Luna's love glowed brighter than ever.