The cold wind howled like imprisoned souls, while the blood-red moon cast its eerie glow upon the fractured earth.
"Why… hasn't it stopped?" Leah whispered, her body trembling under an invisible weight.
Before her, a shadow emerged from the black mist, golden eyes gleaming like embers in the dark. It was the ancient beast, sealed away for a thousand years—revived by the Blood Moon.
"Bearer of the sacred blade…" its voice echoed as though from the depths of the abyss. "You are the one who has broken my chains."
Leah's hand tightened on her sword, blood dripping from her palm, but her gaze never faltered.
"If your awakening brings ruin to this world… then I shall be the one to stop you."
The beast laughed, its voice shaking the mountains.
"Child… can you truly stand against me?"
Lightning split the sky, blue light clashing with the red glow of the moon. Leah stepped forward, chanting the first incantation she had ever learned—an invocation that bound her soul to the heavens.
And thus began the war of the cursed night.