The wind howled through the sacred mountains as Aria stood barefoot on the icy stone, facing the spirit guardian known only as Vael—a primordial being bound to the Luna bloodline. Its silver-furred form shimmered with moonlight as it circled her.
“You cannot unlock balance until you master chaos,” Vael growled, its voice a blend of thunder and whisper.
Aria, shivering yet resolute, clenched her fists. “Then show me chaos.”
Vael leapt.
Fangs of shadow met her light-born aura. The mountain trembled as their clash ignited a surge of energy so raw, it split the frost-lined boulders nearby. Aria flew backward, crashing into stone, gasping for breath.
“Again,” she gritted, rising to her feet.
She wasn’t training for revenge. She was training for survival. For her pack. For the prophecy she
