Blood Moon Bound

Shadows of Strategy

The snow had stopped falling, but the forest was still coated in a thick, silvery blanket. Ash Valley was quiet—too quiet. Kairo’s paws crunched over the icy ground as he moved cautiously through the clearing, the faint glow of the Moon Mark pulsing against his chest. The adrenaline from the ambush still lingered, a cold burn that refused to fade.

Darian walked a step behind him, his ears flicking at every sound. “Ravik isn’t done. Not by a long shot,” he said, voice low and steady. “He may have retreated, but he’s regrouping. When he comes back, it won’t be a simple hunt. He’ll strike with strategy.”

Elara carried the book close to her chest, her fingers tracing the silver markings even when she wasn’t reading aloud. “Then we need a plan,” she said, eyes bright with determination. “We can’t just run forever. We need to understand the prophecy… and the Moon Mark.”

Kairo stopped, snow crunching under his paws, and looked at her. “I’ve been trying,” he said, voice tight. “But the mark… it’s like it has a mind of its own sometimes. I feel the power, but controlling it, focusing it… it’s hard.”

Elara nodded, stepping closer. “That’s why the book exists. It’s not just for reading. It’s a guide. We just need to learn how to listen—to the mark, to each other.”

Darian sighed, tail flicking in the snow. “Listening is fine, but we also need action. Ravik won’t wait for us to understand. He’ll come with a plan, and he’ll exploit any weakness. That means we train, we prepare, and we anticipate. Kairo, that means pushing the mark further than before.”

Kairo flexed his claws, feeling the silver energy flicker across his fur. “I… I’m ready,” he whispered. Not entirely ready, but he would have to be.

---

The trio found a small ravine, hidden from the main trails. Snow drifts formed natural barriers, and the trees overhead created a dense canopy. It wasn’t a fortress, but it was enough for **strategic training and planning**.

Elara opened the book, chanting softly under her breath. Silver light shimmered over the pages, and the energy in the clearing shifted. Kairo felt it immediately—a subtle pulse guiding his claws, syncing with his breathing.

“Focus on intent, not power,” Elara said, eyes locked on his chest. “The mark responds to thought, not strength. Think about the strike before you release it. Visualize it flowing with purpose.”

Kairo inhaled, and a low hum resonated in his chest as the mark pulsed brighter. He raised his claws and swung at a snow-covered tree. The energy radiated outward, carving arcs of silver into the snow without shattering the tree.

“That’s it!” Elara whispered, stepping closer. “You’re beginning to understand it.”

Darian nodded approvingly. “Good, but it’s not enough. You need control while moving, under stress, while being attacked. Let’s simulate an ambush.”

For hours, they practiced. Darian moved like a shadow, striking from behind trees, testing Kairo’s reflexes. Elara guided his energy, forming barriers and waves of silver light to protect and challenge him. By the end of the day, Kairo was exhausted, his fur dusted with snow, chest still glowing faintly.

“I… I can feel it,” Kairo said, breathing hard. “I can control it a little. The mark responds to me now.”

“Good,” Darian said, tail flicking. “Tomorrow, we push it further. And we plan for Ravik. He won’t just come alone next time. He’ll bring more than wolves. He may try to exploit your emotions, your doubts.”

Elara looked at Kairo, a faint warmth in her eyes. “We’ll be ready. Together.”

Kairo felt the truth of that in his chest, the mark pulsing in quiet agreement. The Blood Moon hung high above, crimson and ominous, a constant reminder that the hunt was far from over.

But for the first time, he felt ready to face it.