Chapter 38 - The Moon Wolf Awakens
The battlefield fell silent.
Snow drifted gently through the air as Gareth stared at the Frostfang Sabretooth.
His contract beast had abandoned him.
"No..."
"This cannot happen!"
The Sabretooth stepped away from Gareth and moved beside Kai.
Its deep blue eyes no longer held fear.
Only relief.
The Crimson Flame Fox smiled.
"Welcome back."
The great beast lowered its head in gratitude.
---
Gareth's face twisted with rage.
"You stole my beast!"
Kai shook his head calmly.
"I stole nothing."
"A beast is not property."
"It chooses who it trusts."
Those words echoed across the frozen valley.
Even several Temple soldiers lowered their weapons.
For the first time, doubt appeared in their eyes.
---
High above, Lady Morgana watched silently.
A faint smile crossed her face.
"So that's the difference..."
"The Temple demands obedience."
"The Sovereign earns loyalty."
---
Suddenly...
The ground shook.
RUMBLE!
Everyone lost their footing.
The mountain itself trembled violently.
Cracks spread across the snow-covered earth.
An ancient howl echoed from deep beneath the Temple.
AOOOOOOOO!
The sound carried sorrow...
Loneliness...
And unimaginable power.
The Book of Infinite Beasts burst open.
---
World Event
Ancient Guardian Detected
Name: Fenrir, the Moon Wolf King
Rank: Divine
Status: Sealed
Seal Integrity: 18%
Warning:
If awakened through corruption, an entire kingdom may perish.
---
Selene's face turned pale.
"Fenrir..."
"So the legends were true."
Ignis nodded gravely.
"He is one of the First Guardians."
"Long before kingdoms existed, he protected these lands."
---
Before anyone could react—
A pillar of black light erupted from the summit of the Temple of the Moon Wolf.
The stolen Moon Crystal floated high into the sky.
Dark chains wrapped around it.
A circle of crimson runes spread across the mountain.
Temple soldiers immediately knelt.
A powerful voice echoed across the valley.
"You have all served your purpose."
Kai looked up.
Standing atop the ancient temple was a man dressed in white robes edged with gold.
Unlike the Apostles, he wore no mask.
His silver hair flowed in the icy wind.
Behind him floated twelve golden rings.
The Book trembled violently.
---
Enemy Identified
Lucius Valerian
Title: First Apostle of the Divine Temple
Rank: Transcendent
Threat Assessment:
Far Beyond Current Ability
---
Lucius looked down at Kai with calm, emotionless eyes.
"So..."
"You are the Ninth Beast Sovereign."
"I expected someone taller."
Kai tightened his grip on his spear.
"You know who I am."
Lucius nodded.
"I have watched you since your Awakening Ceremony."
Every muscle in Kai's body tensed.
"You were there?"
"I was."
"I wanted to see whether the Book had truly chosen a successor."
He smiled faintly.
"I must admit..."
"You have exceeded my expectations."
---
Without warning, Lucius raised one finger.
A beam of golden light shot toward Kai.
It was so fast that no one could react.
BOOM!
A wall of silver ice erupted before Kai.
Selene had moved first.
The blast shattered her barrier and threw her backward across the snow.
"Selene!"
Kai rushed to her side.
She coughed but forced herself to stand.
"I'm... fine."
Lucius watched silently.
"You would risk your life for him."
Selene answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
---
Lucius sighed.
"How unfortunate."
He lifted both hands.
The corrupted Moon Crystal began pouring dark energy into the seal beneath the mountain.
The earth split apart.
A colossal silver paw burst through the frozen ground.
Then another.
A gigantic wolf, larger than the royal palace itself, slowly emerged.
Its silver fur was stained with black corruption.
Its glowing blue eyes flickered with crimson.
The entire mountain shook beneath its weight.
Fenrir, the Moon Wolf King, had awakened.
But not as its true self.
It threw back its head and released a heartbreaking howl that echoed across the Kingdom of Astravia.
The Book of Infinite Beasts displayed one final message.
---
Emergency Main Quest
Save the Moon Wolf King
Objectives:
- Purify the Moon Crystal.
- Free Fenrir from corruption.
- Defeat the First Apostle's ritual.
Failure Condition:
The Kingdom of Astravia will be destroyed.
Kai stepped forward despite the overwhelming pressure.
The Crimson Flame Fox stood on his right shoulder.
Ignis spread his tiny wings on the left.
Selene joined him, sword in hand.
Behind them, the freed Frostfang Sabretooth and the Lunar Frost Wolf stood together.
Kai looked up at the towering Moon Wolf King.
"We've freed one ancient guardian before."
He smiled with quiet determination.
"And we'll do it again."
The corrupted Fenrir lowered its enormous head.
Its crimson eyes locked onto Kai.
Then, with a roar that shook the heavens...
It charged.