Chapter 35 - The Stolen Moon Crystal
The bells of Lunaris continued to ring.
Royal Guards flooded the streets, urging citizens back into their homes.
The lively marketplace transformed into an armed checkpoint within minutes.
Selene's warm smile disappeared.
In its place was the calm, decisive expression of a princess.
She turned to Kai.
"The Moon Crystal cannot fall into the Divine Temple's hands."
Kai nodded.
"Then let's get it back."
---
The captain of the Royal Guard hurried toward them.
"Your Highness, the King requests your immediate return to the palace."
Selene shook her head.
"Not yet."
"The thieves have only just escaped."
"If we move quickly, we can still catch them."
The captain hesitated.
"But Your Highness—"
"I'll take responsibility."
There was no room for argument.
The guards saluted.
"Yes, Princess."
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts appeared before Kai.
Golden letters shimmered across the page.
Main Quest
The Stolen Moon Crystal
Objectives:
- Track the Divine Temple agents.
- Recover the Moon Crystal.
- Protect Princess Selene.
Reward:
- Sovereign EXP
- Rare Beast Evolution Material
- Hidden Story Progress
---
Kai closed the Book.
"We should start where the theft happened."
Selene nodded.
"The Royal Beast Sanctuary."
---
The sanctuary stood behind the palace walls.
Ancient trees surrounded a circular lake that reflected the sky like polished glass.
Normally, peaceful beasts wandered freely among the gardens.
Today...
Everything was silent.
Broken statues littered the ground.
The protective barrier had been shattered.
Several royal beast keepers were treating injured companions.
Kai crouched beside the broken crystal pedestal.
The Eye of Insight activated.
Golden threads of mana drifted through the air.
"They fled north."
Selene looked surprised.
"You can see that?"
Kai smiled slightly.
"I've had... good teachers."
---
The Lunar Frost Wolf lowered its nose to the ground.
"Three humans."
"One corrupted beast."
"They aren't trying to hide anymore."
The Crimson Flame Fox sniffed the air.
"They're carrying something powerful."
Ignis narrowed his tiny golden eyes.
"The Moon Crystal."
---
Suddenly...
The lake rippled.
A faint silver image appeared upon its surface.
An elderly woman dressed in moon-white robes slowly emerged from the reflection.
Selene immediately bowed.
"Grand Oracle."
Kai respectfully followed.
The old woman's silver eyes rested on Kai for several moments.
"So..."
"The Beast Sovereign has finally arrived."
Kai blinked.
"You know who I am?"
She smiled gently.
"I have been waiting for this meeting for eighteen years."
Selene looked confused.
"You never told me that."
"The time was not yet right."
---
The Grand Oracle raised her hand.
The surface of the lake transformed into a vision.
It showed three cloaked figures fleeing toward a frozen mountain.
In the hands of their leader shone a glowing silver crystal.
The Moon Crystal.
But standing behind them...
Was someone even more terrifying.
A woman dressed in black robes.
Long crimson hair flowed behind her.
Golden eyes watched the vision as though she could see through it.
The Book suddenly flashed crimson.
New Enemy Identified
Name: Lady Morgana
Title: Apostle of the Divine Temple
Rank: Unknown
Threat Level: Extremely High
---
The vision ended abruptly.
The Oracle sighed.
"Morgana has begun moving."
Ignis's expression darkened.
"I remember her..."
The fox looked at him.
"You know her?"
"Long ago..."
"Before I was sealed..."
"She was one of the Temple's greatest prodigies."
Kai frowned.
"Then why is she helping them?"
Ignis remained silent for a long moment.
Finally, he answered.
"Because the Temple took everything from her..."
"...and convinced her it was justice."
---
Selene drew the elegant silver sword hanging at her side.
"Whatever her past..."
"She stole the Moon Crystal."
"And innocent people will suffer if we do nothing."
Kai nodded.
"Then we stop her."
The Oracle smiled.
"Good."
"You already think like partners."
She pointed toward the northern mountains.
"The thieves seek the Temple of the Moon Wolf."
"If they awaken what sleeps beneath it..."
"An entire kingdom will fall."
The Book of Infinite Beasts glowed brightly.
Quest Updated
Destination: Temple of the Moon Wolf
Time Remaining: 72 Hours
Kai looked toward the distant snow-covered peaks.
The Crimson Flame Fox jumped onto his shoulder.
Selene mounted the Lunar Frost Wolf.
Ignis stretched his tiny wings and yawned.
"Well..."
"I suppose we're saving another ancient beast."
The four of them set off together into the northern wilderness, unaware that high above the clouds, Lady Morgana watched their every move.
She smiled faintly.
"Come, Beast Sovereign."
"I've prepared a welcome worthy of your legend."