Chapter 37: The Trial Beneath the Moon
The Echo Circle pulsed with synchronized energy, the bond between the pack members glowing faintly beneath their skins. A silver halo circled the ground, the formation breathing like a living creature. Around them, the Moon-Sworn shadows circled in silence—waiting.
Thaleia, the Herald, remained still atop the mirrored water. Her porcelain mask gleamed beneath the bleeding moonlight.
"Let judgment begin."
She lifted her arm.
The shadows attacked.
Kael didn't wait—he moved like a streak of fire, claws flashing in a wide arc. His target: the first shadow-beast with hollow antlers and a gaping void where its mouth should be.
It screamed as his claws tore through it, its dark form scattering like shattered glass.
Flam and Milla followed suit—Flam shielding the right flank with explosive slashes of his broadsword, while Milla darted between the beasts like a shadow, her daggers precise and lethal.
Tamir held the center, glyphs flaring as he unleashed blasts of violet light that bound and slowed their enemies.
> System Alert:
Echo Circle Formation: Stable
Bonus: Speed +15% / Resistance +20%
Enemies Remaining: 12
But the shadows didn't fall easily.
One of them caught Seth by the shoulder and slammed him into the ground, its claws cutting deep. He howled, and the formation shuddered.
"Hold the circle!" Kael roared. "No one breaks!"
Tamir flicked a glyph toward Seth's chest. It pulsed with a soft barrier, slowing the blood loss and allowing Seth to crawl back into place.
More shadows emerged from the lake's surface.
Too many.
And then—Thaleia moved.
One step.
The entire lake trembled.
A column of moonlight fell behind her, and from it emerged something different.
A wolf. Ethereal. Towering. Eyes glowing like frozen stars.
> System Warning:
Sub-Boss Detected: Moonshade Echo
Type: Projection Beast / Relic Bound
Estimated Threat: Alpha Rank 8
New Objective: Defeat the Echo or Hold for 5 Minutes
Kael's pupils narrowed. "We don't run."
Flam smirked. "Wasn't planning to."
Kael charged first. He jumped, clawed at the air, and slammed into the Echo Wolf's chest. The impact cracked the air—but the beast barely flinched.
Its paw swiped.
Kael was sent flying through two ruined pillars. Dust exploded around him.
He coughed—blood on his lips—but stood.
"Again," he growled.
> Chaos Bloodline Surge: Activated
Temporary Ability: Pulse Shift – Accelerate cellular recovery and speed
Duration: 30 seconds
Risk: Cellular Exhaustion
Kael's body blurred, his claws igniting with scarlet fire. He reappeared at the Echo's side and tore a glowing line across its ribs.
Flam joined in, sword dragging lightning behind him. Milla struck for the legs. Tamir bound its shadow with three burning glyphs.
Seth recovered, shifted for the second time, and howled—sending a sonic wave that distracted the Echo just long enough for Kael to go for its throat.
> System Update:
Target Staggered – 40% HP Remaining
Pack Synergy: +12%
Time Remaining: 1:12
But the beast howled—deep and terrible—and Kael felt the ground tremble.
"Hold it down!" he yelled.
The pack closed in, blades and claws glowing, breath syncing with the heartbeat of the formation.
The final blow came from Kael—leaping high, spinning midair, and driving his claws down in a double-slash that shattered the Echo's mask.
The beast collapsed in silence.
And then—
Light exploded.
---
> Trial Complete: Moon-Sworn Envoy Defeated
Reward Unlocked:
➤ Moonsteel Shard (Stored)
➤ Chaos Bloodline Insight: Vision of the First Pack
➤ Pack Evolution Progress +12%
➤ Formation Mastery: Echo Circle (Rank 1)
---
As the mist faded, the lake returned to silence. The Herald, Thaleia, was gone. Only a single glowing shard floated above the lake, softly humming.
Kael grabbed it—and felt a flash of a memory not his own.
A massive pack.
Claws like thunder.
A silver-furred wolf surrounded by armies.
And a whisper:
"Reclaim the origin."
Kael opened his eyes, heart pounding.
He looked to the others—wounded, bloodied, but standing.
This was only the beginning.