infodatos Chapter 26: Full Moon
Chapter 26: Full Moon
Chapter 26 - Full MoonRustle.
The tall grass shifted softly, parting in the silence of the night as three figures moved swiftly through the forest. Moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting ghostly patterns on the ground.
At the front, Serica led the way. Her movements were sharp and precise, slicing through the dense foliage with ease, carving a path through the darkness.
Her hand rested on the hilt of her dagger, her every sense alert for any kind of movement. She didn't speak—she didn't need to. Her actions alone communicated urgency and focus.
Behind her, Azhriel followed close, his eyes scanning the surroundings with quiet vigilance. His grip on the silver-hilted blade was relaxed but ready, his steps silent on the undergrowth. There was no trace of fear in his face—only calm.
Beside him, Arianne moved with controlled grace, her white cloak flowing behind her like a trail of moonlight. Her expression was unreadable, crimson eyes fixed forward. Though she had spent much time in this forest, something about this place just didn't sit right.
The three moved silently in the forest straight towards the mountain.
"Are you a hundred percent sure that we'll find the Lunarbloom there?" Arianne asked, her voice calm but edged with urgency.
"Yes," Azhriel replied without hesitation, his gaze fixed ahead. "If nothing's changed... the Lunarbloom will be there."
Arianne looked at him for a moment longer, the wind brushing through her silver-white hair as she kept pace beside him.
There was no sign of doubt in his expression—only certainty. The kind of certainty that came not from hearsay or blind faith, but from knowledge.
She nodded once, trusting his word—for now.
****
A few minutes before.
"I will help you," Azhriel said, his sky-blue eyes meeting Arianne's crimson directly.
Arianne blinked, slightly caught off guard by his sudden words. "What?"
"I said I'll help you find the Lunarbloom," he repeated, his tone calm, face as unreadable as ever. "Actually... I already know where it is."
The atmosphere shifted. Both Arianne and Serica reacted instantly. In one smooth movement, Serica stepped behind Arianne.
Arianne stood as well, the firelight casting a soft glow across her sharp features.
"You know where the Lunarbloom is?" Her voice was louder now, surprised, almost disbelieving.
"Yes." Azhriel answered again, his voice still quiet, but confident.
For a brief second, silence returned. Arianne's heartbeat quickened. She had spent months
"Exactly," Azhriel said with a faint nod. "That settles it. We're leaving. Just let me finish something."
With that, he turned and stepped back into the cave.
Inside, the chill in the air thickened as he raised his hand. A sheen of frost wrapped around the boar's body as he quickly froze it with magic, preserving the meat. With a simple flick of his wrist, the frozen body vanished into his space ring.
Then, silently, he undid the heavyweights from his wrists and ankles—small metal bands that looked plain but had kept his body under constant strain. As they hit the ground with a dull thud, his body felt lighter, his movement freer.
Outside, Arianne and Serica watched the cave's entrance.
"Miss," Serica said softly from behind, her tone lowered so only Arianne could hear. "Are you sure we can trust his words?"
Arianne didn't answer immediately. She stared at the flickering fire, then turned her eyes back toward the cave.
"...We don't have many options, do we?" she said quietly. "And you saw his eyes too, didn't you? I don't think he's lying."
Serica hesitated but then nodded.
"Let's prepare to move. Even if it's a small hope... we can't afford to lose it."