đ Whispers of the Moon
By Rapwizzy Debaron
Episode 27: The Temple of Echoes
The journey began at dawn.
Juvia stood at the cliff's edge, the wind teasing her hair as the early light shimmered across the forest canopy. Below her lay the ancient valleyâmisty, untouched, and home to something older than time itself.
"The Temple of EchoesâŚ" she whispered.
Beside her, Ha-jun adjusted the strap of his blade. "Are you sure you're ready?"
Juvia nodded. "She called me. I need to know why."
Luna stepped forward, holding a map etched with silver ink. "We'll have to cross the Ravine of Whispers. The temple only appears under moonlight, and the path shifts with emotion. Fear can trap you there forever."
Juvia looked down at the glowing sigil on her handâthe mark of the Moonblade. "Then I can't afford fear."
The trio moved swiftly through the valley. Strange sounds echoed all around: laughter with no source, whispers that mimicked their voices, shadows that didn't belong. The further they went, the thicker the fog became.
Halfway through the ravine, Juvia suddenly stopped.
A voice called out from the mistâsoft, familiar.
"Juvia⌠help meâŚ"
Her eyes widened. "Mother?"
Ha-jun grabbed her arm. "No! It's not real!"
But Juvia stepped forward. The voice grew louder. "Why did you let me die? Why didn't you save me?"
Tears stung her eyes. "That's not fairâ!"
Suddenly, the mist turned black. Hands reached out, pulling her down into a vision.
She stood in her old house, watching flames consume the walls. Her younger self screamed. Her mother⌠coughing, reaching, disappearing in smoke.
"No!" Juvia cried. "It wasn't my fault!"
Then⌠a hand touched her shoulder.
Ha-jun.
He broke through the illusion, pulling her back into reality. The shadows screeched and scattered.
"You have to fight it," he said, his voice rough. "We're almost there."
Breathing hard, Juvia took his hand. "Thank you."
The fog cleared at last, revealing a stone staircase rising from the earth, glowing with runes. At the top, carved into the mountain itself, stood the Temple of Echoesâits moonstone walls humming with power.
Juvia stepped forward, but the door remained shut.
Luna whispered, "Only the one who carries the Moonfire may open it."
Juvia raised her hand.
The sigil on her palm pulsed. The runes lit up.
The temple groaned⌠then opened.
Inside, ancient statues lined the walls. Murals told stories of great warriors, bloodshed, and sacrifice. At the center, a stone circle glowedâwaiting.
Juvia stepped into the center.
A blast of light enveloped her.
And suddenly⌠she wasn't alone.
Across from her stood a girl in white armor. Silver eyes. The original Moon Warrior.
"You've come far," she said. "But there's more to remember."
She lifted her handâand Juvia's body convulsed as memories surged.
Battles. Betrayals. A lost love. A war with no end.
The warrior's voice echoed through her mind:
"He was once ours⌠and now he serves the dark."
Juvia gasped, falling to her knees.
"Who? Who are you talking about?!"
But the vision ended.
She was back in the temple, Ha-jun kneeling beside her, fear in his eyes.
"Juviaâwhat happened?!"
Her voice trembled.
"I saw him. The Crimson Watcher⌠he wasn't always a monster."
Ha-jun's blood ran cold.
"What do you mean?"
Juvia looked up, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"He was once the Moon Warrior's protector. Her⌠lover."
---
To be continuedâŚ
đ What a twist! Who else gasped when the Watcher's past was revealed?
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