The vision Lyra received at the Source of Primeval Magic gave her no peace. Although many months had passed since the defeat of the Shadow of Oblivion and the world seemed to flourish in a new era, Lyra felt that something new was coming, something that the Song of Life, in its current form, might not be able to stop. These "cold, mechanical" beings and Seraphina's strange role in the vision were like a door to the unknown.
One afternoon, as Lyra presided over the weekly meeting of the New Council in the Source Cave, discussing inter-pack affairs and renewal strategies, Aeris spoke to her with unprecedented power. Her voice was deep, almost ethereal, resonating not only in Lyra's mind but seemingly filling the entire cave.
"Blood Moon Luna," Aeris's voice boomed, and its power was so great that Kaelan, Elara, and the Pack Alphas, though they did not hear the words, felt a violent tremor in the air and the beating heart of the Source of Primeval Magic. They looked at Lyra with concern.
Lyra paled, but did not take her eyes off Kaelan. She knew it was important.
"The time has come for you to know the truth of my origins. My Song is part of the Song of the Ancient Sovereign, the one who first fully embraced the Song of Life and gave it form. My primal essence was a consciousness born within his mind to protect your world."
Lyra felt stunned. Aeris was not just a voice from myths, but part of something much larger. "The Primeval Beings, those you had a vision of, are an ancient race that existed before your world took its current form. Their technology is so advanced that to your ancestors, it was magic. They strived for perfection through the elimination of emotions, believing that emotions lead to chaos. They created worlds based on logic and order, but at the cost of the Song of Life. They are a threat that goes beyond the Shadow of Oblivion, for they do not seek to destroy, but to transform, to suppress the Song, not to erase it. Seraphina… is a pawn, whom even they may not fully understand."
Lyra felt a shiver. This was worse than the Shadow of Oblivion. The Shadow desired emptiness, but these beings desired… an order that was emotional emptiness.
"You must find the remnants of the Ancient Sovereign. They are hidden in the Darkness Below, where time has broken, in a place that was his sanctuary. Only he knew the full Song, the one that can confront this new threat. His message awaits you. You will find it… in the crystals that once pulsed with the Song of Creation."
Aeris's voice began to fade, becoming barely a whisper. "The Darkness Below… remember… balance…"
Lyra felt Aeris's voice die out completely. She looked around the hall. Everyone was looking at her with concern. "What happened, Luna?" Kaelan asked. "Is something wrong?"
Lyra took a deep breath. "Aeris spoke. She told me about the vision I had. About a new threat. An ancient race that seeks a world without emotions. And that Seraphina is somehow involved."
The Pack Alphas looked at each other in shock. "But that's not all," Lyra continued. "Aeris… is part of the Song of the Ancient Sovereign. The one who created the Song of Life. We must find his sanctuary. His message. Only there will we find the answer to confront this new threat."
Varg, the Alpha of the Black Forest, who had regained his pride, nodded. "Our ancestors mentioned the 'Darkness Below.' They said it was a place where ancient times merge with eternity. No one ever returned from there."
Boreas, from the Ice Pack, added: "Ice legends speak of 'Gates Between Worlds' in the depths of the earth. Is that what Aeris is talking about?"
Lyra felt a cold shiver. This was a challenge of an entirely different scale. Fighting emptiness was simple – clear rules. Fighting hatred was difficult, but understandable. But fighting beings who eliminated emotions in the name of "perfection"? That was terrifying.
"We must go," Lyra said, her voice firm. "We cannot wait. The longer we delay, the stronger this new enemy will become. And the more Seraphina will be… distorted."
Kaelan and Elara immediately expressed their readiness. The united packs, though concerned, trusted Lyra. They were ready to follow her.
Preparations for the expedition to the Darkness Below were intense. Elara studied all available ancient maps and texts, searching for clues. Kaelan coordinated the gathering of supplies and selected the strongest and most resilient warriors from each pack.
Lyra spent time meditating, trying to contact Aeris, but the voice had fallen silent. She knew she had to rely on herself and her ability to interpret the Ancient Sovereign's clues.
One night, Lyra, standing under the Blood Moon, felt her heart beat to the rhythm of Primeval Magic. She knew this was a journey that would change everything. The new era she had ushered in had to be prepared to confront a threat that transcended their previous understanding.
She looked at the stars, feeling their boundless, cold presence. This world was only a small part of a much larger universe, and the Song of Life had to resonate loudly enough to reach every corner before it was silenced forever. This was the true test for the Blood Moon Luna.