The night settled over the ridge like a living thing, thick and heavy under the silver glow of the moon.
Aerin Vale felt the pulse of the Moon Crest beneath their skin, steady yet insistent, as though the power itself anticipated the coming danger.
Nyxara moved silently ahead, her cloak whispering through the underbrush, blade ready.
They had survived the first hunt, but neither could ignore the truth,the hunters would return, and this time, they would not come alone.
From the shadows emerged two figures, moving with unnatural swiftness.
Eyes glimmered with red fire, and their movements were precise, predatory. Aerin's heartbeat spiked, the Moon Crest flaring in response to their fear.
Silver light erupted from their hands, forcing one of the creatures backward. Its scream echoed through the forest.
Nyxara stepped beside them, blade flashing. Her presence was calm, controlled, a counterpoint to the surge of power flowing from Aerin.
Together, they moved as one,Aerin's magic and Nyxara's steel blending seamlessly.
The first creature lunged, and instinct guided Aerin.
The Crest pulsed violently, striking with lethal precision, while the second creature circled, waiting. Aerin's fear threatened to overwhelm them, but Nyxara's voice cut through the chaos.
"Do not think," she said. "Feel it. Let the Crest guide you."
Aerin closed their eyes for a heartbeat, surrendering to the pulse beneath their skin. When they opened them again, the silver energy flowed with purpose, striking the creatures in arcs that left scorch marks across the forest floor.
One fell, retreating into the shadows, leaving only the other to face the full force of the Moon Crest.
Then the ground shook.
A massive shape emerged from the trees a creature unlike anything Aerin had ever seen. Four legs, eyes glowing molten gold, and a presence that made the very air vibrate.
The hunters did not approach it; they watched with caution.
The creature's attention was fixed entirely on Aerin.
Nyxara's hand rested briefly on Aerin's shoulder.
"Control it," she instructed.
"Do not strike blindly. The Crest is alive.
Let it respond to you, not the other way around."
Aerin focused, letting fear and determination feed the silver light.
Tendrils of energy spiraled from the mark on their chest, coiling around the massive creature.
It growled, yet it did not attack. Instead, it lowered its head slightly, acknowledging the connection.
The hunters scattered in panic, and the forest fell quiet once more. The full moon illuminated the clearing, silver and unrelenting, a silent witness to the bond forged between bearer and Crest.
Aerin sank to their knees, chest heaving. The Moon Crest pulsed steadily now, no longer chaotic, no longer alien.
Nyxara knelt beside them, her eyes unreadable.
"You survived," she said softly.
"But the world will not let you rest. The Crest has awakened, and now all eyes will be on its bearer."
Aerin glanced up at the moon, its light bathing the forest in silver. The first real test had been survived, but they knew this was only the beginning.