The night Aria Vale was born, the moon bled.
Storm clouds devoured the sky, twisting into violent spirals as lightning cracked across the mountains surrounding Blackridge Valley. The forest howled beneath the raging wind, ancient trees bending as though bowing to something older than nature itself.
Inside a hidden stone sanctuary buried deep within the cliffs, chaos erupted.
"She's coming now!" the midwife shouted, her voice trembling as another tremor shook the chamber walls.
Candles flickered wildly, casting frantic shadows across the carved runes glowing along the sanctuary floor. Those symbols had not been lit for centuries — not since the last heir of the Vale bloodline had been born.
And never like this.
Lady Seraphina Vale screamed as another surge of power rippled through her body. Dark silver markings flared across her skin, glowing like molten starlight. Her long black hair spread across the birthing bed like spilled ink, clinging to her sweat-drenched face.
"They're already gathering," whispered one of the elders, staring toward the sanctuary entrance where protective wards pulsed weakly. "The clans felt the prophecy trigger."
"They must not reach her," Seraphina gasped between breaths. "Not tonight. Not ever."
The Prophecy Awakens
High Priest Ardan stood beside her, gripping an ancient crystal staff that hummed with defensive magic. His face was pale beneath his ceremonial markings.
"The Crimson Moon has risen exactly as foretold," he said quietly. "The heir will carry both bloodlines. The balance child."
A thunderous explosion echoed above them.
Dust rained from the ceiling.
"They're attacking the outer wards!" a guard shouted, rushing into the chamber, blood streaking his armor. "Multiple shapeshifter factions and rogue hunters! They've formed an alliance!"
Panic rippled through the elders.
That had never happened before.
Enemies who despised each other had united for one reason alone:
To stop the birth of the heir.
The First Cry
Seraphina let out one final scream as a blinding pulse of silver and midnight energy burst across the chamber.
The runes carved into the floor ignited in dazzling patterns, forming a massive sigil circle beneath the birthing altar. Shadows twisted upward while silver light spiraled downward, merging into a vortex of raw power.
Then—
A cry pierced the storm.
The baby's first breath sent a shockwave through the sanctuary, extinguishing every candle instantly. For one frozen moment, the chamber plunged into darkness.
Then the infant began to glow.
The midwife gasped, carefully lifting the newborn child wrapped in swirling strands of silver mist and living shadow.
"She… she has both," the woman whispered in stunned disbelief.
High Priest Ardan stepped forward slowly, studying the infant's glowing eyes — one shimmering silver, the other burning with deep obsidian light.
"The prophecy is fulfilled," he murmured.
The Enemy Breaches
Another explosion shattered the sanctuary entrance.
Stone doors reinforced by centuries of protective enchantments cracked open as monstrous roars echoed down the corridor. War cries followed, mixed with the metallic clash of blades and supernatural energy bursts.
"They're inside!" guards shouted.
Seraphina struggled to sit up, reaching for her child with trembling hands.
"Give her to me…"
The midwife placed the infant gently into her arms.
Seraphina stared down at her daughter, tears streaming across her face as she brushed a trembling finger across the baby's cheek.
"My beautiful Aria…"
The infant quieted instantly at the sound of her name.
The Impossible Decision
High Priest Ardan stepped closer, his expression heavy with dread.
"You know what must be done, my lady," he said softly.
Seraphina closed her eyes.
She already knew.
The prophecy had warned them clearly:
The child will be hunted by all who fear balance.
If she remains within the bloodline sanctuaries, war will destroy every realm.
Seraphina kissed her daughter's forehead.
"You must take her," she whispered. "Hide her in the human world. Seal her power until she comes of age."
Ardan hesitated.
"The ritual will erase her memory of this world. She will grow believing she is human."
"Good," Seraphina said firmly. "Let her have a life before destiny claims her."
The Last Stand
The sanctuary doors shattered completely.
Enemy warriors flooded the corridor — towering shapeshifters with glowing eyes, armored hunters wielding relic weapons, and shadow assassins moving like living smoke.
Guards rushed forward to intercept them.
Seraphina handed Aria to the High Priest, her arms lingering around her daughter for one final moment.
"Tell her…" she whispered through broken breath, "…tell her she was loved before she was feared."
Ardan bowed his head solemnly.
"I swear it."
Ardan placed Aria within a floating circle of ancient sigils. The infant's eyes glowed brighter as protective runes spun around her tiny form.
Seraphina rose from the bed despite her weakness, summoning her remaining power. Silver wings of pure energy erupted from her back as she stepped toward the invading forces.
"For the heir!" she cried.
The ritual activated.
A portal of blinding white and midnight black opened above the altar, swallowing Aria's glowing form into swirling light.
The last thing Aria saw before vanishing…
Was her mother standing alone against an army.
Seventeen Years Later…
Rain poured heavily across a quiet city street.
A teenage girl sprinted through the storm, clutching her jacket tightly as thunder roared overhead. Her dark hair clung to her face, and her mismatched eyes flickered faintly beneath streetlights — something she had spent her entire life hiding.
Aria Vale had no idea she was being watched.
Across the street, inside the shadows of a parked car, a pair of glowing golden eyes studied her carefully.
"She's finally awakened," a deep voice murmured.
A second figure stepped beside him, her expression tense.
"Are you certain she's the heir?"
The man's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"There's no doubt," he said quietly.
"The war just found its queen."