Chapter 3 The Guardian of the Temple

The voice was like thunder, shaking the very foundations of the temple. Luna's head snapped towards the sound, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. Viktor stood frozen beside her, his eyes fixed on the orb.

A figure emerged from the darkness, its presence seeming to fill the entire chamber. It was a massive werewolf, its fur as black as coal, its eyes glowing like embers.

"Who are you?" Luna demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I am Kael, the guardian of this temple," the werewolf replied, its voice like a rumble of thunder. "And you, Luna, are a thief."

Luna bristled at the accusation, but Viktor stepped forward, his hands raised in a calming gesture.

"We mean no harm, Kael," Viktor said. "We're searching for a way to break the curse that binds us to the moon."

Kael's gaze narrowed, his eyes burning with intensity. "You think the relic can do that?" he asked.

Viktor nodded. "We've been told it has the power to break the curse."

Kael snorted, a dismissive sound. "You've been misled," he said. "The relic is not what you think it is."

Luna's heart sank, her hopes dashed. But Viktor's expression remained determined.

"What do you mean?" Viktor asked, his voice firm.

Kael's gaze seemed to bore into Luna's soul. "The relic is a key," he said. "But it's not a key to breaking the curse. It's a key to unlocking a great evil."

Luna's eyes widened in horror as Kael's words hung in the air, casting a dark and foreboding shadow over the temple.

Viktor's face fell, his eyes clouding with uncertainty. "What kind of evil?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kael's expression was grim. "A powerful entity, one that has been imprisoned for centuries. The relic is the key to unlocking its prison, and if it falls into the wrong hands, it could spell disaster for our kind."

Luna felt a chill run down her spine as she listened to Kael's words. She had never heard of such an entity, but the fear in Kael's voice was palpable.

"What do you want us to do?" Viktor asked, his voice firm.

Kael's gaze seemed to bore into their souls. "I want you to leave the relic alone," he said. "Forget you ever heard of it, and let it remain hidden forever."

Luna hesitated, unsure of what to do. Part of her wanted to obey Kael's warning, to leave the relic and its dark secrets buried. But another part of her, a part that was growing stronger by the minute, wanted to uncover the truth, to know what secrets the relic held.

Viktor seemed to sense her hesitation, and he turned to her, his eyes searching. "Luna, what do you want to do?" he asked.

Luna took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that whatever she decided, there would be no going back.

"I want to know the truth," she said finally, her voice firm.

Viktor's eyes narrowed, his expression thoughtful. "Then we'll do it together," he said. "We'll uncover the secrets of the relic, no matter what dangers lie ahead."

Kael's face fell, his eyes clouding with disappointment. "You're making a grave mistake," he said. "But if you're determined to pursue this, then I'll give you a choice: you can either take the relic and risk unleashing the evil that it holds, or you can complete a trial, one that will prove your worth and determine whether you're worthy of possessing the relic's power."

Luna's heart skipped a beat as she listened to Kael's words. She knew that whatever choice they made, their lives would never be the same again.