BLOOD MOON

ippling like disturbed water. A figure cloaked in shadow

er to the truth," it hissed. "They m

. "I've sent the Black Rose after

mber our bargain, Ryan Frey. Deliver the Moonstone to u

allowed himself a cruel smile. Soon, he woul

pack members as guides. As they traveled deeper into the mountai

Black Rose assassins. The battle was fierce, with claws and blades flashing in the mountain sun. Rose a

f the assassins hurled a strange device into their midst. It exploded in a

e with a nightmarish creature – a twisted amalgamation of

Damian shouted, parrying a bl

snarled in recognition. "It's a Chimera! A forbidden abo

resilience. It was only through their combined efforts – Rose's supernatural agility, Damian

ure of horror and fascination. "I've only heard stories of such thin

. "This is far worse than we thought. If Ryan has access to t

tle, their sacrifice allowing the others to survive. As they buried their fallen

found herself unable to sleep. She slipped out into th

aring up at the stars. He turned as she approached, a

m on a rocky outcropping. For a long mo

t something that's usually said – the bonds betw

him, curiosity

right. Rose, I know we didn't exactly start off on the best t

. "I feel the same way," she admitted softly. "Maybe there's

increasingly treacherous, with narrow paths winding along sh

rashing down. Rose's enhanced reflexes allowed her to dodge, but Damian wasn't s

d mere moments before he would have fallen out of reach, he

spended between life and death. Then, with a hercul

reath, Damian turned to her with a look of

eyes. "Because we're in this together. No matter

ead across Damia

e Whispering Glade. It was a place of ethereal beauty, with trees that

ulder. "This is where we must part ways," she said solemnly. "The trials within are yours alone t

lted back into the forest, leaving Ro

. They faced physical challenges that pushed their bodies to the limit, riddles

t harrowing. As they stood before a shimmering

rling

art clenc

s she had in life. "You've come so far," she said, her voice filled with pr

rds. With a shuddering breath, she stepped forward and embraced the illusion

mber bathed in soft, silvery light. At its center floated the Moonstone

h the chamber. Ryan stepped out of the shadows, a triumphant smirk

rowed. "How did

just a guide – it was a tracker." He held up a device similar to the one they'd found in the assassin

ick of his wrist, he activated another device, and suddenly Ro

ng towards the Moonstone. "I be

ed the chamber. When it faded, the air itself seemed to rip

idifying into that of a man – but one unlike any she had ever seen. His skin shimmer

ting with power. "The key to unraveling the

his expression eager. "As pro

s. "Foolish mortal. Did you truly believe

ng's fingertips, wrapping around him. He screamed in agony as his

ian, still frozen in place. "And now for you,

.