The moon hung high over the Kingdom of Brightvale. Its silver light made the grand towers, stone walls, and narrow streets of the city shine softly in the night. Everything was quiet so quiet that Luna couldn't sleep.
Luna lay on her bed near the tall window of her chamber. She stared at the stars, her eyes following the shapes they made in the sky. But no matter how hard she tried, her mind wouldn't rest.
She sighed and sat up. "Why can't I sleep tonight?" she whispered to herself.
There was something strange about the night. The air felt different. She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. Maybe a little fresh air would help. Luna walked over to the window and leaned out. The cool breeze touched her face and made her long hair sway gently. Then she heard it.
A soft sound floated on the wind. It was like a song but not a song. It was not words. It was not music. It was something between a whisper and a hum. The sound seemed far away and yet close at the same time. It felt as if it came from the palace walls themselves.
Luna froze. She held her breath.
The sound grew and fell, like it was calling to her. It was sad. It made her heart beat faster. For a few minutes, the sound filled the night. And then, it was gone. The wind blew softly again. An owl hooted in the distance. The world was silent once more.
Luna stepped back from the window. "What was that?" she said quietly, fear and wonder in her voice. "Where did it come from? Am I dreaming?"
As soon as the sun rose, Luna hurried to the council chamber. She found her father, Minister Tom, reading a scroll at the table. Prince Arin stood by the window, looking out at the palace gardens.
"Father! Prince Arin!" Luna called, rushing into the room.
Both men turned quickly. Minister Tom set down his scroll. Prince Arin took a step toward her.
"Luna?" Minister Tom said. "What's the matter? You look worried."
"Luna, are you all right?" Prince Arin asked. "You look pale. Did something happen?"
"I heard something last night!" Luna said. Her voice trembled a little, but her eyes were steady. "It was strange. A sound I've never heard before. Like a sad song… but not a song. Like someone calling, but not with words."
Minister Tom frowned. "A sound? In the night?"
"Yes," Luna said. "It lasted a few minutes. It made me feel… I don't know. Like something was wrong. Like it wanted me to listen."
Prince Arin looked at her kindly. "Luna, I was awake part of the night too. I was at my window, looking at the stars. I didn't hear anything. The night was quiet."
Minister Tom shook his head slowly. "I heard nothing either, my daughter. Are you sure it wasn't a dream?"
"No, Father! It wasn't a dream!" Luna said, her voice firm. "I was awake. I'm sure of it."
Prince Arin gave her a gentle smile. "Then tonight, we will keep watch with you. If there is a sound, we will hear it too."
"Yes," Minister Tom agreed. "We will listen together."
The night fell again over Brightvale. The moon shone bright and high. The palace was silent, except for the soft sound of the wind.
Luna, Minister Tom, and Prince Arin sat together in Luna's room. The window was open. They sat quietly, listening. The hours passed. The moon climbed higher in the sky. The night grew darker.
Then Luna sat up straight. "There!" she whispered. "Do you hear it? The sound is back!"
Prince Arin sat very still. His face was serious. He listened hard. But he shook his head. "Luna… I hear nothing."
Minister Tom frowned. He listened too. But the night was silent to him. "I hear nothing either, my dear."
Luna's eyes were wide. "But it's there! Please, we have to follow it. It's calling us. I can feel it."
Prince Arin and Minister Tom looked at each other. They both saw the truth in Luna's face. Without a word, they stood up.
"Lead the way, Luna," Arin said softly.
"Yes," said Minister Tom. "We will follow."
The three of them left the palace. The moonlight lit their path. The sound only Luna could hear it seemed to pull her forward.
"Where is it coming from?" Arin asked, looking around.
"It's leading us beyond the fields," Luna said, walking quickly.
They passed through the palace gates, across the gardens, and into the dark countryside. The land was quiet. The only sounds were their footsteps and the wind in the trees.
"It's strange," Minister Tom said. "The night feels… heavy. As if it's holding its breath."
"I feel it too," Arin said. "Something is not right."
Luna kept walking. The sound filled her ears, soft but clear. "We are going to the mountain," she said.
Soon the great mountain stood before them. Its top touched the clouds. Its sides were dark and cold.
"Are you sure, Luna?" Prince Arin asked. "It is a long climb."
"I'm sure," Luna said. "We must go on."
Without another word, they started to climb. The path was steep. The wind grew colder. But Luna didn't stop. The sound seemed stronger now.
At last they reached the top. The wind blew hard. Their cloaks flapped around them.
The sound stopped.
All three stood still. They looked out over the land. Then their eyes were drawn to the ground below. A strange light shone there. It was soft and pale, like moonlight. But it didn't come from the moon. It rose from the earth itself, like a beam of light going down into the ground.
"What is that?" Luna whispered.
"I do not know," said Prince Arin. His voice was quiet, full of wonder.
Minister Tom crossed his arms. "This is no natural light," he said. "Something old… something hidden is here."
They stood there a long time, staring at the light. The wind blew around them. The night felt colder.
At last Minister Tom spoke. "We should go back. The night is almost over. We are cold and tired. We will come again in the morning."
"Yes," Arin said. "We need to see this place in the light of day."
Luna nodded. "We will return."
They made their way down the mountain and back to the palace. No one spoke on the way. Each of them was deep in thought.
In the council chamber, they gathered again. Luna walked back and forth in front of the fire.
"We can't leave it," Luna said. "We have to go back. There's something there. I know it."
Prince Arin looked at her. "We will go, Luna. At dawn."
Minister Tom gave a small nod. "Yes. We must. We have to find out what lies at the foot of that mountain."
The room fell silent. The fire crackled softly. Outside, the first light of dawn began to touch the sky.