The forest went silent.
Even the birds went silent.
Eleanor stopped breathing for a second as she looked at the man standing in front of them. His blue eyes shone cold like ice, even though the sun was still up. Long claws grew from his fingers like sharp knives. The smile on his face turned dark and mean.
Brina's voice broke the silence. "Theron… what are you doing?"
Theron's grin widened. "Shut up."
His voice was low. Dangerous.
"I killed you. Both of you. The last full moon—I made sure of it. You should be dead. I watched you die."
Brina stiffened beside Eleanor. Her fingers trembled as she reached for Eleanor's hand.
"I don't know how you're alive," Theron said, his voice rising with fury. "But I don't care. This time, I'll rip out your hearts myself—and burn what's left."
Ding.
A chime echoed in Eleanor's head.
[MoonCore: Target found. Kill him to reach Level 5.]
Eleanor blinked, stunned.
Kill him? Now?
"Run," Brina whispered, gripping Eleanor's hand.
Before they could move, Theron blurred.
A gust of wind whipped past them.
In less than a second, he appeared behind them.
His hand clamped around Brina's throat, lifting her into the air. His claws dug into her skin. Blood dripped down her neck. Brina gasped, her hands clawing at his wrist.
"No!" Eleanor screamed.
Theron's eyes gleamed as he whispered, "One down."
He flung Brina like she weighed nothing.
Her body slammed into a tree. The crack of impact echoed through the woods. She crumpled to the ground, motionless.
"Brina!" Eleanor cried out.
But there was no response. Brina didn't move.
A cold, sick feeling filled Eleanor's chest. Her hands shook, and anger bubbled up inside her like a storm.
Theron turned his full attention to her.
Slow, calculated steps.
Like a wolf playing with its food.
Eleanor backed away, breath trembling. She raised her hand and summoned Stormbite, the invisible weapon now shaped like a sleek staff of lightning.
"I wasn't ready last time," she said, voice shaking but firm. "But today I am."
Theron barked a laugh.
"You don't have your wolf," he said mockingly. "You're wolfless. An omega. Weak. Worthless."
He bared his fangs.
"I'm a beta's son. I don't even need to shift to rip out your heart."
Eleanor stared at him, heart pounding. "I don't need werewolf powers to kill you."
Theron snorted. "Please."
But then… he paused.
His smile faltered.
His blue eyes narrowed as he stared at the weapon in Eleanor's hand—Stormbite. Though invisible to others, to him, it was surrounded by glowing lightning. Sparks danced across Eleanor's skin, flickering like fireflies.
"What… what is that?" he muttered, unsettled for the first time.
Eleanor didn't wait.
She struck first.
A ball of lightning shot from her hand, sizzling through the air. Theron leapt sideways, dodging with supernatural speed.
He vanished, then reappeared beside her.
His clawed hand closed around her throat before she could react.
He lifted her off the ground. "You should've stayed dead," he hissed.
His claws dug into her neck. Warm blood slid down her collarbone. She gasped for air, kicking and grabbing at his wrist.
"I wonder…" Theron whispered, "what power you have now. That night… you were nothing. I stabbed you without even using my claws."
His other hand rose—aiming straight for her chest.
To rip out her heart.
Eleanor's mind raced.
Her vision blurred.
Her strength was fading.
Then—a flash of green.
A leaf.
Small. Sharp.
It wobbled on the ground nearby.
She reached out—not with her hands, but with her mind.
Focus.
Her fingers twitched.
The leaf rose.
Slow at first… then faster. She clenched her teeth and drove it forward with all her will.
The leaf darted through the air.
And stabbed through Theron's neck.
His eyes widened in shock.
Blood gushed from the wound, spraying across Eleanor's face. He dropped her.
She crashed to the ground, gasping and coughing, her hands flying to her throat. Theron staggered backward, choking, the leaf stuck halfway through his neck, sticking out both ends.
Still alive.
Still dangerous.
Eleanor forced herself up. Her legs shook.
She limped toward him.
Theron fell to his knees, clutching his neck, blood pouring between his fingers.
She stopped just a step away, breathing hard.
"Who wants Daria dead?" she demanded.
Theron's head tilted back.
He laughed.
Even as he bled.
"Everyone," he choked out. "Everyone wants her dead."
He coughed violently.
Then added, voice gurgling with blood, "This isn't over. The real game… is about to begin."
His laughter turned to wheezing.
But Eleanor was done waiting.
She clenched her fist.
Stormbite hummed.
For the first time—it fully formed.
Lightning twisted and spun around her hand, glowing brighter and brighter, until it shaped itself into a sword made of pure, electric light.
Her breath caught at the sight.
The invisible weapon now visible. Real.
She didn't hesitate.
With one swift motion—she sliced.
Theron's head rolled to the ground.
Silence.
Then a bright glow filled her mind.
[MoonCore: Main Quest #2 Complete.]
[Level Up: Level 5 Reached.]
[New Abilities Unlocked:]
— Healing
— Night Vision
— Super Speed
— Omega Wolf Awakening Unlocked
Eleanor staggered, the storm fading from her hand.
Her body hummed with new strength. Warmth spread through her chest, knitting the wounds on her neck closed. The pain faded instantly.
She ran to Brina.
"Brina! Wake up!"
Brina lay limp on the forest floor, her face pale, blood drying at her temple. Eleanor dropped to her knees, shaking her gently.
"Please, don't be dead. Come on, Brina. Wake up."
No response.
Eleanor placed her hands over Brina's chest and focused.
"Come on, new power… do something," she whispered.
A faint glow appeared beneath her palms.
Brina stirred.
A weak breath escaped her lips.
"Daria?" she mumbled.
Eleanor let out a breath of relief. "I'm here. You're okay."
But then—
A rustle behind her.
She froze.
Footsteps.
A figure stepped into the clearing, boots crunching over dead leaves.
Aedric.
His eyes swept the scene—the blood, Theron's body, Eleanor glowing with strange power, Brina injured.
He said nothing at first.
Then his voice came, quiet but sharp.
"I knew it."
Eleanor's head snapped up.
Aedric stared at her, eyes narrowed.
"You're not Daria."
Eleanor didn't deny it this time.
She stood slowly, her sword still glowing at her side.
"No," she said, her voice calm, cold as thunder. "I'm not."