Eila and her siblings were the happiest people in the world today.
Today, both of her parents had opened their eyes after their long and painful slumber. Nobody could explain how they had awakened when they were supposed to remain cursed until death. Eila was still unsure how it was different from what she had read in the ancient texts, but in her heart, she chose to simply thank the Moon Goddess for restoring her parents' lives.
The healers examined them carefully and pronounced them healthy — albeit weak. "In a week, they'll be as strong as a normal werewolf again," they said. Eila was overjoyed by the news. The heavy weight that had been resting upon her for so long was slowly lifting.
Nina also came by and was a silent, awe-struck witness to the miracle. She couldn't believe it either. Eila drew her aside, letting her parents rest under her siblings' watch, and the two made their way toward the pack house. Luna was expecting an update on the progress of their investigations into Jeremy Soren, and Eila wanted to bring her up to speed.
Walking side by side, Eila and Nina fell into comfortable small talk about their lives. Nina congratulated Eila on her successful entrance exams for Moonshine University and on her strong performance. There was a spark of pure happiness and a glimmer of immense proudness in her expression as she turned toward Eila — proud not just for her prowess, but for the maturity with which Eila was navigating the growing chaos. Earlier that day, a meeting with Leonard had filled her in on the current state of the Moon Treasure Pack — and the immense pressures resting upon Eila's shoulders. Sad as it made her, Nina was also quietly pleased, trusting that Eila was strong enough to carry whatever fate dealt her.
On a different note, Nina had been the high seer's apprentice many years back, which meant she was already aware of the details within the ancient Prophecy. She half expected Eila to be the person destined to unite the fates — although the unconventional bond with her mates was something even Nina hadn't predicted. Nevertheless, she believed the solution fell precisely into place.
Nina fell silent as they reached the doorway to Luna Priscilla's chambers. Inside, Priscilla Saori — now Luna Priscilla Baldwin — was waiting. The moment their eyes met, a rush of magic seemed to pass between them. Priscilla was a creature of unique magic — a powerful ice mage in her own right — yet even she knew Eila held something greater. Whatever it was, Eila hadn't yet tapped its full potential.
Luna Priscilla motioned for them to sit down in the seats placed near her large office table. She remained across from them, poised and attentive, her piercing silver-blue gaze locked on their faces. "What do you have to share?" she asked quietly.
Eila drew a shaky breath. "I found something in the books in the library… something that might be a key to closing the Veil." She paused briefly, then continued, "My parents… their condition… I know you're surprised… but there's more." Her voice grew firm as she pressed forward. "I also learned something about Agatha — about Jeremy's mother."
Luna Priscilla's grip tightened subtly on the armrest of her high-backed leather seat as Eila fell silent for a moment. The mention of Agatha — Jeremy Soren's mother — seemed to send a rush of nervous energy through the room.
Nina turned a worried gaze toward Luna, noting the slight tremble in her normally steady hands. Eila pressed on.
"Agatha Soren… I found traces of her magic intertwined with the curse placed upon my parents. It's a magic forged by resentment, by rage, by a power we barely comprehend." Eila paused, choosing her words carefully. "I think… I think Agatha may be alive — or at least, that something of her still lingers — and we must destroy it if we want to break the curse completely."
Priscilla drew in a shaky breath. "This… is more serious than we feared." Her piercing silver-blue gaze fell upon Eila. "Did you find anything about where we might find her… or whatever is left of her magic?"
Eila nodded reluctantly. "Some notes I found suggest a hidden chamber underneath the pack's catacombs — a place where powerful witches perform their most sinister rituals. The texts called it… the Crucible of Shadows."
"That is a place many hoped remained a mere legend." Luna turned toward a small box made of obsidian resting on her sideboard. From it, she drew a heavy key forged from silver, its intricate rune-like patterns glowering faintly in the growing silence. "This… is the key to the catacomb entrance. Few know of its location. Few have ever entered and come back unharmed."
Priscilla pressed the key into Eila's hands. "Whatever you do, you must destroy whatever is fueling Agatha's magic. The future of our pack — and your own fate — hangs in the balance."
Eila tightened her grip on the ancient key, understanding fully what it meant. "I will do whatever I must… to keep everyone I care about safe."
Nina placed a comforting hand on Eila's shoulder. "I'm not going to let you do this alone."
The two fell into a moment of solemn silence — a moment that seemed to ripple forward in time — tying their fates together as the showdown drew near.