Moonbound: The Blood Pact

unt B

ir was thick with the scent of blood and decay, and the sounds of snarling, vicious growls filled the space around them. It was a battle they couldn't win in t

voice cutting through the chaos, "K

heir weapons drawn and ready. Kade stood at her side, his eyes sharp as he scanned the incoming threat. His body was a

ike a pack of wolves hunting their prey. Lira's sword was a blur as she swung it with deadly accura

as he parried a blow. He was breathing heavily,

ra replied grimly, "We

nous vibration, and the wind picked up, whipping through the trees with unnatural force. A deep, rumbling gr

that?" Maelen shouted, her

he trees, something large was moving. Something that dwarfed even the fiercest of the H

, her blood running

glowing with malevolent red light. It was a Hollowborn like no other, It was far larger, and its body twisted in a g

hed, "It's the one they

guardian of the Hollow Gate, it was said to be nearly invincible, a beast forged from the darkest mag

rged, his voice tight with fear. "We

with a force that sent tremors through the ground. Her heart raced, but she knew Kade was right. N

e Hollowborn had the Warden on their side. And no

ight, and we push through. If we let that thing keep us

re beyond anything they had ever faced, Its power was unparalleled but Lira's words

r voice a grim whisper. "Fo

and the Hollowborn. But the Warden wasn't the only danger they face

of the earth beneath her, the force of the magic that was keeping the Hollow G

rest like a death knell. It charged toward them, its enormous form moving with terrifying spe

Stay close to me," he said, with his voice

e, The Warden's claws were already reaching for them, a glint of d

t. She was faster than it, more agile, and she knew that the Warden's size woul

was not ordinary creature. It swung its massive arm, knocking Kade back with a single blow and he crashed int

ed through the Circle's defenses, and every strike sent the warriors flying. Lira gri

called upon the spirits of the land, and the ancient forces that had once protected the world fro

felt a surge of dark energy rip through her mind. The creature's gaze was like a knife, cutting into her t

his voice frantic as h

ic of the Hollow Gate itself, ancient, twisted, and powerful. She cou

in, She couldn't, not w

agic she had left. She broke free of the Warden's hold, her mind clearing as she rose

ce ringing out across the bat

ing with everything they had. The Warden's roar filled the air, but it was no longer the soun

earth flowing through her once more. She had to st

he darkness, but the creature's thick and monstrous skin seemed impervious to her strike. The Warden's roar

on his feet, striking with renewed

centration, The time for hesitation

er warriors pushed forward. Their combined might, fuelle

nd its enormous frame lurching as it stumbled backward. Lira saw the opportunity, and

let out a horrific, earth-shattering scream. Then, like a collapsing m

from over. Their victory had come at a cost, and the true war, the