---- entire cabin. Roars and crashing sounds came from upstairs; they were trying to break through the defenses. The cellar was dim and damp, but there was another tunnel leading to an unknown place. "Where does this path lead?" I asked Rhea. "To an ancient sanctuary deep in the forest," she replied. "The Moon Goddess's refuge, a place even the most powerful evil forces dare not desecrate." Kaelen checked the tunnel entrance. "Looks viable. Sera, you take Orion and go first. I'll cover our retreat." I shook my head. "No. We go together." Seeing my determined expression, he didn't argue further. "Alright. But stay alert." Rhea opened the tunnel's hidden door. "Go quickly! The defense ward won't last much longer! ---- Just as we were about to enter the tunnel, the cabin shook violently, dust falling from the ceiling. "The ward is broken!" Rhea's face paled. The cellar door was slammed open, and a gaunt figure appeared at the top of the stairs - Lyra! She looked vastly different from my memory. Her red hair was withered, her skin almost transparently pale, but the most unsettling thing was her eyes - completely black, without a trace of white or pupil. "Found you, my dear Luna," her voice was like metal scraping, harsh and unpleasant. "And your little darling... just what we need." "Stay away from them!" Kaelen roared, stepping in front of me and Orion. Lyra sneered. "How touching, Kaelen. Playing the protector? Too late. Everything is too late." ---- She raised her hand, and a black energy gathered at her fingertips. "Run!" Kaelen pushed me towards the tunnel, simultaneously shifting into his wolf form and lunging at Lyra! I clutched Orion and dashed into the tunnel, Rhea close behind. Intense fighting sounds and Lyra's screams echoed behind us. "Don't look back!" Rhea shouted. "Keep going straight!" The tunnel was narrow and long, the only light source Rhea's small torch. Orion sobbed in my arms, seemingly sensing the danger. "Shh, baby, it's okay," I cooed, though my own heart was pounding in my throat. Could Kaelen get away? Could he fight off Lyra? We ran for what felt like an eternity, finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. ---- Bursting out of the tunnel, we found ourselves in a circular clearing bathed in moonlight, an ancient stone altar standing in the center. The air here was filled with a sacred tranquility, instantly bringing a sense of peace. "The Moon Goddess Sanctuary," Rhea said, gasping for breath. "We're safe for now." But I looked back at the tunnel entrance, waiting for Kaelen to appear. A minute passed, then two... five... No movement. "He's not coming, is he?" I whispered, a bad feeling rising in my heart. Just then, footsteps echoed from the tunnel. We held our breath, hoping to see Kaelen's figure.