---- Chapter 18 I jumped into the passage with Orion, Rhea and Lina close behind. The tunnel was narrow and dark, with only Rhea's small lamp providing faint light. "Kaelen said he'd wait for us at the village entrance," I said nervously. "But now the entrance is blocked..." "This path leads to the forest behind the village," Rhea explained. "If he truly knows this route, he should circle around and meet us." The tunnel ended in a small cave, its exit concealed by thick vines. Pushing them aside, the night air hit us. In the distance, the fire in the village lit up half the sky, and faint screams and wolf howls could be heard. "Oh gods, are they slaughtering the village?" Lina ---- asked in terror. "No," a voice spoke from the darkness. "They're searching for Orion's scent." Kaelen emerged from the shadows, covered in blood and dirt. "I tried to stop them, but there were too many." "The villagers?" I asked urgently. "Most have evacuated to a safe zone," he said. " The village chief organized it well. But we don't have time, they'll find our trail soon." "Why are they so obsessed?" Lina asked. "Just for revenge?" Kaelen shook his head, his expression grave. ''Not just revenge. Lyra wants Orion for some ritual. Information I got from her followers indicates they believe that through a specific bloodline - the first heir of an Alpha and Luna - they can open a fissure to another dimension." ---- "The Shadow Fissure!" Rhea gasped. "The forbidden gate from ancient legends. It's said to seal away banished ancient beings..." "Exactly,'' Kaelen nodded. "Lyra is no longer herself. Some power has control of her, granting her supernatural abilities, but also twisting her mind and body." I clutched Orion tighter, my fear deepening. " What do we do? Where can we go to get away from them?" "The Moon Goddess Sanctuary," Kaelen said firmly. ''Only the power there can temporarily hold them off. But it's a long journey, we must leave as soon as possible." Just as we were about to set off, Lina suddenly said, "Wait! I forgot important herbs! Orion's special milk formula needs them, or he'll get a fever!" "T'll get them," Kaelen said immediately. "You go