WHEN THE WORLD TREMBLED
The explosion of power tore through the forest like a storm.
Silver light burst outward from Aria’s body, blasting trees apart and throwing warriors off their feet. The ground cracked violently beneath them, deep fractures racing through the earth like lightning.
Rowan was slammed into the dirt again.
“Okay—this is officially the worst day of my life!”
Lucian shielded his eyes as the blinding light surged around them.
“Everyone stay down!”
The Alpha King refused to move.
Even as the power pushed against him like a hurricane, he stood firm, staring straight at Aria.
Her body hovered slightly above the ground now.
Silver energy spiraled around her like a living storm.
Her hair whipped wildly in the wind.
And in her glowing hand—
The Bloodstone burned crimson.
The Blood Emperor watched with pure satisfaction.
“Yes…”
His voice carried through the chaos.
“This is the power I’ve been waiting for.”
Another violent shockwave burst outward.
Several of the monsters were thrown across the clearing like leaves.
Even they couldn’t withstand the force of the awakening.
Lucian forced himself back to his feet.
His blue eyes widened as he felt the power flooding the area.
“This isn’t just awakening.”
Rowan groaned while pushing himself up again.
“What do you mean?”
Lucian didn’t look away from Aria.
“The Primordial Wolf isn’t just waking up.”
He swallowed.
“It’s taking control.”
Elias looked horrified.
“That wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Rowan turned toward him.
“Oh fantastic. Another thing that wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Aria slowly lowered back to the ground.
The energy storm around her began calming.
But the pressure in the air remained heavy.
Terrifying.
Her glowing silver eyes slowly opened again.
This time, the light inside them was stronger.
Older.
The Blood Emperor stepped closer.
“And how do you feel?”
Aria looked down at the Bloodstone in her hand.
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
“…Powerful.”
The Blood Emperor smiled.
“Good.”
Lucian stepped forward cautiously.
“Aria.”
Her glowing eyes shifted toward him.
Lucian held her gaze carefully.
“You need to fight it.”
For a moment, her expression didn’t change.
Then she tilted her head slightly.
“…Fight what?”
Lucian’s grip tightened on his blade.
“The thing inside you.”
The Blood Emperor laughed.
“Oh, don’t ruin the moment.”
He gestured toward Aria proudly.
“This is who she truly is.”
The Alpha King finally stepped forward.
The ground cracked slightly beneath his feet as his aura flared.
“Aria.”
Her glowing eyes moved to him again.
This time, something changed.
The silver light flickered slightly.
The Blood Emperor noticed immediately.
His smile faded just a little.
“Interesting.”
The Alpha King’s voice softened.
“You know me.”
Aria stared at him.
Longer this time.
Something deep inside her chest stirred.
Memories.
His voice.
His scent.
His presence.
The Primordial power pushed back against those memories.
Trying to drown them.
But they refused to disappear.
Her glowing eyes flickered again.
“…Kael.”
Rowan blinked.
“She remembers him!”
Lucian didn’t celebrate yet.
“Not fully.”
The Blood Emperor’s red eyes narrowed.
“This is inconvenient.”
He stepped closer to Aria again.
“Don’t let them confuse you.”
His voice became colder.
“You’re not one of them.”
Aria looked back at him slowly.
The silver light in her eyes brightened again.
“And what am I?”
The Blood Emperor smiled darkly.
“You’re a god among wolves.”
Silence filled the clearing.
Lucian muttered quietly,
“That’s a dangerous thing to tell someone.”
Aria stared at the Bloodstone in her hand again.
The power inside it pulsed steadily.
Calling to her.
Feeding the ancient force inside her blood.
The Blood Emperor extended his hand toward her.
“Come with me.”
His red eyes burned with excitement.
“Together we’ll rebuild this world.”
For a long moment—
Aria said nothing.
The warriors held their breath.
Even the monsters stood completely still.
Waiting.
Then slowly—
Aria raised her head.
Her glowing silver eyes locked onto the Blood Emperor.
“…No.”
The single word echoed through the clearing.
The Blood Emperor’s smile vanished.
Lucian exhaled slowly.
Rowan whispered,
“Oh thank goodness.”
But the Blood Emperor didn’t look angry.
He looked curious.
“…No?”
Aria’s voice was calm again.
Ancient.
Dangerous.
“You woke me.”
“Yes.”
“But you mistake something.”
The silver energy around her suddenly surged again.
The ground trembled violently.
The Blood Emperor’s red eyes widened slightly.
Because this time—
The power wasn’t reacting to him.
It was reacting to Aria alone.
Her glowing gaze hardened.
“You do not control me.”
Lucian felt the shift instantly.
“The power…”
Rowan looked around nervously.
“What about it?”
Lucian’s voice dropped.
“…It just doubled.”