60: 60 The Gate is Opening

60 The Gate is Opening

Vivian's POV 2

It had been a long and arduous night for me.

After saying goodbye to Delia and Catherine, we all removed our masks. I tried to mimic Kral's emotionless demeanor as I scanned the faces of the others before following the group back to a place known as the Temple.

It seemed to hold great significance among the royals and nobles, evident from the presence of numerous wolf warriors adorned in purple-patterned armor.

Keeping my silence, I avoided making eye contact with the wolf warriors. However, my attention was drawn to a familiar magical aura that lingered in the air.

How intriguing! I pondered absentmindedly. I should seize the opportunity to ask Alen for a set and examine it more closely.

After undergoing rigorous scrutiny, our group finally arrived at the inner chambers of the Temple.

The guards accompanying us pulled open the gilded door, and the glass chandeliers hanging from the lofty dome suddenly flickered to life, illuminating the entire room with a dazzling glow.

The hall stretched out before me, vast and spacious, its gleaming marble floor reflecting the majestic arched dome above. Adorning the walls on either side were six grand arched glass windows.

Painted upon them were intricate depictions of werewolves and mood goddess, each telling a unique tale from the ancient legends cherished by the werewolf for a long time.

In these legends, the werewolves were a race blessed and protected by the Moon Goddess. It was she who had discovered them, tamed their wild nature, and bestowed her divine blessings upon them.

With a fleeting glance, I could discern that each painted glass window portrayed a chapter from the ancestral story of the werewolves and their profound connection with the Moon Goddess.

At the heart of the hall, a magnificent sculpture of the Moon Goddess stood tall, positioned just beneath the circular dome that crowned the room. Soft moonlight shone through the translucent dome, casting an ethereal glow upon the sacred features of the moon goddess. Her face exuded serenity, with closed eyes that radiated an aura of tranquility.

Standing faithfully at her feet was a majestic sculpture of a wolf, its towering form commanding reverence, its golden eyes gleaming with an air of regality, as it vigilantly watched over all from a position of authority.

Now, at the center of the hall, a circular arrangement of twelve high-backed chairs encircled the statue of the moon goddess. Each chair was meticulously crafted, exhibiting exquisite artistry and intricate details.

They beckoned with an air of grandeur and importance, reserved for those who held esteemed positions.

A silent wolf warrior, donning armor, stood guard behind the towering sculpture.

"Your Highness, please," one of the figures dressed in black robes spoke, indicating that not everyone in their attire held the privilege to enter this majestic hall.

The person before me bowed slightly, and I mirrored Kral's commanding presence with a subtle nod. Stepping onto the black and white marble floor of the temple, I settled into the central chair, while the remaining figures in black robes followed me, their footsteps echoing through the hall.

"Your Highness, Kral," the words resonated in the air.

The warrior positioned behind my chair stepped forward, bowing respectfully. As I looked up, to my surprise, he was Alen!

Amidst all the werewolves and lycans, I had discovered a familiar face. Joy surged within me, and before I could even form a smile, Alen adopted a dignified demeanor, bowing in deference.

My eyes widened in astonishment, but then, he conveyed a message to me through the bell, "Vivian, remember your current identity! You are now Kral, not Vivian."

With no other choice, I pressed my lips together, making an awkward sound that conveyed agreement, signaling to Alen that there was no need for formalities.

The unfamiliar figures in black robes filled the hall, and I maintained Kral's impassive expression as I watched the dark sky slowly give way to the dawn. Boredom engulfed me, and absentmindedly, I tapped the chair beneath me, causing a faint "creak" that reverberated through the hall.

"How much longer, Alen?" I grumbled inwardly.

Eh-hem

Alen discreetly gave me a signal, and only then did I realize that the other individuals in black robes had fallen silent, their unwavering gazes fixed upon me.

"Your Highness Kral, our concerns lie with the final selection of the Queen," Alen explained on my behalf, mustering a forced smile to mask my restlessness.

The seated individuals in black robes exchanged glances, and among them, I recognized the elder William, who had once been Delia's teacher. The rest of them looked at me with a hint of confusion, yet remained silent, their thoughts hidden.

Breaking the silence, a sturdy elderly man shattered the stillness of the hall with his resonant voice.

"Your Highness, there is no need for anxiety. Every queen must undergo this test. The Moon Goddess will guide us to a qualified queen."

Narrowing my eyes, I probed further. "Qualified?" I could discern the underlying implications of their discussions.

"So, are you suggesting that my sister, Delia, is not a suitable candidate for the throne?" I stared directly at the elder who had spoken, demanding an answer.

"Um, no, Your Highness, I apologize if it came across that way. However, it is commonly understood that the ability to shift into a wolf is necessary for earning acceptance and respect. If Delia lacks this ability, it might pose challenges to our society and the royal family. Am I right?"

The elder clarified, his words laced with cautious diplomacy. Yet, there was a subtle contempt in his eyes that didn't go unnoticed.

My eyebrows furrowed, and a wave of dissatisfaction washed over me.

"Vivian, don't draw too much attention to yourself," Alen's stern voice resonated within my mind, reminding me to remain composed.

"Hmph! If it weren't for finding out why my sister can't shift, I would have given her a vial of shape-shifting potion." I grumbled in frustration silently, voicing my thoughts inwardly.

"Yes, yes, I understand. After all, you are the greatest witch, my lady," Alen reassured me from behind, urging me to uphold Kral's impassive demeanor in the face.

I couldn't fathom why the selection of the queen couldn't be based on Kral's own desires, bypassing these ancient and repetitive rituals.

However, as a witch who held my integrity in high regard, I had no choice but to remain with those black-robed individuals.

The sky gradually waked, showing the color of thick ink. The deep midnight hue slowly yielded to a faint glow on the horizon. The once-shimmering starry sky lost its brilliance, and the final traces of moonlight vanished behind a veil of clouds.

"Your Highness, it is time," the elder William, who had maintained silence, suddenly rose from his seat, offering a slight bow in my direction.

Following his lead, the other elders also stood, their eyes fixated on me. Resigned to play my part as Alen had instructed, I spoke with a forced air of authority, "Let’s see the outcome."

As the words left my lips, six warriors respectfully presented their swords to the elders before them. The elders ran the blades across their palms, staining the swords with their blood.

My gaze followed intently as they dripped the blood onto the eyes of the towering wolf beneath the Moon Goddess statue.

With each drop of blood, the once-gleaming golden eyes of the wolf underwent a dramatic transformation. They shifted from their original radiance to a deep, captivating shade of red, reminiscent of precious gemstones.

The rigid wolf's head, which had seemed lifeless before, now appeared to awaken, gaining a newfound spark of vitality. Slowly but steadily, its previously sealed jaws began to part, accompanied by the resonating sound of cracking that filled the empty hall.

In an instant, a brilliant beam of light burst forth from the wolf's open mouth, piercing through the translucent dome above. The beam of light fragmented into countless minuscule particles that descended gently, akin to drifting stardust.

Simultaneously, the air in front of me started to distort, as if a tranquil lake had been disrupted by a stone's impact, forming mesmerizing ripples. Before my eyes, the image of the Wolf Valley gate I had previously encountered on the plains materialized, gradually taking shape.

I couldn't help but notice that the golden wolf head intricately carved onto the gate mirrored the statue in the temple with absolute precision.

"Wow, it's absolutely incredible, Big Dog!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my curiosity and excitement as I witnessed the unfolding spectacle. Without thinking, I turned to Alen, forgetting to conceal my smile.

"My Witch Lady, now is not the time for that. Remember, you are wearing Kral's visage, so don't ruin the plan," Alen's frustrated voice rang in my mind, swiftly reminding me to suppress my eager expression.

I longed to share this remarkable experience with my teacher. Despite the werewolves' peculiar scent, they possessed truly awe-inspiring techniques.

"Your Highness, the revelation is imminent," the elder William said.

William scrutinized me with suspicion and a hint of hostility, as if he could penetrate my disguise.

"Very well," I responded with a nervous nod, sensing that Willian's doubt had only intensified.

"Elder Willian, the gate is on the verge of opening," Alen swiftly interjected, diverting the focus away from our intense exchange.

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