《Moonlight Castle》 Prologue: Dancing Moonlight The town of Lunae lay silent, soft moonlight dancing on a melancholy song of children¡¯s cries. The town has been starving for months due to famine and bad harvest. Now with all wildlife having been hunted down, there was nothing more to do than starve to death or take up arms and hunt bigger game far away from this remote little village. Four men stood beside a carriage each saying their goodbyes to their families expect for one. He had darker skin than the rest of them, a sort of bronze color, which showed his roots form the southern continent, however this wasn¡¯t the only thing different about him, his skin was more scarred, and unlike the rest of them he didn¡¯t look like a farmer. While they were carrying pitchforks as weapons, he was carrying a bow and sword, while they were drenched in cheap farmers tunics, he was dressed in hard worn steel. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. They were going to hunt, not the small prey of a remote village, no, with famine taking over the continent and prey going extinct, there was only one place left to hunt. The Eldrich Ruin. Build by a long-forgotten civilization only known as the Umbrax. They were an advanced civilization, far more advanced than the one now. They build everlasting roads connecting entire continents. And at the core of their fallen empire was the Eldrich Ruin. Once a beautiful city brimming with life, now a ruin brimming with demons far more frightening and insane than even the most horrific of devils described by the Moon Goddesses Church. With the men (except for one) saying goodbye to their families, they clambered onto the wagon and set off into the night. Chapter 1: Nameless Roads The wagon creaked forward, its wooden wheels steadily parting the deep snow to reveal the porcelain-like roads left behind by the Umbrax. No one knew what they were made of, only that they were indestructible and countless, stretching like spiderwebs across the northern and southern continents. They don''t even have names, nor do they show up on maps. Lonely, forgotten, nameless and deeply buried under snow, just like the rest of their empire. A deep voice broke the silence from the front of the wagon. "Kazimir, it isn''t true what they say, is it? That you southerners are responsible for this famine?" Kazimir, his bronze skin glinting faintly in the pale light, looked up and sighed. "Judas, how many times do I have to tell you? How do you expect us southerners to be responsible for a continent-wide famine? If we were capable of such things, we''d have done it decades ago when your people crossed the sea and conquered our lands." Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Judas, gaunt and weary, turned to lock eyes with him, his gaze sharp as if trying to pierce Kazimir''s mind. Finally, he sighed. "Yeah, you''re probably right. But you people used to do blood sacrifices, didn''t you? Something like that could''ve started this famine." Kazimir stared at him, dumbfounded. "If those blood sacrifices worked, we wouldn''t have been conquered." weeks past and the men''s hunger continued to grow as did the interjecting roads. "Kaz, how much longer till we reach the Umbrax Highway?" "We could have reached it days ago, Judas, if you didn''t insist on having the horse rest every day. The thing is already as good as dead anyway." Judas sighed "How do you except to bring our prey back without a horse? I hope you don''t expect me to pull the carriage." "Well regardless, if my observations are correct, it should only be a couple days till we reach it." "Only a couple days? Damm, it will be good to finally see something different than snow buried forest." With that, the conversation ended, and the scrawny horse trudged on, pulling the wagon along Nameless roads. Chapter 2: The Umbrax Highway After days of travel, the Umbrax Highway finally revealed itself on the horizon. It was wider than an acre of land, flanked by ornate fences and towering sculptures that seemed to watch over the road like silent sentinels. Unlike the other Umbrax roads, this one was made of a porcelain-like material infused with swirling black smoke, creating mesmerizing, ever-changing patterns that danced across its surface. It stretched endlessly, disappearing into the distance like a ribbon of shadow and light. Judas¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°This is insane. How could any human civilization have built this?¡± Aldrich glanced at him with a skeptical eye. ¡°What makes you think the Umbrax were human? Do you really believe humans could create something this grand?¡± Judas frowned, irritation flashing across his face. ¡°How many times do I have to tell you? If the Umbrax weren¡¯t human, why is all their infrastructure and art based on human designs?¡± The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Slaves,¡± Aldrich replied matter-of-factly. ¡°The Umbrax obviously needed someone to do their dirty work.¡± Judas sighed, exasperated. ¡°Have you ever seen a slaver make statues and sculptures of their slaves? If you have, I¡¯d love to be enlightened.¡± Aldrich opened his mouth to retort, but a deep voice from the back of the wagon cut him off. ¡°Can you two stop bickering? We didn¡¯t come here to argue about ancient history. We came to hunt. I didn¡¯t forge and sharpen these pitchforks so you could waste time debating who¡¯s right and wrong.¡± With that the conversation ended, and the men descended once more into silence.
Unlike the nameless roads they had traveled before, the Highway already bore tracks in the snow, proof that they were neither the first nor the last to seek prey in the ruins. But what truly set the Highway apart were the trees lining its sides. Their trunks were as black as the night sky, stark and imposing against the pale snow. Their branches were adorned with delicate white leaves that shimmered like frost in the daylight. When night fell, the black trunks vanished into the darkness, but the leaves came alive. They glowed with a soft, phosphorescent light, casting an ethereal glow over the road. It was as if the stars themselves had descended to illuminate their path, turning the Highway into a corridor of shimmering beauty and eerie calm. Chapter 3: Shattered Souls Crows croaked as the wagon crept slowly down the road, their harsh cries echoing in the stillness. The sculptures lining the highway loomed above like petrified gods, their stone eyes watching the travelers with an air of cold judgment. Far in the distance, the great city of Umbrax finally revealed itself on the horizon. Calling it "great" would have been an understatement. Its size defied comprehension, stretching as far as the eye could see, a sprawling labyrinth of towering spires and crumbling walls. Yet, despite its imposing presence, the city was still a day¡¯s ride away, its silhouette shimmering faintly in the pale light. ¡°Judas,¡± Kazimir called from the back of the wagon, his voice low and measured. ¡°Have you noticed?¡± Judas glanced over his shoulder. ¡°Noticed what?¡± Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. ¡°We¡¯ve seen countless carriage tracks leading into the city,¡± Kazimir said, his eyes narrowing. ¡°And yet, none have returned.¡± Judas shrugged, his tone dismissive. ¡°Well, perhaps they died. I thought you, of all people, would realize how dangerous a hunt can be.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Kazimir replied, his voice tinged with unease. ¡°But people return from hunts. Here, they don¡¯t.¡± Judas frowned. ¡°What are you implying?¡± Kazimir sighed, his gaze distant, as if peering into a past he¡¯d rather forget. ¡°I¡¯ve seen death¡ªmore death than I can count. When stomachs are empty and people are desperate, they¡¯ll do the most horrific things to survive.¡± He paused, taking a deep breath, his eyes lifting to the gray sky above. ¡°What I¡¯m trying to say is this: perhaps we shouldn¡¯t enter through the main gate. Just in case.¡± Judas turned to look at him, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, he said nothing, the only sound the steady creak of the wagon wheels. Finally, he nodded. ¡°All right. You¡¯d know better than I would.¡± With that, Judas steered the wagon onto one of the countless side roads branching off the main highway, each one winding its way toward the city like veins leading to a heart of stone. Chapter 4: Umbrax City The city walls loomed larger with every step, their towering presence growing until they seemed to blot out the sky. Up close, the walls were a masterpiece of craftsmanship, covered in intricate carvings that told stories of a civilization long lost to time. Kazimir¡¯s eyes widened as they drew near, finally able to grasp the sheer scale of the structure. It was unlike anything he had ever seen¡ªancient, imposing, and hauntingly beautiful. ¡°Beautiful, isn¡¯t it?¡± Ephialtes said, his voice filled with awe. ¡°As a craftsman myself, I can¡¯t even begin to imagine the work it must have taken to build something this magnificent.¡± ¡°Shut up, both of you,¡± Judas snapped, his voice low and tense. His eyes darted nervously toward the gate ahead. ¡°We¡¯re about to enter a godforsaken ruin filled with monstrosities beyond human comprehension. Remember, once we¡¯re inside, no more talking. We¡¯ll use sign language to communicate.¡± You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. He turned to face them, his expression stern. ¡°Understood?¡± They all nodded silently, the weight of his words settling over them like a heavy blanket. ¡°Good,¡± Judas continued, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Now, remember the plan. We¡¯ll each watch a different direction for tracks or signs of movement. I¡¯ll take the front. Ephialtes, you watch our left. Kazimir, you cover our back. And Aldrich, you take the right. If you see something, don¡¯t speak¡ªuse hand signals. Understood?¡± Again, they nodded, their faces grim. ¡°And remember,¡± Judas added, his tone sharp, ¡°once we¡¯re through that gate, no more talking. Not a word.¡± With that, the carriage moved forward, its wheels crunching through the snow as it passed beneath the gigantic gate. The tracks it left behind were the only sign of their presence, quickly swallowed by the eerie silence of the city. Chapter 5: The Hunt Time passed slowly as the wagon ventured deeper into the city. The ruins, though centuries old, looked as though they had been frozen in time. The buildings stood tall and unyielding, their surfaces smooth and unblemished, as if the city had been abandoned only yesterday. One could almost imagine people still walking its streets¡ªif not for the oppressive silence that hung in the air, broken only by the occasional, distant scream of dying men. Kazimir was no stranger to silence. He knew the silence of taking a life, the silence of stalking prey through the wilderness. But this was different. This was an unnatural silence, a silence that shouldn¡¯t exist. As the sky darkened, Kazimir felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Ephialtes, one hand pressed to his lips in a gesture for silence, the other pointing into the distance. Tracks. After a quick exchange of hand gestures, the men followed the trail. The tracks in the freshly fallen snow were unmistakable¡ªlarge, paw-like prints that resembled those of a lion from the southern continent. If Kazimir didn¡¯t know better, he might have believed they were made by an ordinary beast. But the size and depth of the prints suggested something far more sinister. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. The tracks led them deeper into the city, past crumbling buildings and through narrow alleys. After half an hour on foot, they reached a vast, open space. Kazimir paused and looked back. From this height, the entirety of the city sprawled before him, a labyrinth of stone and shadow that stretched as far as the eye could see. And there, in the distance, bathed in the fading light of the setting sun, was the monstrosity. It was a grotesque hybrid of lion, octopus, and snake. Its fur was as white as snow, stark against the darkening sky. Black tentacles sprouted from its back, each one ending in an eye, an ear, a nose, or a mouth. Its tail writhed like a serpent, and its head¡ªtoo many eyes, too many teeth¡ªseemed to defy nature itself. Its jaw hung open impossibly wide, a snake-like tongue flicking out as if tasting the air. This was what they had come to hunt. A demon. For the first time in a decade, Kazimir felt true fear. It clawed at his chest, cold and unrelenting. But then he remembered the gaunt faces of the starving children, their hollow eyes as they bid their fathers goodbye. His heart hardened, the fear replaced by a cold, steely resolve. His focus narrowed to the creature before him, and his grip tightened on his weapon. Chapter 6: Betrayal Using only hand signals, they silently agreed on a plan. Kazimir would fire an arrow into the beast¡¯s leg, wounding it and drawing its attention. As it charged toward him, he would lead it straight into an ambush¡ªwhere the others, hidden behind the trees, would strike with their pitchforks and finish it off. It wasn¡¯t the most foolproof plan, but it was all they had. Kazimir took his position among the trees, gripping his bow tightly. He steadied his breath, nocked an arrow, and pulled the string taut. A heartbeat later, he released. The arrow whistled through the air. Before the first could even strike, he had already loosed another. Both found their mark, sinking deep into the creature¡¯s flesh. The beast roared in agony, its many eyes¡ªboth on its skull and along its writhing tentacles¡ªlocking onto him. Kazimir didn¡¯t hesitate. He turned and sprinted toward the trees. But the creature was faster than he had anticipated. With terrifying speed, it lunged, its monstrous jaws clamping down on his right shoulder. A searing pain tore through him as flesh and bone gave way. Before it could drag him to the ground, the ambush was sprung. The men burst from the shadows, driving their pitchforks deep into the beast¡¯s writhing mass. Again and again, they stabbed, piercing its flesh from every angle. The creature shrieked, convulsing violently as dark blood poured from its wounds. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Within seconds, it was over. The beast gave one final, hollowing cry before collapsing in a lifeless heap. Kazimir barely registered its death. His world had narrowed to the burning agony in his shoulder¡ªwhat remained of it. Blood poured freely from the wound, pooling at his feet. He had never bled this much before. He wouldn¡¯t last long. Judas and the others stood over him, their expressions unreadable. Then, after a moment, Judas turned away. Without a word, he walked off, returning moments later with the wagon. They loaded the beast¡¯s carcass onto it. Kazimir waited for them to help him. They didn¡¯t. Judas met his gaze for the briefest moment before climbing onto the wagon. The others followed. With a flick of the reins, the horses stirred, pulling the wagon forward. The sound of wheels crunching against the dirt filled the air. Kazimir was left behind. He watched in stunned silence as the wagon disappeared into the distance. The sky had begun to darken, and the cold crept in. His body felt weaker by the second. With no other choice, he dragged himself to a nearby Umbrax tree. The glowing white leaves cast a soft, ethereal light over him. He let out a shuddering breath and leaned back against the rough bark. There was nothing left to do now. Kazimir tilted his head up, gazing at the luminous canopy above. It was beautiful. With a final, weary sigh, he closed his eyes and waited for death. Chapter 7: Moonlight Angel Death came to him in the form of a beast. Kazimir could hear it prowling over the freshly fallen snow, its heavy breathing the only sound in the silent night. Each step crunched against the frost, drawing closer and closer until he could smell its foul breath. He made his peace and waited. But death did not come. What came instead was a bloodcurdling shriek¡ªthe death cry of the beast. And if that wasn¡¯t enough to rouse him, the sudden splash of scalding hot blood across his face certainly was. Kazimir¡¯s eyes snapped open. Towering over him was a monstrosity¡ªits lifeless, hollow eyes staring blankly into the sky. It resembled a massive black salamander, its body covered in thick, turtle-like scales. A single, jagged horn jutted from its skull, just above its now-dulled eyes. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. And standing atop the fallen beast was a knight. She was tall, clad in resplendent silver armor that gleamed under the moonlight. Her hair was as white as freshly fallen snow, cascading over her shoulders. Her pale, muscular, battle-hardened face bore more scars than even Kazimir himself. Her pale gray eyes studied him with an unreadable expression. It was difficult to tell what she was focusing on. Then, behind her, where there had once been nothing but empty land, a colossal castle now loomed. Its towering walls shimmered as if woven from pure moonlight, casting a soft glow over the frozen earth. The knight looked down at him, first with confusion, as if she couldn¡¯t quite believe what she was seeing. Then, she leapt down from the beast¡¯s carcass, stepping closer. Kazimir barely registered the way her piercing gaze swept over him, as if trying to piece together something she alone understood. Then, to his surprise, a faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered across her lips. His mind swirled with questions. Why is there a knight here? How did she kill this thing? But before he could utter a word, darkness overtook him. The last thing he felt was strong arms lifting him, carrying him toward the glowing castle of moonlight.