Night in the kingdom of Atheria felt quieter than usual.
A cold wind swept across the palace courtyard.
Inside her private chamber, Lunaria sat before a large window that faced the night sky.
The moon was almost completely covered by shadow.
The eclipse was drawing closer.
Lunaria gently held her chest.
For some time now, her heart had not stopped racing.
She could feel something powerful… something dangerous.
A presence she knew very well.
"Arken…"
The name left her lips like a whisper.
Lunaria slowly opened her eyes.
A soft blue light appeared within them.
But this time it was not just an ordinary glow.
Within her sight, the world began to change.
Thousands of possible futures appeared like shards of glass surrounding her.
This was the power known as Eclipse Vision.
The ability to see the future.
But those visions were not always beautiful.
Lunaria saw a forest in ruins.
Trees had fallen.
The ground was cracked.
In the middle of the destruction stood Arken.
His black cloak was torn.
Blood dripped from his hand.
Before him stood a massive creature clad in black armor.
A general of the Void Sovereign's army.
A blast of void energy struck Arken.
His body was thrown back onto the ground.
Lunaria clenched her hands.
The vision changed again.
She saw another possibility.
Arken stood up again and fought back.
But as the battle continued…
More and more wounds appeared on his body.
Lunaria gritted her teeth.
"No…"
Another vision appeared.
This one was darker.
Arken knelt on the ground.
The shadows around him began to disappear.
The Void creature raised its sword to end his life.
"No!"
Lunaria shut her eyes tightly.
The vision shattered instantly like broken glass.
Her breathing became heavy.
A thin line of blood flowed from the corner of her eye.
But she did not care.
She had seen enough futures.
And almost all of them showed the same thing.
Arken was in danger.
Lunaria slowly stood.
For the first time in a very long time…
A great decision formed in her heart.
She could not simply sit in the palace and wait.
If that future was truly going to happen…
Then she would change it.
Lunaria walked toward the door of her chamber.
Outside the room, the royal guards immediately bowed their heads.
"Your Highness?"
Lunaria paused for a moment.
Then she spoke in a calm voice.
"Prepare my horse."
The guards were shocked.
"Your Majesty… it is already midnight—"
But Lunaria had already walked past them.
Her silver hair moved in the night wind.
Her eyes glowed softly.
"I have to go."
In the night sky…
The eclipse was almost at its peak.
And for the first time…
The Moon Queen left the palace.