Tides of the Moon

The air grew colder as Divine and Caelan ventured deeper into the ruins, the silence broken only by the crunch of their footsteps on cracked stone. The moonlight barely reached the depths of the city, and the shadows seemed to stretch unnaturally, as though alive.

"Stay close," Caelan murmured, his blade gleaming faintly. His eyes scanned their surroundings, searching for threats in the dark.

Divine held the small pendant around her neck, its soft glow comforting her. It had always been with her, a token of an unknown past. Now, it felt like it was guiding her, pulling her toward something hidden within the ruins.

As they turned a corner, they came upon an ancient library, its doors barely hanging on their hinges. Inside, shelves of decayed books leaned precariously, their spines covered in dust and mold. A large, circular window above let in a faint shaft of moonlight, illuminating a single pedestal at the center of the room.

"This feels like a trap," Caelan said, his voice low.

"Maybe," Divine replied, stepping forward cautiously. "But it's also a clue."

As she approached the pedestal, the pendant around her neck began to pulse with warmth. The surface of the pedestal was carved with intricate runes, some of which glowed faintly as she drew closer. Divine placed her hand on the stone, and the room shuddered as the runes flared to life.

A voice whispered in her mind, ancient and fragmented. "The Keeper must remember… The tides are bound to the moon, as the past is bound to the present."

Divine's vision blurred, and she saw flashes of another life—a grand throne room bathed in silver light, the Silent City thriving under her rule, and a figure cloaked in darkness, their outstretched hand bringing destruction.

"Divine!" Caelan's voice pulled her back to the present. The runes had stopped glowing, but the room was no longer silent. A low growl echoed from the shadows, and pairs of glowing red eyes emerged from the darkness.

"We've got company," Caelan said, raising his blade.

The creatures stepped into the light—twisted, shadowy beasts with elongated limbs and jagged claws. They snarled, their movements unnatural, as though they were marionettes controlled by an unseen force.

"Get behind me!" Caelan shouted, slashing at the first beast as it lunged. Divine stumbled back, clutching the pendant. Its glow intensified, and she felt a surge of energy coursing through her veins.

"No," she whispered, stepping forward. "I won't hide."

The pendant's light erupted, engulfing the room in a brilliant silver glow. The creatures shrieked, retreating into the shadows as the light burned them. Divine felt a strange power awakening within her, a connection to the city and its long-buried magic.

When the light faded, the beasts were gone, and the room was still once more. Caelan stared at her, his expression a mix of awe and concern.

"Divine… what just happened?"

"I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling. "But I think… I think this city is trying to remind me who I was."

Caelan nodded slowly. "Then we'll figure it out. Together."

As they left the library, Divine couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The shadows seemed heavier, the air thicker with an unseen presence.

The Silent City was alive, and its secrets were waiting for her to uncover them—whether she was ready or not.