Chapter 18 – Moon in the Crystal
The moment her eyes opened, the forest screamed.
Not with sound — but with every tree, every root, every blade of grass bending in agony. The ground heaved like a living thing, reality itself writhing under her awakening.
Kael staggered back, bracing himself. Astrili's wings flared in instinctive defense, Nyx melted into the shadows, and Myros tightened his grip on his scythe.
The woman stood, her chains of light lying in shattered fragments around her feet. Her gaze swept over them — not as if she were seeing people, but as if she were reading them, layer by layer.
"Who dares…" Her voice was soft, but it carried like thunder. "…to open my dream?"
Before Kael could speak, the forest began to fold.
Trees curled inward like ink sinking into water. Branches twisted into spirals, roots braided together, and the earth itself rose into the air.
They weren't in a forest anymore.
All that remained was a single, perfect sphere — a crystal ball, its surface flawless, but inside…
Inside floated a silver moon, moving as if it were made of liquid, its surface rippling with shifting illusions. Images of battles, lost loves, forgotten worlds flickered across it before vanishing.
The woman turned her back to them and approached the floating orb. "My world… still here…"
Astrili's voice was low. "That's not a moon. That's her core magic."
Nyx tilted her head. "Or her prison. Depends on your point of view."
Kael stepped forward. "Who are you?"
The woman's lips curved into the faintest smile — not kind, not cruel, just unreadable.
"They once called me Selvaria Lunaris… The Moon of False Realms. To the gods, I was a plague upon truth. To mortals, I was salvation… or damnation, depending on which illusion they chose to live in."
Her eyes, pale as moonlight, locked onto Kael's. "And you… You broke my sleep. Which means you are either a fool… or desperate enough to seek what I can offer."
The crystal sphere pulsed once, sending ripples through the air.
Kael felt its pull — an invitation and a warning at once. In its depths, he saw flashes of possible futures: himself crowned in gold, himself drowning in blood, himself walking away from everything.
"Careful," Selvaria said, almost lazily. "Look too long, and it becomes your truth."
Astrili glanced at Kael. "We should leave. Now."
But Kael didn't move. His purple eyes glowed faintly. "…No. She's coming with us."
Nyx's grin widened. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
Selvaria tilted her head, studying him. Then — without a word — she placed her hand on the crystal moon. It dissolved into liquid light, flowing up her arm until it vanished beneath her skin.
When she turned back, the forest was gone. All that remained was the clearing, the silence… and her.
"Very well," she said softly. "Let's see where your truth leads, Kael."