Bab 49: Chapter 49: Dark Omens
The morning after the storm found Blackwood Manor bathed in an uneasy calm. Sunlight filtered through the high, arched windows, its beams illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air, but doing little to dispel the lingering shadows that clung to the corners of the ancient halls. Elara stood at one such window, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the sky met the dense line of the forest that bordered the estate. The world outside seemed peaceful, untouched by the machinations and dark dealings that stirred within the walls behind her.
The night's discussions and the revelations from Marek had ignited a new sense of urgency in her. They were close, she could feel it—close to understanding the true extent of the Blackwoods' control over the moon's power and perhaps close to finding a way to break that control.
As she turned away from the window, her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Rowen, who came bearing news of the morning's gatherings among the manor's other inhabitants. His expression was tense, a clear indication that all was not as peaceful as the morning light suggested.
"There's been a gathering in the east wing," he reported in a low voice, glancing around to ensure they were alone. "Several of the younger vampires met in secret. I managed to listen in for a short while. They're scared, Elara—they sense that something big is about to happen, and they're not sure where they stand."
Elara nodded, her mind racing. "Did they speak of the elders?"
"They did," Rowen confirmed. "There's dissent brewing. They're unhappy with the current leadership, fearful of what might happen if the elders lose their grip on the moon's power. It seems they're ready for change but unsure how to initiate it without putting themselves at risk."
This was promising yet precarious. Aligning with these younger vampires could bolster their own position, but it could also expose them to greater danger if the elders caught wind of their involvement in any sort of rebellion.
"We need to approach them carefully," Elara mused, her eyes narrowing in thought. "They could be valuable allies, but only if we can assure them of our support and show them a clear advantage in aligning with us."
Rowen agreed, his stance firm. "I'll continue to make contact, gauge their readiness. If we play this right, they might just tip the balance in our favor."
As Rowen left to follow up on his task, Elara's attention was drawn to a sudden chill in the air. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but to her senses, it was as clear as a storm cloud crossing the sun. Something was amiss, a disturbance in the very fabric of the estate's magic. She followed the sensation, her steps leading her down a rarely used corridor towards the lower levels of the manor, where the air grew colder, the light dimmer.
The corridor ended at a heavy door, its wood aged and swollen from years of neglect. The chill seemed to emanate from beyond it, seeping through the cracks like a whisper of doom. With a deep breath, Elara pushed the door open, the hinges groaning in protest.
Inside, the room was shrouded in darkness, save for a single shaft of light that pierced through a small window, illuminating an ancient tapestry that hung on the far wall. The tapestry depicted a moon, its face half in shadow, surrounded by stars and clouds, woven with threads that shimmered strangely in the dim light.
As Elara approached, the air around her seemed to thrum with power, the tapestry almost appearing to pulse with a life of its own. She reached out, her fingers brushing against the fabric, and the room filled with a low hum, the sound resonant and full of an ancient sorrow.
Suddenly, the floor beneath her shifted, a hidden mechanism triggered by her touch. A section of the wall slid away, revealing a narrow passageway that descended into darkness. Elara hesitated only for a moment before stepping forward, her instincts telling her that this path might lead her closer to the heart of the manor's secrets.
The passage twisted and turned, leading her deeper underground, the air growing thick with the scent of earth and old stone. Finally, it opened into a large cavern, where the true source of the disturbance awaited.
In the center of the cavern stood a stone altar, atop which lay a crystal similar to the Heart of the Moon she had seen with Dorian. But this crystal was different—darker, its core swirling with shadows that seemed to suck in the light around it.
As Elara approached, she could feel the pull of the crystal, a sinister allure that whispered promises of power and threats of destruction. She knew then that this was what the Blackwoods had feared—the uncontrolled aspect of the moon's power, not just harnessed but corrupted, a dark mirror to the crystal she had seen in Dorian's study.
The revelation was a stark reminder of the stakes they were playing for. This was not just about power; it was about the very essence of the supernatural world, which hung in the balance. Elara knew she had to act, to find a way to cleanse or destroy the corrupted crystal before its influence could spread any further.
As she stood there, contemplating her next move, the ground trembled beneath her feet, a rumble that seemed to echo the turmoil in her heart. The battle for the moon's power was more than just a struggle for dominance—it was a fight for survival.
Elara turned back the way she had come, her resolve hardened. She would return with her allies, ready to face whatever darkness lay ahead. The path forward was fraught with danger, but Elara was no stranger to battles. She was a Silver Fang, a warrior shaped by the moon's light, and she would not falter now.
Elara's steps were swift but measured as she emerged from the hidden passageway, her heart pounding with the weight of what she had just witnessed. The corrupted crystal in the cavern below Blackwood Manor lingered in her thoughts, its swirling darkness seared into her mind. The power emanating from it had been raw, unbridled, and terrifying—a malevolent counterpart to the controlled strength of the Heart of the Moon. Whatever the Blackwoods believed they had mastered, the truth was far more dangerous than even they seemed to realize.
She re-entered the main corridor, her heightened senses on alert. The stillness of the manor now felt oppressive, every shadow a potential hiding place for unseen watchers. The Blackwoods had secrets, that much was clear, but Elara's discovery beneath the estate revealed that they might be toying with forces even they could not control.
Rowen found her before she reached her chambers. His sharp eyes immediately noted the tension in her posture and the slight furrow of her brow. "What happened?" he asked quietly, falling into step beside her.
Elara glanced around to ensure no one was near before replying. "I found something beneath the manor. A second crystal—not like the one Dorian showed us. This one is... wrong. It's corrupted, dark. It's as though it's feeding on the energy around it."
Rowen's jaw tightened. "And they've kept this hidden? Even from you?"
"Of course they have," Elara muttered, frustration edging her voice. "They think they can control it, but I'm not so sure. Whatever that thing is, it feels volatile, like it could break loose at any moment."
They turned a corner, the sound of their footsteps echoing faintly against the stone walls. Rowen's expression was grim as he considered her words. "If what you're saying is true, this changes things. The younger vampires might be useful, but if that crystal becomes unstable, we'll have a much bigger problem on our hands."
Elara stopped, placing a hand on his arm to halt him as well. "I'm not waiting to find out what happens if it does. We need Marek to see this—he might know more about what we're dealing with. And Erynn can help us figure out how to get close to it again without tipping off the Blackwoods."
Rowen nodded, his steady presence grounding her. "I'll get them. Meet us in your chambers."
Elara watched him disappear down the hall, his movements fluid and purposeful. She trusted Rowen implicitly—his loyalty and instincts had saved her and the pack more times than she could count. Now, as they faced what felt like an impossible storm, she was grateful to have him by her side.
Back in her chambers, the air felt heavy, as though the shadows themselves were listening. Elara paced near the window, her gaze flickering between the outside world and the door. The sky was overcast, the moon's light hidden behind a veil of thick, gray clouds. The storm that had raged the previous night had left the air cool and damp, but its energy lingered, like the earth itself was bracing for what was to come.
The soft knock at her door was followed by Marek and Erynn entering quietly, with Rowen close behind. Marek carried his staff, its carved runes faintly glowing, while Erynn's hand rested casually on the hilt of her dagger—a practiced readiness that never left her.
"What did you find?" Marek asked as he set his staff against the wall, his tone calm but curious. He had the look of someone already piecing together fragments of a puzzle before hearing the whole picture.
Elara wasted no time. "A second crystal, hidden beneath the manor. It's not like the one Dorian showed us. This one… it's alive. Or at least, it feels that way. Dark energy radiates from it, almost like it's feeding."
Marek's eyes widened slightly, a rare sign of alarm from the normally composed mage. "Feeding? On what?"
"Magic," Elara replied. "Life. I don't know for sure, but it felt like it was pulling at me, trying to draw me in."
Erynn frowned, leaning against the edge of the table. "If it's that dangerous, why keep it? Surely even the Blackwoods would know better than to risk something they can't control."
"Because they think they can control it," Marek said, his voice laced with quiet disdain. "Vampires like the Blackwoods thrive on arrogance. To them, power is only dangerous when it's in the hands of someone else."
Elara crossed her arms, her mind racing. "This crystal isn't just a threat to them—it's a threat to all of us. If it destabilizes, it could unleash something none of us are prepared to face."
Rowen stepped forward, his expression set. "Then we deal with it now. We find a way to destroy it before it becomes a problem."
"Easier said than done," Marek warned. "If it's connected to the moon's power, destroying it could have unforeseen consequences. We need to understand exactly what we're dealing with before we act."
Erynn's gaze sharpened. "And how do we do that without raising suspicion? If the Blackwoods catch wind of this, they won't hesitate to eliminate us."
Elara exhaled slowly, her eyes narrowing as she considered their options. "We'll go back tonight. Marek, you'll come with me to examine the crystal. If there's anything we can use to weaken or neutralize it, we'll figure it out."
"I'll prepare what I can," Marek agreed, though his expression remained grave.
"Elara," Rowen said, his voice firm but quiet. "This is dangerous. If they catch you anywhere near that thing—"
"They won't," Elara interrupted, meeting his gaze with steady determination. "We'll be careful. But we can't sit back and wait for this to get worse. This is bigger than the Blackwoods, bigger than their games. If that crystal is as dangerous as it feels, we can't afford to ignore it."
The room fell into a tense silence as her words sank in. Each of them understood the stakes, the risks. But they also understood that Elara was right. Action was their only choice.
Finally, Erynn straightened, her sharp features set with resolve. "Then we move tonight. I'll keep watch while you and Marek investigate. If anything goes wrong, I'll make sure you get out."
Rowen nodded, his jaw tight. "And I'll cover the exits. If they catch wind of what we're doing, they won't catch us."
Elara looked at her pack, a fierce pride swelling in her chest. They were ready, as they always were, to face whatever dangers lay ahead. Together, they had weathered countless storms, and together they would face this one.
As the clouds outside thickened, blotting out what little light remained, the room seemed to darken with the weight of their decision. The storm had passed, but its shadow lingered, a harbinger of the battle to come.
Elara turned to the window, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "Tonight," she said softly, her voice carrying the strength of her resolve. "We end this."
And as the wind outside began to rise once more, the world seemed to echo her vow.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone