They crossed the border into the Hollow Vale just after sunrise.
The trees here were not burned or broken—they glowed. Their leaves shimmered with pale light, their trunks alive with flowing patterns like veins. The air was warm but weightless, filled with whispers too soft to understand.
Evelyn stopped at the edge of a small pool. The water was still, silver, reflecting more than just her face—it reflected memories.
She saw herself as a child. Her mother laughing beside her. A father's hand—just out of view.
Then flames.
Then screams.
She backed away.
Lucien caught her. "It's the Vale. It shows you what you try to forget."
She steadied herself. "It's beautiful... and terrifying."
"Like most truths," Lucien said.
They made their way to a clearing surrounded by crystal pillars. At the center stood a small temple, its roof covered in vines that glowed under the sun.
An old woman waited at the entrance, eyes bright and skin like carved bark.
She bowed. "Welcome, Moonborn. Welcome, Shadow Prince."
Lucien bowed in return. "Keeper Ayra."
The woman approached Evelyn. "So much pain in you... and so much strength. You've walked far through fire."
Evelyn nodded slowly. "I need to understand what I am. What I can do."
Ayra turned. "Then step into the mirror room. You will see. But beware—truth changes those who touch it."
Lucien grabbed Evelyn's hand. "I'll come with—"
"No," Ayra said gently. "She must go alone."
Evelyn hesitated... then squeezed his hand and let go. "I'll be okay."
He looked like he wanted to argue—but instead he nodded.
She stepped into the temple.
The mirror room was quiet.
One massive mirror stood at the far end, ancient and cracked. Its surface didn't reflect her—it pulled her in.
The moment she stood before it, the world turned white.
A voice boomed around her.
"Who are you?"
"I... I don't know," Evelyn whispered.
The light swirled, forming a shape—a woman with wings of light and eyes like fire. Her voice was like thunder wrapped in song.
"You are my daughter."
Evelyn blinked. "Mother?"
"No. I am your blood's memory. The first Moonborn. The one who fought the Pale King."
"You sealed him away."
"Yes. With my dying breath. And now, the seal weakens."
Images flooded the air: a battle in the stars, fire falling from the sky, a dark god rising from the sea of blood.
"You carry my flame, Evelyn. But it burns brighter than even mine. Because you are not only Moonborn... you are Celestial."
Evelyn trembled. "But I don't know how to stop him. I don't know how to control this."
The figure stepped forward. "To awaken fully, you must break the final seal inside you. But beware—it comes at a cost."
"What cost?"
"Memories you buried. The pain that forged you."
The room spun again.
She saw her mother, crying and whispering, "Don't let them take her."
A pale man stood at the door—her father. Not cruel. Not evil. But desperate.
"I must take her," he said. "Or Seraphine will. Evelyn must survive."
The house burned not by accident.
It was a battle.
Evelyn's mother died protecting her.
Her father disappeared into smoke—wounded, not dead.
He was still alive.
The light faded.
Evelyn gasped as she fell to her knees.
"I remember."
Outside, Lucien paced.
Keeper Ayra watched him. "You care for her deeply."
Lucien gave a short nod.
"She will need strength... and sacrifice," the Keeper said.
"What kind of sacrifice?"
"Sometimes love must bleed for power to rise."
Lucien turned sharply. "What does that mean?"
But before Ayra could answer, the temple doors opened—and Evelyn stepped out.
She looked different. Stronger. Her eyes glowed faintly. Her voice was steady.
"I remember everything," she said.
Lucien moved to her. "Are you okay?"
"No. But I'm ready."
He touched her arm gently. "Tell me."
She looked into his eyes. "My father's still alive. Seraphine didn't kill him. He gave me up to protect me. He fought her... and lost."
Lucien's face darkened. "Then she'll use him as bait."
"Or worse," Evelyn said.
They sat near the glowing pool that night, silence stretching between them.
Evelyn leaned her head against Lucien's shoulder. "When I kissed you... it wasn't a mistake."
He didn't move. "I know."
"I just... I'm afraid of losing everything. I've already lost too much."
He wrapped an arm around her gently. "You won't lose me."
Her voice was soft. "Promise?"
"I swear it. On my blood."
She smiled faintly.
They stayed like that a long time.
But in the trees beyond the Vale, something watched them.
A pale shape. A familiar face.
The Firstborn.
But this time—he wasn't alone.
Beside him stood Evelyn's father.
His eyes were no longer kind.
They glowed red.