The moon turned red that night.
It wasn't the usual glow of a lunar eclipse or a passing celestial event—it was thick, pulsing, and unnatural, like a bleeding wound in the sky. Even the Guardian Ashvara stepped outside her meditation to look upward, her brows tightening slightly.
Aarav stood atop the central platform of Broken Peak's courtyard, surrounded by an array of hovering paper talismans and floating orbs—some glowing with pale spiritual energy, others flickering erratically. Piko's most recent invention: the "Sect-Wide Anomaly Alert Array," which Aarav had renamed "The Glowy Panic Ball System."
Naturally, they were all glowing. Bright red.
"So," Aarav said, addressing his gathered disciples, "Good news first: the glowy balls work."
"Bad news?" Meiyu asked, crossing her arms, her brow already furrowed.
Aarav sighed. "They're telling us we might die. Soon. Possibly messily."
Tian Zhu looked up at the moon. "Is it just me, or does it feel like it's... watching us?"
Lianhua tilted her head. "There are whispers again."
Bao grunted. "The mountain goats ran off this morning. All of them."
Piko adjusted his spirit goggles. "I've been analyzing the frequencies. The moon's color is due to massive spiritual radiation. But there's more—it's focusing on us. Specifically, Flame Peak."
All eyes turned to Meiyu.
"Why me?" she snapped.
Ashvara descended from the shadows of the upper air, landing lightly beside them. "Because your Peak is rooted in ancient flame. And this... this moon was used to track ancient fire Guardians in the Forgotten Wars."
"Wait," Aarav said. "You're saying someone is using the moon like a GPS for you?"
Ashvara didn't laugh. "Yes."
The wind changed. A crimson gust swept through the courtyard, bringing with it a tattered scroll that fluttered down at Aarav's feet. He bent down and picked it up.
It was sealed in black wax with the symbol of a claw.
Ashvara's eyes narrowed. "Blood Sect."
Aarav unrolled it. The message inside was short.
"We know you're awake, Flame of Final Era. And we are coming. Surrender the traitor or be consumed."
Ashvara's jaw clenched. The temperature dropped instantly, frost crawling across the stones.
Meiyu looked from her to Aarav. "What do they mean by traitor?"
Ashvara said nothing.
Aarav tucked the scroll into his robes. "Doesn't matter. They're threatening my sect. My people. My weird, dysfunctional, but lovable family. That's not going to fly."
---
Over the next few days, preparations began.
Piko's array was reinforced with Guardian-infused crystal nodes. Lianhua and Tian Zhu worked together to set up spirit barriers across all five peaks. Bao constructed a new gate—which he accidentally enchanted with explosive tofu. Aarav decided not to question it.
Every disciple trained harder than ever. Even Elder Goose, normally aloof, taught a new defensive formation called the "Whirlwind Feather Spin of Terror," which was really just flapping very hard in circles.
Aarav himself, however, was quiet.
He spent hours sitting with Ashvara near the spirit lake, watching the wind move across the water.
"You knew this would happen," he said.
"I hoped it wouldn't. But hope is a fragile thing," she replied.
"Why are they calling you a traitor?"
Ashvara turned toward him. "Because I abandoned the pact. In my last life, I served under Agnivesh. I was one of five elemental Guardians bound to defend the realm. When he fell, the others went mad or were captured by the Blood Sect."
"You escaped."
"I chose to be sealed," she said quietly. "To wait. In case... he was ever reborn."
Aarav's throat tightened. "And now they've found you."
Ashvara nodded. "They will come soon. They'll send the first of their Guardian Hunters. You must prepare."
"I'm still a scarecrow with a house," he muttered.
"But your house has roots," she said. "And roots can break stone if nurtured long enough."
---
Three nights later, the sky fractured.
Not literally, but that's how it felt.
The red moon flared. And from its core came a shriek—a soundless scream that echoed through the soul.
A figure descended.
Tall. Cloaked in writhing shadows. Eyes that bled smoke.
Behind him floated three small cages—each holding a shattered spirit. Broken Guardians.
"I am Veylak," the figure said. "Hunter of the Forsaken Flame. I have come to end what should have died eons ago."
Ashvara floated upward.
"No," Aarav said. "She doesn't fight alone."
Meiyu stepped forward. "We fight together."
Bao grinned. "Do we get cool intro music?"
Tian Zhu muttered, "No time for music. Get into formation!"
Lianhua whispered an ancient prayer. Piko activated the defensive wards.
Ashvara looked to Aarav. "This is your first war, Master."
He smiled. "Then let's win it like amateurs—with passion, dumb luck, and yelling."
---
Reader Question: The Blood Sect has made their first move. What do you think Veylak's true objective is—and what lies inside the cages of broken Guardians?
Drop your theories below. The storm is just beginning.