đ Whispers of the Moon
By Rapwizzy Debaron
Episode 28: The Protector's Sin
Silence filled the Temple of Echoes.
Juvia sat on the cold stone floor, her heart pounding in her chest. The image of the Watcherâonce a protector, once in loveâburned into her mind like a scar that wouldn't fade.
Ha-jun stood still, troubled. "The Watcher was⊠her lover?"
Juvia nodded slowly. "He was betrayed⊠broken. Twisted into what he is now. But once, he stood where you stand. He swore to protect her. Just like you did for me."
Ha-jun's jaw tightened. "What happened to him?"
Juvia's eyes flickered to the mural behind her. It showed two warriorsâone of light, one cloaked in shadowâfacing off. In the center, the Moon Warrior fell.
"She died⊠and he lost everything," she whispered. "He blamed the world. And the Moon."
Luna entered quietly, staff glowing faintly. "The temple showed you the truth. But truth is dangerous, Juvia. The past can guide us, or it can consume us."
"I need to know more," Juvia said, rising. "If the Watcher remembers who he was, maybe there's still a chance to stop this war."
"Or maybe it'll get you killed," Ha-jun growled. "He almost took your soul. He won't hesitate again."
"I have to believe there's something left of him."
Ha-jun turned away, fists clenched. "Belief won't protect you in battle."
"Neither will anger," she said gently.
Luna interrupted. "We don't have time to argue. The Watcher will feel the temple awakening. He'll come."
As if summoned by her words, the ground trembled. Dust fell from the high ceiling.
Juvia's eyes widened. "He's already here."
A blast of black wind tore through the temple doors.
The Watcher appeared in the mistâcloaked in shadow, eyes burning red.
Juvia stepped forward, alone. "I know who you were. I saw her. I saw what you lost."
The Watcher froze.
Then, his voice rumbled like thunder. "You know nothing."
"I know your name," she said firmly. "Kael."
The name echoed off the walls like a curse.
The Watcher's form shimmeredâjust for a momentâand Juvia saw it.
A man.
A warrior with silver hair and storm-gray eyes. A broken man.
Kael.
"You were the First Guardian," she whispered. "You loved her. You died for her. Why are you destroying what she protected?"
His voice cracked. "Because the Moon forgot. Because no one remembers her but me."
"I do," Juvia said, lifting the Moonblade. "I remember. And I won't let you destroy her legacy."
Kael screamed, the temple shaking from the force of his fury. "Then you'll die with her memory!"
He lunged.
Ha-jun rushed between them, blades clashing with Kael's dark energy. Luna raised her staff, chanting protective runes.
But Juvia didn't retreat.
She raised her swordâand this time, it glowed brighter than ever before. The Moonfire blazed, a pillar of silver light surrounding her.
Kael's power hit the lightâand shattered against it.
He recoiled, snarling. "What is thisâ?!"
"She's awakening," Luna gasped. "The warrior inside her⊠is fighting back."
Kael backed away, shadows tearing at the walls. "This isn't over. I'll return for her soul."
And with that, he vanished into the night.
Juvia collapsed to her knees, the blade dimming.
Ha-jun caught her, breathing hard. "You were incredible."
"I didn't fight him," she whispered. "She did. The first Moon Warrior⊠she protected me."
Luna nodded. "Then it has begun. The warrior awakens. And Kael⊠remembers."
---
To be continuedâŠ
đ What a powerful moment! Did anyone else feel goosebumps when Juvia said his name?
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stay tuned for Episode 29 of Whispers of the Moonâwhere light meets shadow and love challenges fate.