The night came out usually colder than normal, the wind strangely moaning through the trees like spirits aggressively grieving for the departed. I sat quietly beside the flickering flames in Cassian's hidden training area, my body somewhat sore from the constant drills he had forcefully pushed me through.
Every muscle in my body ached badly, but my mind was clearer than ever.I was growing evidently stronger. Cassian sat opposite me, his silver radiating eyes inscrutable.
"You're getting incredibly better," he finally remarked, tossing a small dagger back and forth skillfully between his fingers. "But let it be known to you that just strength alone won't bring you your revenge, Mira. You need to comprehend what you're truly getting into."
"I scoffed at his conclusion. "I know what I'm battling for now, more than ever"
He leaned in, his smirk fading gradually. "Do you now?"
Before I could gather myself to respond, I felt a wave of fatigue crash over me. My vision blurred instantly, and my head whirled. Then, everything turned black in a second.
I found myself in the center of an open field, the sky a swirling uncontrollably a blend of silver and violet. The air buzzed with a strange energy, crackling like a brewing storm.
A figure appeared from nowhere and stood before me."
"Mira."
My heart skipped a beat. I recognized that voice immediately. "Mother?"
My voice shook uncontrollably as I moved forward. She stood without smiles before me, untouched by time. Her long, still dark hair, flowed down her back gracefully, and her golden eyes were the same ones I glanced into every day while growing up, but now radiating an unbearable sorrow.
"My precious daughter," she murmured, reaching out. "You've endured so much."
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. "Why come now?" My voice cracked, and now hushed. "Why did you stay out so long?"
She smiled, but it was laced with sadness. "Because before now, you weren't prepared to hear the truth."
The wind picked up, angrily swirling around us in a circular manner. Suddenly, fragments of the past appeared before me in clear visions I had never witnessed before."
It was my father. Shamefully chained in silver, brought to kneel before the council. Elder Varen maliciously loomed over him, a cruel grin plastered on his face.The accusations were overwhelming. The falsehoods.The betrayal. I gasped, my hands flying to clutch my chest.
"No. Never"
My mother reached out and held my face, her touch tender yet strong. "Your father was set up, Mira. Elder Varen masterminded his betrayal. He wanted him out of the picture because of what he discovered flowing through our bloodline. The very blood of the ancient Luna spirits."
I shook my head vigorously, unable to contain all the information, struggling to breathe. "Why? Why would he decide to do this?"
"Because our bloodline seemed to pose a great threat," she whispered. "The power inside you, Mira… it was not ordinary - it's destined to change everything. But Varen in his greediness feared it. He ensured your father was cast aside before he could mentor you to manifest it."
Tears streamed mercilessly down my cheeks. "I don't understand any of this. Why didn't anyone inform me earlier?"
"Because you were intentionally never meant to survive."Her words sent me jolts of fear as I imagined everything. "They kept you weak on purpose, Mira. They made you believe were nothing because if you ever discovered the truth… if you find a way and awakened your power… they knew they wouldn't be able to stand or restrain you."
Rage exploded fiercely within me, raw and unyielding. The betrayal cut deeper than I had ever anticipated. It wasn't just the doings of Ryker. It wasn't only Lila's either. It was the whole pack that planned it. They had succeeded in manipulating me from the beginning.The earth shook terribly under my feet, the sky blazing a fiery red fire. I sensed something extraordinary awakening within me, something primal and ancient, something powerful.
My mother beamed gently while watching me. "It's time, Mira. Time to step into the position of who you were destined to be."
Before I could respond , or say another word, a wind gust swirled across the field, and she began to fade away.
"No, please stay with me!" I reached out for her, urgency gripping my heart as i tried to hold on to her.
She managed to murmur one last thing before vanishing entirely out of my sight." Discover the truth. And when the moment finally arrives… make them pay dearly."
I awoke immediately with a loud gasp, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Cassian rushed toward me and knelt at my side, his hands steady on my trembling shoulders. His silver eyes, wide with alarm, pierced into mine.
"Mira, what did you see in your vision?"
I swallowed hard, unable to speak, my whole body shaking. "Everything."
A new flame surged and sparked within me. This wasn't merely about the planned vengeance anymore. This was more than war.
Who else had an a hand in my father's betrayal? And how far would I be willing to go to make them suffer?