Moonlit Vows Of Vengeance-Chapter 63: The Challenge

Athena pov

Kaelin’s smile widened, eyes glittering like knives. "Fine. If you’re angry enough, then I challenge you. A magical duel. Right here. Right now."

My heart pounded not from fear but anger at her audacity. But I shook my head, the words coming out before I could stop them.

"No. I don’t fight for their entertainment."

Her smile faltered, replaced by a sneer. "Coward."

I didn’t reply. I didn’t need to. I could feel the eyes of the room on me, some sympathetic, others mocking. But I kept my head high, knowing that what they saw was only surface. The truth of what I was and what I could be was something none of them would understand.

The lunchroom had quieted down a little, most students finishing their meals or whispering among themselves. I was just starting to relax when Kaelin’s voice pierced the air again.

"You know, it’s a shame your little friend here thinks she can defend you," Kaelin sneered, turning her cold gaze to Llira, the kind girl who had been nothing but friendly since day one.

Lira shifted in her seat, trying to hide her unease. "Kaelin, don’t—"

But Kaelin cut her off with a sharp laugh. "Oh, I’m not done. You’re all soft, especially you." She flicked a slender finger at Lira’s arm.

Before I could react, a jolt of cold magic surged through Lira’s arm. She gasped, clutching it tightly as pale frost spread over her skin like ice creeping across a pond in winter.

"Stop!" I shouted, standing up. "Leave her alone."

Kaelin just smiled, a cruel twist of her lips. "Or what? You’ll scream for help? Pathetic."

Lira’s face paled, eyes wide with shock and pain. "It hurts..."

"I’m just showing you what happens when you stick your nose where it doesn’t belong," Kaelin said smugly. "Maybe next time you’ll think twice before being friends with a freak like Athena."

The room went silent except for Lira’s soft whimpers. I felt my blood boil—something inside me snapping. My fists clenched so tight my nails bit into my palms.

"Kaelin," I said through gritted teeth, "you’ll pay for this."

She shrugged, clearly enjoying the power she held. "Maybe. If you’re brave enough to challenge me."

I glared at her, knowing I couldn’t let this slide. But the tension in the room made my throat tight, and I felt the wolf stirring just beneath the surface, aching to be unleashed.

Lira took a shaky breath, trying to stand. I stepped forward to support her, feeling a surge of protectiveness I couldn’t ignore.

"You’ll regret this," I muttered, voice low and fierce.

Kaelin laughed again, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she sauntered away, leaving a trail of whispers and uneasy glances behind her.

Lira’s arm was numb and cold, but she gave me a small, brave smile. "Thanks, Athena. I’m okay."

I nodded, swallowing the anger and pain. But deep down, I knew the duel was inevitable now.

That evening, I barely slept. The image of Lira, frozen and hurt by Kaelin’s cruel magic, burned in my mind. I paced my room, torn between rage and more rage....

The next morning, word spread quickly: Kaelin had issued the duel challenge again. This time, it was clear she wasn’t going to give me a way out.

Lira found me near the training grounds. "Athena, please don’t do this for me," she said quietly, her eyes pleading. "You don’t need to prove anything to her."

But I shook my head, determination settling like steel in my bones. "It’s not just for you. I can’t let her think she can get away with this."

Lira bit her lip but nodded. "Just... be careful."

Later, Kaelin appeared in the courtyard, surrounded by her usual crowd of sneering students. She looked me up and down, smirking.

"Ready to lose, weakling?"

I took a deep breath, the weight of everyone’s eyes heavy on me. "I accept your challenge."

Her smile twisted into a triumphant sneer. "Good. Let’s give everyone a show."

The duel began in the practice arena, a circle of polished stone surrounded by tall columns that caught the afternoon light. Students gathered around, eager for entertainment.

Kaelin was swift and confident, her magic sharp and precise. She struck first, sending a thin lance of crackling energy toward me.

I dodged, but when I tried to counter, nothing happened. My hands stayed still, no spark, no shimmer—no magic.

Lira laughed, the sound cruel and sharp. "No magic at all? I thought you were supposed to be powerful."

I clenched my teeth, heart pounding. I wasn’t powerless, but the strange barrier around me swallowed every attempt. It felt like trying to shout underwater.

Lira pressed her advantage, her spells becoming faster and more aggressive. I barely avoided the attacks, my mind racing, desperate for any way to fight back.

Then the sun began to set, shadows stretching long across the arena.

I could feel it—the old, wild pulse beneath my skin. My breath hitched as the moon rose, silver and bright.

Suddenly, a sliver of moonlight caught my eyes, and for a fleeting second, they flashed gold.

My shadow cast long on the stone floor, twisted and stretched.

It grew, darkening and shifting until it took the shape of a massive wolf—its eyes glowing fiercely, its jaws snapping at the air.

Gasps and startled whispers rippled through the crowd.

The wolf shadow snarled, then vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

The moment broke, and the magical barrier snapped back in place, leaving me drained and trembling.

Kaelin’s smug expression faltered, replaced by shock—and then rage.

Before I could react, darkness clouded my vision. My legs buckled, and I collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.

When I woke, everything was quiet—too quiet. My head throbbed, and the cold stone floor pressed against my cheek. Blinking slowly, I tried to sit up, but a sharp ache shot through my side, and I lay back down.

Voices murmured nearby—soft but urgent.