The Return of Lycans

‘Whoever gets the moon crystal wins the world.’ It is an old prophecy that has made all the capable people of the world move.

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"Theo, you need to get out of here!" A woman said as she rushed outside into the backyard with a boy.

"Mother? Mother, what is happening?" The boy asked frantically as he ran towards the woman.

"The kingdom is on fire. Dark sorcerers and their soldiers are everywhere. You need to leave the castle with everyone alive. Right now."

"No Mother, I wouldn't leave you here alone. I will find Father and get him to help us." The grown-up boy replied with determination.

He gripped her mother's hand, and she shook when she heard another blast go off at some part of the castle. The boy didn't know what was happening. There was a huge commotion all around the castle. But why would a sudden rebellion start in the kingdom when they had been living in peace and harmony for centuries?

His thoughts were interrupted when the door into the backyard flew open. Armed soldiers who didn't belong to the boy's kingdom trooped in. The last person who was in, however, was familiar to both the woman and the boy.They looked at the person in front of them in disbelief.

"Ha ha, my lucky day! I met the queen and the prince at the same time without any effort? Your good days are over." The wizard couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes.

The man in front of them was not the same who served their kingdom for the last two decades with utmost sincerity. He

He used to be the teacher of Prince Theodore, he taught the prince about the strategy of war, and he was also the prince's favorite wizard.

But now, he stands on the opposite side of this country, he holds a sword, and points the sword at the heir of this country.

No. It couldn't be.

Standing before them was a cunning sorcerer, a savage monster thirsty for blood. His otherwise dull blue eyes were blazing with a strange blue fire, making them look like blue sapphires. His brown hair was tousled, and his face was deathly pale. A sneer played on his lips as he watched his prey with a calculating look.

Queen Genevieve draped an arm around her son and pulled him closer to her own trembling body.

"Not another step forward， Eldar .Or I will not hesitate to use my powers on you."

Eldar Aquislanada cracked a smile and fixed his eyes on the shaking body beside the queen, not in fear, but excited. Seeing the prey's powerless clamor made him feel comfortable and excited.

"I'm not here for you Genevieve, dear. What I want is that boy you have with you and the throne he will inherit when he is older.”

"Stay away from him."

"You know what, I didn't even have to ask, I could just channel the required power from the 'Moon Crystal'. ‘Whoever gets the moon crystal can rule the world. ’ This prophecy is about to be fulfilled. Ha ha ha ha. Before I do it, be obedient and give up the throne." Said Eldar, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

'Moon crystal? Has it fallen into his hands? ’ The queen’s heart dropped.

Before any of them could utter another word, the door was opened roughly. But this time it was soldiers of the kingdom with their bloodied black and red uniform and steel armies with the royal crest.

Leading them was their King.

"Father!"

The kingdom soldiers charged forward at the flick of King's wrist. In the commotion, Queen Genevieve managed to usher the prince across the backyard to her husband.

"Are you both all right? Did he inflict harm?" The King let out a sigh of relief when he found them unharmed and pulled them into his arms.

"Your highness, we cannot hold him back for much longer, he's too strong for us." One of the soldiers called out.Soldiers fought hard against wizards and enemies.

"Listen, we're running out of time.Genevieve, take Theodore and escape from the castle. Run towards the north and get the child to Antoinette at any cost. We cannot lose him. He's our only hope if things don't go our way tonight. I will not due knowing that the kingdom has gone into wrong hands." King fished a dagger from the belt around his waist and pressed it in Queen Genevieve's trembling hand. "For your defense."

The King bent forward until his son's level and placed his hand on Theodore's shoulder firmly.

"Don't stop until you avenge the death of your clan's people." Dominance reflected in his voice as he further continued, "Find the 'Moon Crystal' and reclaim the throne."

Bright malachite eyes, identical to King's dark malachite orbs brimmed with tears as the little prince brought them back and said, "I will Fath-".

Moon crystal, still safe.And it is waiting for its master.

A loud growl from Eldar cut him off mid-sentence as he ripped his sword from the now-dead soldier's abdomen. The King got his sword in position as Queen Genevieve grabbed Theodore and left the room as quickly as she could. A sharp stab of pain struck her, starting from her stomach and traveling throughout her body. Her back hurt, but she had to do this for her son, her people.

From all around him, Theodore could see blood and hear cries of terror and pain. He wanted to yell at them to make it stop. With whatever energy the Queen had left, she teleported them to the hidden dark forest. The scene wasn't any less loud or bloodier. It only seemed to increase now that they were outside the palace walls.

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The forest was the only place, untouched by the soldiers as at a far distance, they saw the stables were on fire and they could see the soldiers rushing, cutting ropes, and dowsing water on burning beams, letting the housed horses free.

"Jack!" Queen Genevieve almost cried in relief when she found her horse safe and unscathed. Not all horses were as tough as Jack.

Jack roared in answer when he noticed his master. The Queen helped herself, leaning against Jack to maintain her balance, and asked Theodore to climb up onto Jack's mighty figure. She placed the reins in Theodore's hands and gave them a quick reassuring squeeze.

Theodore watched in mild confusion as his mother unclasped the sacred amulet from her neck and clasped it around his own. He opened his mouth to ask her why, but the Queen shushed her.

Out of confusion, he asked anxiously, “Why aren’t you healing? Why can’t you shift?”

She held his small hands, “We can’t tonight, nobody can shift. And that is why we shall rely on our human strength-”

Before she could complete it, he whined; “But why mother?”

Wiping his tears, “If you could only understand my sweet boy,” tucking the amulet safely, she began, "Listen to me carefully, Theo. I need you to keep this amulet safe for me. Whatever happens, do not take it off. It'll help you reach out to Antoinette; you'll be safe there. Now follow this path to reach the north of the dark forest. Once you reach the middle forest, the amulet will glow, and Antoinette will get to know you and she'll grant you access to enter her abode. Don't stop until you get there ." She instructed. Queen Genevieve placed a cold shivering hand on Theodore's tear-stained cheek, wiping away a tear as it fell.

"What about you, Mother? Father?" He asked. The noises around them seemed to get louder by the second.

Queen Genevieve gave her son a small but beautiful smile, one Theodore didn't know if he would ever see again.There was worry and determination in the queen's brown eyes. Tears glistened, and what she couldn't bear was the child in front of her. She cannot be weak. The queen suppressed the tears and kept them from shedding.

"We'll be fine Theo. And so will you. Your Father and I are ready to put our lives down to protect you and this Kingdom's future if we have to. Remember this, you are brave and strong, and you'll carry forward the legacy of the ' Vouculia Empire '. I will miss you, Theo. Remember that I will always love my boy, okay?"

She hugged Theodore tight and kissed his forehead softly.

Theodore breathed in deeply, taking in his mother's warmth. Queen Genevieve pulled back and patted Jack's body. "Stay safe for me, Theodore."

She took a step back to allow Jack to run.

"Mother!"

Prince Theodore held the reins tightly in his hands as he frantically tried to spot his mother amongst the gathering dust as Jack took off with all his power.

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Queen Genevieve dragged herself towards the castle and sent the trusted clan people behind Theodore to back him as they would also be safe from the crisis.

If Theodore was shocked at the scenario inside the palace grounds, he was flabbergasted and utterly miserable when he got a view of the burning village.

People were trying to escape and everywhere he turned, the orange-red hues of the flames that enveloped the Vouculia Empire in its tight scorching grasp were what he could see as far as his vision would go. His heart was beating harshly against his chest as if it was going to pop out.

'Don't stop until you get there, even if somebody asks you to.'

'Stay safe for me, Theodore.'

His mother's words rang in his ears. He can't turn back.

"But I cannot let my kingdom go to ruin right in front of me. I am not trained, but I can help for sure.”

The little pup, the prince of the Vouculia Empire, Theodore was determined; his eyes glowed a darker shade of malachite as he handled Jack to a halt. Jack growled in protest, but the prince was having none of it.

"Prince Theodore, keep moving，We don't have time to stop. It's the order of her majesty." Said a soldier, behind him on the horse.

When Theodore looked back, he saw the people of the Vouculia Empire, alive, they were his people. He cannot be selfish and hide in the protection of someone when his people's life was endangered. These are his people, and he wants to protect them.

"You all will move forward and will halt on my command." Ordered Theodore and everyone shook their heads.

"We can't move in front of you, you are the heir of the Vouculia Empire."

"Just go on and I'll guard you all."

"No, your highness, we can’- Watch out!"

Theodore coughed and pressed his palm against his thigh where he felt a burning pain. A wooden arrow had lodged itself into the side of his left thigh. Blood now coated his hands and his already bloodied clothes. He heard the soldier suck in the air at the sight and feebly opened his eyes.

"As the heir of the throne, I command you all to do as I said. Now hurry!"

At last, everyone obeyed his order and moved forward.

Their hearts are trembling, this is their prince, and now the prince stand after them for their lives, they will not disgrace the mission.

Theodore could feel the heat surging through his veins. He might be just a pup, but his powers outmatched even the highest-ranked Lycans in his clan.

No sooner had they reached the middle of the dark forest as the amulet around his neck started glowing. Looking back, he found no one and Theodore sighed in a breath of relief.

They entered the boundary with the amulet and everything was safe for the time being.

When a woman who looked to be no older than in her thirties, with long brunette hair and bright emerald green eyes, walked towards them and a boy followed her from behind.

Theodore's tense nerves instantly relaxed and he passed out.

Her eyes widened when she took in Theodore's state.

"Prince Theodore! God! Someone quickly get him off the horse, this is getting out of control."

A little boy with raven hair and steel grey eyes, younger than Theodore came running toward his mother after hearing her scream.

“Adonis! Get here!”

Being the heir of the Vouculia Empire, the prince was much stronger and grew up faster compared to the humans- mentally and physically. Though they did stop aging normally once they reached adulthood. Theodore was almost in an unconscious state when he felt something

It was the little boy whom Antoinette addressed Adonis. He wrapped a cloth around Theodore's wound and got him off of the horse.

Antoinette quickly dropped the barrier spell and took everyone inside her secret abode in the middle of the dark forest. Running into the wooden house, she grabbed a few bottles off the shelves.

"He's the Prince?" Adonis asked in a surprised tone.

“I thought you would have recognized by the shade of his eyes. He's Prince Theodore Zarek Vouculia, heir to the throne of the Vouculia Empire," Antoinette said as she dabbed a dark blue substance on Theodore's stab wound using a white feather. Looking at Adonis, she said, "and your elder brother."

Theodore groaned and slightly squeezed Adonis' hand which he held tightly in his grasp.

"It's all right. It's over now. You're okay…. brother."

A few days later.

Theodore remembered everything, every pain inflicted on him, on his clan by Eldar Aquislanada.

A young Lycan boy, whose everything was torn apart, took a pledge in front of his people, saying:

"We are born of a time before every creature when the world was raw. The wisdom of rocks and fire and earth and blood is in our veins. For now, we live in a world of mists beyond the reach of mortals and immortals, but the time shall come when we shall rise again. The Lycans will return soon.”

The others kneeled, bowing to their Young King. Promising their lives to him as their King's only goal was to find the 'Moon Crystal', to restore the glory of the ' Vouculia Empire', and to reclaim his lost kingdom, and they would support their King until the last drop of their blood.

It was not the end of an era, but the beginning of one.

At the same time, when the sun rose, the moon went down, and stars were always stationary. The new morning came with a new surprise as Queen Ophelia Aquislanada gave birth to the princess of 'The Aquislanada Empire':

Crystal Rosette Aquislanada.