---
The wind howled through the ruins, carrying the scent of rain and distant blood. The Sun Clan was coming.
Luna stood at the highest point of the crumbling temple, her night-colored eyes fixed on the horizon. The messenger's words still echoed in her mind.
"They know what you took. They know where you are. And they are coming."
She smiled.
"Are you enjoying this?" Ahava's voice cut through the wind as he climbed up beside her.
Luna didn't look at him. "I enjoy a challenge."
Ahava exhaled through his nose, his arms crossed. "You're outnumbered."
"We always will be," Luna replied smoothly. "That's why we fight smarter."
Below them, their new recruits prepared for battle. Dain was sharpening his twin blades, Kiran was going over battle formations, and the twelve warriors who had sworn loyalty to Luna were arming themselves.
Ahava's jaw tightened. "They will send more than soldiers, Luna. They'll send hunters. Assassins. War generals."
Luna finally turned to him, her silver hair whipping in the wind. "Then we kill them first."
Ahava searched her face, frustration warring with reluctant admiration. "You act like you can't die."
Luna smirked. "I act like I refuse to lose."
Ahava shook his head, muttering something under his breath, but he didn't argue further.
Because he knew she was right.
---
The Trap is Set
Luna gathered her warriors in the temple's great hall, their gazes sharp, waiting. The flickering torchlight cast long shadows across the stone floor.
"The Sun Clan underestimates us," she said, her voice calm but commanding. "They think we are nothing more than thieves. But we are warriors. We are a clan. And tonight, we remind them of that."
Dain grinned. "So, what's the plan, little queen?"
Luna's smirk was razor-sharp. "We don't wait for them to attack. We strike first."
Murmurs rippled through the group, but no one opposed her.
"Ahava and I will take out their scouts before they reach us," Luna continued. "Dain, Kiran, you will lead the rest to cut off their reinforcements."
Kiran cracked his knuckles. "I like the sound of that."
Dain rolled his shoulders. "Finally, some fun."
Luna nodded. "We fight in the shadows. We use the terrain to our advantage. They may outnumber us, but they will not outmatch us."
The warriors straightened, determination hardening their expressions.
Luna's gaze swept over them, pride swelling in her chest.
This was her clan. Her people.
And tonight, they would make history.
---
The First Kill
The forest was silent. Too silent.
Luna crouched behind a tree, her daggers glinting in the moonlight. Ahava was beside her, his sword drawn, his expression unreadable.
The Sun Clan's scouts moved through the trees like ghosts, their golden armor dull in the darkness.
Luna exhaled softly. Then she moved.
She was swift, silent—a shadow in the night.
Before the first scout could react, her blade slid across his throat. Blood sprayed as he crumpled.
Ahava struck next, his sword carving through the second scout's chest.
The others barely had time to shout before Luna and Ahava tore through them with practiced precision.
In less than a minute, it was over.
Ahava wiped his blade clean, glancing at Luna. "That was reckless."
Luna smirked. "That was necessary."
She turned, her gaze shifting toward the distant torches moving in the valley below.
The Sun Clan's main force was approaching.
And they had no idea what awaited them.
Luna sheathed her daggers, a dark thrill coursing through her veins.
"Let's end this."
---