Chapter 10: The Rising Moon
A biting wind rolled down from the Hollow Pines mountains, brushing ice onto rooftops and chilling the morning air. Tyler sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of his bedroom, shirtless, his breath steady and visible in the cold.
He had been meditating like this for two days, just as Master Kai had taught him. His master's words echoed in his head.
Breathe. Feel the Qi. He focused his mind.
He whispered to himself, feel the power within, channel the beast, be the master not the prisoner.
He drew a slow breath, eyes closed, focusing on the warmth inside, the coiling energy that simmered just beneath his skin. He imagined it swirling golden threads spiraling through his limbs. The pressure in his chest eased. He felt lighter.
The system set off a light ping in his head
[System Notification: Transformation Control Increased — 75%.]
[Full Moon in 14 hours and 10 minutes.]
Thanks for the reminder, Tyler thought sarcastically.
He got up, threw on a hoodie, and shuffled toward the kitchen. As he rounded the corner, he collided with Mason.
Tyler blinked. "Well, well. You're looking awfully chipper. And what's with the button-up? Who you dressing up for?"
Mason flushed bright red. "No one."
Tyler grinned. "Nailed it."
Mason grabbed a bowl, grumbling. "Fine. Jun kissed me."
Tyler's mouth fell open mid-bite of a protein bar. "No way."
"Yeah. Just… kissed me out of nowhere. I don't know what she wants. I think she's playing with me."
"Maybe she's into you," Tyler said, smirking. "Not everyone's got an evil master plan. Sometimes a kiss is just a kiss."
"You're one to talk," Mason replied, narrowing his eyes. "You're practically glowing. What's put that goofy look on your face?"
Tyler hesitated a second, then smiled. "I've got a date."
Mason blinked. "Wait… tonight? You do realize it's the full moon, right?"
"I'll be at the shop by 8:30 pm," Tyler said confidently. "I've been meditating, training. My control's up to 75%. I've got this."
"I'm still locking you in the shed," Mason muttered. "This time I brought thicker chains and a dog bowl with your name on it."
Tyler gave him a flat stare. "I'm not a dog."
Mason laughed. "Tell that to your glowing eyes and bone-breaking transformation."
Tyler chuckled, then added, "I've been doing karate too. And Master Kai taught me meditation. It's helping."
"Pseudoscience," Mason said, but shrugged. "Still, learning to fight isn't a bad idea."
The two shouldered their bags and left for campus, the cold air biting as the sun tried to warm a day ruled by fate.
The Hollow Pines' outskirts were unnaturally quiet, the forest cloaked in mist and old secrets.
Elder Grant moved silently through a frozen glade, his crimson-etched pendant pulsing faintly in the air. His senses were tuned to find any traces of lingering magic.
He knelt, brushing his fingers across charred earth, runes softly glowing as he activated his blood-sensing charm. Threads of residual energy flickered, there is illusion magic, faint but unmistakable. The damage from what ever hit his car from that night still evident but the residual magic fading fast.
He clicked his tongue. "Too late."
He raised a hand and whispered in the old tongue.
A nearby squirrel froze mid-motion, then dropped dead as crimson energy surged from his palm.
He drew a circle in its blood. The air shimmered, warping the space inside the circle until a blurry image emerged: a pale figure, unconscious in the woods. Golden eyes glowing faintly even in sleep.
Grant's brow furrowed. "A werewolf."
The image flickered and faded, but it was enough.
And traces of illusion magic too. Could the Illusion Mages be involved?
He drew out his pendant again and whispered in the arcane tongue
"There's not much to go on. But I've picked up illusion magic traces and it seems werewolves are involved."
Only Morfius and the other two heads of the Crimson Covenant knew the truth about the orb. Grant didnt ask any questions that would put him on Morfius's bad he would do his part.
The coffee shop on the med campus buzzed with students and caffeine-fueled energy.
Mason stirred his cup absently, still processing the morning... Jun's kiss, his brother's overconfidence, the full moon looming.
Hands suddenly covered his eyes.
"Guess who?" Jun's voice purred behind him.
He smiled slightly. "You're trouble."
"You're still blushing," she said, sliding into the seat across from him. "Cute."
He cleared his throat. "So... what was the other day about?"
Jun gave a casual shrug. "I kissed you because I like you. And you're clearly terrified of that."
Mason frowned. "I'm not terrified. Just… cautious."
"You're cautious because whatever your friend went through, it's real." She leaned in. "You're not just researching anymore, are you?"
He didn't answer.
She reached into her bag and pulled out a thick, leather-bound book. "My uncle has quite the collection. Thought this might interest you—Lycanthropy and Magical Lineages."
Mason stared at it, then took it slowly.
As they walked out together, Jun lingered by his side. Her eyes flicked to his lips, then back up.
She leaned in, slow and deliberate. But Mason tilted his head slightly, just enough to avoid the kiss.
"Scared?" she asked, half-playful, half-wounded.
"I like you," Mason said. "Let's go on a proper date first before you try to slobber on me again."
Jun gasped. "Slobber?! I would never... or at least not this early in the relationship." she smirked
"Relationship?" he coughed.
"Let's go on that date and find out," she said, laughing as she walked away.
Tyler stood in front of the mirror in a Light-blue dress shirt, black pants, and freshly polished church shoes. The color was almost the same shade as his eyes when they glowed. For once, he didn't look like someone carrying the weight of a supernatural curse.
Uncle Rick walked past and did a double-take. "What's the occasion? You look like you're going to prom."
Tyler smiled. "I've got a date."
Rick raised an eyebrow. "With?"
"The most beautiful girl in the world."
Rick chuckled. "Can't wait to meet her. But don't forget—me, you, and Mason still need to talk. I've got something to tell you boys. And I've got questions from the other night you two keep dodging."
Tyler's smile faded slightly. "I know. We'll talk soon."
Rick clapped him on the shoulder. "Tomorrow. Tonight, go enjoy yourself."
Tyler nodded. "Thanks, Uncle Rick."
Selene was waiting at the park's edge, radiant in a fitted blue dress and heels, her hair pinned up in elegant curls.
Tyler blinked. "We're matching?"
She smiled. "Color coordination. I didn't take you for the romantic type."
"I'm full of surprises."
Dinner was lively. Tyler devoured three entrées while Selene laughed and teased him.
"You eat like a starving wolf."
"Guess I worked up an appetite," he said, smirking.
They left the restaurant hand in hand, the streets glowing under golden streetlights. She leaned into him as they walked through the quiet park. They stopped near a wide field, dew settling on the grass under the dusk sky.
Tyler cupped her face, his voice soft. "I can't stop thinking about you."
"Then don't," she whispered.
Their lips met, slow and deep. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.
Time melted.
They lay in the grass, his jacket beneath them, fingers tangled, breath mingling. Kissing.
A loud ping went off in his head
[System Notification: Full Moon in 1 Hour.]
Tyler's heart skipped. He sat up fast.
Selene blinked. "What's wrong?"
He fumbled. "Nothing. Just... the time."
She checked her phone and swore. "Crap. I'm late, I have something with my family. My dad's a hardass about punctuality."
Tyler frowned. "I wish we had more time."
She leaned in, kissed him again, lingering, passionate. "We will. I promise."
Then she turned and ran, disappearing into the darkness.
Tyler stared after her, heart still racing.
Tyler staggered through the workshop doors at 8:58 PM. His hands were already shaking. Vision hazy. Pain climbing his spine.
"Tyler!" Mason shouted. "You're late and you're already transforming!"
Tyler dropped to his knees, eyes golden. "It was worth it…"
"Worth it? Worth killing someone?!"
Mason rushed to him, locking the first two chains around his arms.
"Get out," Tyler growled. "I can't hold it!"
Mason locked the third chain around Tyler's midsection just as his skin split, fur tearing through.
He pulled the tranquilizer gun and fired—but the dart barely pierced Tyler's thick fury hide.
Mason backed away. "I told you this was a bad idea!"
Tyler's limbs twisted. Bones snapping. Claws burst from his fingers.
Mason dove out, slammed the reinforced door, and locked it.
Inside, the thing that had been Tyler let out a howl that split the night sky.