It's the night of The Catalyst Moon! Shits about to go down!

The night of the Catalyst Moon. The birth of Asxairo. The grounds of The Catalyst Oath.

These events seemed to form the big day as the sun rose up from its slumber, brightening up the clouds in hues of pepper gray and island yellow. The wind outside was strong, filled with so much force and the birds in the sky soared high, crying their songs to the heavens.

Even the water in the lake itself seemed to shake with fear and anticipation, a clear blue that seemed to turn dark as the hours passed by.

All around Serius, festivals began. Decorations hung on the roofs of houses and stores, the streets covered in apex beads and silver dust to celebrate the moon. Children dressed in colorful clothing, their best with detailed stitching and beaded strings plaited into their hairs. The beat of drums, the sweet tunes of flutes and even the strums of guitars and harps danced all the way from the market square to the mansions, people dancing with each other along the way as they celebrated.

Immortal worshipers walked around in gray cloaks, chanting words of ancient languages, the mark of the moon clear on the forehead and the aroma of spices, sweets, and greens and liquor danced in the air, a day for true celebration.

Inside the protective doors of Draco's mansion, everyone bustled around, preparing the necessary needs for the big day. Yongui and Venix practiced the spells and ancient words they were to utter under the oath while Castrin and Lucien sharpened swords and weapons.

Draco was reading books of the past oaths in the living room while Alesandria was out in the garden with her mother and brother, feeding the shapeshifting horses and tending to herbs. She had requested a personal day off for a few hours, hoping it would calm her beating heart.

Meanwhile Onyx and Rheynoak sparred upstairs, their personal swords clashing against each other as they did so. The Mind Siphon was quick, learning his defenses and weakness at first glance but the Hell Siphon was cautious, making sure to wait out his attacks.

She grunted as he aimed a kick at her shins, causing her to stumble and giving him enough time to turn her around and circle his sword around her neck. "Not so slick now, sweetheart" he rasped into her ear, his breath tickling her skin.

"You fool" she simply replied, grasping a hold of his wrist. A scream tore from him, moments of his life flashing before her eyes in quick lights. Anguish and pain and suffering shook her body, her guts twisting.

Growling, she turned around and aimed a kick in his abdomen. His body flew, a hiss escaping his lips as his back met the wall, the snapping of his bones rattling in her ear. "Bloody hell, I forgot how strong your kind is."

"Never forget it" she replied back to him, helping him up. Rheynoak groaned, grasping a hold on her fingers as he pulled himself up, his sword in his other hand. "It's hard to forget certain things, trust me" he replied back, holding her onto her hand.

Onyx sighed, casting her gaze down to their conjoined hands. Her veins glowed blue as his glowed red, all his feelings pouring into her soul. Wanting, love pooled in her veins and locked her heart in an unbreakable bond. Memories of their kiss flooded her mind, the way his hands danced around the curves of her body and his lips molded with hers.

"I can't answer your question, Rheynoak. What happened last night was so unexpected and it caught me off guard. And as much as I feel something for you, I don't about being your queen." The words left her lips in a painful whisper, seeing hurt flash across his eyes before disappearing.

"I am a horrible person" he whispered back to her, squeezing her fingers lightly. "I do things for my own benefit and I am selfish and corrupted in so many ways. But with you Onyx, I feel some sense of happiness, some sense of sanity. You challenge me, you make me fight back and I can wholeheartedly say that I am somewhat a better person when I'm around you."

The tribe leader's fingers brushed against her cheeks, tickling her skin lightly and the Siphon sucked in a breath. Inside her chest, her heart hammered at the speed of light and her mind was spinning in a delirious blaze. "I don't know, Rheynoak" she whispered, shaking her head. "I just don't know."

Giving his fingers one last squeeze, Onyx sighed and let go, running her fingers through her hair as she exited the training room. He simply watched as she disappeared from his sight, cursing to himself when she was gone.

Evening came and the festivals were in full blasts. Colors decorated the scene outside, parades dancing among cobblestone paths and music filling the air. The smell of food drifted around Serius even from the farthest villages to the closest mansions. Parties were everywhere, glitter raining from the sky and sound of laughter filling the air.

In the quiet atmosphere of her room, Onyx fitted into the hugging emerald dress draped in gold glitter and pearls.

The neckline of her dress hugged her throat, the pearls decorating her neck and down to her collarbone. The rest of the dress hugged her curvy figures down to her feet where there was a slit at the side, showcasing her legs and the gold heels she wore.

She wore her hair down in elegant curls, her lips painted in a clear gloss.

Fixing the rings on her fingers, she barely paid attention as the door opened and Draco stepped in, his eyes wandering over to the oblivious Mind Siphon. A smile lit his lips, watching as she fixed the rings on her fingers. His ringed eyes admired her curves through the dress, her beauty so much more heightened.

Clearing his throat, the emperor said, "Are you ready? Everyone is waiting downstairs" he said, capturing her attention. She looked up, smiling at him briefly. "As ready as I'll ever be," she said, clasping her hands together. "Although I do wonder why we have to dress so elegantly."

"It's the night of the Catalyst Moon, dear. The birth of Asxairo." He took a few steps towards her, his light eyes tracing over the delicate details of her face. "Parties and festivals are lighting up the streets and everyone is wearing their best attire. It would be strange if we didn't blend in as well."

Onyx laughed, shaking her head. "I suppose you are right," she said, walking over to her bed and crouching underneath to take out her trusty sword. "But Alesandria's life hangs in the balance of tonight and if anything goes wrong, I won't be able to forgive myself."

The Siphon slid her sword up the slit of her dress, hiding it in the back strap where no one could see it. Draco had to push himself to look away from the slither of skin the slit revealed. "It will be fine, I promise," he said.

The Mind Siphon sighed, directing her gaze over to the open window where the lights of festivals and parades continued to light up the streets while the stars lit up the dark sky. "It's just that we have come so far searching for answers that led us to more questions. It gets exhausting at times and tonight is supposed to reveal the truth. I'm just not sure if the truth is the right answer."

Draco couldn't fight the smile that slid on his face, his hands cupping her face so delicately. Her breath hitched in her throat at his sudden touch, her emerald ringed eyes looking up to meet his. "There are some people that never find their answers. There are others that wish upon a star and there are others that dream on starless nights. And there are others that listen to the wind."

His gaze went over to the star-filled sky, stroking her cheek lightly. "But all of them look up to the sky for the answers they wish to see, Onyx. Maybe we won't find all of the answers tonight, maybe there will be more questions but trust me. Underneath the sky and the Catalyst Moon, everything will be revealed when the time is right."

The Mind Siphon smiled, breathing a sigh of relief when his hands dropped from her face. "I hope so" she muttered, bowing her head. She turned around and headed towards the slightly open door.

"You look beautiful, Onyx" Draco said to her as she made her way out. The Mind Siphon turned back to meet his gaze, a bright smile on her lips.

"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself" she said, twirling her fingers towards the bedazzled cloak he wore. "The gold embellishments are a nice touch."

And with that, she left, leaving the emperor to question his heart about the Siphon.

"And she arrives after years of torture."

Onyx rolled her eyes at Venix as she descended the stairs into the first floor with Draco, holding her dress so she wouldn't fall. "It takes years to look this good, witch" she replied back to her friend, who looked just as beautiful with a scarlet dress that plunged at the neckline and swayed to the floor, nearly covering the scarlet shoes she wore. Her white hair flowed to her waist, her iron nails on display.

"It only took me minutes." The two friends shared a laugh. Everyone was present and ready. Yongui wore a traditional black floral robe dress that hugged her curves and winged black shoes. Lucien wore a rather dashing silver trench coat over his black attire while Rheynoak went more casual with a midnight blue cloak over his dark attires.

Castrin and Draco both wore embellished cloaks over their button-down shirts and black pants, Castrin silver embellishments differentiating from Draco's gold ones.

"Where is the guest of honor?" Yongui asked, crossing her hands over her chest. "We don't have much to perform this. The Moon is almost at its high peak." As if that were her cue, footsteps echoed down the halls and Alesandria stepped out in a white dress embellished with silver. Her dark hair hung in loose curls, her smile bright.

Parcia and Eros followed close, dressed equally nice in colorful outfits for the festivities outside.

"You look beautiful, Alesandria" Castrin commented, smiling at her. She simply blushed, nodding her head. "Thank you" she whispered, clasping her hands. "She always looks beautiful," Eros said from behind her, stirring a joyful laugh from everyone else.

"Before we go, I think we all need a little bit of encouragement," Yongui said, walking over to a nearby table and taking the bottle of wine from it. "This is the last bottle of Ihaki wine and I am sad to see it go but let's make a toast before we leave. I'll go first."

She opened the bottle of wine, swirling the dark liquor inside before speaking. "I dedicate this to those who see the heart underneath the beast," she said, taking a swing of the wine and passing the bottle over to Castrin.

"To those who see the good in others, I salute you for your foolishness but applaud you for your innocence," he said, taking a sip of the wine and passing it on. "To those who see light when there is only darkness," Draco said, tipping the bottle back to his lips.

Lucien took it next, staring hard at the liquor. "I dedicate this to the loyal souls that will stop at nothing to uncover the truth. They are the ones that are willing to get hurt." Rheynoak glanced at him but the Hell Siphon didn't, simply drinking the wine and passing it on to Venix.

"To those who sacrificed their lives and blood for others," she said, smiling gently at Onyx who returned the favor. The bottle was passed around again to Rheynoak, who simply took a drink and said, "To those who are misunderstood."

The bottle came down to Onyx and Alesandria. There was only a little left but there was no need for either of them to take turns when they both uttered the same thing. "To those who stick by you, beginning to end."

They both shared a laugh, each taking a swing of the wine. There was only some left swirling around in the bottle and Parcia took it, smiling gently. "I dedicate this last drink to the immortals with a mortal heart. They are the true fighters."

Everyone smiled, bowing their heads as she took the last drink and gave the bottle to Eros. "To new friends!" he exclaimed, putting the bottle to his lips even though there was nothing left.

Laughter wandered around the room again in pure happiness. "Okay, we have minutes left to get to the Erabon Mountains. Let's get going" Onyx said, looking over at the door.

Within minutes, Draco had gathered the necessary equipment he needed in a bag and they all headed out the door towards the side of the mansion where their shape-shifting horses awaited, their reins bedazzled with silver and pearls.

"Mom, you have to get somewhere safe," Alesandria said as they all headed towards the mansion gates. "Blend in and try to be safe, please" she pleaded as the magical barrier around the mansion opened the mansion gates.

"I'll blend in with the parade and festivities" Parcia reassured her daughter, reaching over and squeezing her hand. "Please, be careful" she pleaded, water swimming in her eyes.

"I will mom. I love you and Eros so much. please be safe" Alesandria pleaded through teary eyes, a tear rolling down her cheek. Her mother nodded, squeezing her fingers once again. "We love you too. Please be safe."

And with that, she pulled on the reins of her horse and disappeared into the crowd of festivities along with her brother, their shadow consumed by the bright lights.

Sighing, Alesandria simply tugged on the reins of her shapeshifting horse to lead the others to the Erabon Mountains, passing by the celebration to the old woods in Serius that was mostly abandoned.

It was there that their once elegant horses transformed into powerful, breathtaking beasts. Leathery wings spanning to the sky and their eyes ringed with a dark color that matched the scales on their body.

A roar escaped the creature's mouths and with one tug of their reins, they lifted their masters into the sky, soaring them to the calling depths of the mountains. 

A/N: And that is the end of another chapter!

The next chapter is when the epic showdown happens and I am honestly so excited! After all the ups and downs I have put you all through, I think it's about time we finally reach the epic climax!

And trust me, it is epic!

But can we talk about how the horses turned into dragons?!

Fucking dragons! Please, Draco get me one! Preferably dark blue XD

Thank you guys for all your constant support. It means so much to me that you enjoy this book. I enjoy writing it and to hear your feedback always makes my day!

So tell me what your thoughts are on this chapter and don't forget to comment down below and vote if you liked it.

Until next time Lovelies!

With love, May