Esmeralda shuttered, wiping the tears from her face. Vampire culture embraces ancient traditions, either those of royal blood marrying nobles or other royals. No vampire had broken this unspoken rule in a thousand years. However, Ashton had confessed multiple times that he had held romantic feelings for Esmeralda. But she saw herself as a common shaman, neither confident with her own emotions. Or willing to claim the title the pack gave her, she ventured through the night markets, a harp playing a soothing sound on the stage. The vendors lit up their sails with captured will 'o' wisps, even now the exotic foods draw people towards the popular markets,
They solid untested devices of advanced technology not even available to the common people. Whispers and black stares followed Esmeralda because wolf shifters were a rare sight inside Celestial City,
Esmeralda wove her way through the thinning crowds, heading towards the east gate. She slipped through the opening gates, going undetected by the enforcers posted by the wall. They escorted a caravan into the city carrying mist fairly travellers, overhead the twilight sky sparked with thousands of golden and sliver stars. Esmeralda dug her feet into the soil, grounding herself. She crouched down, listening to the river flowing nearby. The song of the wolves rung out across the winds. Esmeralda clawed at the mud, her mind becoming one with the Wolfvain forest.

The pack moved last summer, south of the river. With every exhale and inhale, she calmed the butterflies fluttering inside her stomach, and questions lingered within her mind: Would back? Or had they replaced her with a capable shaman?

Two young wolves appeared from the shadows of the trees, their coats blending in with the forest. They studied her curiously before bowing. Emerald nodded, acknowledging their manners as they crossed the old stone bridge. The raging river flowing beneath them,
They escorted her upriver, where the current was quieter, until she swam across the sliver river. Along the bank, the water sparkled in the starlight. Esmeralda recalled fond memories playing with the alpha on slow evenings.
She longed for the days before the curse had separated her from the pack; they stayed as wolves while she had lost the ability to change into animal form. As Esmeralda walked into camp, the wolves howled in joy, their melodic voices echoing through the trees, welcoming her back. The scent of burning torches filled the air, their warm flickers casting dancing shadows in the wind. In the air, the mist fairies flitted about, creating a gentle breeze with their delicate wings as they used wooden tools to tend the growing crops. Aromatic notes of fresh earth and wild herbs wafted through the air, supplying both sustenance and medicinal benefits to the wolves in the pack. The camp had expanded, now occupying twice as much space as the previous summer. Litters of new pups frolicked in the grass, their joyful yips mixing with the low growls of their watchful parents. Esmeralda approached the alpha's tent, the fabric flap rustling as she pushed it back, revealing the humble surroundings within.

She had never seen her leader so vulnerable before. She sat beside him, stoking his damp fur, humming the songs of their ancestors. He sniffed, inhaling her scent.
'You reek of panther, Esmeralda. Taylor misunderstands the meaning of borrowing you.' She felt his words in her mind. He yawned and stretched.
Esmeralda laughed, perhaps, but our mission took longer than expected. I know it's been an entire summer since we last saw each other.
The alpha's golden eyes met hers, with no judgement, only concern. They were the same age, but his eyes bore a deep wisdom. Esmeralda sighed. "I am conflicted alpha, I love the pack with my soul, but I wish for a future with Ashton Shadowthorn,"
"I wish you happiness Sharman, however I do not approve of the vampire prince," The day has arrived. You must prove you are worthy of the Earth's stone. "This is a test of bravery, resoluteness, and intelligence," Sebastián said. Esmeralda's mouth hung open in shock. She closed her eyes, recalling the freezing winter many years ago when her mother had prepared for the same trial. Esmeralda had walked with her mother to the mouth of the cave. That was the last time she saw her. Her mother's scent still lingered around the red mountain, and Esmeralda sometimes caught it on the breeze. Tears escaped Esmeralda's eyes. She wiped them away.

My apologies, Esmeralda. I didn't mean to stir up terrible memories of your mother. I'll be your guide to the red mountain."
Sebastian smiled. "I will wait by the mouth of the cave." Sebastian led her out of the village. He seemed calm, even leaped with excitement. Esmeralda, however, didn't feel comfortable with her abilities. Doubts lingered in her mind.
Sebatian noticed her discomfort. "It's natural to be scared, but running away isn't the answer," he mumbled.
They made their way up the narrow mountain trail, the soft winds whispering a warning for them to stay away as they reached the mouth of the cave. Sebastián tensed. Esmeralda patted the wolf. "I can come no further with you. Until we meet again, Esmeralda." He watched for a moment as she stepped into the cave's opening, before turning away and leaving the frightened girl alone.

Esmeralda shivered when she entered the darkness. Her eyes glowed, drawing in the rest of the light. Her ears detected the screeching of bats, she ducked her head avoiding the flock, droplets of water dropped onto her nose from above her head.
Esmeralda took slow, careful steps, the ground rocky and uneven, the earthy smell of moss filled her nose, arms outstretched, touching the rough walls, revealing a glowing green crystal that hummed gently, the sound echoing through the cave. She pulled the crystal free, using the bright jade shine to light her way through the chambers.

A soft voice echoing down the passageway urged her to remain still. Esmeralda searched around wildly for the source of the voice, but saw nothing except cracks of light. she clast the jade light on the ground, watching a snake slither across her boots. She squealed, leaning against the wall,
Her heart pounded, she ran into the larger chamber, hundreds of jade crystals hung from the ceiling, she clipped the shard to her belt,
"Congratulations on having the courage to enter Esmeralda. A sweet, enthusiastic voice echoed along the chamber.
Esmeralda circled, growled, "Show yourself. "I won't speak to the wind like a raving madwoman," Esmeralda's voice echoed against the howling gusts, the sound carrying away with the invisible currents.
"Very well," the musical voice chimed, its ethereal melody drifting through the air. An apparition materialised before her, a woman with flowing red hair that danced in the wind, and dark stormy eyes that seemed to hold secrets untold. Esmeralda recognised her as an ancestor, a connection to her past.

As the woman gently placed a hand on Esmeralda's shoulder, a surge of warmth spread through her body, infusing her with both courage and love. The sensation was comforting, like being wrapped in a soft embrace.

"Time is short, Esmeralda," the woman spoke with urgency, her voice filled with a sense of purpose. "The cave senses your intrusion. Follow the darkest path until you reach the stone bridge." With those words, the woman vanished, leaving behind a lingering scent of jasmine, a reminder of her presence.

Esmeralda stood there for a moment, the weight of her ancestor's guidance settling upon her. She knew she had no time to waste. With determination in her heart, she set off. Six chambers branched off from the main chamber. Esmeralda examined them, choosing the darkest tunnel. A rumble echoed from above her. Loose rocks and dusted choked the air, a rockslide disturbing the entrance and blocking the tunnel. Esmeralda touched the rocks. Signing, she coughed, inhaling a cloud of dust.
Well, I won't be going out the way I came in, she thought. Faded and deep claw marks guided her way. She couldn't think about how many other Sherman had lost their lives in the network of caves. The markings acted as directions, Esmeralda turned west, then east, wondering how long her legs carried her.
Catching her breath, she stopped, her beaded hair sticky with sweat, her foot caught on a sharp rock. With a small cry, she stumbled forward and fell on her face, grazing her cheek.

She stood, touching the warm trickle of blood. Another rockfall began. She broke into a dash, weaving away from the failing rocks, spotting a light at the end of the tunnel. Her heart pounding. She prayed to the ancestors. She jumped before a massive boulder fell, sealing her inside the chamber.
"I am so fucking over this cave trying to kill me," Esmeralda shouted, standing on the stone bridge. She heard the swirling river below, Esmeralda griped, daring not to look into the gloom, terrified at the creatures lurking in the water,
She laughed with joy. "Congratulations on passing the first test. You showed bravery, choosing the darkest path."
A man said. The apparition smiled, his ocean blue eyes held a jade gleam from the crystals. He wore a wolf pelt, holding a spear, he wore the same carved claw Esmeralda wore. She bowed her head in respect.
'I am ready for the second test,' she replied. Dark magic crackled above her head.
'The bridge holds a trap. Follow your instincts,' Esmeralda's ancestor spoke gravely.
"The bridge will break," Esmeralda muttered. "What will save me?"
"The water,' her ancestor replied. Symbols appeared on the cave wall. Esmeralda reached out and touched them.
They warmed underneath her palm. Images of a woman scratching the symbols into the wall flickered. The symbols represented wolves, blood magic, nature. There was a cryptic message:
When the cruse lifts search for me where the mists touch the earth, where snow constantly fails and rain rises, love you Esmeralda mother,
Tears fell, the stench of dark magic burned her nose, the crystals turned onyx releasing a foul haze, the stones on the bridge floated, breaking away, she plunged into the icy deaths of the obsidian river, gasping she fought to keep her head above water, the currants flowing swiftly
Her body numbed, she kicked towards a nearby island, pulling herself up onto the massive rock,
Esmeralda parted the soaking strains of her hair. A shaft of moonlight shone on an indent holding a small jade stone. She grasped her wet fingers around the pebble, pulling with her remaining strength, nearly taking another plunge into the river.

The stone popped free, but the cluster of crystals faded until Esmeralda became surrounded by darkness, the shadows move of their own will, something created ripples in the river, Esmeralda fumbled for the shard dropping it into the water with a splash.
"For fuck's sake,"

The woman appeared before her bathed in an eternal golden light, "Your last test, used what you learnt and discover the hidden exit, may the wolf sing inside you,"
Her ancestors watched with anticipation from above. Esmeralda closed her eyes, clutching the earth stone to her heart. She pictured waves of light illuminating the shadows. Thousands of shadowy hands reached out, plucking her wet hair or tugging at her hands. Light shone from the stone, destroying the creatures and revealing a submerged passageway.
"You have earned your freedom, Sharmen. hurry," the ancestors warned.

Esmeralda waved her hand, holding the earth's stone. The river dried away, leaving a rocky pathway. She bowed, thanking them before taking a deep breath. Swimming through the submerged tunnel, a postotic fish emerged, chasing after her, knocking the tunnel walls with its colossal tail. The fish opened its mouth, trying to bite Esmeralda's leg. Esmeralda made it through. The narrow opening, the moonlight repealed the fish. She scrambled to the surface, finding safety on dry land. The river flowed from a large roaring waterfall at the base of the red mountain; She inhaled lungful of air, Sebatian licked her face relived, they returned to camp together, the mist fairies played drums, when Esmeralda triumphantly held up the earth stone, songs of joyous howls sang in the night, "May I present out new Sharman? Sebastian said, "Thank you, but I made a promise, Alpha. I'll return to the pack when my promise is fulfilled."
Esmeralda set her sights on the city, dark ominous clouds gathered, the mist fairies presented her with a woven necklace for the earth stone, she sprinted into the forest, a new conference flowing through her.