Chapter 47: Smoke Beneath the Moon

The morning after Selene returned from the Mooncrest estate, Mystic Blood Valley felt strangely quiet.

Not peaceful.

Waiting.

Gene noticed it immediately.

The skies above the valley remained beautiful.

A deep twilight of blues streaked with silver clouds floating gently by.

The atmosphere beneath them, however,had changed.

The world itself now felt tense.

Like a breath getting held for far too long.

Gene stood on the balcony outside his room as the distant mountain loomed just beyond the valley.

Even from miles away, anyone watching can see dark storms circled its peak endlessly.

He still couldn’t stop thinking about the prophecy they read.

Or the locked box.

Or Prince Cassian’s warning.

Behind him, the balcony door opened softly.

Selene stepped outside carrying two cups of tea.

Gene smiled faintly.

“Morning you.”

“Morning.”

She handed him a cup and leaned against the railing beside him.

For a while, neither spoke.

The silence between them was comfortable.

Familiar.

Then Gene finally asked the question he had been waiting to ask since her return.

“So… What did your parents tell you?”

Selene exhaled slowly.

“A lot.”

⸻

Dreamseers

An hour later, Gene and Selene sat across from Moira Valecourt in her home nearby the Seventh Tower.

Moira’s residence looked exactly how Gene imagined an obsessive archivist’s home would look.

Books everywhere.

Scrolls stacked in towers.

Tea cups balanced dangerously atop ancient manuscripts.

Half-finished notes covered every surface.

A cat-shaped magical construct slept atop a bookshelf.

Moira sat cross-legged in an oversized chair while furiously scribbling notes as Selene explained everything.

“The Mooncrest bloodline descends from Dreamseers,” Selene finished quietly.

Moira’s pen froze.

Then she looked up with a slightly amused face.

“You are joking…”

Selene shook her head.

“You’re serious.”

Selene nodded.

Gene rubbed his temples.

“We are trying to process the fact that Dreamseers are apparently real ourselves.”

Moira adjusted her glasses.

She ran out of sight and quickly came carrying a few ancient books.

“If old records are accurate, Dreamseers weren’t just your regular summoners.”

She leaned forward excitedly.

“They were something closer to architects of reality. Whatever they summon can actually live on after the summoner passes. It’s like the world snakes above the market world. They are eternally there unless something powerful can destroy them.”

Gene blinked.

“That sounds… a bit dangerous but makes sense.”

“It is definitely academically fascinating.”

Selene smiled weakly.

“My grandmother apparently believed Gene and I are tied to some ancient inheritance.”

Moira nodded thoughtfully.

“The prophecy is definitely pointing to that.”

Gene leaned back in his chair.

“I miss when my biggest concern was whether a mimic would eat a tourist.”

Moira laughed.

“You say that like it stopped happening.”

“Touché.”

⸻

Planning the Future

The three spent most of the morning discussing possibilities.

Could the mountain be connected to the Devourer Beyond the Veil?

What exactly was the inheritance?

Why had the Fourth Tower remained sealed for centuries?

And perhaps most importantly…

Who else knew about this prophecy?

Moira pulled several ancient maps from a cabinet.

“These markings appeared in multiple Dreamseer records.”

She pointed to symbols matching the shape of Selene’s necklace.

“Your family wasn’t the only bloodline involved.”

Selene frowned.

“There were others?”

Moira nodded.

“At least four major guardian families.”

Gene crossed his arms.

“And what happened to them?”

Moira’s expression darkened.

“They either were absorbed into larger families or vanished.”

The room fell silent.

Gene exchanged a glance with Selene.

Neither liked the sound of that.

⸻

Preparing for Battle

Unfortunately, looming ancient doom did not excuse Selene from noble obligations.

By midday, they were preparing for her scheduled arena match against Lady Aurelia Valmont.

Selene stood before a mirror adjusting her elegant silver battle attire.

Gene leaned against the doorway watching her.

“You’re going to destroy her.”

Selene sighed.

“That’s what worries me.”

Gene blinked.

“You’re worried about winning?”

“She challenged me because of jealousy, Gene. I don’t actually want to humiliate her.”

Moira snorted from the couch.

“She literally demanded a public duel over Prince Cassian. All of you tried to tell her to stop the fight, right?”

Selene groaned.

“When you say it out loud, embarrassing her sounds even worse.”

Gene smiled and walked over to her.

He rested his hands on her waist.

“Just be careful.”

Selene kissed him softly.

“I will.”

Then she smirked.

“I will try to only embarrass her a little bit.”

⸻

The Arena

The arena was packed.

Noble duels always attracted crowds, but the appearance of Selene Mooncrest guaranteed a full audience.

Whispers spread through the stands as she entered the battlefield.

Gene and Moira took seats near the front.

Across the arena stood Lady Aurelia Valmont.

She was beautiful in the polished, aristocratic way many nobles were beautiful.

Golden hair.

Emerald robes.

Sharp green eyes.

Unfortunately, the expression on her face ruined the effect entirely.

She was absolutely furious.

When she spotted Selene entering calmly, her eye twitched slightly.

Her face resembled an angry squirrel that was feeding lemons and thrown into a simmering pasta sauce.

Sour, red, and unappetizing.

Gene leaned toward Moira.

“She looks like she’s crazy enough to bite through a wall.”

Moira nodded and threw a few popcorns into her mouth,

“Jealousy is a powerful motivator.”

The announcer’s voice boomed across the arena.

“Today’s duel: Lady Selene Mooncrest versus Lady Aurelia Valmont!”

Cheers erupted.

Aurelia stepped forward dramatically.

“I will prove to you, that I am superior!”

Selene blinked.

“Well…Good afternoon to you too.”

⸻

An Unfortunate Scaling Issue

The duel began.

Aurelia immediately summoned her forces.

Three summoning circles appeared.

From them emerged:

• An elderly archmage clad in storm-blue robes.

• Two apprentice mages carrying crystal staffs.

Gene frowned slightly.

“That’s all?”

Moira adjusted her glasses.

“She’s relying on her magical synergy.”

The archmage raised his staff.

Wind exploded across the arena.

The apprentices amplified the spell.

Tornado-like currents spiraled toward Selene.

Selene sighed.

“I really hop this won’t cause things to escalate.”

Silver light erupted above her.

Argentwing descended into the arena.

The massive silver dragon landed gracefully.

The crowd gasped in awe.

The archmage shouted something that sounded dramatic.

The wind spell intensified kicking up clouds of dust.

Argentwing blinked to clear dust from its eyes.

It felt a subtle itching in its nostrils. 

Argentwing breathed in trying to clear the irritation.

Failing, the dragon sneezed.

A massive cone of silver fire exploded out from the dragon’s mouth.

The tornado made of dust ignited instantly.

The sneeze sent the tornado attack flying back to the original senders.

The archmage screamed as he vanished in a burst of flame.

The apprentices had enough time to look horrified before they too disappeared beneath the inferno.

The arena fell silent.

Smoke drifted lazily across the battlefield.

Aurelia stared at the scorched crater where her summons had been standing.

Argentwing now finished pawing at its nose, tilted his head innocently.

Selene slowly lowered her hand.

“…That was not supposed to happen.”

Gene buried his face in his hands while Moira laughed so hard she nearly fell out of her chair.

The announcer looked deeply traumatized.

“W-Winner… Lady Selene Mooncrest“

⸻

Noble Aftermath

As medics rushed onto the field to confirm the summoned mages had merely been forcibly unsummoned rather than permanently killed, Aurelia stood frozen in shock.

Selene approached carefully.

“Um Lady Aurelia—”

“Your dragon sneezed on them.”

Selene nodded awkwardly.

“Yes. I am so sorry! We can totally have another battle if you wish.”

Aurelia looked as though she might cry.

Then she turned and stormed away in silence.

Gene winced.

“That somehow feels like you made it worse.”

Moira wiped tears from her eyes.

“I’ve never seen someone lose a duel because of dragon allergies.”

Selene covered her face.

“I didn’t even get to issue an attack command.”

Argentwing rumbled apologetically.

The dragon genuinely seemed embarrassed.

⸻

The Hooded Prince

By the time they exited the arena district, evening had settled across the city.

Market lanterns glowed warmly.

Street performers played music.

Crowds moved through the plazas.

Gene carried several bags while Selene and Moira discussed possible battle regulations regarding accidental dragon sneezing.

That was when someone collided lightly with Gene’s shoulder.

“Careful…”

The stranger pulled his hood lower.

Golden eyes flashed briefly beneath the fabric.

Prince Cassian.

Gene stiffened immediately.

Selene’s eyes widened.

Cassian spoke quickly and quietly.

“I have to tell you something important….”

Gene glanced around.

For the first time, he noticed figures lingering unnaturally in nearby alleyways.

Dark shapes with sinister eyes.

Watching.

Waiting.

Cassian leaned closer lowering his voice to a whisper.

“Meet me at Moira’s office. Two days from now.”

Selene frowned.

“Cassian, what’s going on?”

His jaw tightened.

“I finally found proof.”

Gene’s pulse quickened.

“Proof of what?”

Cassian looked toward the shadows.

“The prophecy isn’t the only….“

Then his expression shifted.

Fear.

Real fear.

“Be careful who you trust here.”

Before they could ask another question, Cassian turned sharply and disappeared into the crowd.

Almost immediately, several shadowy figures began moving after him.

Not guards.

Not ordinary people.

Something about them felt wrong.

Gene narrowed his eyes.

“Did you see that?”

Moira looked pale.

“Yes.”

Selene touched her glowing necklace uneasily.

“They were following him.”

Gene stared toward the crowded street where Cassian had vanished.

“What exactly did he discover?”

⸻

Market Comforts

The tension lingered heavily after the encounter.

So naturally, Moira insisted they buy snacks.

“Ancient conspiracies are easier to process with candied fruit.”

Gene couldn’t argue with that logic.

The city market bustled with evening activity.

Vendors shouted advertisements.

Lanterns cast golden light over colorful stalls.

The smells of spices, roasted meat, pastries, and fresh produce filled the air.

Selene visibly relaxed as they wandered through the market together.

Gene bought:

• A large barrel of mountain honey.

• Several crates of exotic moonfruit.

• Candied nuts for Lilith.

• Rare tea leaves for Mother Sarah.

• Spiced meat sticks for Jesse Belle.

• Imported cooking herbs for Lucien.

Moira also somehow acquired twelve books despite specifically claiming she would “only browse.”

Gene pointed at the stack.

“You’re addicted.”

Moira hugged the books protectively.

“I can stop anytime I want.”

Selene laughed softly.

For a little while, things almost felt normal again.

⸻

Returning Home

The portal back to Mystic Blood Valley shimmered beneath the twilight sky.

As Gene stepped through carrying the honey barrel over one shoulder, the familiar sight of the Nightmare Grand Hotel immediately eased some of the tension in his chest.

Warm lights glowed from the windows.

Ravens perched along the rooftops.

Ghost Children laughed somewhere near the academy.

Home.

Lilith spotted them first.

“You’re back!”

She sprinted toward them.

Then immediately noticed the candy.

“YOU BROUGHT TREASURES.”

Gene nearly fell over as she collided with him.

Moira laughed.

“She gets that from you, you know.”

Gene pointed accusingly.

“Well, atleast I didn’t buy twelve books.”

“These are educational treasures I’ will have you know.”

Lilith gasped as Chomper waddled over hopefully.

“Can Chomper have fruit?”

Gene looked at the mimic.

The mimic looked at the fruit.

The fruit looked doomed.

Gene sighed.

“Fine you can only have ONE .”

Chomper vibrated with joy.

⸻

Shadows Ahead

Later that night, after the gifts had been distributed and the hotel settled into peaceful evening quiet, Gene stood beside Selene on the balcony outside their room.

The distant mountain remained visible beneath swirling storm clouds.

Selene rested her head against his shoulder.

“You’re worried.”

Gene wrapped an arm around her.

“Cassian’s situation kind of worries me.”

Selene nodded slowly.

“It’s unnerving me too.”

The wind stirred around them.

Far in the distance, lightning flashed above the mysterious mountain.

Gene looked toward the horizon.

In two days.

Whatever Cassian had discovered…

Everything was about to change.