The cold wind continued blowing across the dark forest of Arkhan as Keya and Neya slowly walked back toward their tent residence.
The night felt strangely quiet.
Only the sound of rustling leaves and distant insects echoed through the forest. Moonlight slipped between the towering trees, casting pale shadows along the narrow path.
Neither of them spoke for several minutes.
Neya occasionally glanced toward her older sister. Something was clearly wrong. Usually, Keya would scold her for wandering too far while gathering mushrooms, but tonight she remained silent.
Too silent.
Even worse, her hands were trembling slightly.
"Keya... what exactly happened to you?" Neya finally asked softly.
Keya slowed her steps.
For a moment, she said nothing.
The image of the cave abyss still lingered inside her mind—the darkness, the strange laughter, and the terrifying figure who transformed into Neya.
Keya quietly clenched her fists.
"I entered the cave abyss while searching for you..."
Neya's eyes widened.
"You entered that place alone?!"
Her voice carried both shock and worry.
Everyone living near Arkhan Forest knew the stories about the abyss caves. Many people who entered never returned.
Some believed monsters lived there.
Others said ancient ruins were hidden beneath the caves.
But no matter which story was true, one thing remained the same.
The caves were dangerous.
Keya nodded slowly.
"I heard your voice calling for help... but it wasn't really you."
Neya's expression immediately turned serious.
"Then who was it?"
"Someone from the Aurelius Circle."
The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
Even the wind seemed to stop for a brief moment.
Neya tightened her grip on the basket she carried.
"So the strange man I met was telling the truth..."
Keya immediately turned toward her.
"You met someone too?!"
Neya nodded.
"Near the river."
The sisters stopped walking.
Neya took a deep breath before explaining everything she experienced.
The mysterious man hidden among the trees.
The glowing golden eyes.
The terrifying pressure that froze the forest itself.
And the warning about the Red Moon.
As Neya continued speaking, Keya's expression gradually darkened.
The Aurelius Circle had finally found them.
After years of hiding.
After years of avoiding cities and strangers.
Someone had discovered their existence.
When Neya finished speaking, silence once again surrounded them.
Keya slowly clenched her fists.
"This is bad..."
Her voice sounded weak.
Almost uncertain.
Neya looked carefully at her sister.
For as long as she could remember, Keya had always remained calm.
Even when monsters attacked.
Even during harsh winters.
Keya always protected her.
But now, for the first time in years, Neya could clearly see fear inside her sister's eyes.
"Very bad..." Keya whispered.
The sisters finally continued walking through the forest.
The deeper they traveled, the darker the surroundings became.
Large trees twisted toward the sky like giant claws. Cold mist slowly spread across the ground.
Neya tried to ignore the uneasy feeling growing inside her chest.
But she could not stop thinking about the mysterious man's words.
"The Red Moon will rise once again."
What did it mean?
And why did it sound like a warning?
After several more minutes of walking, the twins finally arrived at their hidden residence deep inside Arkhan Forest.
Their home was simple.
A medium-sized tent stood beside several giant trees. Nearby, stacks of firewood were neatly arranged beside a small campfire pit.
The fire had almost gone out.
Only faint orange embers remained glowing within the ashes.
Neya quietly sat near the fire while staring at the remaining flames.
The warmth felt comforting against the cold night air.
But it did little to calm her restless mind.
"Keya..."
Keya looked toward her.
Neya hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.
"Do you think they know who we really are?"
Keya remained silent.
For years, the twins had hidden themselves inside Arkhan Forest.
They avoided cities.
Avoided adventurers.
Avoided attention.
Because their powers were not normal.
Keya possessed the Monsoon Flower soul power.
A rare spiritual ability connected to nature itself.
Meanwhile, Neya possessed the Aureus Ignis flame.
A mysterious golden fire far stronger than ordinary flames.
Both powers were considered extremely rare.
And dangerous.
Long ago, their parents warned them never to reveal their abilities to strangers.
Especially not in Arkhan.
Because power attracted greed.
And greed often led to death.
Neya lowered her gaze toward the fire.
"Maybe we should've left Arkhan a long time ago..."
Keya slowly sat beside her sister.
"There was nowhere else for us to go."
The firelight reflected softly within Neya's eyes.
"Do you think Mom and Dad knew something like this would happen someday?"
Keya did not answer immediately.
The memories of their parents slowly returned.
Warm smiles.
Gentle voices.
And the final warning before they disappeared years ago.
"No matter what happens... never let others control your powers."
Keya closed her eyes briefly.
"Maybe they did," she answered softly.
The sisters quietly remained near the fire for several minutes.
Eventually, Neya stood up.
"I'm tired," she muttered.
Keya nodded.
"Get some rest."
Neya entered the tent slowly before lying beneath several blankets.
Usually, she fell asleep quickly.
But tonight was different.
Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the mysterious golden eyes watching her from the darkness.
Meanwhile, outside the tent, Keya remained awake.
She sat beside the dying fire while holding one of the Monsoon flowers growing nearby.
Its petals glowed faintly within the darkness.
Keya gently touched the flower.
"Please protect us..."
The night wind blew softly.
Suddenly
Rustle...
Keya immediately stood.
Her sharp senses activated instantly.
"Who's there?!"
The forest remained silent.
Only darkness greeted her.
Still...
She could feel something.
A presence.
Watching.
Waiting.
Keya slowly summoned several glowing flower petals around her hands.
"Show yourself," she warned coldly.
But no answer came.
After several tense moments, the strange feeling finally disappeared.
Yet Keya could not calm down.
Someone had definitely been nearby.
Far away from their residence, a mysterious man stood on top of a massive tree branch while looking toward the moon.
The night wind moved his dark cloak gently.
Golden eyes glowed beneath his hood.
The man slowly smiled.
"The twins have awakened..."
His voice echoed quietly within the night.
The Aurelius Circle had searched for them for years.
Now, the search was finally over.
The mysterious figure slowly raised his hand as dark spiritual energy gathered around his fingers.
"Soon... the child of the Red Moon will awaken as well."
For a brief moment, the wind became violent around him.
The surrounding branches shook violently.
His golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"And when that happens..."
A dark smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Arkhan's fate will finally begin to move."
Below the giant tree, several shadowy figures slowly emerged from the darkness.
Each of them wore black cloaks marked with a strange golden symbol.
The symbol of the Aurelius Circle.
One of the cloaked figures knelt respectfully.
"Sir Aureus... the forest scouts have confirmed unusual spiritual movements across northern Arkhan."
The golden-eyed man remained silent.
Another figure stepped forward.
"Do you believe the prophecy is truly beginning?"
The mysterious man slowly looked toward the moon hidden behind crimson clouds.
"Prophecies are merely possibilities," he answered calmly.
"But destiny..."
His golden eyes glowed brighter.
"Destiny is inevitable."
The cloaked figures lowered their heads.
None of them dared question him further.
The man known as Aureus slowly turned toward the distant forest.
Toward the location of the twin sisters.
"Watch them carefully," he ordered.
"Do not engage unless necessary."
"Understood," the cloaked figures answered together.
Within seconds, they disappeared into the darkness.
Aureus remained alone atop the giant tree.
For a moment, he simply stared toward the moon in silence.
Then he quietly whispered:
"Red Moon child..."
"Where are you hiding?"
Back at the twins' residence, the fire had finally gone out.
Inside the tent, Neya slowly opened her eyes.
She could hear soft footsteps outside.
"Keya...?" she called sleepily.
"It's me," Keya answered softly.
Neya slowly sat up.
"You still can't sleep?"
Keya entered the tent quietly.
Her expression still looked uneasy.
Neya noticed it immediately.
"Something's wrong, isn't it?"
Keya sat beside her sister.
Then, after several seconds of silence, she finally spoke.
"Neya... if anything happens in the future... promise me you'll survive."
Neya frowned.
"What kind of weird thing are you saying?"
"Promise me."
For the first time in years, Keya sounded afraid.
Not for herself.
But for Neya.
Neya slowly grabbed her sister's hand.
"We're twins," she said softly.
"If danger comes... we'll face it together."
Keya looked at her quietly.
Then, slowly, a faint smile finally appeared on her face.
"Yeah... together."
Outside the tent, the cold wind once again swept through the endless dark forest of Arkhan.
And high above the night sky...
The moon slowly disappeared behind crimson clouds.