Chapter 127: Chapter 127

DARAN

I’m losing my mind. There’s no other way to describe how I feel right now. My entire body feels like it’s on fire—an intense mix of anxiety and rage. I’ve been searching for Jonea for days, but there’s no trace of her.

I’ve scoured every corner of this island, plunged into shadow realms, and even crossed the borders of the Blue Sapphire lands. It’s like she’s been erased from existence, like the wind leaving a faint trail only to vanish without a trace.

“Jonea!” I shout, breaking the silence of the night.

But only my own echo answers me.

Frustrated, I press on, crossing boundaries I’m not supposed to. I find myself at the edge of the Dragon Valley, the gateway to the Land of the Blue Dragons. This is my last shot. If she’s not here, I don’t know where else to look.

I’m furious.

“JONEA!” I roar again, my voice echoing off the steep cliffs. My rage is so intense that the plants around me wither and die, drained by the destructive energy radiating from my body.

But it’s not Jonea who appears.

A group of dragons with massive wings and gleaming scales emerges from the valley, led by a towering mountain dragon whose presence demands submission.

“Daran Carver!” the mountain dragon booms, his voice like thunder. “What are you doing here? I won’t let you defile this land!”

I glare at him, my eyes glowing red, a reflection of the uncontrollable fury within me. In my true form as a black-furred lycan, I look like a savage beast, completely unhinged.

“Let me see Jonea!” I growl, my deep voice reverberating. Two dragon guards block my path.

But the mountain dragon doesn’t back down. He steps forward and clamps his massive claws around me, pinning me in place.

“Look at yourself, Daran,” he says coldly. “You call yourself the king of the lycans, but now you don’t even look like a man or a werewolf. Have you decided to fully become a monster?”

I growl, struggling to break free, but his strength is overwhelming. The dragon shifts into his true form—a colossal blue dragon—pressing me even harder into the ground.

“Stop it, Daran,” a voice suddenly interrupts, commanding the respect of every dragon present.

Aland Hamilton.

The man steps out from the shadows, his face calm but guarded. He walks closer and stops just in front of me, still pinned beneath the mountain dragon’s claws.

“Aland!” I roar. “Where’s Jonea? What have you done to her? You took her, didn’t you?”

Aland kneels in front of me, his gaze cold but tinged with sadness. “If you can’t find her anywhere, doesn’t that mean she’s already left you?”

His words stab me in the chest like a dagger.

“Even though I love her deeply,” he continues, “I have no power to choose her path. Even when it hurt to watch her choose you, I could only observe from afar. But now, she’s made her decision, and she won’t be by your side anymore.”

I roar in frustration, fighting against the dragon’s claws, but they press me harder into the ground. “Jonea... why?” I shout, my voice breaking with despair. “You said you’d stay with me until you got bored!”

Memories of Jonea flood my mind, tearing down my emotional defenses. Her laughter, her smile, even our petty arguments—now they all feel like poison, burning every nerve in my body.

Aland slowly rises to his feet, looking at me with an expression I can’t quite read. “Daran, wasn’t your goal in obtaining the sacred blood of the Red Moon to transform into a human? So you could die like one?”

I grit my teeth, unable to refute him.

“It seems like you’ve started doubting your own purpose. You lied to Jonea, claiming the sacred blood would grant you eternal power. But deep down, you just wanted to die, didn’t you? You’re tired of living,” he says. “Let her go. I’ll protect her from now on.”

His words ignite a fresh wave of rage within me. I try to lunge at him, but the mountain dragon holds me firmly in place.

Aland turns away, ready to leave.

“Daran Carver,” he says without looking back, “you were only able to stay by Jonea’s side because I gave you that chance. Now it’s time for me to strengthen my bond with her again.”

I stare at his retreating figure, my eyes blazing with fury and pain.

“NO!” I roar, my voice shattering the air, but nothing stops him. “If becoming a monster is what it takes to protect Jonea, then I’ll choose this path! Even if it means I can’t die and become an immortal beast...”

Suddenly, another voice echoes, cutting through the tension.

“Both of you, stop!”

From the swirling mist, two figures emerge: Miller and Arabel.

“What are you doing?” Miller demands, his tone sharp and authoritative. “If you both claim to love Jonea, isn’t it time you worked together to save her?”

Arabel glares at me, then at Aland. “You say you want to protect Jonea, but all you’re doing is tearing each other apart. Stop this stupidity before it’s too late!”

Their words pierce my heart. I fall silent, my breaths still heavy, but my anger starts to subside.

Miller steps forward, looking between Aland and me. “Jonea is out there, alone. If you truly care about her, you’ll find a way to save her instead of fighting like children.”

I lower my head. Miller’s words hit hard. I’ve let my emotions cloud my true purpose.

Aland exhales deeply, turning to face me. “This isn’t about who gets to have Jonea,” he says quietly. “It’s about protecting her, no matter what.”

I nod slowly. For the first time, Aland and I share the same resolve.

We have to find Jonea. Together.

“If you’re serious about getting Jonea back, we’ll help you,” Miller declares. “But if you’re just looking to exploit her sacred blood and power, I’ll hunt you both down myself.”

Miller’s anger grounds me. Slowly but surely, I regain control of myself. Without realizing it, I’ve already broken free from the mountain dragon’s claws. I stand tall, my body shifting back to its human form.

“To be with her... to have Jonea touch me again, I need to rethink how I’ve been living.”

I snap my fingers, summoning Owen and Eve from my shadow.

“Do you know where Jonea is?” I ask.

Owen looks down, defeated. “She rejected me. I can’t track her. As her guardian dog, I’ve failed to protect her.”

Miller sighs. “Do you think I trained the hunters so rigorously for nothing? And do you think the purpose of a twin is meaningless? My soul and consciousness are always connected to Jonea! You may not like it, but I am Jonea’s soulmate. I am the shadow of her soul—the Silver Moon and the Red Moon. I formed the hunter squad to be her protectors!”