"I think a magical phenomenon is happening, my howl might've been blocked!"
Following Alaric's instruction as closely as possible, Riona faced towards the rough direction of where the Royal Black Prince was last seen—and unleashed her howl. Despite not having the loudest or mightiest howl, it will still do.
Her beastly requiem exploded from her mouth, piercing through the air, and reached far.
On her shoulder was a bloody bite mark, but it was glowing slightly.
To stimulate an unavoidable reaction from the Royal Black Prince, Alaric needed to step in as Selene was not available to help her pack. She was unstable and without the help of a Prince—or Princess, the Provocation Howl would not work.
Its effect could be shrugged off easily by the Royal Black Prince.
Alaric bit Riona's shoulder and gave her a small portion of his mythical aura.
He gave her enough to temporarily give her the status of a Princess.
Responding to the howl, Riona's eyes were drawn to the distance horizon, where the sky was dyed in crimson. It placed a frown on her face—as the oppressive energy from that particular occurrence was palpable even from her vantage point.
Even the crimson clouds spread for miles, a vast, ominous sign that disrupted natural order.
Surely, this was a powerful magical event taking place.
Considering the scale of the disturbance, she might have to redo the howl after it took place.
"I'll try and do the Provocation Howl once it's over," Riona turned to Alaric and said.
Upon hearing this, however, Alaric, smirked at the sight of the phenomenon, "No... there is no need for you to redo the howl, I think the Royal Black Prince had gotten the message. Go and prepare for your departure, we'll set the stage for your fight"
Riona looked at Alaric in confusion, she didn't understand what he meant.
Surely her howl was blocked if a phenomenon of that scale is occurring.
Noticing the confusion, Alaric clarifies, "It's not a magical phenomenon, that's his aura"
Just as she heard those words, Riona's heart sank in apprehension.
It was the same for the other Dancing Stripes pack around who heard what he said.
"H- Hold on, that's the Royal Black Prince's aura...? How can he evoke such a phenomenon if he wasn't in the realm above the tenth?" Riona inquired, the air she felt earlier was so strong that she thought it was a magical phenomenon, but turns out it was not.
Alaric shrugged and turned away calmly, "He's unique, but every royalty is unique"
Despite the calmness in Alaric's tone, the Dancing Stripes pack was a little bit worried.
But more evident than that was anger at the realization of the Royal Black Prince's aura.
"Dear Origin, how can you bless him when he's a fraud...?"
"He got the power of the banished one. Not only is he a fraud, but he's also a traitor"
"And yet, he stood at the peak of power. We can't let him live! He's unworthy!"
Numerous growls and grunts escaped the others' mouths.
None of them wanted to accept, that the Royal Black Prince had this much power when he was nothing more than a fraud and a traitor. Surely, the Origin and the Lunrich Gods would not let his growth to power continue.
Paying no attention to the others, Riona glanced over to Alaric, "Where are you going now?"
"Bloodstone Crater," Alaric replied as he walked away.
Upon hearing this, Riona's eyes widened as she knew the weight of what he was saying right now, "Are you going to do it in place of Her Highness Selene...?" She asked, there was a tinge of obvious disbelief in her voice.
As an answer, Alaric glanced back and posed a smile, "Gather your pack..."
Moments later.
Alaric and Riona, followed by the rest of the Dancing Stripes pack arrived at a site.
It was located in the heart of a mountainous region.
Feeling the thick air of reverence swirling in this crypt, Alaric sucked in a deep breath before he went near the crack, in the ground. His face tightened before he reached out his hand—a ball of lunar fire appeared there on his hand, flickering with a bluish light.
Placing the ball of lunar fire into the crack, he instantly stepped back.
Swoosh!
A wall of lunar fire burst from the crack, emitting heat that is lethal for any Werewolves.
"Great Luna, lend us your grace to win our battles..."
...
Meanwhile, the Silverstar Pack Castle, Dargena City.
Inside the throne room, a figure pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Linthia came into the castle gently but was startled when a voice greeted her abruptly.
"Are the preparations ready?"
Gazing ahead she was met with Calidora.
Calidora was lounged sideways on the throne, her body gracefully draped over the right side of the armrest, while her legs dangled casually over the left. She sat there leisurely—as if the throne were crafted for her alone.
Not mentioning the way she was sitting, Linthia bowed, "Yes, it's complete"
"All of the captured mutated animals are outside of the castle, ready for you," She added.
Upon hearing this, Calidora nodded her head and went to the entrance door.
But as she was nearing the entrance door, Linthia raised an eyebrow, "Forgive me if I'm being insolent, but are you going to be alone? Is no one going to accompany you? I suggest at least one from the royal pack come with you, if not then I could accompany you, Lady Calidora"
"All of them are training, a duel is coming up for them" Calidora replied.
Just then she looked at Linthia up and down, checking her with a condescending gaze.
"Gelmar and Dindora aren't back yet?" She suddenly asked.
Linthia shook her head, "No, both Captain Gelmar and Dindora are still helping the Humans"
Calidora nodded knowingly—her mouth forming an O-shape. She then stepped forward, her presence commanding—until she stood directly in front of Linthia. Her crimson eyes, locked onto Linthia's, "I'm curious, how did you get to become a captain again?"
Not expecting that question, Linthia stuttered, "Ah... His Majesty tested our will and I passed"
"I've never been known to be the strongest. Even back in my kingdom, I am below average so I'm not as strong as Gelmar and Dindora yet. But don't worry, I'm trying my best and will keep on getting stronger to match His Majesty's expectations," She added, smiling wryly.
Upon hearing this, Calidora giggled in hubris, "I'm sure you are but..."
"It's one thing to try your best, and there's one thing to not know your limit" She added.
Like daggers, Calidora's words stabbed through Linthia's heart.
"Both Gelmar, and Dindora evolved during the fight because of their savage desire to aid Rex but you, on the other hand, didn't. So which one is it? Is it that your desire to be of use to His Majesty is not as strong as theirs, or did you hit your limit already?" Calidora continued. "Just something for you to think"
As she said that, she went ahead and grabbed the door entrance's handle.
"Oh, and also..." She stopped and glanced over at Linthia. "If we're alone use the proper title"
"Call me Your Majesty or Empress Calidora also good," She added with a smirk.
Despite that title belonging to Evelyn, Linthia couldn't bring herself to say anything.
It was Calidora's eyes, Linthia felt weak under her gaze.
"Y- Yes, I'll try to do that," Linthia replied meekly.
But seeing Calidora still looking at her intently, she continued. "Your- Your Majesty..."
"Good," Calidora nodded—before she opened the entrance door. "Call those new Dark Elves that I saw around the castle, you, and them would accompany me outside. After all, if you're alone, you would be to blame if something happened to me. We don't want that, do we?"
"Y- Yes! I'll call them right this instant" Linthia replied before scurrying away.