Chapter 1 : The Four Pillars of Arcanis

Through the busy streets of Arcanis, word spread like wildfire, with each whispered discussion tinged with wonder and excitement. The four princes, Kian, Arman, Ramin, and Dariush, who are often referred to as the Four Pillars of Arcanis, had triumphed in another battle with the adversaries who attempted to invade their territory.

As the village's residents praised their heroes with songs, their valor and fighting prowess became the buzz of the town.

The princes moved through the opulent hallways, remembering their experiences on the battlefield, as the sun began to set, bathing the palace in a golden glow. The aroma of spiced wine and roasting meats filled the air, hinting at the feast they were about to enjoy.

"Remember when Arman attempted to climb that cliff during the raid?" Dariush gave his brother a back pat while laughing.

“Oh, please don't remind me!” Arman shook his head and laughed.

"I just wanted to get a better view!”

"And you landed squarely in the enemy camp!" With his laughter echoing along the hallway, Ramin continued.

"Maybe you should just fight instead of climbing!" Dariush mocked, drawing his brothers' amusing looks.

The magnificent doors of the royal room opened as they got closer, revealing a scene that warmed their hearts. The assembled aristocrats and royal members of the court let out a jovial yell, their voices blending in a joyful revelry. Their father, Alpha Kaveh, was standing at the head of the long table, holding his glass high with a proud smile.

"Welcome home, my sons!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with love and firmness.

“Your courage and the defense you give our kingdom are celebrated tonight!"

As the brothers walked toward the Alpha's table, the applause grew louder and they knelt before their father,

“It is an honor to serve you, Alpha” Kian, the eldest son proclaimed, his father smiled down at them once again with contentment.

“You may rise” he said

They sat down as the Alpha started his toast, their hearts beating with pride.

"To the Four Pillars of Arcanis, my boys! Once again, you have shown that our realm is secure in your care. May the spirits of our ancestors lead you in all of your conflicts and may your bravery never falter!”

"To the Four Pillars of Arcanis!" The assembly chorused, their shouts echoed off the stone walls, vibrating through the palace's very foundations. The air was filled with laughter and the sound of clinking goblets as the feast got underway. The table was laden with plates of roasted vegetables, tender meats, and freshly made bread. Kian relished a bite of roasted lamb while leaning back in his chair with a contented smile.

“I must have you introduced to the lady Shahan, a beauty she is, truly” Alpha Kaveh began a conversation with his first son,

“Father please, I have just come from battle, I believe I deserve rest first, at least some food” Unready for marriage, Kian protested.

“I don't see how a lady stops you from having your meal, or your rest even. It is just a word” Arman smiled mischievously, trying to taunt his brother.

“You have no part of this conversation Arman”

“Which lady do we speak of? Is she so beautiful that she stops food from going down your throat?” Dariush asked innocently and Arman burst into laughter.

“What?” Dariush asked, as he paused to look at all their faces, Ramin couldn't help but suffer a laugh.

“No, but really, what is it?” he pressed further,

“Ignore your brothers, Dariush” Alpha Kaveh said and continued his meal.

As the youngest son, Dariush had always been the one Arman played his silly pranks on.

“Speaking of beauty, where is Aryana?” Kian asked his father, his eyes searching around the room.

The king was about to reply when the great doors opened once more, and the commotion in the hall subsided. The court members rose up, staring at a figure that had entered the room.

Her eyes glistened with anticipation as she looked across the hallway, her happiness palpable when she saw her brothers. She hurried across the room and Kian leaped from his chair to embrace her.

“Brother!” she said, putting her arms around him quite firmly.

“Hello little sister” he said as hoisted her off the ground and spun her around.

“I've missed you! I'm so glad you're back!” Aryana smiled, joy spreading across her face.

“I am glad to be back” he said

The king gestured with his hand for the celebration to resume as they made their way back to the table.

Kian was seated next to Aryana, whose presence made the feast feel cozier. As the feast resumed, there was more toasting, laughter, and sharing of experiences.

“Not excited to see me? No hug or handshake? You have much love lost for me sister” Ramin teased her

“Oh, do shut up, I pray you. If there's anything I've missed, it's your boring jokes, learn a thing or two from Arman” she teased back and they all laughed.

Eventually, Aryana got up and looked at her brothers. She seemed a little tired as she continued,

“I think I'll head to my chambers for a bit"

“You’re leaving already? You just arrived!” Alpha Kaveh scowled,

“I understand, but I'm not feeling well," she said, her cheeks starting to flush a little.

She leaned to his ears, smiling slightly and whispered,

"It's a woman thing”

“Ah, I see. Very well then” he said

“How could you leave me like this?” Kian said in a playful manner, his sister was the only one who would always take his side and he was trying to avoid any discussions of marriage.

“Oh, I'm here for you brother” Ramin said and the brothers laughed amongst themselves.

Aryana bowed in respect to her father and she smiled at her maid, who was waiting by the entrance. Understanding Aryana's subtle cue, the maid nodded back, and with that, they departed the big hall. Once they were in her chambers, her maid locked the doors and Aryana undressed to reveal the wound on her arm,

“Have it treated” she said.

Chapter 2 - The Moonveiled Claws

A low buzz of magical energy seemed to pulse through the walls of the concealed cave, and the faint sound of footfall resonated down its winding, tight passageways. This cave was no typical cavern, it served as the covert gathering ground for a group of all-female magicians, healers, enchantresses, and assassins who worked clandestinely in the shadows to mold the fate of the Arcanis kingdom.

The tunnel opened into a large underground room that was softly lit by magical crystals set into the ceiling. Women in dark robes were huddled in a close circle in the middle of the room, speaking to one another.

The excitement of the impending clash filled the air. A tall woman with silver hair and sharp green eyes, who served as their leader, moved forward to join the others. She was followed by two other leaders, the combat specialist whose perfectly toned body exuded a deadly precision, and the group's philosopher and strategist.

The whispering subsided as they positioned themselves at the front of the crowd, and the silver-haired leader of magic and sorcery spoke to them. With a calm yet authoritative voice, she addressed them,

"The princes will soon ride out to battle, everyone is aware of what this means and what needs to be done”

With ready determination on their faces, the women nodded. They had been working covertly for years, defending the kingdom of Arcanis without the men in charge knowing about it. The kingdom's four princes, known as the Four Pillars of Arcanis, had often triumphed thanks to their invisible and discreet efforts, they called themselves, The Moonveiled Claws.

With a flick of her fingers, the sorceress's hand moved and a map of the battlefield appeared in front of them in a glistening blue glow.

“As usual, we will split into two groups to ensure the princes' and their men's strength against the adversary” she began,

“Olne group will stay behind and perform protective spells on them. Additionally, we'll try to weaken the opposing pack by causing uncertainty, exhaustion, and terror to spread throughout their ranks”

The strategist, Nythara, came forward,

“Lycoria is right. More so, I will lead the second group in changing into our werewolf forms. On the battlefield, we shall fight alongside the princes' troops, blending in. Keep in mind that no one will recognize us as women, only that reinforcements have joined”

The third leader, the warrior, tightened her fist, “We strike hard, fast, and without mercy. When the tide of battle changes in favor of the princes, we retreat before anybody knows our involvement”

The women exchanged eyes of strong agreement. They had done this many times before, emerging from the shadows, changing the balance of battle, and then departing without a trace. They were the invisible power that insured the princes' victories, the silent protectors of Arcanis.

Without saying anything else, the group split. About half of the women were still in the cave, gathering around a big round stone altar in the middle of the space. Specializing in old curses and protection charms, these were the healers and magicians. As they started to cover the battlefield with layers of magic, they lifted their hands in unison and hummed incantations into their voices.

The warrior and the strategist were among the other half of the gang who slipped into a different room inside the cave. Under the crystals' faint light, they began to change, their human forms were replaced by the strong werewolf bodies as their bones shattered and moved.

The moon's mystical energy radiated through their eyes, fur rippled across their skin, and claws grew out of their fingers. They snarled silently, fully changed, their senses sharpened by the impending battle.

The werewolf women made a final look at their cavemates before stealthily leaving through a secret entrance, moving quickly and soundlessly. The princes and their forces were already gathering at the battlefield as they approached it.

With a thunderous clang of steel, the sound of swords and shields colliding, and the ferocious roars of both men and animals, the war broke out. The Four Pillars led their armies with unparalleled bravery, slicing through the opposing ranks with swords that gleamed in the midday light. The other pack, however, was formidable, supported by vicious fighters and black magic.

The second group of the Moonveiled Claws, whose werewolf forms blended in perfectly with the rest of the Arcanis warriors, came while the princes were engaged in combat. They moved quickly and forcefully, tearing through the enemy ranks with their claws.

Although the men were unaware that their strong new allies were actually the women they had long disregarded, their fierceness helped the princes win the battle.

Back in the cave, the team of healers and magicians went about their business, cursing the enemies and directing protective energy toward the princes. The opposition pack's power declined, their movements slowed, and their brains became foggy with uncertainty and terror, turning the battlefield into a theater of chaos.

Now that they were unbeatable, the princes advanced with newfound zest. As the fight came to a head, the werewolf ladies gave each other hints, a tacit understanding amongst them. As silently as they had entered, they started to leave the battlefield one by one, disappearing into the darkness.

No sign of the Nightveil Claws remained once the battle was over and the enemy was vanquished.

Chapter 3 - The Lady and Her Maid

The group reassembled in the secret cave, their human forms restored. The strategist took a step forward, her cheeks heated from the thrill of combat.

"The war has been won” she said with a contented smile tugging up the edges of her mouth, the others gave a nod of agreement. As usual, the princes would take all the credit. No one would ever understand the actual force behind the princes successes, but word would travel throughout the kingdom that they had defeated their enemies once more.

The meeting was dismissed, and the women began to disperse, each walking back to their respective lives in the kingdom. Only the three leaders remained behind, soaking in the chilly air of the cave.

The sorceress, Lycoria glanced at the other two, her expression serious as always,

“You should head back now,” she said softly, addressing the leader of combat whose body was still radiating the force of the struggle, nodded.

“I must return to my chambers. There is still work to be done” she said and glanced at the others, exchanging a silent farewell before turning to depart.

As she made her way out of the cave and into the forest beyond, her pace quickened. The underground routes brought her back to the palace, where she would rejoin the world of monarchy, politics, and the unspoken rules of court.

At the entrance of her private apartments, her maid awaited her, a look of concern on her face. “My lady, you’re wounded,” the maid remarked calmly, observing the bloodstains on her sleeve. “I’m aware,” she said, her voice worn out but still strong,

“But I can’t rest now, I must go to the grand hall, they will be expecting my presence at the feast”

The maid sighed but nodded, running to help Aryana change out of her military apparel. She chose a royal gown, the rich fabric flowing over her frame, concealing the wounds beneath.

Her maid tucked her hair down, careful not to disturb the bandages hastily put beneath the gown’s sleeves.

Moments later, she marched into the vast hall where the feast for the princes was in full swing. The sound of laughter and clinking goblets filled the air.

Kian leaped from his chair at the sight of his sister and went to embrace her.

“Brother!” she said, putting her arms around him quite firmly.

“Hello little sister” he said as hoisted her off the ground and spun her around.

“I've missed you! I'm so glad you're back!” Aryana smiled, joy spreading across her face.

“I am glad to be back” he said

Alpha Kaveh gestured with his hand for the celebration to resume as they made their way back to the table.

Aryana briefly let herself enjoy the comforting companionship of her siblings and the well-known happiness of being with family. However, the dull pain of her wounds quickly returned to her consciousness. She nodded subtly as she looked at her maid, who was standing quietly next to the hall's entrance.

“I think I'll head to my chambers for a bit"

“You’re leaving already? You just arrived!” Alpha Kaveh scowled,

“I understand, but I'm not feeling well," she said, her cheeks starting to flush a little.

She leaned to his ears, smiling slightly and whispered,

"It's a woman thing”

“Ah, I see. Very well then” he said

Understanding Aryana's subtle cue, the maid nodded back, and with that, they departed the grand hall.

Aryana's smile faded as soon as they were out of sight, and she finally gave in to the day's anguish and tiredness, leaning on her maid for support. The maid muttered hastily,

“We must properly tend to those wounds”

“I understand," Aryana said, gritting her teeth. “Let's return to my chambers first, though”

Once they were in her chambers, her maid locked the doors and Aryana undressed to reveal her wounds,

“Alright Veloria, have it treated” she said.

With her body still hurting from the wounds she had received in the combat, Aryana relaxed back on the padded chair in her room and winced. Veloria, hovered close by, using a gentle towel soaked in medicinal herbs to gently dab at the wound on Aryana's arm.

“You must rest, my lady” Veloria whispered with a worried tone,

“On their own, these wounds won't heal”

“"I understand, Veloria," Aryana groaned, fatigue weighing heavily on her eyelids,

“But then, there isn't any time to relax, not when another conflict is about to break out in the realm”

Veloria made a tiny line with her lips, obviously wanting to dispute but not wanting to. She kept working quietly while tending to Aryana's wounds, her hands calm. A harsh knock sounded in the room while Veloria was wrapping Aryana's arm. Veloria's eyes widened in fear as she froze.

Fear crept into Aryana's chest, causing her heart to miss a beat for a brief period. At this hour, a knock could only indicate trouble. Veloria's attention then turned to the far side of the room, where a secret door was hidden behind a tapestry.

“It’s the secret door,” Veloria whispered,

“It could only be one person”

Chapter 4 - Embers of Defeat

The air in the center of Valtheon's fortress was heavy with the aroma of burning candles and incense, and a slight mist permeated the stone corridors. Built on a foundation of magic and wolves, the kingdom of Valtheon was a place where people valued authority and where long-standing customs were carried down through the ages. That power, however, had been put to the test today and had once again failed.

Verron, the chief warrior of the realm, stepped through the creaking doors into the throne room, his footsteps resonating off the cold stone floor. His muscles tensed with strain, he moved with the strength and grace of the wolf that was inside him.

As he went, his armor, which was damaged and covered with blood and muck from combat, clinked. He knelt in front of the grim-faced thrones occupied by King Babek and Queen Sylara.

“Rise," the king said in a deep, serene voice that was tinged with disappointment. Knowing that the news he was carrying would not be well received, Verron stood with his head slightly bent. His gaze strayed to the queen, who was staring at him with a glare that appeared about to burst. Dangerously, the queen's eyes flared.

She growled, her voice like the crackle of a flame,

“Tell me, Verron, how did the battle turn out?”

“We…lost, my queen. Again,” Verron said, his voice tight with shame. Queen Sylara scoffed, her fingers gripping the arms of her throne so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

“Lost?” she repeated, incredulously,

“How? How is it that we, a people of magic and strength, keep losing to the likes of Arcanis?”

“They do not practice magic! Kaveh has forbidden it in his kingdom! His sons, those whelps, fight without the power we command! So tell me, Verron, how are you and our forces defeated by an army of magicless men?”

Her words stung Darius, but he was at a loss for words. He had repeatedly asked himself the same question. How could Valtheon's powerful werewolves lose to an army devoid of magic, without spells to empower or shield them?

Despite the fact that it was illogical, their kingdom continued to suffer humiliating defeats. He started to speak,

“I… " but the words became stuck in his throat. How could he respond? He was aware that the queen would become enraged and the justifications would fail.

Unable to make an answer, Verron remained in silence, his eyes downcast. Queen Sylara stood swiftly from her throne, the fabric of her gown swirling about her like a storm. She didn’t even look at him as she walked out of the room, her heels tapping hard against the stone floor as she made her way to her quarters.

He clenched his fists in despair, feeling the weight of the queen’s scorn weighing down on him. The king, however, remained cool, but his countenance reflected the disappointment he felt.

He dismissed Verron with a sweep of his hand, and the chief warrior bowed deeply before making his way out of the royal room, his heart heavy with the failure that clung to him like a shadow.

Queen Sylara paced restlessly in the royal chambers, her hands clenched at her sides, her mind racing with frustration and rage, how could Arcanis, a kingdom devoid of magic, keep winning? How could her people, with their age-old spells in addition to their wolf strength, keep losing?

She thought about her sister, Sonya, who was the strongest witch Valtheon had ever encountered. No one in the kingdom, or anywhere else, had been able to match Sonya's power, which made her a force of nature. Until she was taken away from them one day.

King Babek came in, his face gentler than it had been in the throne room, when the door knocked. He was fully aware that his wife's rage was rooted in more than just the battles she had lost. He walked carefully toward her, his hands extended in a peace sign.

"You need to relax, Sylara," he whispered softly, “It won't help us to be angry”

She didn't look at him, but she stopped pacing. She couldn't take her eyes off the tapestry on the wall, which was a detailed portrayal of Valtheon's triumphs in a bygone era when their adversaries were afraid of their might.

"Babek, how can I remain calm?" Her voice trembled with anger as she snapped.

"How is it that a kingdom with no magic defeats us with all the magic we have? Arcanis ought to have fallen long ago, but they still stand strong and taunt us with their triumphs. It's unbecoming”

He stepped forward to put a hand on her arm, but she withdrew because her grief was too heavy on her mind.

"And I can never forget," she added, her voice now lowered and bitter,

"Sonya, my sister... She was all the lands' most formidable sorcerer. She was killed by Kaveh because they were afraid of her strength”

With anxiety, Babek furrowed his brow,

"That's not something you know for sure," he remarked warily,

“There is no evidence linking her death to Kaveh”

With her eyes blazing with unshed tears, Sylara shot back,

"There is no proof that he wasn't"

"Babek, I am sure that he was behind it, she posed too much of a threat to him, so he had her killed”

“To his kingdom of magicless treasure. He feared her, and now he wants to destroy us in the same way that he destroyed her”

“Mark my words Babek, I will answer blood for blood” she vowed.

Chapter 5 - Rising Fury

A harsh knock sounded in the room while Veloria was wrapping Aryana's arm. Veloria's eyes widened in fear as she froze.

Fear crept into Aryana's chest, causing her heart to miss a beat for a brief period. At this hour, a knock could only indicate trouble. Veloria's attention then turned to the far side of the room, where a secret door was hidden behind a tapestry.

“It’s the secret door,” Veloria whispered,

“It could only be one person”

Aryana's thoughts relaxed as she nodded. The secret door leading from her rooms to a system of underground tunnels beneath the palace was only known to a handful.

Victoria, Veloria's sister, was one of those individuals. Veloria hurried across the room and yanked the tapestry out of the way. A figure in dark robes slipped inside after she opened the door just enough. As soon as she stepped inside, the woman lowered her head, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders.

“My lady," Victoria said in a gentle yet dignified tone,

With a little smile, Aryana sagged deeper into the chair,

"Victoria, you have just arrived at the perfect moment”

“I heard you were wounded," Victoria said, evaluating Aryana's condition right away with her keen eyes.

“Wounded? It's just a mere scratch” she said, trying to sound tough.

Before focusing entirely on Aryana, she took a quick look at Veloria and asked,

“Could I have a look?"

With a nod, Aryana allowed Victoria to come closer. She rubbed her palms together as she approached, closing her eyes to concentrate on her inner energy. Her hands started to emit a faint glow, a gentle blue light that glistened in the dark room. Her magic seemed to resonate through the air around them.

Victoria covered Aryana's damaged arm with her hands. The intense pain that had taken root in Aryana's skin was relieved by the warmth of her healing magic.

Under Victoria's meticulous care, the ripped skin slowly started to mend itself back together, and the wound started to heal. As the pain subsided, Aryana's body relaxed,

“Thank you” she whispered,

Victoria kept her focus on the healing process and smiled without saying anything. Under the layers of Aryana's garment, another serious wound had been concealed. She moved her hands to her side.

Aryana could feel the strain of the battle leaving her muscles as the magic took effect. The room was still for a few minutes, interrupted only by Victoria's gentle hum of magic. By the time she took a step back, Aryana's injuries had almost completely healed and were only slightly scarred.

"My lady, you ought to exercise greater caution," Victoria said softly but firmly. "You over work yourself”

"Victoria, I'm not allowed to be careless. Not with everything on the line”

Victoria was about to answer when a gentle breeze that carried the subtle smell of smoke and fire through the room interrupted her.

Aryana sat up straight in her chair, her eyes narrowing like she was trying to read the area.

“What is it?” Veloria asked, observing the abrupt tension in the room.

Aryana rose slowly, her eyes averted as though she could sense something in the distance.

“The kingdom is about to experience another turmoil," she uttered softly

“Valtheon has stirred once more” she continued

Victoria glanced at Veloria in concern. Both of them understood what that meant. Aryana paced the room

"They hate my father,” she whispered in a distant voice.

"For outlawing magic. for imposing death on their people”

“You think they'll hit again?"Veloria asked,

“Oh, they will” Aryana answered confidently,

"It is just a matter of time”

Victoria's brow was furrowed as she crossed her arms,

“They are deeply hateful and they won't give up until they've demolished everything your father has put together” she said and Aryana chuckled,

“They are most welcome to try”

With anxiety, Babek furrowed his brow as he watched his wife pace their chambers in frustration.

"That's not something you know for sure," he said warily,

“There is no evidence linking her death to Kaveh”

With her eyes blazing with unshed tears, Sylara shot back,

"There is no proof that he wasn't"

"Babek, I am sure that he was behind it, she posed too much of a threat to him, so he had her killed”

“Mark my words Babek, I will answer blood for blood” she vowed.

Knowing that he could not argue with her on this point, the king sighed. Since Sonya's passing, Sylara has held Kaveh responsible. For her, it had turned into an obsession, a never-ending fire.

Previously, he had tried to convince her that her sister's death was a result of the chaos that had swept over the borderlands at the time, but Sylara was unconvinced. She will never forgive Kaveh because, in her mind, he killed her sister,

And she was right.