Caspian's Legacy: The Scent of Truth (book two)

Chapter twenty-four

Oak sniffed the air for any scent that might betray the presence of the Tear of Luna. She knew it was nearby; she could feel it. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she scanned the trees around them. "Caspian," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of their breath. "I think we're not alone."

Caspian's amber gaze snapped in the direction Oak had indicated. His heart thudded against his ribs as he, too, caught a glimpse of movement high up in the branches of a nearby tree. A pair of green eyes glowed in the shadows, watching them intently. "It's just a wild animal," he whispered, trying to sound convincing. "We should keep moving."

The green-eyed animal in the tree watched them with unblinking intent. Oak and Caspian exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts racing. The tension between them was palpable as they continued to move forward, their steps slow and cautious. Suddenly, the animal leaped from its perch, landing silently on the ground behind them. Oak and Caspian whirled around, their instincts taking over. The animal was much larger than they had first thought—a sleek, black panther with emerald eyes. Its muscles rippled beneath its fur as it crouched low, ready to pounce.

"a Panther?! I thought they were in stories!" Oak whispered as she took a step back, her heart thumping in her chest. The panther let out a low, menacing growl, its emerald eyes never leaving them. "Caspian, we should try to reason with it," she suggested, hoping that her voice didn't sound as shaky as it did in her ears.

Caspian gave Oak a scared and dumbstruck look. He wanted to say something, anything, to distract the panther, but all that came out was a squeak. "Um...panthers...like...um...meat?" he managed to stammer. The panther's ears twitched at his words, but it didn't seem convinced. "And, um, you know, we could be friends?" He took a step forward, reaching out a tentative hand. The panther tensed, its muscles rippling as it prepared to spring.

The panther's ears twitched at Caspian's words. It considered his offer for a moment, then slowly relaxed its muscles. A low, rumbling purr vibrated through its chest as it slowly approached the pair. Oak let out a shaky breath of relief and took a step forward, reaching out her hand in return. The panther sniffed at her carefully before allowing itself to be touched. Its fur was surprisingly soft beneath her fingers.

"She's so soft!" Oak cooed, petting the panther's head. The panther purred louder, leaning into her touch. "Can you help us find the tear of Luna?" She asked, her voice still gentle. The panther's emerald eyes glinted in the dim light of the forest as it considered her words. It let out another low growl, then nodded its head in the direction they were heading.

"I think she knows the way." Caspian joked nervously, rubbing the panther's back. The animal seemed to enjoy the attention, arching its back to give him better access. As they continued to walk, the panther led them deeper into the forest, its movements graceful and confident. The trees grew taller and thicker around them, and the air became cooler and more damp. The underbrush gave way to moss-covered boulders and rotting logs, forming a tangled maze that only someone who knew the forest well could navigate.

"This feels like more of a maze than anything," Oak murmured as they followed the panther deeper into the forest. The air grew heavier with moisture, and the trees seemed to close in around them, their branches forming a canopy high above. The ground was uneven beneath their feet, littered with fallen logs and overgrown brambles. Despite the panther's guidance, they had the feeling that they were going in circles.

Caspian took a sniff at himself, realizing that the air had indeed become more damp and musty. "I hope we find the tear soon," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. The panther, sensing their growing unease, let out another low growl, urging them to keep following. As they continued on, the forest seemed to change around them, growing darker and more eerie with each step. The moss-covered rocks gave way to ancient trees with gnarled, twisting trunks, their branches reaching up towards the sky like skeletal fingers.

"We are getting close to the tear," the panther said to them, surprising them with its human-like voice. "The forest is changing, and the guardians are watching us. We must be careful not to disturb their rest." Caspian and Oak exchanged glances, unsure if they had imagined the panther speaking or not.

"How are you speaking?" Caspian asked, glancing around nervously as they continued to follow the panther deeper into the forest. The animal gave a low, amused chuckle before continuing. "I have lived in these woods for many years, and I have learned to understand the languages of those who respect and appreciate them. You, my young friends, are among those few." Oak blushed at the compliment, while Caspian beamed with pride.

The panther continued to lead them through the forest, its movements graceful and confident. The trees loomed over them like long fingers, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. The air grew thicker with the scent of earth and decay, and the sound of distant waterfalls filled the air. The ground beneath their feet shifted from soft moss to cold, hard stone, and then back again. The further they went, the more they felt as if they were walking through a living, breathing creature.

"The Tear of Luna is through a moon carven always hovering above the ground," the panther explained, slowing down as they approached a massive boulder. Its surface was covered in intricate carvings that glowed softly in the dim light. The panther paused, regarding the rock with a mixture of reverence and curiosity. "It is protected by powerful guardians who will not hesitate to destroy anyone who tries to take it without the knowledge and respect it deserves." The panther turned her head to see the two wolf-shifters looking at her with awe and trepidation. "You must show them that you are worthy."

Caspian shakes his head, clearing it of any doubt. "We are ready. We will show them that we are worthy." He nods to Oak, who stands beside him. The panther smiles, seeming pleased with their determination.

"Very well, you may approach." The panther steps aside, revealing a small opening in the boulder. "Enter, and face your destiny." The opening leads to a small chamber within the rock, lit by a soft, ethereal glow. At the center of the chamber, floating above the ground, is a circular piece of moonstone, seemingly suspended in midair. Guarding the Tear are three powerful spirits, each embodying one of the elements: earth, air, and water. They stand watch, their eyes glowing with an unearthly light, ready to defend the tear against anyone who would take it without proper respect.

"It's so beautiful, but why does it glow like that?" Oak gawked in awe. Caspian placed a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder as they cautiously approached the floating moonstone. The spirits, observing their every move, seemed unperturbed by their presence. "We have to be safe here, so sudden movements or sudden noises might scare them," the panther reminded them in a whisper.

"They can sense fear and disrespect, so we must be calm and confident," the panther continued as they inched closer to the moonstone. "We need to show them that we are here to honor the power of the moon and learn from it." As they drew near, the spirits seemed to regard them with increasing interest. Caspian could feel the weight of their gaze upon him, as if they were testing his resolve and intentions. "Why the hovering?" Caspian asks curiously, his amber gaze fixed on the moonstone. The panther chuckles softly. "Legend has it that long ago, when the world was young, the first moon priestess carved the tear from a sliver of moonstone and imbued it with a fragment of her own power. She then entrusted it to the guardians, instructing them to keep it safe and always hovering above the ground, as a reminder of the celestial origins of magic and the responsibility that comes with wielding it."

"So now what are we going to do from here?" Oak suggested, her golden eyes fixed on the floating moonstone. The panther smiled reassuringly. "First, you must prove your worthiness. You must perform a ritual that shows your devotion to the moon and its power." As Caspian and Oak listened intently, the panther began to outline the steps they must take. They were to gather various items from around the forest, each with its own symbolic meaning: a sprig of mistletoe for air, a handful of river stones for water, and a piece of charcoal from the hearth for earth. Once they had assembled these items, they were to create a circle around the moonstone, using the stones as markers.

"Let us begin!" the panther exclaimed, her fur bristling with excitement. Caspian and Oak nodded, gathering their things as they set out into the forest. The air was cool and crisp, and the leaves crunched beneath their feet as they searched for the items the panther had mentioned. It was a race against time, for they knew that the spirits would grow restless if they took too long.