The Lunar Vanguard (SunSun)

chapter 20: The Revelation

The warmth of Sunghoon’s arms had been Sunoo’s refuge the entire day yesterday. Curled against his alpha, slipping in and out of sleep, Sunoo had taken comfort in the quiet presence of his mate. It had been a good escape — to let go of the anxieties and fears that normally plagued him, to simply exist in that moment, feeling safe and cherished.

But now, the next morning, Sunoo found himself walking through the quiet streets of the enchanted kingdom, accompanied by none other than Queen Siran herself. The early morning chill bit at his skin, sneaking past the thick layers of his cloak, and the misty air seemed to hang between them like a whispered secret. The sky was painted in pale hues of pink and gold, but the streets were still mostly empty, save for a few early risers beginning their day.

Sunoo kept glancing at the queen from the corner of his eye, unsure of what to say. He wasn’t used to such quiet, personal time with her. Her presence felt both calming and intimidating at the same time, and he wasn’t sure whether he should be grateful or nervous about this unexpected morning walk.

After a moment of comfortable silence, Queen Siran broke it. "How are you, Sunoo?" Her voice was soft, warm like the first rays of morning sunlight. "I’ve been meaning to ask how you’ve been adjusting since joining the pack."

Sunoo hesitated, fumbling for the right words. "I… I’m doing okay," he began awkwardly. "The pack’s been kind to me. Sunghoon and Jungwon… they’ve been really supportive." His cheeks flushed at the thought of Sunghoon’s protective nature, and how fiercely he had been by his side these past few days. "It’s a bit overwhelming sometimes, but I think I’m managing."

The queen hummed thoughtfully, her gaze distant as they walked through the ancient cobblestone streets, where the buildings seemed almost alive with the magic that hummed in the air. "It must be a lot to take in, especially considering everything you've been through."

Sunoo nodded quietly. He couldn’t argue with that. The emotional toll of the ritual, the strange connection he felt to this kingdom, and the trauma of his past were all swirling within him, leaving him feeling uncertain about his place in this new world.

"Has the pack been treating you well?" she asked again, glancing down at him with a soft, almost motherly concern in her eyes. "I know Sunghoon is devoted to you, but what about the others?"

"They’ve been… very kind," Sunoo admitted. "Everyone is so supportive, but I still feel like I’m an outsider, sometimes."

Queen Siran smiled gently. "It’s understandable. Finding your place in a world like ours is never easy, especially when there’s so much more you’re yet to discover."

Sunoo bit his lip, his mind still swirling with questions, the biggest one weighing heavily on him. He gathered his courage, glancing up at the queen as they continued to walk. "Can I ask… about the ritual? What happened during it?"

The queen's smile deepened, and her eyes seemed to sparkle with hidden knowledge. "Of course. But before I tell you what happened, you should know a little more about this kingdom and its history. Only then will the events of the ritual make sense."

They walked further into the heart of the kingdom as Queen Siran began her tale. "This enchanted kingdom has stood for millennia, ever since the time of the first royals. The source of all the magic you see around us is the Sacred Tree. It’s the heart of this land, the wellspring from which all magical energy flows."

"The tree?" Sunoo echoed, intrigued. "It’s the source of all magic?"

"Yes. Long ago, when the world was young, there was no distinction between magic and nature. The Sacred Tree was born from the lifeblood of the earth itself. It grew and spread its roots deep into the land, becoming the source of all magical power. Light and dark magic — both are tied to it. Every spell, every power, and every creature with magical abilities can trace their origins back to the Tree."