When The Mountains Cry (ONC 2026)

Luna Thalorin lives a simple life as a shepherd in the quaint town of Everfall, sandwiched between the mountains and the river. Her world shatters when her mother goes missing, entwined with the enigmatic Founder, the town's mythical creator. Her fractured path intersects with Crown Prince Soren Falstaff, who also vanishes under the same mysterious circumstances as her mother.

Banished to the forest with her brother, Luna must confront the mountains that hold the secrets of her family and the prince. Their quest leads them up perilous paths, where magic is both a guide and a trap. On top of that, the bioluminescent wolves, the Founder's choice of guards, run rampant through the forest, constantly on their trail.

Captured by the Founder, Luna discovers many shocking truths and horrifying secrets. As Luna battles the Founder's dark magic, she fights for her mother, her name, and the heart of a prince.

All those years ago, when her mother disappeared, Luna was the only one who saw the mountains cry. And she is the only one who can help.
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ONC 2026, PROMPT #16: "And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul." John Muir