Black Lantern Oath 소설 & 이야기

One lantern. One Keeper. Every lantern represented someone who had accepted the burden before him. Some glowed brightly. Others had already gone dark. One lantern drifted lower than the rest. Its brass surface gleamed softly. The engraved name caught Adrian's breath. THOMAS VALE Unlike the others... Its flame was still burning. Not fading. Not flickering. Steady. Alive. Adrian stared upward, unable to look away. Then every lantern in the chamber suddenly swung in the same direction...

She had never expected—had never dared to hope—that he would one day offer the same. "The ritual," Elder Hale said quietly, stepping forward with an ancient scroll in his hands, its surface covered in symbols that made Marcus's eyes ache. "It must be performed now, before the last of her strength fades. Are you certain, Alpha Marsh? Once spoken, the oath cannot be broken. Once taken, the burden cannot be set down. You will be bound to her not merely for this life but for every life that follows, your souls intertwined across the endless cycle of death and rebirth."

“Only choices.” Oathkeeper looks ill and relieved. “Then gods help you.” “We will,” Selene answers—and for once it isn’t a threat. I plant my blade and raise empty hands. “Blackthorn,” I call to wolves, strays, men who stood because standing is work; to priestesses who washed silver from their mouths and kept it out. “No more Ledger. No paper collars. If you promise, do it with your chest. If you fail, say so, and we’ll decide the cost. If you love, do it where we can see.”

“No official alliances. No public oaths. No weakness.” Lyra tilted her head. “Sounds fun.” We formed a loose circle, crouching around a single torch burning low against the stone. No blood rituals. No fancy words. Just the truth, spoken aloud. “I will stand by Thorold of Stormfang,” Callen said first, his voice firm. “My Beta oath is already his.” “I will fight beside him,” Caelan added, flashing a grin. “And laugh in the faces of those who think they can take him down.”

“She’s not an ordinary wolf!” Marcus spun to look at her, his dark eyes flashing with incredulity. “What the hell are you talking about?” His voice was edged with disbelief, fear, and a mounting protectiveness that tightened his chest. The healer took a deep breath, steadying herself. “The lantern of life…” she began carefully, her tone measured but heavy with weight. “It symbolizes the very life of a wolf. Only wolves of Royal blood carry it. Its glow reflects the essence of their vitality. If the light of the lantern dies, it means the owner of that lantern has died. And if it flickers… if it is unstable… it means the wolf is fighting for her or his life.”

I wondered how much they had practised this. Leone smiled, looking genuinely pleased. "Then we shall proceed with the ceremonial marking and oath-taking." He gestured to someone off to the side. A priest stepped forward carrying a large bowl. Even from this distance, I could see the dark liquid inside. Blood. Animal blood based on the scent. "Kneel," Leone commanded. The twenty Lycans dropped to their knees immediately. "Repeat after me. I swear on the moon goddess and all that is sacred." "I swear on the moon goddess and all that is sacred."

“By ash and ember, by scale and bone, by the watch kept over the fractured line, I bind myself in the sight of the moon. I will stand between flame and flesh, I will guard the tolling bell until the day I am undone. No hunter’s blade, no wolf’s treachery, no god’s hunger shall touch what I protect. As long as I breathe, I shall keep the charge.” Raven felt something shift like a seal cracking inside the valley as the air thrummed. When Malrik opened his eyes, they shone with molten resolve. “There,” he said. “The oath is spoken.” Raven’s throat worked. He had pledged himself to her in words older than the wolves’ laws.

"In this day and in this hour, I call upon the ancient power. As our bloods mix in this bowl, we promise to give thee thy souls. If our tongues break this oath to our friend, then our lives will come to an end." Lucy's eyes glowed blue as she casted her spell. A bright white light took over the basin as the spell set in motion. There was a popping sound and then the bowl disappeared in a ray of silver light, like it had never been there. "Wow!" Ariel exclaimed. "The oath has been activated," Lucy sighed. "Now tell us what this is about?" Cameron barked. "It's about Anna," Kanyon let out. "What about Anna?" Alpha Daniel urged. "The Priestess is passing a decree for our wedding."

“But the chamber is too large for just you and I to search without wasting time. We'll need help.” “You want us to tell people about the chamber…” I said in sudden realization. “Yes.” He said. “Rowan, Kael, Draven, Lyra, Vanessa and Kaida have proven their loyalty to us. I think we can trust them, but they will have to sweat an unbreakable oath just in case.” My brows furrowed in confusion. “An oath? What type of oath?” “A blood and magic oath.” He answered. “It's a type of oath that'll bind them to secrecy forever. If any of them ever think of betraying us in any way be it sabotage, revealing the location of the chamber or anything, the oath will take their lives.”

He had worked hard, and now he was trusted by all. Then came the most important part of the day. An ancient scroll was brought forward. Alec, Delilah, Maxwell, Amanok, and all the other leaders stood in a circle. They placed their hands on the scroll and repeated the sacred words: "We swear an eternal oath. To protect all life. To guard peace. To stand together, no matter the storm." A light burst from the scroll and floated into the sky. It was a sign. The gods had accepted the promise.