---- VALERIA ?The shadows bloomed and gathered, gaining strength in the absence of the silver light illuminating the night.


    Umbros, born from fear and darkness, devoured the hearts of the weak, building its own army of specters to defy the heavens.


    The Goddess had to act; everything was a consequence of her whims.


    So, she borrowed the lunar power of Juno, sealing Umbros and keeping him imprisoned.


    But every so often, the shadows would shake the bars of their confinement, and only a Selenia could protect us from the darkness? That seems to be what they call your kind, Valeriathe Selenias, Celine said to me, and I nodded as I worked on deciphering the altar.


    The castle interior was just as ruined as the exterior.


    We walked through cold hallways where the chilling breeze created ghostly sounds.


    Thankfully, no more specters or dangers appeared.


    In the throne room, where half the roof had copsed, beams of light illuminated the Altar to the Goddess, perched at the top of a set of old stairs.


    As with the other altars, it consisted of faded carvings etched into a mossy, ancient statue representing the Moon Goddess, along with a silver relic almost in in sight.


    Who is Umbros? I asked the brainiacs of the group.


    They say hes the greatest cmity to ever exist.


    He emerged during the period when the Goddess descended to visit mortals.


    Hes the father of the specters, who are enemies of the Children of the Moon.


    I suppose thats why you have the power to absorb them, Quinn exined.


    yes, and every time I do, I feel stronger, I admitted, clenching my fists.


    I just dont understand how someone supposedly so incredible cant even heal herself, I muttered, touching my face.


    Maybe if you absorb more specters? Celine suggested.


    Sure, lets go specter-hunting.


    Do you know of any taverns where they hang out? I asked sarcastically, and she stuck her tongue out at me like a child.


    Ishook my head, slightly amused, and focused on deciphering the clues to the next altar.


    I didnt need to ask which pack was involvedI knew it all too well.


    I grew up there, raised by