---
The stolen caravan rattled over uneven terrain, the golden insignias of the Sun Clan glinting under the moonlight. The horses neighed restlessly, their breaths misting in the cool night air as Luna and her growing band of warriors guided them away from the main trade routes.
They had won.
But Luna knew victory was only the first step—keeping it was the real battle.
Ahava rode beside her, his expression unreadable. He had barely spoken since the heist, but she could feel the weight of his gaze. Finally, he sighed.
"You realize they'll come for us now."
Luna smirked. "Let them."
Ahava exhaled through his nose. "You are impossible."
Dain, riding ahead, laughed. "You better get used to it. I don't think she plans on changing anytime soon."
Luna chuckled but said nothing.
They traveled for hours, putting as much distance between them and the Sun Clan's trade roads as possible. Eventually, they reached the ruins of an old temple, its crumbling stone walls covered in vines and moss. It was hidden, forgotten.
It was perfect.
"This will be our base for now," Luna announced, dismounting.
Kiran whistled, looking around. "Not bad. Bit haunted, maybe."
Dain smirked. "I like it."
Ahava rubbed his temples. "We're hiding in ruins. Fantastic."
Luna turned to the wagons, her eyes gleaming. "We need to take inventory. See exactly what we've taken."
Dain and Kiran moved to open the first wagon, lifting the heavy wooden lid. Inside, gold coins and ornate artifacts glowed under the lantern light.
"Jackpot," Kiran muttered.
Dain let out a low whistle. "This alone could buy us an army."
Luna's smile was sharp. "Then let's start recruiting."
---
The First Recruits
Word spread fast.
The Moon and Sun Clans controlled everything, but in the shadows, whispers of a new power had begun to surface. A clan with no allegiance to either empire. A queen who had stolen from the Sun Clan and lived to tell the tale.
They came in the dead of night.
Warriors. Outcasts. Mercenaries.
Some sought wealth, others revenge. All of them wanted something the Moon and Sun Clans would never give them—freedom.
Luna stood before them, her presence commanding, her silver hair glinting under the firelight.
"You are here because you seek something greater," she said, her voice steady, unwavering. "A kingdom where we answer to no one. A clan built not on bloodlines, but on strength. Loyalty. Power."
Murmurs rippled through the gathered warriors.
"You've all been cast aside. Forgotten. Treated as less." Luna's night-colored eyes burned with intensity. "I offer you more. Stand with me, and you will rise. Together, we will build something the world has never seen before."
Silence.
Then, one by one, they stepped forward.
A scarred man with a twin-bladed axe. A woman with a bow slung over her shoulder, her gaze sharp as a hawk's. A rogue with daggers strapped to his thighs, a smirk playing on his lips.
Twelve warriors.
Luna's first sworn.
They knelt before her, heads bowed.
"We pledge our loyalty to you, Queen of the Eclipse."
Luna smiled. "Then rise. For today, a new clan is born."
And just like that, the Eclipse Clan had its foundation.
---
The Warning
But not everyone was pleased.
A few days later, as Luna and her warriors planned their next move, a lone figure approached their hideout.
A messenger.
He was bloodied, bruised, and barely standing as he collapsed at Luna's feet, gasping for breath. Ahava immediately stepped forward, weapons drawn, but Luna raised a hand.
"Who sent you?" she asked.
The man coughed, his lips cracked and dry. "The Sun Clan."
Silence fell.
Ahava stiffened. Kiran cursed under his breath.
Luna's expression remained unreadable. "And what is their message?"
The messenger swallowed hard. "They know what you took. They know where you are." He hesitated, then added, "And they are coming."
Luna exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her dagger.
So, the real game was about to begin.
She smiled.
"Let them."
---