Chapter 1

To heal Cillian's old injuries, I secretly ventured into the Shadow Realm to find a magical cure.

After enduring countless hardships, I finally returned to the Silver Spire.

But there, I saw a woman who shared my features leaning into his chest.

They were whispering intimately, their breath mingling as they shared a private moment.

"Will taking her Lunar Essence be too heartless?" Elara asked softly.

Cillian's gaze was full of tenderness as he looked at her.

"If you hadn't intercepted that Silver Lightning for me, you wouldn't have lost your powers. I cannot fail you. Besides… she is just a lowly wildflower shifter."

"She has enjoyed my protection for years. It is time for her to pay it back."

I stood in the darkness, swallowing the metallic taste of blood rising in my throat.

The love we shared these past years was a total lie. His gentle words were nothing but traps to steal my core.

He was willing to plot against me for the woman in his arms.

What he didn't know was that I was the one who actually blocked that lightning strike for him.

And I wasn't just some little shifter.

I was the last of the Celestial Bloom, a dying line of the Ancient Lunar Gods.

01

Watching the scene before me, I couldn't believe it was real.

Elara leaned into him with fake tears in her eyes.

"I know taking her core will turn her back into a mere blossom, but I truly want to be with you."

Cillian held her tightly, resting his chin on her head, his voice filled with comfort.

"She has received so much from me. It's only right she repays it. I'm just helping her make the choice sooner."

I stayed hidden in the shadows, terrified of making a single sound.

I stood frozen, clutching the medicine I had nearly died to retrieve from the Shadow Realm.

They were so close. It was obvious they had been together for a long time.

How much had Cillian kept from me?

My vision blurred, yet I could still clearly see Cillian leaning down to kiss her.

The pain in my heart was beyond words.

"Elara, just seven more days and you'll be able to practice your magic again."

Elara smiled shyly in his arms. "Yes, then we can truly be together."

They shared another moment of intimacy before getting up and leaving the spire.

I stepped out from the dark, looking at the place I had once decorated with all my heart.

Now, it just felt dirty.

Without hesitation, I turned and headed back to Moon-Shadow Ridge.

This was my birthplace, and also where the old gods faded away.

I am the last Ancient Lunar Spirit left in this world.

Elder Silas stepped forward and bowed deeply to me.

"My Goddess, have you made up your mind?"

I nodded slowly.

"Inheriting the throne and guarding the Eternal Hollow is my duty as a goddess."

Silas looked pained.

"But My Goddess, this journey could take hundreds, even thousands of years!"

What did a thousand years matter?

At least there, I wouldn't have to look at the two of them.

"In that case, I cannot talk you out of it."

When I returned to the spire, Cillian was resting on the daybed.

I entered the room and began silently packing my belongings.

Cillian slowly opened his eyes and walked toward me.

His tone was indifferent, yet laced with an unspoken demand.

"I heard you want to go guard the Eternal Hollow?"

"Yes."

I pushed away the hand he tried to wrap around me.

Cillian froze in surprise.

"With your current power, there's no need for you to go. Are you unhappy here at the spire?"

He seemed a bit flustered, especially seeing me busy packing and ignoring him.

"You're just a minor shifter. Guarding the Hollow is a responsibility for the high immortals."

Perhaps sensing he had slipped by calling me a mere shifter, he changed his tone.

"Just stay here. Wait for me to ascend to the Divine Rank. I'll take you with me and help you grow."

I could hear the unease in his voice.

In the past, I revolved my entire world around him, like a carefree little shifter.

He was always gentle with me, spoiling me to no end.

There were times I foolishly thought living like that forever would be enough.

But every dream eventually has an awakening.

I finally spoke. "I want to do something meaningful. I can't just stop growing and remain a burden to you."

Cillian's voice turned urgent. "You aren't a burden. I've just been busy lately and neglected you. Are you angry?"

"Didn't you say you went out to find something for me? Well, I'm right here…"

He trailed off as he noticed the Shadow Flower sitting on the table.

He walked over and picked it up, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"This is a Night-Crawler Herb from the Shadow Realm. Liora, you went there…"

The Shadow Realm is forbidden territory, but the Night-Crawler Herb can heal any divine wound.

"You knew I was injured during the last lightning trial, so you went there specifically for me, didn't you?"

"You clearly still love me. Why say such things just to make me angry?"

He stood before me, as gentle as always. But after what I had seen, I couldn't remain indifferent.

I snatched the herb from his hand and destroyed it instantly.

"This wasn't for you."

Looking at the ashes on the floor, Cillian let out a frustrated laugh.

"Stop acting out."

I finished packing my things and stood up to leave without another word.

Cillian stepped forward and gripped my wrist tightly.

I struggled for a moment, then let out a long sigh, looking back at him.

"Cillian, let's go our separate ways."

He pulled me into his chest, holding me in a suffocating embrace.

"I know I neglected you today. Please, forgive me."

I pushed him off.

"Was it just neglect? You and…"

Before I could finish, Cillian vanished from the room using a movement spell.

"I have an emergency. Wait for me to return, and I will explain everything!"

I watched him leave like the wind.

There was nothing to explain. My eyes didn't lie.