Chapter 77

As the realization of their potential breakthrough sank in, Shea and Achilles shared a moment of excitement. Their eyes locked, and for a brief instant, the world around them seemed to fade away.

"We need to tell my father about this," Achilles said, breaking the spell. "He might have more information about this sacred location."

Shea nodded, gathering up the most relevant books and documents. "Let's go find him."

They left the library, their footsteps echoing through the halls of the Von Lunar mansion. As they walked, Shea couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness. The weight of her potential role in this ancient prophecy was becoming more real with each passing moment.

They found Lucius in his study, poring over a map spread across his desk. He looked up as they entered, his eyebrows raising at the sight of their armful of books.

"Father," Achilles said, "we've found something important."

Lucius gestured for them to approach. "What is it?"

As Achilles explained their discovery, Shea watched Lucius's expression change from curiosity to intense focus. When Achilles finished, Lucius leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face.

"The sacred location," he mused. "I've heard whispers of such a place, but I never thought it was more than a legend."

"Do you have any idea where it might be?" Shea asked, hope coloring her voice.

Lucius shook his head. "Not precisely. But I may know someone who could help us narrow it down."

He stood up, walking over to a bookshelf and pulling out an old, leather-bound journal. "This belonged to an old friend of mine, a scholar who dedicated his life to studying werewolf lore. He mentioned the sacred location in his writings, but I never paid it much attention before."

As Lucius flipped through the pages, Shea and Achilles exchanged a look of anticipation. This could be the key they needed to unlock the mystery of the awakening.

Lucius carefully examined the old journal, his brow furrowed in concentration. Shea and Achilles waited with bated breath, hoping for any clue that could lead them to the sacred location.

"Here," Lucius said finally, his finger landing on a particular page. "Listen to this: 'The sacred location lies where the moon's reflection kisses the earth, guarded by ancient stone sentinels.'"

Achilles leaned in closer. "What does that mean?"

"It's a riddle," Shea realized, her mind already working to decipher the cryptic words. "The moon's reflection... could it be referring to a lake or a body of water?"

Lucius nodded approvingly. "That's a good start. And the stone sentinels... perhaps some kind of rock formation?"

"There are several lakes in the forests surrounding Lockewood," Achilles mused. "But I can't think of any with significant rock formations nearby."

Shea's eyes lit up as a thought struck her. "What about outside of Lockewood? Are there any landmarks that might fit this description?"

Lucius stroked his chin thoughtfully. "There is one place that comes to mind. About a day's journey from here, there's a lake known as Mirror Moon. It's said to have unusually clear waters that perfectly reflect the night sky."

"And the stone sentinels?" Achilles pressed.

"On the far shore of the lake, there's a circle of standing stones," Lucius explained. "They're ancient - no one knows who put them there or why. But they've stood for centuries, watching over the lake."

Excitement coursed through Shea's veins. "That has to be it! When can we go?"

Lucius held up a hand, tempering their enthusiasm. "We need to be cautious. If this truly is the sacred location, it's likely that others are searching for it as well. We'll need to prepare carefully before we make the journey."

Achilles nodded in agreement. "We should gather supplies and plan our route. And we'll need to be ready for any potential confrontations along the way."

"Agreed," Lucius said. "Let's take the rest of the day to prepare. We'll set out at first light tomorrow."

Shea, Achilles, and Lucius spent the rest of the day preparing for their journey. As the sun began to set, they gathered in the study to finalize their plans.

"I've mapped out the safest route to Mirror Moon," Achilles said, spreading a large map across the desk. "It should take us about a day and a half if we travel at a steady pace."

Shea leaned in, tracing the path with her finger. "What about these areas here? They look pretty dense."

Lucius nodded. "Good observation, Shea. Those are some of the oldest parts of the forest. We'll need to be extra vigilant there."

"What kind of dangers should we expect?" Shea asked, her voice tinged with both excitement and apprehension.

Achilles placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Mostly wildlife and treacherous terrain. But we can't rule out the possibility of encountering other werewolves or hunters."

"Speaking of which," Lucius interjected, "we need to discuss how we'll handle potential confrontations."

Shea straightened up, a determined look in her eyes. "I've been training hard. I can hold my own in a fight now."

Achilles couldn't help but smile at her confidence. "You've definitely improved, but remember, we're stronger as a team. If we run into trouble, we stick together."

"Achilles is right," Lucius agreed. "Our priority is to reach the sacred location safely. We avoid unnecessary risks and conflicts."

"What about once we get there?" Shea asked. "What exactly are we looking for?"

Lucius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That's the tricky part. The journal doesn't give many specifics. We'll need to search for any signs or symbols that might point us to the next step."

"And if we find something?" Achilles prompted.

"Then we proceed with caution," Lucius said firmly. "Whatever power or knowledge is hidden there, it's been protected for generations. We can't rush in blindly."

As the meeting concluded, Achilles and Shea found themselves alone in the study. The weight of their impending journey hung in the air, but there was also an undercurrent of excitement.

Shea turned to Achilles, her eyes bright with determination. "I can't believe we're really doing this. It feels like everything's been leading up to this moment."

Achilles nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "You've come a long way since you first arrived in Lockewood. I'm proud of you, Shea."

She blushed slightly at his praise. "I couldn't have done it without you. You've been there for me every step of the way."

"We make a good team," Achilles said, his voice softening. He reached out and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Shea looked down at their intertwined fingers, then back up at Achilles. "Do you think we'll find answers about my father at Mirror Moon?"

Achilles hesitated, not wanting to give her false hope. "I don't know for sure. But if there are answers to be found, we'll find them together."

"I'm scared," Shea admitted quietly. "Not just of what we might face out there, but of what we might learn."

Achilles pulled her into a comforting embrace. "It's okay to be scared. I'd be worried if you weren't. But remember, whatever happens, you're not alone in this."

Shea nodded against his chest, drawing strength from his presence. After a moment, she pulled back slightly, looking up into his eyes. "Achilles, I... I want you to know how much you mean to me. Whatever we face out there, I'm glad it's with you."

Achilles cupped her face gently, his thumb tracing her cheekbone. "Shea, you've become more important to me than I ever thought possible. I'll be by your side, no matter what."