“Again!” Orion shouted, before Kayleigha had even hit the ground. A dull thud sounded as she landed hard, for what felt like the thousandth time that morning.

  “You know, I used to actually like you,” she grumbled, brushing dirt and pebbles from her pants as she stood.

  “And you should know that you’re sadly unprepared if a mere fledgling attacked you. You’re leaving yourself wide open! Have you learned nothing this past year?”

  Kayleigha’s eyes narrowed. “A fledgling? Really, Orion!” She huffed. “Maybe if training didn’t start at the crack of dawn when I’m exhausted, I could focus better. Such an encouraging mentor you are.”

  Orion tried to hide his grin - he knew teasing made her perform better. Though she had exceeded expectations this past year, she still wasn’t ready. The star glowed just under 3 years ago, yet she needed more time to master the basics. So, for now, he was content to focus on her physical abilities before escalating her magic training. The less she knew of other things, the better.

  Orion’s hand clasped his side as a sudden jolt of pain hit him, caused by a small ball of glowing magic. His feet promptly went out from under him causing him to hit the ground.

  Kayleigha grinned smugly from ear to ear. “Ha! fledgling, please, Orion. I could take out a lyranthany with my eyes closed.”

  Orion shook his head, realizing that he let his thoughts wander during training.

  “I let you do that, trying to build your confidence, remember? You asked me to be more encouraging. I figured faking how powerful you are might make you feel better.”

  “You’re lying,” Kayleigha accused sourly.

  A small smile flashed across his face, “You wish,” Orion chided back.

  And so, their training continued for the rest of that morning.

  ~

  The king stood on a balcony in the training yard overlooking where his daughter was training, his dark brows furrowed in thought.

  “You’re muttering again,” Juruka said, joining him on the balcony. His deep wrinkles apparent around his brow as his silver hair and flowing beard emphasized the toll of the years had taken upon his body. He stood next to the king as his robe fluttered lightly in wind, its fine golden trim catching the sunlight with a regal glimmer. This attire, adorned in the colors of Arvandale- red, gold, and black- signified his high rank within the kingdom, as gold accents were reserved for royalty or those of notable standing.

  “I do not mutter,” the king protested.

  “You do when you’re worried - it’s a habit of yours.” Juruka studied his old friend. “What’s troubling you?”

  The king sighed. “What isn’t troubling me? My kingdom is at risk. Events have been set in motion that I fear cannot be taken back. Worse still, Kayleigha is nowhere near prepared. She has no notion of the monumental burden of being queen, nor can she ever be fully ready. It should have never been her. I question if we made the right choice with her training. What if there is no hope...what if all is lost?”

  Juruka ran his long bony fingers down his silver beard.

  “Well, you have never been one for optimism.” He chuckled.

  “This isn’t a laughing matter.” The King burst as he turned to look at Juruka.

  “Don’t take my optimism as a lack of caring. I know the severity of the situation, yet it was foretold ‘In the time of darkness a new light would appear, young and strong, to thwart the darkness and drive back fear.’ Don’t you remember?” Juruka asked.

  The king sighed. “Of course. But why did it have to be Kayleigha chosen as Keeper? I never wanted this for her. She is to be queen and carry on my legacy not to be the Keeper. It should have never happened this way. Why now? Why her?” He paced anxiously.

  “She is destined for both. You cannot separate two sides of the same coin. The stars warn of a time of turmoil, but I believe we still have adequate time to prepare. I think it wise to slow down her training and not risk revealing too much unnecessarily,” Juruka said.

  “Can we truly trust Orion’s as her trainer? Does he have ulterior motives? What if he is still holding a grudge? Maybe we were wrong to put such faith in Orion alone.”

  “There is much validity in your concern with Orion’s intentions with Kayleigha, but the past is the past. If you continue to hold onto what was then you will never be able to see what can be possible. We still haven’t unraveled the extent of Kayleigha’s abilities and I have spoken to Orion about suppressing some of her magical abilities for now since Omisha’s blood runs through her veins. Though he was reluctant, he has complied and started focusing on more her physical abilities. If her magic continued to grow and others became aware of her true identity, her life might be at risk,” Juruka responded.

  A flash of anger crossed over the king’s face. “Her life is already in danger! And worse it’s not just her life, it’s my entire kingdom. I have sacrificed too much for it to be snatched away.”

  “And whose fault is that?” Juruka snapped back.

  “How dare you! Do you forget who I am?” The King’s face twisted in anger as he looked at Juruka intensely.

  Juruka sighed, knowing this conversation was going to be pointless if the King lost his temper.

  “Your majesty, please. I am not trying to make you upset. I am merely pointing out that the last time you did not listen to my advice, it had deadly consequences. Trust me. Please. We have time according to the stars. Be patient!”

  “I hope you’re right,” the King muttered under his breath as he looked at Kayleigha with frustration.

  “The stars are always right,” Juruka reassured as he bowed and left the king to watch his daughter.

  ~

  Exhausted, Kayleigha slowly made it up the tower to her small room that was within the training barracks. Orion’s insistence she move outside the main castle so she could solely focus on more training was just a ruse. What it meant was that she could be watched over and controlled at every waking moment. She sat on her modest bed, gently tracing her arm where she was sure a bruise would form.

  “I don’t understand why I have to train so long and hard,” she thought to herself. “This is ridiculous. I should be out enjoying my life, not stuck in some rigid training regimen that Orion has planned for me. I’m not queen yet, and do not plan on being one anytime soon. It just seems so pointless.”

  With a deep sigh, she leaned back on her bed, allowing the sunlight that was cascading through the arched window to caress her face. The warmth accentuated the reddish-brown hues of her hair and beckoned her to the forbidden forest outside the city walls. She put her hand on her forehead, contemplating the consequences and weighing the tradeoff. Despite knowing that she was not permitted to go beyond Arvandale’s protective walls, her independent spirit was too strong for her to ignore the beckoning of the forest. She hurriedly jumped up and pulled her wooden bow from under the bed, grabbed her dark green, long cloak from the closet, and jumped up onto the windowsill. Looking down from the third-story window, she grinned as she leaped off. Swiftly, she pulled her head forward and did a somersault as she landed on the ground and leaped upright onto her feet. Not a sound was heard, and she felt the excitement of freedom as she ran toward the forest that laid just beyond the castle’s protective walls.

  The woods, her sanctuary, welcomed Kayleigha with a sense of peace she rarely found elsewhere. Here, away from prying eyes and imposed responsibilities, she could just be herself. Her keen hazel eyes with flecks of green absorbed every detail of the forest- lingering dewdrops on leaves, the melodious birdsong resonating through the trees, and even a small beetle’s valiant attempt to scale a branch. Being an Alation, her senses surpassed those of other races. The wisdom and grace inherent in her kind were a source of envy for many, and the burdensome expectations she carried served as a constant reminder of the impossibly ambitious standards placed upon the future queen.

  Kayleigha stopped abruptly and knelt. Something wasn’t right. The birds had stopped chirping, and the woods had suddenly gone quiet. She closed her eyes, allowing her ears to dominate her senses. Her pointed ear twitched at a small sound directly behind her. She silently loaded her bow and in one swift motion stood up with her arrow pointing at a tree.

  “I know you’re there, come out!” Kayleigha demanded.

  “Would you really shoot your best friend?” came a playful voice from the shadows.

  “I would have if I didn’t recognize the tempo of your steps,” Kayleigha replied, her stern look breaking into a wide smile as Maggie, her best friend, emerged. Maggie was short by Alations standards and lacked the conventional magical talents of her kin. Yet, she possessed a rare gift—fierce loyalty and a nurturing nature that endeared her to Kayleigha. If Kayleigha were honest with herself, she would admit that she harbored a hint of jealousy toward her, envying her simplistic and less demanding life. Maggie, hailing from a humble family, coincidentally crossed paths with her in the market when they were both very young. Their eyes were fixed on the same color sparklers sold every year for the New Spring Celebration. Since that moment, they became inseparable. Kayleigha couldn’t keep track of the times she got into trouble for sneaking down to the lower part of the Kingdom to seek out Maggie for a forbidden playdate.

  Maggie brushed her black hair away from almond-colored eyes and smiled. “I’m glad you decided to be a rebel today. I was hoping you would come out and enjoy the day.”

  “Since when am I not a rebel?” Kayleigha chuckled as they walked toward the clearing. “How’s training going?” Maggie chirped, picking up her pace to catch up.

  Kayleigha grumbled at her thoughts returning to training. “I came out here to escape training, and the thought of training, and anything that has to do with training. Why do you have to bring it up?” Kayleigha asked sourly.

  “That bad, huh?” Maggie asked.

  Kayleigha sighed, contemplating how to express her frustrations to her overly optimistic friend. Complaining to Maggie always proved challenging—she had a knack for finding the bright side of things, which was annoying when Kayleigha wanted to vent. Plus, she didn’t want to admit how frustrating training with Orion was. No matter how hard she tried, she always felt two steps behind.

  “Don’t worry Kay, you’ll get the hang of it eventually,” Maggie said as she lightly placed her hand on Kayleigha’s shoulder.

  “I somehow doubt that,” Kayleigha replied. “I really do enjoy learning with a tutor but Orion is so focused on the physical. Every time I bring up my desire to learn more about magic beyond basic attack spells he refuses. He tells me I must master the basics, but if I am to be honest, I feel like he is just refusing to let me move forward.”

  Maggie gave a quiet nod showing her acknowledgement. “I am sure he has his reasons.”

  “I thought so in the beginning but after a year I feel like he just doesn’t want me to grow. I can’t help but feel my magic continuing to build but I have no outlet. It’s quite frustrating.”

  Maggie gently grabbed Kayleigha’s hand and squeezed it encouragingly. “Don’t worry, I am sure you will figure it out.”

  They continued walking toward their hidden spot the rest of the way in silence.

  At last, the trees gave way to a small clearing. This place had always held a special allure for Kayleigha, etched in her memories from as far back as she could recall. A gentle hill dominated the center of the clearing, crowned by a stone-paved circle surrounded by ancient pillars adorned with carvings dating back over ten thousand years. Closing her eyes, Kayleigha inhaled the fresh aroma of the surrounding woods.

  “Race you to the top!” Maggie’s exuberant shout echoed, and she darted forward, seizing an early advantage. Kayleigha couldn’t help but grin, knowing the inevitable outcome as she leaped after her friend. Seated at the summit, she watched Maggie approach, those last few steps up the hill. “I even got a head start,” Maggie protested with a playful pout.

  “It’s okay; I know you let me win,” Kayleigha winked.

  The sky was turning a golden pink color as the sun sank into the northern sky. Both girls were laying on their backs enjoying the last hour of sunlight they had left. Kayleigha regretfully thought of the consequences that surely awaited her and wished time would stop so she could enjoy the moment longer. Maggie turned toward Kayleigha, resting her head on her elbow.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “We should leave before dark. I don’t want to get caught in the woods after nightfall like last time,” concern lacing Maggie’s voice.

  Kayleigha smiled widely at the memory of the last time they played hooky and got caught in the woods after dark. The forest was a beautiful place during the day, but every beautiful place has its thorns. For the forest, it was after nighttime when the creatures of the dark would come out. If not for Orion’s timely intervention, they more than likely would have fallen prey to the lyranthany. The lyranthany was an enormous bearwolf-like creature with razor-sharp teeth and a ferocious demeanor. They would have been fine if Maggie hadn’t screamed so loud when she heard the creature’s snarl. Once the lyranthany detects a scream, there’s no curbing its predatory instincts.

  “Kay? Are you even listening?” Maggie pleaded.

  “Yes, yes I’m coming. Let’s go before you ask another lyranthany to have us for dinner.”

  “That’s not funny.” Maggie said sourly.

  “Still is,” Kayleigha replied as she led the way back to the castle.

  “How much trouble will you be in?” Maggie whispered as Kayleigha started to climb back up to her window.

  Kayleigha smiled, “Don’t be surprised if you don’t see me for a few days. Anything longer than a week, then suspect Orion was responsible for my death.”

  Maggie chuckled as she quietly headed toward her home. Kayleigha slipped through her window silently and looked around. She jumped back as she saw a figure in the corner sitting in a chair.

  “You scared me half to death, Orion!”

  “You’re lucky you aren’t dead with how careless you’ve been,” Orion scolded.

  “I just needed a break. Honestly, you can’t expect me to be a caged animal. You have me training seven days a week; I can’t think clearly anymore.” Orion desperately wanted to unleash his frustration. His anger consumed him. If only she knew how precious she was, how perilous the times were, and what was truly at stake. But no, it was too early, and he knew she couldn’t handle it. He understood he was pushing her too hard, and she needed balance, yet no one could afford the risk of something happening to her.

  Orion took a deep breath. “Look, I have been pushing you hard in training and it’ll become clear to you at some point why, but you must understand that you can’t just venture off. It’s not safe!”

  “Orion, I am fine. I can take care of myself.”

  “Kayleigha!”

  Kayleigha came to a halt, meeting her trainer’s gaze. Orion was not one to raise his voice—ever. Tonight marked the first time she had truly heard him do so. Beyond that, when she peered into his eyes, she discerned fear. A fear deeper than she had ever imagined. Orion, afraid? She had never known him to be afraid of anything. Orion was the son of Joriah, a figure surrounded by legends within the Burah family. Joriah had been one of the most renowned alations during his time, instrumental in securing victory in the last battle against the Drucanians before falling to Alazarth’s treachery. Due to his father’s legacy, Orion, as Joriah’s only son, had always received ample respect and reverence. He used to be carefree, but about three years ago, he started to transform into an uncharacteristically serious and strict individual. As her eyes met his, Kayleigha experienced a profound lack of recognition, as though he were a stranger to her.

  Orion drew a breath and refocused his mind. Calmly, as if he were whispering, he began again. “Kayleigha, there are things out there you do not know or understand, nor is it the right time to disclose them to you. But you must trust me when I tell you the woods are not safe. This is more than just about you, your freedom, and your desires. I do not want you to ever leave the grounds again until it is the right time. Do you understand me?”

  In that moment, all words and thoughts escaped Kayleigha, and any fight she thought she had left promptly drained away. All she could do was quietly nod her head to show she understood.

  “Good, get some rest. You will need it for tomorrow. Your father has requested your presence.”

  “Father? Orion, you told him?!” Anger burst forth from Kayleigha at the betrayal.

  “I did not. You are not as sneaky as you think yourself to be,” Orion responded flatly before continuing, “I came to get you for an extra round of training. Your father wanted to see how your physical combat was progressing, and unfortunately, you weren’t here. There was no excuse I could make to cover for you.”

  Kayleigha sat on her bed, dread filling her entire body. Sympathy filled Orion’s eyes as he looked at her, knowing what awaited her tomorrow. “I am sorry, Kayleigha,” he said softly, as he laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Be ready at first light; I will escort you in the morning.”

  Before Kayleigha could collect her thoughts to try and argue, he was gone, leaving her alone in the darkness. After a long and sleepless night awaiting her meeting with her father, Orion’s light knock at the door finally came just as the first light started appearing in the sky.

  “Are you ready?” Orion asked.

  “No, but let’s get this over with,” Kayleigha said dryly as she followed him toward the castle.

  It had been a while since she had stepped foot in the castle, and even longer since she had seen her father. True, she would catch a glimpse of him watching over her sometimes during combat training, but as far as exchanging words, she couldn’t even recall the last time they had spoken. Most of his directives and requests were filtered through Orion.

  Kayleigha stood in front of the throne room doors as the guards bowed and opened them, allowing her to enter the chambers. Orion followed at a distance behind her.

  Holding her head high, Kayleigha walked down the long hallway toward her father, King Taegawn, as he sat upon his throne, showing no emotion at all. When she finally reached the steps in front of him, she knelt on one knee and bowed.

  Maintaining her posture, Kayleigha took in a deep breath. “You summoned me, Father.”

  Casting his gaze upon the room’s occupants, the king bellowed, “Leave us.” The harsh edginess was evident in his tone.

  The entire room started to clear when King Taegawn spoke again, “Except you, Orion. I want you to stay.” The king instructed as he gestured toward the side of his throne. Orion hastily turned back around and stood beside the king as the rest of the room was empty within seconds.

  King Taegawn’s gaze, as cold and unyielding as the stone walls that surrounded Arvandale, focused on Kayleigha. His eyes lingered on her with a disdainful expression, and the air grew heavy with an unspoken tension as the silence remained. No one dared to speak before the king.

  “You disappoint me, Kayleigha,” the king finally uttered, his voice cutting through the silence like a sharp blade.

  “You have the blood of a ruler, yet you squander it with your lackadaisical approach to training and responsibility. Your arrogance could have not only cost you your life, but also stolen the future Queen from Arvandale. I have summoned you today to discuss your inadequacies and the embarrassment you bring to this kingdom.”

  Kayleigha felt a knot tighten in her stomach, but she maintained her composure, her eyes fixed on the ground.

  “Look at me when I speak to you,” King Taegawn commanded.

  When Kayleigha met his gaze, she saw his face wince slightly as he looked into her eyes, the same eyes of her mother.

  “It truly is a shame you look so much like her. She was everything a queen should be- graceful, powerful, and devoted to her people. And you,” he gestured towards Kayleigha, “you are a mockery of her memory. I expect more from you.”

  Orion, standing by the throne, watched the exchange with a pained expression but remained silent.

  King Taegawn continued as frustration became more evident within his tone. “You lack the discipline to lead. A future queen cannot afford to be distracted by trivialities. Every choice you make reflects on the royal family and I am ashamed of the image you have created.”

  Kayleigha fought back tears. Her fists clenched at her sides. She had always felt a distance and a sense of disapproval from her father, but hearing it so explicitly was a harsh blow.

  “I have decided to limit your physical training and completely take away all magic. It is clear you need more discipline in the mind vs. body. You need to become well educated. No more of this entitlement and running away from your responsibilities when it suites you. Arvandale needs a queen, not a wayward child,” the king declared, his expectations weighing down on her like a heavy crown.

  As King Taegawn continued to outline his unrealistic expectations, Kayleigha’s mind raced with a mixture of sorrow and frustration, but she remained silent.

  The king’s lecture finally concluded, and Kayleigha, with a heavy heart, bowed gracefully. “I take responsibility for my actions. I am truly sorry for the unnecessary burden this has caused you, and I will continue to strive to be the queen Arvandale needs me to be.”

  King Taegawn’s eyes remained unreadable as Kayleigha met his gaze one last time. “You’re dismissed,” he declared coldly.

  Bowing again, Kayleigha left the throne room alone. As the heavy door shut behind her, the floodgates holding back her tears burst open. She hastily covered her mouth, attempting to regain her composure in the dimly lit corridor. Alone in the quiet, she could still hear the muffled voices of her father and Orion conversing within the throne room.

  “I know you are disappointed in her, but I assure you, she has been working extremely hard,” Orion’s voice carried through the closed door, a futile attempt to reassure the angered king.

  “It’s not good enough. She needs to be more than she is,” King Taegawn replied with frustration lacing his words.

  “She will be, she is still young,” Orion said, attempting to soothe the king.

  “I can’t stand looking at her. Every time I see her, I see Omisha. She’s just a shell of what she looked like, but she is nothing like her,” King Taegawn confessed with a heavy heart.

  Unable to bear the weight of her father’s words, Kayleigha couldn’t take it anymore. Without uttering another word, she ran as fast as she could, escaping the suffocating atmosphere of the castle.

  Orion, standing in front of his old friend, lightly rested his hand on his shoulder. “It is unfair to hold her to the ghost of Omisha. She is a different person entirely.”

  King Taegawn looked up at Orion, tears starting to brim in his eyes. “I know it is, but I can’t help it. She looks so much like her, but she is so much like me. Free-spirited and strong-willed. I wish she were more like Omisha than myself. Every time I look at her, I see all my mistakes.” The weight of regret and longing burdened the king’s heart, and the tears he held back spoke volumes about the pain he carried within.

  “May I speak freely?” Orion asked hesitantly.

  King Taegawn looked silently at Orion, which he took as a signal for permission.

  “No amount of suffering and self-punishment will bring Omisha back. Kayleigha is all you have of her, don’t lose her too. You are right, she is very much like you, but perhaps with the right encouragement she can be a better version of you.”

  King Taegawn took in his words before drawing in a deep breath. “I want you to take time to develop a new planning regimen for Kayleigha. I no longer wish her to develop any of her magic and limit her physical discipline. Focus on all the knowledge she will need to run a successful kingdom. Perhaps through training this way she can avoid the same mistakes I made and be strong enough to handle the kingdom I have created.”

  “But sir, do you think it wise to completely withdraw that much of her training, we do not know the trials she may face head and..”

  “Juruka is insistent we have time. What is the point if she progresses magically? We still do not know the traits she has inherited from Omisha and she cannot even follow basic instruction. I would rather have a well-developed queen who can continue my legacy than for her to thrive within whatever unknown magical abilities she may have. You are dismissed, Orion” the king interrupted harshly.

  Orion bowed, “As you wish your highness,” he replied before leaving.

  ~

  The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silvery glow over the secluded pond that sat not too far from the training grounds. The watered sparkled softly under the moonlight, creating a serene atmosphere. Kayleigha sat on a moss-covered rock at the water’s edge, thoughts swirling with the heavy burden of her father’s expectations and the complex emotions that had been unleashed during their meeting. As she stared into the still waters, a rustle of leaves behind her caught her attention. She did not turn around as she felt a small sense of relief knowing it was Maggie due to her familiar footsteps. Silently, Maggie sat next to her best friend and embraced her. Once again, all the composure she finally was able to obtain broke and she cried once more. The night air filled with the soft sounds of Kayleigha’s sobs as Maggie held her close.

  “You don’t have to say anything if you’re not ready,” Maggie whispered, offering comfort through her presence.

  “He hates me Maggie, he really does,” Kayleigha said through her tears.

  “Who? Orion?” Maggie questioned.

  “No, Not Orion. My father,” Kayleigha responded, her voice heavy with emotion. “He found out I went to the forest and summoned me. You should have seen the anger and disgust in his eyes. I can’t escape it, no matter how hard I try,” Kayleigha said as she tried to wipe away her tears.

  Maggie tightened her embrace, providing a comforting anchor. “He couldn’t possible hate you.”

  Kayleigha shook her head in disagreement, “He said he can’t stand looking at me, that I am a disappointment.”

  Kayleigha took a deep breath and laughed.

  “The first conversation I have had with him in years, and he made a point to tell me how much of a disappointment I am to him and to Arvandale. He also made it abundantly clear that although I look like my mother, I am unfortunately nothing like her. Not only that, but he took away all my magic training and limited my physical training. Why would he do that? He knows how much I love learning about magic.”

  Kayleigha looked over at Maggie as she continued to listen in silence as she poured out her heart.

  “Every time he looks at me, he has this look of pure hatred and disgust. No matter how hard I try, I will never be good enough for him. I am the ghost of his late wife. Every time he sees me, he sees her, but has made it abundantly clear I am nothing like her. He will always see me as the one who took his beloved wife away. It was my fault she died. I will always be her murderer,” Kayleigha confessed, the pain in her voice echoing through the night.

  “Kayleigha, look at me,” Maggie said as she reached over and cupped Kayleigha’s face forcing her to look her in the eyes. Tears continued to stream down her face as she looked Maggie in the eyes.

  “It is not, nor has it ever been your fault your mom died.” Maggie said sternly.

  “I wish I could believe that,” Kayleigha whispered softly.

  Maggie pulled Kayleigha into a deep hug as she embraced her.

  “Whether or not you want to believe it, it’s true.” Maggie reassured her. “You are your own person, Kayleigha. I know he is the king and your father, but he is wrong.”

  Kayleigha felt her body melt in Maggie’s embrace as the two friends sat by the water, connected in the quiet understanding of one another. Neither one spoke again for many hours as they sat together until the sun rose the next day.

  ~

  Meanwhile, about 2,000 miles away, Alazarth stood with his back toward the group, the atmosphere thick with tension as the other Drucanians anxiously awaited his reaction to the news. The unfortunate messenger trembled under the weight of fear, his entire being gripped by the looming dread. Whirling around, Alazarth’s eyes blazed with intensity as he seized the messenger’s throat, cutting off his breath. “You mean to tell me that they have already found The Keeper?!” The messenger struggled, his vision dimming until Alazarth eased his grip just enough to let him respond. “Your highness, it’s true. The Keeper has emerged, but she’s merely 17. She’s not prepared and has no knowledge of her destiny . They’ve kept her in the dark, delayed the ceremony,” the informant wheezed.

  Alazarth, his teeth clenched, hissed, “Who is your source?”

  The answer barely reached his ears through the gasps but seemed satisfy him as a wicked smile appeared. His thick, white fingers tightened on the messenger’s throat slightly then dropped him.

  The messenger coughed trying to take in air and regain his composer.

  “Whether she knows or not, it won’t change the inevitable. To think the next Keeper, a little princess lost in a false reality, is the only source of hope. It’s as if fate itself has destined this as recompense for me. There is no way I will fail.”

  Jorishin, the leader of the council, stood up to face Alazarth, “What does our lord command?

  Alazarth drew an ancient dagger from his belt. “Fetch me a slave,” he commanded. In swift response, a pitiful figure, weak and emaciated, was ushered before him. Grasping the slaves ragged garments, Alazarth hoisted him up with disdain, and with a swift and cruel motion, drove the dagger into the man’s heart.

  A sudden burst of magic and shadows erupted from the blade, engulfing the husk of the unfortunate soul. Alazarth’s lips curled into a chilling grin as the ritual unfolded before him. Darkness and shadows engulfed the man as Alazarth released him and he fell to the floor. Seizing and twitching, the shadows continued to take over, giving birth to the new dark creature. The council watched intently, witnessing the transformation. It’s face cloaked in darkness, a figure stood, with only luminescent eyes of malice visible. The creature had the ability to meld into shadows, becoming almost invisible to capture its prey.

  “Welcome, Hunter. I have a task for you,” Alazarth announced.

  The creature bowed deferentially, “What does my master command?” it inquired with an eerie resonance.

  “Bring me back The Keeper, alive,” Alazarth ordered as he handed the dagger to him.

  “As you wish,” The hunter replied, dissolving seamlessly into the encroaching darkness.

  Now turning his attention to Jorishin, Alazarth’s gaze burned with a sinister light. “Prepare the first, second, and sixth divisions of the army. It’s time to pay my hometown a visit, he declared, his words laden with wicked intent.