2025-01-03 05:23:58
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Ashes of the Crown Chapter 12
The AccountabilityRenshollow's beaten walls were covered in deep shadows as the first rays of dawn appeared over the horizon. Once thriving and brimming with life, the village now remained as a sombre reminder of the Shadow Council's fury. The lingering smoke served as a sobering reminder of the devastation the enemy's forces had caused. Nevertheless, the locals were coming together despite the destruction and hopelessness.With the Blade of Eryndor strapped to his back, Kael stood in the centre of the square. For the survivors, its gentle yet persistent radiance was a ray of hope. Selene, Grent, Mira, and Orin stood by him, getting ready for the fight. Their determination was more radiant than the early sun, despite their exhausted expressions.Kael said, "This is our stand," his voice echoing around the square. "The Shadow Council believes they can destroy us and extinguish our light. However, they undervalue the cause
Ashes of the Crown Chapter 13
The Crown That Was BrokenWith the Blade of Eryndor shining dimly in his hand, Kael stood at the edge of the destroyed square, breathing steadily. He was troubled by the battle's aftermath. The air smelt of singed earth and burned wood, as smoke curled skyward from broken houses. The eerie quiet that followed the Shadow Council's forces' withdrawal provided some relief despite the devastation.Selene stepped next to him and murmured, "They'll be back." Although she spoke calmly, her eyes showed that she was worried. "This was only the start."Kael nodded, his eyes focused on the far horizon where the sun had sunk, illuminating the sky with red and orange. "We must be prepared."Grent joined them, his face as stoic as ever despite his wounded and scratched armour. "We cannot continue to fight in this manner. We require allies and reinforcements who will support us.Kael looked at Orin and Mira, who were caring for the wounded. The villager
Ashes of the Crown Chapter 14
Echoes of BetrayalAs Kael and his friends warily navigated the thick foliage, the forest was alive with the hum of danger. Their road was plunged into a never-ending gloom as the sun hardly broke through the dense canopy overhead. Every snap of a limb seemed like the prelude to an ambush, and every rustle of leaves was like the voice of an invisible foe.Kael gripped the Blade of Eryndor tighter, a small consolation provided by its dim brightness. As they strolled side by side, Selene's keen gaze scanned their surroundings. Grent, Mira, and Orin trailed behind them in nervous quiet. There was an implicit understanding in the air: the Shadow Council would not let their crimes go unpunished.Selene said in a barely audible whisper, "They're following us." "There are three—no, four—shadows in our path."Kael nodded, his thoughts whirling. "For now, we continue to move. When they believe we are weak, they will attack. L
Ashes of the Crown Chapter 15
Bonds in TurmoilSporadic rays of light fell on the exhausted company as the morning sun seeped through the thick canopy of the Whispering Woods. Kael steadied his hold on the Blade of Eryndor, its comforting familiarity serving as a silent reminder of the weight of his enormous responsibilities. The anxiety that simmered among his colleagues was as thick in the air as the smell of damp ground.Selene took a few steps forward, her face drawn and her shoulders rigid. Since they had fled Renshollow, she had hardly spoken. Behind them, in whispers Kael couldn't barely make out, were Mira and Orin. Grent trailed after, his alert eyes searching the woods for any indication of a chase.The silence was finally broken by Kael. "We need to talk, Selene."She came to a sudden stop without looking at him. "What are you talking about?" The silence of the morning was broken by her piercing tone.Kael took a step forward. Regarding the ev
Ashes of the Crown Chapter 16
Embers of RebellionAs Kael gripped the Blade of Eryndor tighter, the tension in the air crackled. Even though the council's fortress was in ashes, he was still burdened by the disclosures of the day. With faces marked with weariness and anxiety, his comrades huddled around a smouldering campfire. The threat of approaching nightfall seemed to resonate through the forest's silence.Selene sat with her legs crossed, carefully and slowly sharpening her daggers. Her voice broke the silence as her eyes shifted to Kael. We must not stay here. The Shadow Council won't waste time completing what they started if they discover us."Kael nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He kept thinking about what the council had said, the suspicions of treachery among their members, and the horrible secret he now held.Mira leaned forward, the flames reflected in her wide eyes. "We can't run forever. We must inspire others to support our
Ashes of the Crown Chapter 17
Sounds in the NightKael's hold on the Blade of Eryndor strengthened as the party sank into the enormous depths of Eldwyn Keep. Every stride echoed menacingly, the sound buried in the suffocating gloom that seemed alive, coiling about them like an invisible serpent. The air smelt of decay and the faint metallic flavour of blood. It was thick.Walking just ahead of Kael, Selene had sharp eyes and her twin daggers pulled. Closely after Orin and Mira, their expressions revealing discomfort. Grent mentioned the rear, his axe thrown over one shoulder, his typically austere manner muted.Mira said, her voice hardly audible, "This place feels... wrong." Ready to throw at a moment's notice, the Mage's hands shone brightly with arcane force.Kael nodded, his gaze scouring the softly lighted walls. Odd sculptures on the stone showed images of anarchy and sacrifice. “It’s a stronghold of the Shadow Council,” he added coldly. “We sh
Ashes of the Crown Chapter 18
Shadows in the AshesWith its amber and scarlet hues, the dawn rose, illuminating the ruined terrain around Kael and his friends. The strong tang of iron in the air mixed with the bitter smell of the embers from the recent combat, which were still smouldering. With the Blade of Eryndor throbbing softly beside him, Kael stood on a ridge overlooking the remnants of a once-thriving hamlet.The quiet was overwhelming. Selene walked over to him, her face a mix of fatigue and concern. “We have to keep going, Kael,” she said, tenderly resting a hand on his shoulder. The Shadow Council will not bide its time until we are fully recovered.Kael's jaw tensed as he looked down at the ruins. He nodded, but his eyes continued to dwell on the burned-out ruins of a community he had vowed to defend. He felt the pressure of the sword, the weight of its strength, and the lives lost in its name.He added in a hollow voice, "We'll be moving so
Ashes of the Crown Chapter 19
Whispers in the VoidIn the distance, the city of Eldryn loomed, its tall spires penetrating a scarlet and ash-colored sky. The once-thriving metropolis had shrunk to a shell of its former glory, and the strange silence that had taken its place made Kael uneasy. With sad expressions, the group stood on a hilltop above the city, surveying the destruction below."This place has been poisoned by the Shadow Council's reach," Selene whispered, her voice barely audible above the wind's whisper.With the Blade of Eryndor's dim gleam offering some solace from the approaching darkness, Kael gripped it tighter. With unyielding conviction, he declared, "We'll put an end to this." "They've already taken too much."Orin shuffled uncomfortably, a rare seriousness replacing his normally cheerful manner. "Eldryn was intended to serve as a haven," he stated. "If even this location has been tainted by the Council..." He shook his head and walked awa
Latest Chapter
Chapter 50
The Eternal DawnThe battlefield went on forever, a barren area lit only by the soft light of dawn. The leader, Kael, stood in front with his sword tightly held in his hand. Behind him, the rest of their troops were gathering, tired but determined. The sky was still swirling with dark clouds, a faint memory of the chaos that had been there just hours before.Selene walked up to Kael. The fight had just happened, and her armor was still covered in cuts. She spoke with a voice that was both relieved and worn out: "The Shadow Council has gone away, but their power still lingers."Kael gave a nod and looked straight ahead. "We won a fight, but not the war." Beyond this place, their impact goes far.Mira joined them. Her staff was still glowing slightly from the magic it had used. "Something strikes a chord with The Blade of Eryndor. It is like it knows what the last piece of the puzzle is."Kael took a quick look at the sw
Chapter 49
Light and ShadowThe wind whispered through the ruins of the once-great fortress of Aeldenholt, carrying with it the scent of charred stone and fresh earth. Kael stood atop the broken battlements, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the first rays of dawn began to pierce the veil of night. The Blade of Eryndor hummed faintly in his grasp, a subtle reminder of the power and responsibility it bestowed.Behind him, the camp stirred to life. The survivors of the resistance moved like shadows, tending to wounds, rebuilding shattered defenses, and mourning their losses. The battle against the Shadow Council had left scars that ran deeper than the flesh, and yet, amidst the devastation, there was an unyielding resolve.Selene approached, her boots crunching softly on the gravel. She stopped beside Kael, her expression unreadable. "You should rest," she said. "The battle may be over, but the war isn’t won."Kael nodded absently, his eyes never leaving the horizon. "I’ve rested enough. Every m
Chapter 48
The Last ChanceThe huge war room was alive with expectancy. At the top of a huge round table, Kael was surrounded by Orin, Selene, and the other resistance leaders. Scrambling across the table were maps, schematics, and coded communications, each element painstakingly prepared for the future. Kael's back held the Blade of Eryndor, whose soft hum served as a continual reminder of the authority and weight of his burden."They will anticipate a direct attack," Kael said in a composed yet determined tone. "We take advantage of that."Selene gave a nod. At Zarnok Citadel, the Shadow Council has gathered its warriors. We may be able to get past their defenses completely if we can sneak into the western tunnels.Orin scowled as he leaned forward. The tunnels are really old. We might be trapped if we collapse them before we even approach the Council.With resolve gleaming in his eyes, Kael looked directly into Orin's eyes.
Chapter 47
The Rise of the DawnAs the first rays of dawn caressed the horizon, Kael stood at the edge of the cliff, the Blade of Eryndor pulsating in his hand. The battlefield below, studded with the shattered remains of the Shadow Council's legions, extended indefinitely. However, the atmosphere was still tense despite the imminence of victory, serving as a clear reminder that the battle was far from finished.Selene came up behind him, her feet deliberate, her face a mix of fatigue and pride. She spoke softly, her voice scarcely heard over the wind's murmurs, "The armies are rallying." "Well, what is left of them."Kael's face was dark with exhaustion yet bright with determination. He looked down at the temporary camp in the valley where soldiers and peasants were caring for their injured and remarked, "They have sacrificed everything." "It is now our turn to complete this."His shoulder held Selene's hand. "Kael, you are not by yourse
Chapter 46
The Last ChanceAs the gang stood on the outskirts of the Shadow Council's last bastion, the sun peaked through the gloomy clouds. Before them stood the once-imposing Onyx Spire castle, its angular towers reaching into the sky like claws. The Blade of Eryndor's light pulsed in time with Kael's heartbeat as he tightened his hold on it. The determination of his friends reflected his own.With her daggers shining in the dim sunlight, Selene's gaze swept across the horizon. "That is it," she whispered. "There is no going back now."Grent hefted his combat axe onto his shoulder and said, "Not that we ever had the luxury." "Let us get this done."Although he nodded, Kael felt a nagging doubt. This felt too simple, yet the Shadow Council had always been one step ahead. He was aware, however, that indecision might spell their demise.The MethodTo avoid being discovered, the troop stayed low as they navigated the perilous
Chapter 45
The Turning TideThe clash of steel and the cries of soldiers filled the air as Kael's gaze flashed over the battlefield. The plains were painted in vibrant reds and golds as the sun rose, giving them a crimson color. Neither side gave up in the intense battle between the forces of light and shadow.Kael looked out over the commotion from the top of a rocky outcrop. In his hand, the Blade of Eryndor pulsed, its brilliance piercing the darkness like a beacon. Selene clenched her fists beside him, her keen eyes searching for chances to change the balance of power.With his enormous hammer balanced on his shoulder, Grent snarled, "We can not hold them much longer." His face was marred by blood, but his will remained unflinching.Kael gave a somber nod. "We must smash them; we do not need to hold them." He looked over at Selene. "Is it possible to remove their battle commander? Their lines will stutter without him.Selene
Chapter 44
The Broken CoalitionEvery breath felt like a struggle against the suffocating weight of unsaid words in the tense atmosphere of the council chamber. With his fingers firmly grasping the edge, Kael stood at the head of the table. Around him, his supporters sat, their expressions displaying a mix of weariness, doubt, and brewing annoyance. At his side, the Blade of Eryndor lay in its sheath, its weight more pressing than before.Kael stated, "The Shadow Council won’t wait," in a stern yet strained tone. "They get stronger every time we debate it. We must take action immediately.Selene's eyes met his, piercing and unblinking. "What are you going to do? With only a few fighters and hope, to storm into their stronghold? Kael, hope does not win battles.With a bang of his hand, Grent rattled the few documents and maps scattered across the table. "She is correct. Bravery is not enough for us. We require a definite course of action, s
Chapter 43
Ascension of the LightAs Kael, Selene, and their comrades stood in front of the old altar, tension was palpable throughout the cavern. In Kael's palm, the Blade of Eryndor shone brightly, its light a beacon of hope penetrating the surrounding darkness. However, the stifling aura of the Shadow Council hung over them like a chilly reminder that their last battle was only around the corner.As he approached the altar, the ancient patterns etched on its surface glowed dimly, and Kael's hold on the blade grew tighter. Selene was standing next to him, her face displaying a mixture of resolve and concern. "This is it," she stated in a firm voice. In the event that the tales are accurate, the Blade will become fully powerful upon igniting the altar. However, it will also direct all of the shadows within a hundred miles to us."There is nothing we can do," Kael answered. "The Blade must be at its strongest if we are to defeat the Counci
Chapter 42
The Shadows WithinGazing down at the expansive Renshollow, Kael stood on the balcony of the recently reconstructed council chamber. The community bustled with activity as refugees and survivors worked together to begin anew. But despite the positive vibes, Kael's heart was sad. He was constantly reminded of the sacrifices that had led them to this moment by the weight of the Blade of Eryndor by his side.Selene walked lightly but deliberately to join him. She leaned on the railing next to him and remarked, "You are brooding again."Kael let out a sigh. If it is justified, is it brooding? Much work remains to be done. Even if the Shadow Council is disbanded, its members might still band together. Then there is the darkness that exists within me and throughout everyone.Selene's expression was unreadable as she cocked her head. "Kael, the battle is not over. But it is never really that way. I learned that from you. Although w
