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2024-11-15 06:15:02Evans was silent afterward, his chest heaving with every breath that seemed to shake him. The shadow had gone, leaving the air still and cold, but the discomfort in his chest just refused to dissipate. Slowly, he sheathed his sword, the sound of steel ringing against the scabbard like the last note in some long-forgotten song. Around him, the forest seemed exhaled, too, the weight of the shadow lifted, if only for a moment.
Yet the fight was not over. The titterings in his head, so soft now as if it was only an echo of an echo, reminded him of the worst foe that was yet to come: the crown. Kept well and tight deep inside the Astera castle vaults, it always waited. While it was, the darkness could never be truly overcome. He knew what had to be done. The crown needed to be destroyed, no matter the cost. Jorin and the soldiers carefully emerged from the edge of the forest. The faces of the soldiers were grim but relieved, though their ey
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Shadows of the crown Chapter 11: The Heart of Shadows
The earth shook beneath Evans's feet as he stood at the edge of the abyss, the final threshold to the resting place of the crown. In the darkness, the jagged rocks below were luminous from the pit glowing with that eerie light, casting long, twisted shadows around the chamber. Every step they had taken through the Black Mountains had been taken to come here. Now, at the heart of the cursed land, the crown's whispers no longer confined themselves to his head; instead, they echoed around him like some sort of chilling chorus of lost souls, begging to be set free. The air felt heavy with malevolent weight, and it was hard to breathe. "Evans, this isn't right," Jorin's voice cut through the haze, though it seemed to be so much farther away than it should have been. "We need to get out. This place. it's teeming with the crown's power. Evans's hand hovered near the hilt of his sword, his muscles tense, as if every fiber in his body was ready to ac
Shadows of the crown Chapter 12: The Shadow That Remains
Evans stood staring out at the peculiar emptiness that had settled in after his victory. The crown was gone, lost to the bottom of the Black Mountains, and with it, the voices that had haunted him for so long. Yet, in place of the whispers came a heavy silence-colder and more forbidding than he'd imagined. Jorin planted a firm hand on his shoulder, yanking him from the edge. "Evans, we have to go. This place… it's changed you. You've done all you could. Evans nodded but could not pull his gaze from the shadows. Defeating the crown, he felt somehow a victory that was not quite complete. Deep down, he felt he had only just let something out-a sleeping ancient darkness. They turned back and went, their footsteps heavy, down the narrow path leading them out of the accursed chamber. Now the mountain was dead silent, and this strange, unearthly calm had taken the place of that supernatural tension which smothered them before.
Shadows of the crown Chapter 13: A Kingdom Restored
Evans stood in the grand hall, the morning sun spilling through the high windows, filtering on to the intricate designs on the stone floor. He had trod these halls a thousand times as a boy, but now he dreamed of one day taking the throne, leading his kingdom with the same strength and honor. But after his journey into the Black Mountains, everything was somehow different. Gone was the boy who'd left the castle with little more than courage and curiosity. Before her stood a prince forged by darkness, strong through sacrifice, and burdened by truths he could hardly speak. Then he faced Jorin, who was well beyond being a friend—a partner, brother in arms. Together they'd faced horrors that nobody could ever understand, their bond deepening within the silence afterwards, after being taken from the mountain. Evans, are you certain?" Jorin's voice was even, but Evans saw the flash of concern in his eyes. "You don't owe anyone the truth of what happened. Th
Shadows of the crown Chapter 14: The rising shadows
Evans sat at the head of the council chamber, his mind wrestling with uneasy thoughts. Only days had passed since he'd shared the truth about the cursed crown with his council, but a new fear had begun to take root in the kingdom. Rumors began to filter in from villages along the borders: farmers spoke of seeing shadowy figures in the middle of their fields at night, and merchants spoke of townsfolk vanishing into thin air. Jorin entered the room, pale and grim. "Your Highness, word has arrived from North Haven and River's Edge," he said to Evans, handing him a worn and hastily-scrawled note. "It is worse than we thought." Evans's eyes scanned the message, his heart plummeting per line. "Three villages, and all under the same curse," he murmured, his voice no more than a whisper. "They are seeing shadows-figures that vanish once some one approaches. Jorin nodded, his jaw tight. "These shadows… they are no normal specters. It is as if t
Shadows of the crown Chapter 15: The sorceress of the eastern forest
By the time morning broke over the kingdom, Evans and Jorin prepared to take their leave for the eastern forests. The atmosphere was thick with foreboding as they mounted their horses, accompanied by a small retinue of house guards loyal to them. Though the sorceress they searched for was only a day's ride away, weighted was this journey because there was an ominous threat lurking behind every shadow. Are you certain of this, Evans? "Jorin asked. An edge of concern laced his tone. "Magic has always had a price, especially of the kind used by the sorceress." Evans nodded, his jaw set. "If there is even a chance she can help us understand this curse, we have to take it. The kingdom's already in jeopardy. Whatever price she asks, I'll pay it if it protects our people.". They set off at an even gait, the sound of hooves pounding on the forest path the only sound to break the silence of early morning. The trees loomed overhead, their shadow
Shadows of the crown Chapter 16: The silent war within
The weight of the shadows lay heavy within Evans as he and Jorin emerged from the sorceress's cottage, this darkness now an invisible burden he had to carry in silence. Every step back toward the kingdom felt arduous, the shadows themselves seeming to resist leaving the forest. The trees whispered, gnarled branches twisting, as if they too sensed the silent threat now bound to the young prince. Jorin studied Evans closely, the worry deeply etched across his face. "How are you feeling, Evans?" His voice was hesitant; loyalty tugged at him while dread seemed to fill the air around them. Evans forced a smile of reassurance, but his eyes betrayed the exhaustion. "The shadows… I can feel them. They're quiet now, but it's as if they're watching, waiting. It is as if a tempest were being held back by a hair's breadth." He stopped, turning back to the woods, the mist and silence swallowing the terrors. "I know what I've taken on, Jorin. But I won't let them w
Shadows of the crown Chapter 17: A Kingdom In Shadows
The night Evans came back, the quiet of the castle seemed to be every bit as ominous. Every corner seemed darker, each shadow deeper. He could feel the weight of the shadow spirits pressing down on him, their unending memory of what this soul held captive within himself. Every step he took echoed through the empty hallways, mingled with the hushed whispers that trailed his thoughts. By the time he reached his chambers, a figure stood waiting by his door. It was Jorin, his features etched in concern and determination. "Evans," Jorin said, stepping forward. "We have to talk. The people are frightened, and the council's getting restless. They can feel something is wrong, although they do not know the full extent of it. Evans nodded, fatigue pulling at his face. "I understand, Jorin. The shadows' influence is beginning to seep. Even now, they lean on me, probing my defenses. But I may not yield to them. Not now, not when there is so much h
Shadows of the crown Chapter 18: Shattered Bonds
Evans stumbled out of the shrine, and with a wave of darkness surging thick and alive, spilling over into the frozen mountain pass, for the first time he saw shadows twist, coiling like some great beast given new life. A chill ran deeper than the mountain's cold air through Evans. Jorin's voice cut through the chaos. "Evans! This way!" He grabbed Evans's arm, pulling him up the rocky slope just as the dark mass swept over where they had stood moments before. They climbed higher, slipping on loose stones as the shadows reached, tendrils stretching like fingers, trying to claw their way closer. With every step, Evans's lungs gulped in air as his mind still reeled over the failure of the mirror. The Mirror of Oblivion had been the last hope, and it had shattered under the strength of the darkness inside him. And now, freed, the shadows were stronger than ever. "We need to get away!" Jorin exclaimed in a desperate tone. However, Evans shook his head as h
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Chapter 34: The Shattered Crown
Evans's heart was racing as he looked up to see the creature finally exposed in full detail looming over the horizon, the form an elongated, ghastly shadow in a vast desert expanse. All instincts within him were screaming, demanding he run, escape from chaos and darkness, promising to sweep him and all he cared for under. There was nowhere to go, no place left. It was here, in this spot, that his world was coming to an end. The crown, the curse, the creature-all had built up to this. The amulet on his chest pulsed with an unnatural heat, almost as if it were alive and urging him to action-to call upon its power inside. He reached for it, his fingers trembling as the weight of such a decision weighed heavy upon his chest: Could he trust it? Be able to make use of its power to stop this creature? Or would things get even worse, like with the crown? The creature, still a distance away but closing in with each passing second, let out a low growl-a guttural
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Chapter 33: The Price of Power
Everything around Evans was disorienting: a dizzying blur of fractured images and sounds. He blinked rapidly, fighting to clear the haze from his brain. His body seemed like it had been shredded by some sort of storm inside him; each muscle screamed in pain, its tension threatening to paralyze him. Gradually, the light that had blinded him began to dim, allowing him to make out the details of his surroundings.He was no longer in the abyss. The smothering darkness had lifted, and in its place, a soft golden glow bathed the ground beneath him. It was quiet, almost peaceful-until his gaze shifted to what lay before him.The ground spread in all directions, a huge area of land that was desolate to the last inch. Mountains loomed distantly, their jagged peaks enshrouded by mists. The air reeked of the burning of wood and the crashing of waves from a distance. It was as though he had been spirited to some place between worlds—a place where time and reality melted togeth
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Chapter 32: Into the Abyss
It seemed his fall was endless. Evans was breathing in ragged gasps, and the chill of the abyss had permeated his bones with every drop into the unknown. The blinding light from the amulet gave way to overwhelmingly suffocating darkness that closed in on him from every direction. His body was in pain; the beat of his heart echoed in his head, as if it were to explode at that moment because of the heavy action.Everything went silent for a moment.Then, a sharp jolt ripped through him as he hit solid ground with a sickening thud. Pain tore through his limbs, and for a heartbeat, he was convinced that he had something broken-or worse, this was it. Yet, he fought through the hazy veil of agony and dragged himself to his feet by the skin of his teeth.The air was thick, heavy, and oppressive, as if the very atmosphere was a manifestation of sorrow and decay. There was no light, no warmth-just shadow, twisting and writhing like living things. Evans felt the pul
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Chapter 31: Shattered Realms
Thick air felt oppressive, as if it was going to suffocate any in its wake. Evans's heart was pounding in his chest as he struggled for breath because the overwhelming surge of dark magic was choking the life out of the world around him. The explosion of light emanating from the amulet had forced the shadows back a moment, but only a moment. Instead of being in retreat, the shadows now combined into something terrifying-something older.A deep, guttural roar echoed through the camp, rattling trees and the very earth beneath them. Before Evans could wrap his brain around the sound, a chasm of black seemed to tear itself open right in front of him, gaping with a void that engulfed everything in its sights. From the very pits of the rift, something materialized-a towering, dark insidious figure. It wasn't human, not of this world. Its eyes burned with an unnatural, malevolent glow, while its form twisted and writhed like a shadow given flesh.Seraphine stood frozen, h
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Chapter 30: The Edge of Deception
It wore a deep night, and, it seemed, the treetops pulsed through the darkness with life-thoughts in an unnatural, extended stillness. By this time, Evans knew that weight against his chest was more than an innocuous mass of material, being now quite sensitive to the near presence of a great, moving evil. It had, after all, brought them thus far, and its light was now a blaze compared to what Evans could recall as he made their way toward the loyalists' camp. He glanced at his comrades: Mara, her daggers faintly glinting in the dark; Brynna, who had muttered softly under her breath; Jorin, his hand firm on the hilt of his sword. Garen led ahead, a mask of concentration etched across his face. "We are close," Garen uttered in a low tone. Evans nodded. "We keep to the plan. We find Seraphine, stop the ritual, and get the fragments before they can complete the crown." Yet with their push onward, a seed of disquiet began to nes
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Chapter 29: The Splintered Shadows
Thick tension hung in the air as the group trekked through the forest, guided by the soft, eerie light of the Amulet of the First Light. Evans walked upfront, and every nerve in his body was taut. The roar still echoed faintly in his mind, a grim reminder that tonight was far from over.Brynna gained on him, her staff resuming its soft glow with a muttered protection spell. "We don't know what we're walking into," she said, quietly but urgently. "The loyalists of Cedric are desperate. That just makes them unpredictable-and dangerous."Evans looked at her, his jaw tightening. "If they've taken the shadow fragments, we really don't have time to wait. Whatever they're up to, we need to stop it before it only gets worse.From behind them, Jorin chimed in, his tone dry. "Worse than shadow spirits, cursed crowns, and rebellious traitors? Sounds like a low bar."Despite himself, Evans almost smiled. Jorin's humor was a rare constant in the chaos. But the
- Shadows of the crown
Chapter 28: The Aftermath of Shadows
The throne room was silent now but for the soft crackle of the extinguished shadows. The shattered remains of Cedric's shadow crown lay scattered across the floor, faintly shimmering as if they retained a fraction of the dark power that had consumed him. Evans stared at the fragments, his chest rising and falling heavily from the battle. He had won-at least, it felt like it-but a deep unease churned in his gut. Evans," Brynna called softly, her voice hoarse. She crouched beside one of the freed citizens who had been under Cedric's control. "They're alive but barely. Whatever spell he used drained them to their core. Evans knelt next to her, placing a hand on the unconscious villager’s shoulder. The man’s face was pale, his body trembling as though caught in an endless nightmare. Around the room, others in the same condition lay scattered, broken but alive. “We’ll get them help,” Evans said, his tone firm despite the uncertainty gnawing at
- Shadows of the crown
Chapter 27: Shadows at the Throne
The halls of the castle were no longer recognizable, where once splendor and order had been; now, chaos. Fires smoldered in the corners of the corridors, casting eerie shadows on the cracked stone walls. Every echo of their hurried footsteps seemed to taunt them, a sinister whisper of the reach of rebellion. Evans and his group moved cautiously, guns drawn, senses high. The weight of the Amulet of the First Light on Evans's neck seemed heavier with every step. He could feel its magic run through him, but the thought of how little he knew of its power gnawed at the edges of his mind. They had one shot to stop Cedric before the kingdom fell completely. "You don't think we are walking into some kind of trap?" Brynna whispered, clutching her staff tightly. Garen's face was grim. "We're well past traps. This is a battlefield." As they approached the grand staircase leading to the throne room, Evans’s heart clenched. Guards loyal
- Shadows of the crown
Chapter 26: The Return with the Amulet
The walk back from the Cave of Echoes was not at all victorious. Evans grasped the Amulet of the First Light, its luminous shine starkly contrasted with the gloom hanging over his group. Every step was an ordeal. The trials of the cave might have tested their resolution, but the way back home was filled with tension, which betrayed the fact that treachery could be sitting in any shadow.Sir Garen led the way, his sword at the ready as his eyes scanned the thick forest for any sign of movement. Brynna followed closely, her gaze flickering from the amulet to the path ahead, her healer's intuition sensing danger as yet unseen. Jorin and Mara brought up the rear, whispering in hushed tones about the political unrest gripping the kingdom in their absence."We need to move faster," Evans said, low but firm. "Cedric won't sit idly by now that we have this."Brynna nodded. "The amulet is powerful, but its light will draw attention. Shadows, whether magical or mort
