Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 52: The broken veil.
The kingdom recovered bit by bit from the ravages of the recent battles. It really did not matter that there was no immediate threat; the scars that dark magic had brought still felt fresh. The grand hall of the palace, once filled with tension, abuzzed with cautious optimism radiating from a people whose most ardent wish was peace. But the veneer of normalcy masked an uneasy feel that hinted through silence that the battles fought thus far were but a prologue to things greater.Ariadne stood in the window of her chamber, looking out over the resplendent kingdom. Warmth bathed the land beneath the golden rays of the sun, standing in relief against the dark shadows that had plagued them not long ago. The sight reminded and assured her exactly what a fragile balance was hanging there in the balance. Victories the kingdom had managed to win, but remnants of dark magic still whispered in the corners of their world.Reflection in the window, perhaps. It was broken by the soft knock at the
The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 53: Behind the Veil
The grand hall was teeming with preparation for an upcoming expedition to continue the study of the leylines and the remains of dark magic. Ariadne, Seraphina, Leander, and Thalia were busy coordinating, gathering resources, and sending word as much as they briefed their own parties. When all was said and done, everyone felt as though a great weight of uncertainty hung somewhere in their future.Ariadne stood at the head of the hall, eyes very intent and very strong. The battle, only a few hours gone, had given a minor reprieve from the threat of dark magic. Her mind turned west again, to the provinces where its energy had taken hold for a moment. The red scars from that encounter remained in her mind like a sign for all that was yet to be done.Seraphina came into the hall, thoughtful concern on her face. "Your majesty, I've been continuing the analysis of the leylines. There are several anomalous readings that strongly suggest there are hidden nexi. Those could be feeding the residu
The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 54: The Fractured Veil
The end of the battle had left the kingdom in restless quiet. It seemed the dark magic had receded from immediate peril, but tension did not. Ariadne and Seraphina were hard at work, along with Captain Leander and Thalia, as part of their continued fight to protect their realm from the formidable danger of the dark nexuses; now their defeat was merely a lull before a more sinister storm.Inside the palace, Ariadne walked back and forth along the length of her chamber. Her mind whirled with thoughts of what lay ahead. The sight of her reflection, framed by tapestries and golden sunlight filtering from the window into an ornate mirror, highlighted exhaustion, but also the fire that burned within her resolve. Far from being over, the trials besetting them merely added mystery with each victory to the source of the dark magic.She entered with a scroll at hand and her face set in focus. "Your Majesty, I have been diligently poring over the ancient texts and the ley line maps. There is som
The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 55: Echoes of the Past
The grand hall of the palace was full of life as Ariadne and her companions returned from their perilous expedition. The atmosphere was tinged with a mixture of relief and caution; the immediate threat posed by dark magic was removed, though the future still loomed large in uncertainty.Ariadne was tired, quite plainly, yet firm as she stood before her gathered council. Within the room were advisors, soldiers, and diplomats—all of them leaned forward with the same unspoken question: what of the mission? At her side stood Thalia and Seraphina, Captain Leander flanking her, each of them a testament to the road they had traveled."Ladies and gentlemen," she began, stable voice betraying her tiredness, "I was happy to report that we successfully neutralized the source of the dark magic in the Fractured Veil. The more immediate threat has been contained, but we have not yet emerged out of danger."A susurrus of relief and approval slid its way into the crowd. The advisors exchanged looks o
The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 56: Keeper of the Veil
There, at the very center of the secret room, stood the dark figure; he was cloaked in shadow and strong in his own aura. His air seemed to crackle with somber, flickering energy, heavy upon breathing souls, as Ariadne, Seraphina, Thalia, and Captain Leander all stood undaunted before that mysterious figure."Who are you?" Ariadne asked, her voice firm, trying to see through the blind of darkness that enveloped the figure.The eyes of the dark figure sparkled in malice. "Many names have I been called," he said in a cold whisper. "But for your purpose, you may call me the Keeper of the Veil. I am the guardian against the forces you strive to undermine."Ariadne's eyes turned steely. "We won't let your dark magic threaten our world anymore. Whatever your plan, it ends here."The Veil's Keeper laughed, the sound seeming to echo out of the abyss. "You mortals struggle against forces beyond your comprehension—merely a fraction of the power I command against the darkness you fight.Seraphin
The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 57: The Convergence of Shadows
Ariadne stood in the great hall of her palace, surrounded by advisors and allies. The weight of their victory over the Veil's Keeper was barely a few days old, but that triumph found itself tempered by the flapping uncertainty that hung over their future. The crystal used to defeat the dark forces now rested upon a pedestal in the middle of the floor, its faint glow a constant reminder to all of their hard-won fight."While our victory was grand," Ariadne spoke, turning to address the assembly, "we cannot let our guard down. Though Veil's Keeper was a powerful foe, her defeat does not represent the death of danger that stalks us."Thalia stood beside Ariadne and nodded in agreement with her. "The crystal proved its worth, but we must learn about its nature and its capabilities. Perhaps there are residual effects or other dangers we've yet to find."Seraphina's eyes, like those of a hawk, locked onto the crystal as she spoke up, "While Veil's Keeper's dark magic might be neutralized, f
The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 58: The Guardian's Reckoning
The palace bustled with activity as preparations were made for the next phase of their mission. Having empowered their crystal and having the amulet well secured, Ariadne and her companions prepared to face whatever darkening forces beleaguered their realm. But just as they were gearing up for the coming battles, a chance discovery was about to refocus their attention.Ariadne stood in her quarters, going through reports from the different outposts along the borders. It wasn't the surging activity of the Dark that greatly concerned her; rather, it was the increasing feeling that they were overlooking something very important. The dark forces were gaining in intensity, as if some hidden will was guiding them.She was lost in thoughts when Seraphina and Thalia entered. Their faces were solemn. Seraphina held a large tome, with worn-out leather binding, while Thalia carried a scroll marked with intricate runes."Ariadne," Seraphina began, her voice not trembling at all, "we've come acros
The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 59: Shattered Veil
Ariadne's return to the palace was met with a mixture of relief and urgency. The Nexus of Echoes yielded some very critical information, but the battle with the guardian raised more questions than answers. Dark forces closed in from every direction, the balance of magic growing increasingly precarious; the air was heavy with the need for action.The mood was somber inside the war room. Laid out on the table were maps and scrolls, their edges weighed down by flickering enchanted candles. At work were Seraphina, Thalia, and Captain Leander, their eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Ariadne came in at a resolved stride, her expression tired."We have gone over the texts and artifacts we recovered," Thalia said, tingeing her voice with urgency. "The Nexus has confirmed our worst fears: these dark forces are cooking up something big to destabilize magic's balance."Seraphina nodded, her staff leaning beside her, saying, "The guardian's warning was clear: dark forces are not just attacking
Latest Chapter
- The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 144: The Path of Shadows
- The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 143: Echo of the Enchanted Gateway
- The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 142: Guarding The Source.
- The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 141: Echoes of Dark Magic
- The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 140: In the Shadow Veil
- The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 139: The Day Breaks for Reconciliation
- The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 138: The Veil of Shadows
- The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 137: The Dawn of Clarity
- The Gateways of Light and Shadow Chapter 136: Dawning Clarity