The Map Beneath the Moon

EPISODE 6

THE DOOR BENEATH THE MOUNTAIN



The mountain gate stood at the end of the glowing river.

It was taller than any building Aren had ever seen, carved directly into the side of the mountain. Two stone guardians stood on either side of it. They had the bodies of armored warriors and the heads of wolves, with silver eyes that followed Aren as he approached.

Liora stopped before the gate.

“Only the heir can open it,” she said.

Aren looked at the enormous doors. “Then you should open them.”

“I am not the heir.”

“You seem to know more about this place than I do.”

“That does not make me royal.”

Aren studied the carvings on the gate. They showed a young king holding a glowing sword while people knelt before him. Beneath the image was the same crescent moon surrounded by flames.

“What am I supposed to do?” Aren asked.

“Place your hand on the symbol.”

Aren hesitated. The mark on his wrist still glowed faintly. He raised his hand and pressed it against the crescent.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then the mountain shook.

A deep sound rolled through the ground, like a giant awakening beneath the stone. Silver light spread from Aren’s hand across the entire gate. The carvings began to move. The stone warriors lifted their heads, and their mouths opened.

“Blood of Eldoria,” they said together.

Aren stepped back.

“Name yourself.”

His throat felt dry. “Aren Vale.”

The guardians remained still.

Liora whispered, “Use your true name.”

“I do not have another name.”

“You do.”

The mark on Aren’s wrist burned more strongly. Images rushed through his mind. He saw a grand hall filled with golden light. A woman held him as a baby while a man stood beside her. He heard a voice speaking his name.

“Aren Caelan Valeris, heir of Eldoria.”

The memory vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

Aren placed his hand against the gate again.

“I am Aren Caelan Valeris,” he said. “Son of Selene and Cael. Heir of Eldoria.”

The stone guardians bowed.

The gates opened.

Cold air rushed from the darkness beyond. A staircase descended into the mountain, illuminated by blue flames burning in silver bowls. The walls were covered with ancient paintings. Aren saw kings, queens, warriors, and strange creatures he could not name.

He also saw his parents.

They stood together before a massive black gate. His mother held a baby in her arms. His father held a sword. Behind them, darkness spread across the painted sky.

Aren stopped before the image.

“Why did they never tell me?” he asked.

“Because they wanted you to have a normal life,” Liora replied.

“I had a life built on lies.”

“They believed the lies would keep you safe.”

Aren continued down the stairs. The deeper they went, the warmer the air became. Soon, they heard distant sounds echoing through the mountain. Bells, voices, and the clatter of metal.

At the bottom, the stairway opened into a large underground city.

Aren stood speechless.

Buildings of white stone rose around a wide central square. Bridges crossed glowing canals, and thousands of blue lanterns floated above the streets. People hurried through the square, carrying baskets, weapons, and bundles of books.

But as soon as they saw Aren, the city began to fall silent.

One by one, people turned toward him.

A woman dropped a basket of fruit. An old man fell to his knees. A young boy pointed at Aren’s glowing wrist.

“The heir,” someone whispered.

“The lost heir has returned.”

Aren felt every eye upon him.

Liora stepped closer. “Do not be afraid.”

“I am not afraid,” Aren said, though his voice shook.

A horn sounded from a tower on the far side of the city.

The people began to panic.

Liora looked toward the entrance. “That is not a welcome horn.”

“What does it mean?”

She drew her sword.

“The shadow army has found the gate.”

Above them, the blue lanterns turned black.

Aren looked across the city as dark smoke began pouring through the mountain entrance.

His first steps into Eldoria had barely begun.

Already, the kingdom was under attack.