Chapter Four: The Ancient Scrolls
1026 Words
Morning sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the council chamber, casting colorful patterns on the polished stone floor. No one appreciated their beauty. The weight of Alpha Aden’s dream hung over the room like a dark cloud.
The elders remained seated in silence, each replaying the Alpha’s words in their minds.
The same dream.
The same two mysterious women.
The same hidden faces.
The same haunting whisper.
“Choose one before it is too late.”
Elder Rowan slowly stood and placed both hands on his ancient staff.
“If this vision truly comes from the Moon Goddess,” he said, “then we won’t find the answers through guesswork. We must look where our ancestors left their wisdom.”
He turned to the other elders.
“The Sacred Archives.”
Several elders nodded in agreement.
The Sacred Archives was the oldest chamber in the kingdom. Hidden beneath the royal palace, it contained countless scrolls written by generations of Alphas, Seers, High Priestesses, and Moon Keepers. Every prophecy, vision, and divine revelation known to the kingdom had been carefully preserved there.
“If any record speaks of this dream,” Elder Miriam said, “it will be among those scrolls.”
Without another word, the council rose together.
Alpha Aden followed closely as Elder Rowan led them through a narrow stone corridor deep beneath the palace. Torches flickered along the walls, casting shadows that almost seemed alive.
After descending a long spiral staircase, they reached a massive stone door carved with wolves standing beneath a full moon.
Elder Rowan placed his weathered hand against the ancient symbol.
“For centuries,” he murmured, “these archives have guarded the truths of our people.”
With a deep rumble, the heavy doors slowly opened.
A cool breeze wafted from within.
Rows upon rows of towering wooden shelves stretched farther than Aden had imagined. Thousands of tightly rolled scrolls rested in carefully labeled compartments. Dust floated gently through the shafts of light coming from narrow openings high above.
The room smelled of aged parchment, cedar wood, and history.
Aden stared in awe.
“I never realized our ancestors left behind so much.”
“They left us more than just stories,” Elder Rowan replied. “They left us guidance.”
The elders spread out through the large chamber.
Each knew exactly where to start.
Some searched the records of former Alphas.
Others examined prophecies written by the Moon Priestesses.
A few looked through ancient journals written after great wars and celestial events.
Hours passed.
The only sounds were the rustling of parchments and quiet footsteps echoing in the vast archive.
Finally, Elder Gideon spoke.
“I’ve found something.”
Everyone gathered around him.
He carefully unrolled a faded scroll.
“It speaks of recurring dreams sent by the Moon Goddess.”
Hope flickered on Aden’s face.
Elder Gideon read aloud.
“When the Moon Goddess repeats a vision, let the dreamer pay close attention, for the dream is not born from sleep but from destiny.”
Aden listened closely.
“But does it mention two women?” he asked.
Gideon continued reading.
After a moment, he sighed.
“No.”
“It speaks only of prophetic dreams.”
Disappointment filled the room.
The search continued.
Another hour passed.
Elder Miriam suddenly lifted another scroll.
“This one mentions hidden faces.”
Aden stepped closer.
She read carefully.
“Not every soul chosen by fate shall be revealed before the appointed hour. Some remain hidden until destiny itself removes the veil.”
The elders exchanged thoughtful looks.
“It matches part of the dream,” one elder noted.
“But not enough,” Rowan replied.
“We still don’t know who the women are.”
Again, the scroll was set aside.
The search continued.
By midday, dozens of scrolls lay open across long wooden tables.
Some described ancient battles.
Others spoke of powerful Alphas.
Many recorded blessings from the Moon Goddess.
Yet none fully explained Aden vision.
Frustration crept into the room.
Aden exhaled deeply.
“Maybe I mistook an ordinary dream for something greater.”
“No,” Elder Rowan answered firmly.
“I’ve studied prophecies for nearly seventy years.”
“This is no ordinary dream.”
He looked around the archive.
“The answer is here.”
“We just haven’t found it yet.”
Determined, they resumed searching.
Late in the afternoon, Elder Miriam froze.
“There is another prophecy.”
Everyone hurried to her.
The scroll was badly worn, its edges darkened with age.
Several lines had faded beyond recognition.
She carefully read the surviving words.
“When the Silver Moon shines brightest… the chosen Alpha shall walk the path prepared before his birth…”
Aden’s heart raced.
She continued.
“Two hearts… hidden by divine will… shall…”
The next section had completely disappeared.
The parchment had torn away.
“No…” Aden whispered.
The missing lines had been lost to time.
Elder Rowan gently examined the damaged scroll.
“It is centuries old.”
“The missing part cannot be recovered.”
The Alpha lowered his eyes.
For a moment, it felt like they were finally close.
Another clue.
Another dead end.
Evening slowly approached.
Golden light spilled through the narrow windows of the archive.
The elders looked exhausted.
Dust covered their robes.
Stacks of scrolls surrounded them.
Despite searching through generations of history…
The mystery remained unsolved.
Elder Rowan slowly closed the final scroll.
“We have searched every prophecy relating to dreams, destiny, hidden identities, and divine visions.”
He looked toward Aden..
“And yet the full truth continues to elude us.”
Aden stood quietly in the center of the archive.
His gaze drifted over the countless scrolls surrounding him.
“So many answers…”
“And yet not the one we seek.”
The silence returned.
Heavy.
Uncertain.
Outside the palace walls, the wind carried the distant howl of wolves welcoming the approaching night.
Aden lifted his gaze to the small window above.
The moon was beginning to rise.
He couldn’t explain why…
But deep within his soul, he felt that time was running out.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD