The Last Heir of Elarion

The dead did not always stay dead in Elarion. Kael learned that lesson before he learned how to read. The village elders called it superstition. His master called it survival. But tonight, standing alone beneath a moonless sky, Kael could hear something breathing inside the fog. Slow. Heavy. Too close. He tightened his grip around the silver-tipped sword at his side. “Come on,” he whispered. “Show yourself.” The forest remained silent. Kael glanced at the small wooden lantern hanging from his belt. Its flame flickered wildly despite the absence of wind. That was a bad sign. Very bad. Behind him, the village of Blackmere was hidden beneath the darkness. Thirty houses, a small chapel, an abandoned watchtower, and a tavern that smelled of burnt meat every evening. Normally, Kael would have been inside the tavern by now, spending the few coins he had earned that week. But three villagers had disappeared. Then two hunters. Then the blacksmith's daughter. No bodies. No blood. Only strange footprints leading into the forest. The village council had offered twenty silver crowns for whoever found the creature responsible. Kael had accepted. Twenty silver crowns was enough to buy food for several weeks. Maybe even a new pair of boots. His master would have called the decision foolish. His master was probably right. A branch snapped somewhere in the fog. Kael immediately drew his sword. The sound had come from his left. He slowly turned. Nothing. Only trees. Tall, crooked trees with branches that twisted together like fingers. Kael took one step forward. Then another. A strange smell reached him. Rotten flowers. He had smelled it before. “Graveborn,” he whispered. The word made his stomach tighten. Graveborn creatures were supposed to be rare. They were not ordinary monsters. They were things that appeared when old magic disturbed the dead. And if the stories were true, they were intelligent. Kael crouched beside the muddy ground. There. A footprint. Three long claws. He touched the edge of it. Still warm. His eyes narrowed. The creature was close. Kael reached into his coat and pulled out a small glass vial filled with silver dust. His master had given it to him years ago with three simple instructions. Don't waste it. Don't swallow it. And never use it unless you know what you're hunting. Kael opened the vial. The fog immediately reacted. It pulled away from the silver dust as if it were alive. Kael's expression hardened. “So you're really here.” A low growl answered him. Not from the forest. From behind. Kael spun around. Something enormous moved through the fog. He barely raised his sword before a claw struck him. CRACK! Kael flew backward and slammed into a tree. His sword fell from his hand. Pain shot through his shoulder. He struggled to breathe. The creature emerged. It stood nearly twice his height. Its body was thin and twisted, covered in patches of gray skin. Long arms reached almost to the ground, ending in black claws. But its face was the worst part. It looked almost human. Almost. Two pale eyes stared at Kael. Its mouth slowly opened. Rows of small teeth filled it. Kael swallowed. “That's unfortunate.” The creature screamed. Kael rolled aside just as its claws smashed into the tree where his head had been. He grabbed his sword. The monster attacked again. Kael blocked. The force nearly knocked him off his feet. He pushed backward and slashed across its arm. The silver blade cut through its flesh. Black smoke poured from the wound. The creature screamed. Kael stared. “Silver works.” That was useful information. Unfortunately, the monster seemed to disagree. It slammed its fist into his chest. Kael crashed into the ground. His lungs emptied. Before he could recover, the creature grabbed him by the coat and lifted him into the air. Kael struggled. The creature brought its face close. Then it spoke. “Where... is... the crown?” Kael froze. “What?” The creature's eyes changed. For one brief moment, they glowed gold. “Where is the crown?” Kael kicked it away. The creature released him. He hit the ground and immediately rolled toward his sword. The monster charged. Kael grabbed the sword with both hands. He remembered his master's training. Don't fight strength with strength. Find the opening. He waited. The creature swung. Kael ducked. The claws passed above his head. He stepped inside its reach and drove the silver blade into its chest. The monster froze. Kael pushed harder. Black smoke erupted around them. The creature screamed so loudly that birds exploded from the trees. Then it collapsed. Silence returned. Kael stood over the body, breathing heavily. He had done it. Twenty silver crowns. He almost smiled. Then the monster whispered. “Too late...” Kael's smile disappeared. The creature's golden eyes opened again. “Your blood... has already awakened.” Kael stepped backward. “What does that mean?” The creature's mouth stretched into something resembling a smile. “They found you.” Then its body turned to ash. Kael stared at the remains. The words echoed in his mind. They found you. Who? And why had a monster asked him about a crown? Kael wiped the black residue from his sword. He had questions. Unfortunately, he wasn't going to get answers from the dead. At least, that's what he thought. A bell suddenly rang in the distance. Once. Twice. Three times. Kael turned toward the village. The warning bell. His stomach dropped. He started running. By the time he reached Blackmere, the village gates were wide open. People were screaming. Horses were running through the streets. A house near the market was burning. Kael pushed through the crowd. “What happened?” Nobody answered. Then he saw him. Old Master Rowan stood in the middle of the road. The old man was covered in blood. Kael ran toward him. “Master!” Rowan grabbed Kael's arm. “Where were you?” “In the forest. I found the creature.” Rowan's face went pale. “You killed it?” “Yes.” “Then we have a bigger problem.” Kael frowned. “What are you talking about?” Rowan looked toward the eastern road. Three riders were approaching the village. They wore black armor. No kingdom's symbol decorated their shields. Only a strange silver crown. Kael stared at the symbol. He had seen it before. In his dreams. Rowan noticed his expression. “You recognize it.” Kael shook his head. “No.” The old man looked at him for a long moment. “Your father wore that symbol.” Kael's heart stopped. “My father was a farmer.” “That is what I told you to believe.” Kael stepped backward. “What?” Rowan looked around to make sure nobody was listening. “You were never supposed to learn this here.” “Learn what?” Rowan reached inside his coat and pulled out a small black pendant. A golden symbol was engraved on it. A crown surrounded by flames. Kael stared at it. The moment he saw the symbol, something inside him changed. His chest burned. He grabbed his shirt. “What is happening?” Rowan dropped the pendant. “Kael!” Golden light burst from Kael's chest. The entire street went silent. People stopped running. The three armored riders stopped at the village entrance. One of them slowly removed his helmet. His face was scarred. He looked directly at Kael. Then he smiled. “After seventeen years…” He raised his sword. “…the heir has finally awakened.” Kael stared at Rowan. “The heir?” Rowan's eyes filled with fear. “I wanted to tell you when you were older.” Kael's voice trembled. “Tell me what?” Rowan looked toward the riders. Then back at Kael. “Your name isn't Kael Rowan.” Kael froze. “You are Kael Arven.” The name meant nothing to him. Until the pendant on the ground began to glow. A vision exploded through his mind. A burning castle. A woman holding a baby. A man standing before an army. A golden crown. And a voice screaming: “Take the prince and run!” Kael stumbled backward. He saw the woman turn. Her face was covered in tears. Then the vision changed. A black-armored warrior entered the room. The king raised his sword. And behind him stood a doorway filled with darkness. Kael heard his own voice as a child. “Mother?” The vision disappeared. Kael fell to his knees. Rowan caught him. “Kael!” He looked up. His eyes were glowing faintly gold. “What happened to my family?” Rowan said nothing. Kael grabbed his coat. “Tell me!” The old man finally spoke. “Your father was King Arven of Elarion.” Kael's breathing stopped. “Elarion's royal family was destroyed seventeen years ago,” Rowan continued. “Everyone believed the prince died that night.” Kael looked at the burning houses around him. “And you knew?” “I was ordered to protect you.” “By who?” Rowan looked toward the forest. Before he could answer, something moved behind the trees. Not one thing. Hundreds. The villagers began screaming again. The black-armored riders drew their weapons. But they weren't looking at the village. They were looking at the forest. A deep roar rolled across the land. The riders suddenly looked afraid. Rowan whispered: “No…” Kael looked at him. “What?” The old man's hand tightened around his staff. “The creature you killed wasn't hunting the villagers.” Another roar shook the village. Rowan stared directly at Kael. “It was hunting you.” The forest exploded with movement. Massive shadows poured between the trees. The black-armored soldiers raised their weapons. And somewhere in the darkness, something far larger than the creature Kael had killed opened its eyes. Two golden eyes. The same color as Kael's. Then a voice echoed across the village. “Come home, little prince.” Kael slowly raised his sword. The golden mark on his chest burned brighter. For seventeen years, he had believed he was nobody. Tonight, the world had come to prove him wrong. And beyond the forest, an ancient army was already marching toward Elarion.