The Guardian Beneath The Throne
1134 Words
Nysera’s scream echoed endlessly as she plunged into the darkness.
The icy wind whipped through her silver-black hair, and the glowing Crown of Dawn slipped from her fingers. She reached for it instinctively, but it disappeared into the black abyss below.
“This can’t be happening!”
Just when she thought she would crash against solid rock, her body slowed.
A gentle silver light surrounded her.
Instead of hitting the ground, she landed softly on a floor of smooth white crystal.
The silence was unsettling.
She slowly stood, brushing the dust from her clothes.
“Draven?” she called.
No answer.
“Lady Selene?”
Nothing.
She was alone.
The underground chamber stretched farther than she could see. Towering crystal pillars glowed with ancient moonlight, illuminating murals carved into the walls.
Curious, Nysera stepped closer.
The first mural showed three kings standing beside the First Queen.
One wore white armor.
One wore black armor.
The third wore shimmering silver armor.
The next mural showed the four rulers joining their hands together beneath a full moon.
Below it were ancient words.
“United, they shall protect the world.”
Nysera frowned.
“This doesn’t make sense.”
“The Moonborn records only speak of two kingdoms.”
“They rewrote history.”
The deep voice echoed through the chamber.
Nysera spun around.
An old man stepped from the shadows.
His long silver hair reached his waist, and his white robes shimmered with faint moonlight. A massive sword rested across his back, though he leaned on a wooden staff as if he had not fought in centuries.
His piercing blue eyes studied Nysera carefully.
“You’ve finally arrived.”
“Who are you?” Nysera asked cautiously.
The old man smiled.
“I have carried many names.”
“But the world once called me…”
“The Guardian of the Moon.”
Nysera’s heart skipped.
“The Guardian?”
He nodded.
“For eight hundred years, I have waited beneath this palace.”
“Waiting for the Chosen Queen.”
“You knew I would come?”
“The Moon Goddess told me.”
He gestured for her to follow.
“There isn’t much time.”
⸻
As they walked through the underground sanctuary, Nysera noticed thousands of glowing crystals embedded in the walls.
Each crystal contained moving images.
She stopped before one.
Inside it…
She saw Queen Elara smiling.
“My mother…”
The Guardian nodded.
“Those crystals preserve memories.”
“They never lie.”
Nysera touched the crystal.
The memory came alive.
Queen Elara stood beside the Shadow King, laughing as little Nysera chased glowing butterflies.
Draven walked into the garden carrying wooden practice swords.
The Shadow King laughed.
“You’re late again.”
Draven grinned.
“I let you win yesterday.”
“You’ve never beaten me.”
The two men burst into laughter.
Nysera stared in disbelief.
“They were friends.”
“They were brothers in everything except blood,” the Guardian replied.
“They trusted each other completely.”
“What happened?”
The Guardian’s smile disappeared.
“Caelan happened.”
⸻
He stopped before an enormous stone door.
On it was carved the same golden-eyed warrior Nysera had seen in the Moon Goddess’s temple.
“The Silver King…”
Nysera whispered.
“Yes.”
“He desired more than peace.”
“He wanted absolute power.”
The Guardian rested his hand against the stone.
“He manipulated everyone.”
“He whispered lies.”
“He turned allies into enemies.”
“He made your father believe Draven had betrayed him.”
“He made Draven believe your father had embraced darkness.”
Nysera closed her eyes.
“So they were both deceived.”
“Exactly.”
The Guardian looked at her with sadness.
“And while they fought…”
“Caelan murdered your mother.”
Tears rolled down Nysera’s cheeks.
“My entire life…”
“…was built on a lie.”
⸻
Suddenly…
The sanctuary shook violently.
Dust rained from the ceiling.
The Guardian’s expression darkened.
“They’ve found us.”
A deafening roar echoed through the tunnels.
Stone walls exploded inward.
Dozens of silver-armored warriors rushed into the sanctuary.
Their glowing golden eyes burned with murderous intent.
At their head…
Stood Caelan.
He smiled calmly.
“I wondered how long you would hide down here.”
The Guardian stepped protectively in front of Nysera.
“You’ll never have her.”
Caelan sighed.
“You’ve grown old.”
“So have your ideals.”
The Guardian slowly removed the ancient sword from his back.
The moment the blade left its sheath…
The entire sanctuary trembled.
Nysera felt overwhelming power radiating from it.
“What sword is that?”
“The Blade of Eclipse,” the Guardian answered.
Her eyes widened.
“The second relic.”
He smiled.
“It was never lost.”
“I was protecting it.”
Caelan laughed.
“And now you’ll die protecting it.”
Without warning…
He raised his hand.
Hundreds of silver chains erupted from the ground.
They wrapped around the Guardian’s arms and legs.
The old warrior struggled, but the chains only tightened.
“Run!” he shouted.
“Take the Blade!”
Nysera hesitated.
“I won’t leave you!”
“You must!”
The Blade of Eclipse suddenly flew from the Guardian’s hand.
It landed at Nysera’s feet.
The moment she touched its hilt…
A blinding wave of moonlight burst from the sword.
Her silver mark burned brightly.
The Crown of Dawn, which had disappeared earlier, reappeared above her head.
The two relics resonated together.
The sanctuary filled with dazzling light.
Caelan’s confident smile vanished.
“No…”
“She awakened them both.”
Nysera felt unimaginable power flowing through her veins.
The Blade seemed almost alive, whispering ancient words only she could hear.
The Guardian smiled proudly.
“The Queen has accepted the second relic.”
Before Nysera could react…
The sanctuary floor cracked apart.
A dark chasm opened between her and the Guardian.
The old man looked at her one final time.
“Remember…”
“Trust your heart…”
“…not your fear.”
The ground beneath him collapsed.
He disappeared into the endless darkness.
Nysera screamed.
“NO!”
She rushed forward—
But Caelan was already there.
He pointed his own sword directly at her heart.
“You’ve inherited the relics…”
He smiled coldly.
“Now let’s see…”
“…if you’re worthy of surviving long enough to use them.”
Nysera now possesses two of the three sacred relics, but the Guardian has fallen into the abyss, and Caelan stands before her ready for their first true duel. Will Nysera unlock the Blade of Eclipse’s hidden power, or will Caelan claim the relics before she can escape?
- Writer
