CHAPTER 2 :THE SAPPHIRE CROWN
849 Words
Three years passed.
Elara had traveled farther than she had ever imagined.
She had crossed deserts where the sand glowed beneath the moon. She had sailed across stormy seas and climbed mountains covered in snow.
Along the way, she met countless people.
There was Tomas, a baker who dreamed of opening a bakery where children could eat for free.
There was Mira, a traveling musician whose songs could make even the saddest person smile.
There was an old storyteller named Neria who claimed she had once seen a dragon.
Elara helped wherever she could.
She had become known throughout the lands as the Lady of the Midnight Star.
One evening, Elara was resting beneath an ancient oak tree when she heard footsteps.
An old woman appeared.
She wore a long blue cloak decorated with tiny silver stars.
“You are Elara,” the woman said.
Elara immediately became cautious.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Neria.”
Elara stared.
“Neria?”
The old woman smiled.
“The same Neria who tells stories in the villages?”
“You've heard of me?”
“Everyone has.”
Neria sat beside her.
“You have traveled far, Lady of the Midnight Star. But your greatest journey has not yet begun.”
Elara frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“Have you ever heard of the Sapphire Crown?”
Elara shook her head.
“It is an ancient crown forged by the first dragons,” Neria explained. “It contains magic older than any kingdom.”
“Why are you telling me?”
“Because the crown has been waiting for you.”
Elara laughed.
“I'm not interested in crowns.”
“This crown is not about ruling.”
Neria's expression became serious.
“It tests the heart of whoever finds it. It reveals whether a person desires power or purpose.”
Elara looked at the Midnight Star.
“Where is it?”
“In the Sapphire Peaks.”
Neria pointed north.
“But the road is dangerous. You will face storms, illusions, and creatures that guard the crown.”
Elara stood.
“I've faced dangerous roads before.”
“This journey will be different.”
“How?”
Neria looked directly into her eyes.
“Because this time, the greatest enemy will not be outside you.”
Before Elara could ask what she meant, Neria disappeared.
The next morning, Elara began her journey.
Days turned into weeks.
Eventually, she reached the Storm Rift.
A massive chasm split the land before her.
Wind howled from its depths.
A narrow bridge made from old wood and vines stretched across it.
Elara swallowed.
“This is going to be interesting.”
She stepped onto the bridge.
Halfway across, the wind became violent.
The bridge swung dangerously.
Elara gripped the ropes.
“I'm beginning to dislike this adventure.”
Suddenly, something enormous flew overhead.
Elara looked up.
A dragon descended onto the mountain ahead.
Its scales were blue like sapphires.
Its eyes were ancient and intelligent.
“I am Aurithar,” the dragon said.
Elara stepped forward.
“I seek the Sapphire Crown.”
Aurithar studied her.
“Many have sought it.”
“Then I suppose I am not the first.”
“None who came before you were worthy.”
Elara raised an eyebrow.
“That's encouraging.”
The dragon almost smiled.
“To enter the temple, you must answer my riddle.”
“Go ahead.”
Aurithar spoke:
“I can be cracked, made, told, and played. What am I?”
Elara thought.
She considered music.
A secret.
A promise.
Then she smiled.
“A joke.”
The dragon's eyes glowed.
“Correct.”
The enormous stone doors opened.
Inside was a magnificent temple filled with blue light.
At its center stood a crystal pedestal.
Upon it rested the Sapphire Crown.
Elara walked toward it.
Then the whispers began.
“You could become queen.”
“You could return to Aurelia.”
“You could have power again.”
Elara stopped.
Images appeared around her.
She saw her father.
Her mother.
Adrian.
The people of Aurelia.
She saw herself sitting on the throne.
The crown on her head.
Everyone kneeling before her.
Her heart ached.
For one moment, she wanted it.
Then she remembered why she had left.
She had not abandoned the crown because she hated her kingdom.
She had left because she needed to discover who she was without it.
Elara reached for the Sapphire Crown.
But instead of wearing it, she placed it gently back on the pedestal.
“I choose my own path.”
The voices disappeared.
The temple became silent.
Aurithar appeared behind her.
“You have passed the trial.”
Elara turned.
“What happens now?”
The dragon looked toward the Midnight Star around her neck.
“Now you must learn why the star chose you.”
Elara's smile disappeared.
“What do you mean?”
Aurithar's eyes darkened.
“Because something ancient is awakening.”
And far away, beyond the mountains, a black shadow moved beneath the earth.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD