Chapter Seven: Ashes of Yesterday
884 Words
The fire crackled softly. Its golden flames danced beneath the moonlit sky, pushing back the cold that wrapped itself around the mountains.
Eleanor sat quietly beside it, staring into the flames. Haniel stood a few steps away, sharpening the blade of his spear. His face remained unreadable, but his eyes occasionally drifted toward Eleanor.
She hadn't spoken in hours.
The events of the previous day refused to leave her mind.
The dragon,thebattle,Seraphina and Haniel. Nothing made sense anymore.
She reached beneath her cloak and wrapped her fingers around the Alpha Gem.
It felt warm. Almost... Alive.
"Don't," Haniel said without looking up.
Eleanor frowned.
"What?"
"The Gem."
"It isn't just a relic."
"It listens."
She looked down at the glowing crystal.
"How do you know so much about it?"
Haniel fell silent.
The only answer was the sound of the fire.
Eleanor sighed.
"You never answer my questions."
"Some answers are dangerous." She looked away.
"I've spent my whole life surrounded by secrets."
"I deserve the truth." Haniel finally met her eyes.
"You deserve the truth..."
He paused.
"...when you're ready to carry it." Before Eleanor could respond, the Alpha Gem suddenly pulsed.
Once. Twice.
Then, a brilliant blue light burst from it.
The flames around the campfire bent toward the Gem as if drawn by an invisible force. The wind stopped. Even the insects fell silent.
Haniel's expression hardened.
"It's happening."
"What is?"
"The Gem is choosing."
Before Eleanor could ask another question, the light swallowed her whole.
She was falling.
Not through darkness... But through memories. Laughter echoed in the distance.
Warm sunlight kissed her face. When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the mountains.
She stood in a magnificent palace.
White marble pillars stretched toward a painted ceiling where thirteen stars circled a golden throne. Servants hurried through the corridors carrying flowers and silk banners.
Music drifted from the royal courtyard.
A celebration.
Eleanor looked around in confusion.
"What is this place?"
No one answered. No one even seemed to notice her.
Then she heard a baby's cry. She turned.
A grand chamber stood open. Inside, a young woman rested on a magnificent bed, her face pale from exhaustion but glowing with happiness.
In her arms... She held a newborn child.
The king stood beside her. His eyes shimmered with tears as he gently touched the baby's tiny hand.
"My daughter," he whispered.
"Our little Eleanor." Eleanor's heart stopped.
She took an unsteady step forward.
"My mother..." The young queen smiled warmly at the infant.
"She's beautiful." King Aldren laughed.
"She has your eyes."
Outside, the bells of Lavana rang joyfully.
The entire kingdom celebrated the birth of its princess.
Moments later, the great doors opened.
An elderly priest entered carrying an ancient golden staff. His robes were embroidered with thirteen silver stars.
Every noble in the room bowed.
"It is time," the priest announced. "The child must receive the Blessing of the Thrones."
He approached the cradle.
The room fell completely silent. The priest placed two fingers gently against the baby's forehead.
For a heartbeat... Nothing happened.
Then, the staff burst into brilliant blue light.
The palace shook.
Every candle in the room changed from golden flames... To sapphire blue.
The priest stumbled backward. His hands trembled.
"No.. "This cannot be..."
The king rushed toward him. "What is it?"
The old priest slowly fell to his knees. His voice was barely a whisper.
"The Thirteenth Heir has been born." Gasps filled the chamber. Some nobles looked amazed.
Others looked terrified. From the back of the room... A woman smiled.
She wore an elegant crimson gown. Jewels glittered around her neck.
Her smile was beautiful. But her eyes... It was cold. She said nothing.
She simply watched the child. Watched... And waited.
Eleanor stared at the woman. Her breath caught.
"...Theresa."
The queen slowly turned toward the infant.
Her smile widened. Almost kindly.
Yet something about it sent a chill through Eleanor. It was the smile of someone who had just realized exactly what stood between her and absolute power. The memory began to blur.
The palace walls cracked like glass. Voices echoed through the fading light. A woman's whisper reached Eleanor one last time.
"Protect her... no matter the cost..." The vision shattered. Eleanor's eyes flew open.
She gasped for air. She was back beside the campfire. The Alpha Gem had gone dark.
Haniel was kneeling beside her.
"You saw your past." Eleanor's hands shook.
"My father..." "My mother..."
She looked at him, tears filling her eyes.
"The priest called me..."
'The Thirteenth Heir.'
Haniel closed his eyes. For a long moment, he said nothing. When he finally spoke...
His voice carried a sadness she had never heard before.
"Then the prophecy has truly begun."
Far away... Inside the throne room of Lavana Palace...
Queen Theresa stood before a window overlooking the kingdom. A raven landed on the stone ledge.
It carried a message tied to its leg. She unfolded it.
Only three words were written on the parchment. She remembers now. For the first time in years...
The queen's smile disappeared. She whispered into the empty throne room,
"Then there is no more time."
She turned sharply. "Prepare the Black Legion."
"No more games."
"This time..."
"Bring me the Alpha Gem... or bring me her head."
- Writer
