SHADOW OF FATE

Chapter 6: The Fall of Eldoria

The road to Eldoria was silent.

Kael, Mira, Ren, and Arkon moved as quickly as they could, but the black smoke above the kingdom grew thicker with every step.

When they reached the top of the final hill, Kael stopped.

His home was surrounded by darkness.

The great walls of Eldoria had been damaged, the castle gates stood open, and shadow warriors filled the streets.

Kael's heart sank.

"The kingdom..."

Mira looked at him.

"We can still save it."

Kael nodded.

"We have to."

Suddenly, a horn sounded from inside the city.

BOOOOOOM!

A wave of dark energy struck the ground in front of them.

Arkon raised his spear.

"They know we're here."

Hundreds of shadow warriors turned toward them.

Ren smiled nervously.

"Well... I guess we're not sneaking in."

Kael drew Nightfall.

The sword immediately began glowing with dark energy.

Mira stared at it.

"Kael, be careful."

"I will."

The shadow warriors charged.

Kael rushed forward.

Nightfall moved faster than he expected, cutting through the darkness around the warriors without touching them directly. One by one, the enemies were knocked backward.

Ren fought beside him.

Mira used her magic to protect the villagers escaping through the streets.

Arkon held the main road alone, stopping wave after wave of enemies.

For the first time, Kael understood the power hidden inside Nightfall.

But the more he used it, the stronger the whispers became.

"More power..."

Kael shook his head.

"No."

"You need me."

"I said no!"

The sword suddenly became quiet.

Then a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Kael."

He turned.

King Valen stood at the castle entrance.

But he was wounded and leaning against the doorway.

"Father!" Mira cried.

She rushed toward him.

Kael followed.

"What happened?"

King Valen looked at Nightfall.

"You found the sword."

Kael froze.

"You knew about it?"

The king nodded.

"There are things I should have told you long ago."

Before he could continue, a dark figure appeared above the castle.

Darius.

"The time for secrets is over."

He raised his hand.

Dark chains surrounded King Valen.

Mira shouted.

"Let him go!"

Darius smiled.

"Ask your friend Kael why the Shadow King wants him."

Kael stepped forward.

"Tell me!"

Darius pointed toward the castle throne room.

"Because your father knows the truth."

Kael looked at King Valen.

"What truth?"

The king closed his eyes.

"You are not simply the chosen one, Kael."

The entire castle became silent.

"You are the last descendant of the Guardians of Fate."

Kael's eyes widened.

"And your mother," King Valen continued, "was their greatest warrior."

Kael couldn't speak.

The memories from the Crystal of Light suddenly returned.

His mother.

The battlefield.

The mysterious sword.

Everything began making sense.

But then King Valen said something that changed everything.

"Your mother did not disappear."

Kael stared at him.

"What?"

"She was taken."

A powerful explosion shook the castle.

Darius laughed.

"The Shadow King has kept her alive for one reason."

Kael's hands trembled.

"Where is she?"

Darius looked directly at him.

"In the Shadow Realm."

Kael's eyes filled with determination.

"Then I'll go there."

Darius smiled.

"That's exactly what the Shadow King wants."

Suddenly, the castle floor cracked.

A giant portal of darkness opened beneath Kael.

Mira grabbed his arm.

"Kael!"

He tried to pull himself away, but the darkness was already surrounding him.

Ren reached for him.

"Hold on!"

Kael looked at his friends.

"Don't follow me!"

The portal pulled him deeper.

Mira shouted his name.

Then everything went black.

Kael opened his eyes.

He was standing in a strange land beneath a crimson sky.

A massive fortress stood before him.

At the top of its highest tower was a single window.

And behind that window stood a woman Kael recognized immediately.

His mother.

She placed her hand against the glass.

"Kael..."

He stared in disbelief.

"Mother?"

A deep voice echoed behind him.

"Welcome home."

Kael slowly turned.

The Shadow King stood only a few steps away.

His crimson eyes burned through the darkness.

And Nightfall began to glow.

To be continued in Chapter 7: The Shadow King's Secret