Chapter 6: The Hall Of Silent Stars
489 Words
The rain did not stop until morning.
The palace was quiet.
Too quiet.
The broken walls had been repaired with magic, but the smell of smoke still filled the air.
No one spoke about the battle.
It was as if everyone had agreed to forget it.
But Nysera couldn't.
She sat alone in the servants' quarters, turning Caelis's words over and over in her mind.
"You were born in this palace."
"The imperial family stole your life."
It didn't make sense.
She had grown up believing she was an orphan.
Who was telling the truth?
The Emperor...
Or the stranger who called himself her brother?
A soft knock came at her door.
She opened it.
Prince Kaelor stood outside with his usual smile.
"You've been hiding all day."
"I'm not hiding."
"You are."
He looked around the empty room.
"You've asked the same question a hundred times, haven't you?"
Nysera looked down.
"I don't know who I am anymore."
For the first time, Kaelor's smile faded.
"Then let's find the answer."
He held out his hand.
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"Somewhere no servant has ever been."
Moments later, they walked through the oldest part of the palace.
The walls were covered with strange carvings.
The air felt cold.
The deeper they went, the quieter everything became.
There were no guards.
No servants.
No voices.
Only silence.
At the end of the hallway stood a tall stone door.
There was no handle.
No lock.
Only thirteen stars carved into the center.
Twelve stars shone with silver light.
The last star was dark.
Kaelor stopped walking.
"This is the Hall of Silent Stars."
Nysera's heart skipped.
Caelis had spoken about this place.
She reached out slowly.
The moment her fingers touched the dark star...
Click.
The ground trembled.
The stone door opened by itself.
A cold wind rushed out.
Inside was a round chamber filled with ancient statues.
There were twelve statues of kings.
Each wore a crown.
Each held a sword.
But there was space for one more.
An empty throne stood at the end of the hall.
Covered in dust.
As though someone had been removed from history.
Nysera stepped closer.
Something caught her eye.
Words were carved into the throne.
She brushed away the dust.
The letters slowly appeared.
"Only the forgotten may sit."
A chill ran through her body.
Behind her...
The stone door slammed shut.
Boom!
Kaelor turned quickly.
"It closed!"
He pushed against it.
It didn't move.
Suddenly, all twelve statues opened their eyes.
Blue light filled the chamber.
One by one...
The stone kings turned their heads toward Nysera.
Then they spoke together.
Their voices echoed through the hall.
"Welcome home..."
"Thirteenth Princess."
Nysera's face turned pale.
"No..."
"I'm not a princess."
The statues did not answer.
Instead...
The empty throne began to glow.
Deep beneath it...
Someone laughed.
A voice.
Old.
Calm.
Waiting.
"At last..."
"The child of the lost crown has returned."
- Writer
