Chapter 9: The Shadow Queen's Offer

An unnatural silence spread across Hollow Peak.

Thousands of enemy soldiers remained kneeling before the woman dressed in crimson.

Dark clouds swirled overhead, hiding the morning sun.

The air itself felt heavier.

Evelyn couldn't take her eyes off the mysterious queen.

Something about her presence felt strangely familiar.

"Queen Morgana..." Elias whispered.

"She was supposed to have died during the First Shadow War."

"Clearly, history was wrong," Orion replied.

Below the mountain, Morgana slowly raised one elegant hand.

Every soldier stood at once.

Not a single command was spoken.

Yet they all obeyed.

"That's absolute control," Marcus muttered.

"I've never seen discipline like this."

Kael stepped beside his queen.

"Your Majesty, shall we begin the assault?"

Morgana smiled faintly.

"No."

"Not yet."

Her crimson eyes remained fixed on Evelyn.

"Bring me the girl."

"Alive."

"Everyone else is expendable."

Her voice echoed unnaturally across the valley.

Even those standing atop Hollow Peak heard every word.

Ryland stepped protectively in front of Evelyn.

"She isn't going anywhere."

Morgana laughed softly.

"How loyal."

"How predictable."

She extended her hand toward the mountain.

A ribbon of black mist floated through the air before stopping several feet in front of Thaddeus.

The mist transformed into a rolled parchment sealed with black wax.

"A message?" Orion asked.

Thaddeus caught the scroll before it touched the ground.

"Be careful," Elias warned.

"It could be cursed."

Thaddeus examined the seal.

"No magic."

"Just ink."

He opened it.

Only one sentence had been written.

"Come alone before sunset, and your people will live."

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances.

"It's a trap," Ryland said immediately.

"Obviously," Orion agreed.

"She isn't expecting him to survive," Marcus added.

Thaddeus folded the parchment.

"No."

"She's testing us."

"Testing what?" Evelyn asked.

"Whether we'll sacrifice one life to save thousands."

Before anyone could continue, Morgana lifted her hand once more.

The enemy army began retreating.

Within minutes, thousands of soldiers disappeared into the valley below.

"They're leaving?" Marcus asked in confusion.

"Why?"

"Because she already achieved what she wanted," Elias answered quietly.

"She confirmed Evelyn's awakening."

"Everything else is merely preparation."

The group returned to the underground sanctuary.

No one spoke during the walk.

Each of them understood the danger had only grown.

Inside the temple, Elias spread several ancient maps across a stone table.

"Queen Seraphina mentioned three Sacred Relics," he began.

"The Crown of Dawn."

"The Blade of Eternity."

"And the Crystal Heart."

"Where are they?" Evelyn asked.

"Hidden in three different kingdoms."

He pointed to the first location.

"The Crown lies beneath the Sun Temple in Solaria."

His finger moved east.

"The Blade rests inside Frostfang Fortress."

Finally he pointed toward the southern coast.

"The Crystal Heart is hidden beneath the ruins of Ashbourne Palace."

Ryland crossed his arms.

"Which one do we go after first?"

"The Crown," Elias answered.

"Without it, Evelyn cannot fully control her awakened magic."

Suddenly the pendant around Evelyn's neck glowed again.

Unlike before, this time only she could hear the voice.

"Trust no one..."

She looked around.

"Did anyone hear that?"

"Hear what?" Thaddeus asked.

"A woman's voice."

"She said... trust no one."

Elias frowned deeply.

"Interesting."

"The Ashbourne spirits have begun speaking to you."

"That means your connection is growing stronger."

"Or weaker," Orion said.

"If too many spirits speak at once, it could drive her insane."

The Oracle didn't deny it.

"He's right."

"Until you master the Heart of Ashbourne, distinguishing memories from reality will become increasingly difficult."

Evelyn lowered her head.

"So I can't even trust my own mind?"

"Not yet."

Before anyone could comfort her, Marcus rushed into the chamber.

"Your Majesty!"

"We've captured one of Kael's spies near the eastern trail."

"Alive?" Thaddeus asked.

"Barely."

"He insists he'll only speak to Queen Evelyn."

Everyone looked toward her.

"Bring him in," she said.

Moments later, two guards dragged in a wounded masked soldier.

His armor was covered in blood.

The moment he saw Evelyn, he smiled weakly.

"Forgive me... Your Highness..."

"We failed to protect your family... twenty years ago."

Evelyn froze.

"What did you just say?"

The soldier removed his cracked mask.

A silver crest identical to the one on Evelyn's pendant was tattooed on his neck.

"I... was one of the Ashbourne Royal Guards."