Song Of Shadows

Song Of Shadows
❤️ Song Of Shadows ❤️

Elyria Kingdom— Vyr Palace:

King Vyr sat at the head of the round table, his fingers tapping idly against the polished wood. The four elders seated around him were deep in conversation, but his mind was elsewhere. The evening breeze drifted through the open windows, carrying the scent of the fading sun. Yet, he found no comfort in it.

Where was Mary?

He had tried reaching her through the pendant, but for some reason, the connection was blocked. Something was wrong. Has she been caught? The thought gnawed at him, making him restless.

A voice pulled him back to the present.

King Vyr gave a distracted nod in acknowledgment.

"I called for this meeting," Elder Rivar continued. "As you know, my troops and I went to battle against the Bloodforgers, who have been stealing our newborns right from our nose. We were overpowered, and I and my troops were captured and some were killed and sacrificed. If not for the High King's niece arriving at the right time, I wouldn’t be here today." He added

King Vyr barely registered his words. His fingers tightened around the armrest of his chair. If Mary was caught, it could ruin everything but If she has been caught, she had better kill herself.

Elder Rue of the Water Wolf Clan let out a loud snort, lazily stroking his mustache with his remaining one good hand. "So what? Is that why you gathered us? To praise that wicked girl?" He scoffed. "If she saved you, how is that our concern?"

Elder Rivar’s eyes darkened with barely contained anger. "Watch your mouth, Rue. If she hadn’t saved me, I would be dead. And if I was killed, do you think you or any of the elders here would be safe? At least I didn't run like a coward when faced with a little girl. I acknowledge my weaknesses and accept when someone stronger aids me. Something you, apparently, cannot do." He added.

"You—" Elder Rue’s face turned a deep shade of red, his hands curling into fists.

"Enough, both of you," Elder Julian of the Storm Wolf Clan cut in sharply, his deep voice commanding. His piercing eyes moved between them before settling on the High King. "Is this why we were called here?" He placed a hand on Vyr’s arm. "My King?"

Vyr flinched slightly at the touch and turned toward Elder Julian with a forced smile. "My apologies, my mind was elsewhere.

"Then let me make this quick," Elder Rivar said, clearing his throat. "After I returned, I interrogated the surviving Bloodforgers that Nyxoria had captured. They had no idea why their leader was stealing, killing and sacrificing our newborns." He exhaled sharply, his expression grim. "I believe there is a much larger conspiracy at play. We need to investigate this further."

Elder Rue scoffed again. "Nonsense."

Elder Rivar was holding himself from lashing out on Rue; he wished Nyxoria was in this meeting to slap the 'nonsense' back into Rue's stinking mouth.

"This is not nonsense, Rue," Elder Rivar snapped, his patience wearing thin. "If you have nothing useful to contribute, then keep your mouth shut. Not everyone here is illiterate like you."

"You—" Elder Rue started, but before he could launch into another argument, Elder Kila of the Air Wolf Clan cut in.

"Rue, we have more pressing matters to discuss. Take your grudges elsewhere. You should be thankful Nyxoria isn't here, she would’ve taken your other arm by now."

A dark glare settled on Rue’s face as he clenched his one good hand into a fist. "You didn’t say a word when I was being insulted, but the moment I try to reply, you speak up. Nonsense."

"That’s enough," King Vyr finally intervened, his tone sharp with authority. "We are not children, so we should stop behaving like one." He added.

Elder Rivar took a deep breath before bowing slightly. "Apologies, my King."

King Vyr waved it off. "That’s fine. But tell me, why do you suspect a conspiracy?"

"It’s just a hunch, my King," Elder Rivar admitted. "I don’t believe the Bloodforgers were acting alone. There’s something bigger at play here, and we need to uncover it. That’s all I ask."

King Vyr stroked his chin in thought, then nodded. "You’ve spoken well, Rivar. I appreciate your observation."

Elder Rivar smiled, clearly relieved that his concerns weren’t being dismissed entirely.

"If there’s nothing else, this meeting is over," King Vyr announced, rising from his chair. One by one, the elders stood and exited, leaving him alone in the dimly lit chamber.

Once the last elder was gone, Vyr exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples. His concern over Mary still lingered like a bad omen.

"Can you check if Mary has been caught? I have a bad feeling." he said through his mind.

"That's risky, Vyr." the child-like voice belonging to a girl spoke.

"What about what Rivar said? Do the Bloodforgers have an ulterior motive?" He asked.

"I will check for you," the voice replied.

"Thank you," King Vyr murmured, ending the silent conversation going through his mind.

He left the throne room, heading toward his chamber, when he spotted his daughter approaching from the opposite direction.

"Greetings, Father," Nasa greeted smoothly, falling into step beside him. "I wanted to see you earlier, but I was told you were in a meeting."

"Yes, the council of elders just returned to their clans," Vyr replied. "What did you want to discuss?"

"Nothing much, just wanted to know if there's any progress in getting Nyxoria out of my way and securing my place by Tharros’ side." Nasa replied.

Vyr shot her a warning glance, lowering his voice. "You should not speak so carelessly in the open. The walls have ears."

Nasa scoffed, shrugging dismissively. "So? It’s not like anyone here would dare gossip about what they hear."

He exhaled, shaking his head. "Mary has not been in contact with me since this morning. That concerns me far more than what you’re talking about right now."

They reached the doors to his chamber, and he turned to her with an air of finality.

"Father, why is Mary not contacting you bothering you?"

"You wouldn't understand, Nasaria. I want to be left alone." Without waiting for her response, he pushed open the door, stepping inside before shutting it firmly behind him.

Nasa frowned, irritation flashing across her face.

"Since my own Father won’t help me," she muttered under her breath, turning on her heel and walking toward her own chamber. "I’ll just have to help myself."

★★★★★★

Nyxoria Dream:

Nyxoria found herself once again in the ruined palace, but this time, Ora was already waiting for her.

"I thought I would meet you in the mountains as always, not here," Nyxoria said, glancing around.

"There’s no time for that, Nyxoria," Ora replied, her veil concealing any emotion.

"Oh? Why—" Nyxoria began, but Ora cut her off before she could finish.

"Sit down, Nyxoria. We must hurry." Ora gestured toward the old throne, where the skeleton of the long-dead queen still sat.

Nyxoria followed her gaze and frowned. "You’re pointing there…What exactly am I supposed to do?"

"Face it when you sit down in front of it," Ora instructed.

Nyxoria hesitated but eventually obeyed. She lowered herself onto the cold stone floor, not too close to the skeleton, but not too far either.

"Close your eyes," Ora commanded. "No matter what happens, no matter how much pain you feel, do not open them. Do you understand me, Nyxoria?"

Nyxoria nodded, a shiver running down her spine.

"There isn’t much time," Ora continued. "I have to do this now because they are coming for you."

Nyxoria tensed. "They? Who’s coming for me? And why?"

"Close your eyes," Ora repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument. "And remember, no matter what happens, you must not open them."

Nyxoria exhaled sharply. "Fine, I heard you the first time," she muttered. Adjusting her posture, she took a deep breath and shut her eyes.

"You will feel pain," Ora whispered. "But do not be afraid. That is your dragon spirit tearing you apart so it can merge with you."

Nyxoria barely had time to process those words before she felt Ora lean in close. Her lips brushed Nyxoria’s ear as she began to sing:

Life is a spark, a breath, a flame,

A fleeting whisper, never the same.

Death is the echo, the final call,

A quiet promise that waits for all.

Yet in between, the wild ones spin,

The fearless laugh, the reckless grin.

Some chase the song, some chase the fall,

But all will kneel when the reaper calls.

And when the dragon’s voice shakes the sky,

When fire burns and shadows rise,

There Tharros stands, where fate must be,

A king of death, unchained and free.

A strange feeling washed over Nyxoria as the melody filled the ruined palace. The song, why did it feel so familiar? Like something from a distant memory, just out of reach?

She wanted to ask Ora why the song felt so familiar to her and why Tharros name was mentioned in it. But before she could even open her mouth.

Pain.

It struck her like lightning.

A deep, searing agony ripped through her back as if claws were shredding her flesh, carving into her bones. A raw, burning pain, so deep it reached her soul.

Nyxoria screamed. The sound of her own voice echoed through the ruin walls of the palace as the pain intensified, her body convulsing under the force of whatever was happening to her.

And yet, no matter how much it hurt, she kept her eyes shut.