Crown of Destiny

hispers of a

llage was a place of simple folk, where life moved at the pace of the seasons. Far removed from the politics of the capital and the rava

llage. His reflection in the water below wavered as he dipped a stick into the current, lost in thought. A boy of fifteen, Kael had unruly brown hair, curious

voice called f

amily's cottage. Her dark braid swung over her shoulder, and her tunic was dusted wit

d impatiently. "You were supposed t

he stick down. "I was

ys 'just taking a break.' Do you th

s tunic. He trailed after her as they walked back towar

animals. The warm scent of fresh bread wafted from the baker's shop, mingling with the earthy aroma of the fields. Yet, despite the familiar sights and s

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through. A man in a crimson cloak stood on a raised platform near

iron bell with a hammer. "News from the capital! The

roze mid-step, his heart pounding. The king-dead? He ex

gods will choose a savior to rise, one destined to unite the kingdom

me villagers murmured prayers to the gods, while othe

sion grave. "Come," she said softly, placing a

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ords of the crier echoed in his mind. The chosen one. The Crown of Destiny. It all sounded l

the kingdom's future was uncertain. Could ther

Kael sat up, listening. It came again-a so

ge in a pale glow, and the trees swayed gently in the breeze. At firs

cool night air bit at his skin as he followed the figure int

e called, his vo

of moonlight. It was a young woman with violet eyes that seemed to glow in the dark and long silver hair that shimmer

xpected," she said, her

on the sword. "Who are

smile playing on her lips. "I could

ed. "How do you

r. Her movements were graceful, almost otherworld

ng the sword slightl

here is more to you than you realize, Kael. A path lies before you, one th

ou've got the wrong per

ng. The gods rarely choose those who seek gr

e into the shadows. "Remember, Kael," her voice echo

she had disappeared. The forest was silent

lage was beginning to stir, but Kael felt like a different person. The m

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she know his name? And what did she mean by the gods have chosen you? He sli

the darkness. Elira stirred in her bed, muttering something unintelligible

hat had happened. Part of him wanted to dismiss it as a strange dream, but he

both reverence and fear-powerful beings who communed with the gods and wielded magic beyond compr

ulling him into a restless sleep filled with fleeting images of

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is eyes and stumbled to the window, peering out into the early light. A group of villa

ael said, shaking h

tting at his han

happening in the sq

t more bad news. You know how people

though his instincts

utside. The crowd had grown larger, and Kael caug

her by the edge

oubt. Why else wo

port this to

ropped. They're

itch among us, we must tread carefully. The king's death has stirred unrest, and we cannot risk drawing the at

e should step forward and tell Harvin what he had seen, but something held

rough his thoughts. "You're st

ly. "Let's head back. We

ptical look but didn

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dow seemed to hold a pair of violet eyes, and every rustle of the wind reminded him of h

. This time, he didn't bother with the wooden sword. He followed the same path int

" he called int

ickered between the trees. Kael stepped forward, his breath

said, her lips curvin

ing to keep his voice steady. "Who

g in the moonlight. "I am Lyra," she said simply.

l echoed, frown

our destiny, Kael of Ashwood. The gods have chosen you for a great purpose, t

y me? I'm just a farm boy. I

ver is. But you have a spark within you, Kael.

art of him wanted to laugh, to dismiss her as a madw

ve to do?" he

hind her mysterious demeanor. "For now, listen. There are truths you must un

d. Kael looked down to see a small, intricately

e said. "It will guide y

disappeared into the forest, leaving Kael alo

ht of Lyra's words settled heavily on him-truths to uncover, trials to face. He had always dreamed of adventure, of being more than just a boy from Ashwood, but now that the possibility loomed before him, i