Crown of Destiny

o: Shadows

he couldn't yet grasp. He woke with the golden stone clenched tightly in his hand, its faint glow now gone, replace

ered, slipping the stone into

lready alive with the sounds of labor: the rhythmic thunk of axes splitting wood, the lowing of cattle, and the hum of

"You've been acting strange since yesterday," she

head. "Nothin

urious glance but said nothing. Kael wolfed down his meal a

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near the wheat fields that had been damaged during the last storm. He felt the weight of th

ced two men approaching from the direction of the village square. One was Harvin, the elder who had spoken the day

they drew closer, h

one measured. "This is Captai

rprise. "The King'

ier's message has reached every corner of the kingdom," he said. "We're searc

He forced himself to meet Doran's ga

not to be taken lightly. We're speaking to every able-bod

rupted gently, "Kael is

oran said sharply,

s voice steady. "I'm just a farmhand. I don't

ly. "Very well. If you hear anything-anything at all-yo

the two men walked away, he rea

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once more. The shadows between the trees seemed darker than usual

met Lyra, clutching the stone in his h

about to turn away, a faint light flickered among the trees.

e said, her voice

eed answers. Who are you really? And why d

for him to sit. "The answers you seek are not

n a fallen log, clutc

ny, forged by the gods themselves. It holds immense power, but only the chosen on

e? I'm not a warrior or

eem ready. They choose those who can rise to the challenge. You

don't understand. What

ctured, and dark forces are stirring. You must prepare yourself for the trial

ut the Captain? He's searching for the

now, you must keep your destiny hidden. The time will come when you are re

pinning. "This is too much. I

ingly warm. "You're not alone, Kael. I will guide you

feel ready-he doubted he ever would. But a flicker of determination bur

re thing," she said. "The stone-keep it close.

g the stone into hi

ion unreadable. "The gods have c

ood were bathed in silver light, casting long, eerie shadows. He slipped through the door o

a destiny he didn't understand? The Captain's presence in Ashwood was a reminder of how precarious his situ

warmth against his side. He clutched it tightly, as

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ining. If he was to face the trials ahead, he needed to become stronger. He headed

't particularly strong or fast, and he struggled to keep up with the drills. Many of the others moc

rin sneered as Kael arrived. "Here to t

ling: swordplay, hand-to-hand combat, and endurance exercises. Kael's muscle

was a strange satisfaction in the pain. For the first tim

ith a wooden sword long after the others had left. He repea

self out," a voic

ing him, his weathered face creased w

now than fail later," Kael

been. But don't let desperation cloud your judgment. Stren

you believe in the prophecy, Eld

they seem. They're as much a burden as they are a blessing." He placed a hand on Kael's shoulder. "But if the

rvin gave him a faint smile and turned to leav

body sore but his mind resolute. He made his way to the f

n the clearing, her presen

" she said, her tone both

going to be ready for whatever's co

hen nodded. "Very well. If you'r

training grounds. Movements that emphasized precision and agility over brute stren

as relentless. By the time they finished, his limbs felt lik

he asked as they rested by

e than just yourself. The fate of this kingdom-and perhaps beyond-rests on your sho

irst time, he felt as though someone truly saw him-n

but feel that he was no longer the same boy who had stumbled upon Lyra in