BENEATH THE ASHES

hered, their tendrils stretching across the heavens like skeletal fingers. The air

ching toward the sky like shards of splintered stone. The walls we

rop of pale blue, like the first hint of dawn on a winter's morning. Within the crystal's facets, ancient w

nterns, casting a gentle glow over the space. The walls were adorned with rich tapestries, woven

tended the fire, adding logs to sustain the warm flames. Another smoothed the linens on the bed, her hands moving wit

, her cheekbones and shoulders prominent beneath her skin. Her dark hair cascaded across the pillo

taut and almost translucent. The shape of the child within was eviden

renity washed over her face. The tranquility was short-lived, however,

giving it a silver sheen that framed his warm, brown eyes.

d soothing, as he kissed Galenna's fo

the corners. "I'm managing, my king. But I

dear. Our child will arrive when the time is right. I've ordered a crib

betrayed a flicker of concern. "You'r

nce should have everything, my dea

of unease creeping into her eyes. She

his queen's demeanor. "I've also ordered a team of s

, followed by the sound of shouting and clanging steel. T

t urgency. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice low and even, "I beg your

excused himself from his queen, his movements swift and purpose

s eyes widened with concern. She wrapped her arms protectively

tuation. "Pyrovians?" he spat, his voice rising in outrage. "They've

fraid so, Your Majesty. We don't have m

the guard through the winding castle corridors. They mo

ng barked to a nearby m

lenna, her face pale and worried. The king swiftly wrapped a

growled, already moving

of battle grew louder. The king's grip on his q

queen's face buried in the king's shoulder. T

rses snorting nervously in the darkness. The king g

s face grew increasingly pale. She clutche

on his queen's suffering form. "Not much farther, my

press in on them from all sides. The queen's moans grew

ome almost unbearable. The king's face was g

ard called out, his voice hoarse from shouting

oasis in the darkness. A soft glow emanated from withi

exhaustion washing over him. "We're safe, my love

nguished moan, her body arching backw

t's time," he breathed, his eyes lo

ubsided, leaving her gasping for breath. The king's face was e

, as the fourth night wore on. With every passing hour, the cha

slow, ominous rhythm. In the distant mountains, ancient glaciers creaked and groaned, their icy hearts beating in time with t

ender figure stood in a garden of unearthly beauty. The air was filled with the sweet scent of moonflowers, their delicate petals shimmering like stard

of a white rose. The delicate flower seemed to glow in the fading light, its beauty mesmerizing. But as her finge

er ran down her spine as she felt a growing sense of foreboding. Something malevo

ered in blood, screaming in agony. The pain was almost palpable, and she felt her

seemed to see right through her. His muscular physique was evident even in the fading light, and his smile... his smile was like a warm breeze on a summer's day, and somehow, that s

d helping her undress and prepare for bed. She slipped into a soft,

She sat by the window, staring out at the snow-covered ga

at that glistened in the moonlight. It padded silently thr

ked up, its gaze locking onto hers. They stared a

re white. The color seemed to sear itself into her retina,

into another vision. A graveyard stretched out befor

ut on the ground in a white sheet, in front of a headstone. The stone

floor behind her. But she didn't notice. She was too b

m, the vision shattered like glass. She stu

palms scraping against the cold stone floor. Sh

d out, her voice ec

n the bed, her midwife trying to get her to push, but she was too weak. T

s rolled down his eyes silently as he listened to his wife cry in agony. He closed his eyes f

esty," she said quietly, "I fear we're running out of time. The q

cold, detached tone. "Cut her open," he said, his words sen

tep back, as if trying to escape the king's words. "Bu

"You can't mean that, Your Majesty,

w and deadly. "If my heir dies, I'll hold you responsible. You and your entire family will pay the pri

t, not running away and not carrying out the King's order. She was trapped

ng, like she'd lost her will to fight, to live. Lo

es filling with tears. "I'll do it," s

ll nod acknowledged her decision. "See t

locked on the queen's pale face. Queen Galenna's voice was barel

he queen whispered, her eyes p

the queen know it was a girl? She pushed the

g swiftly and surely. The queen's body jerked, but she didn't cry

the castle, extinguishing the candles and plunging the room into darkness. Outs

ntorting in agony. Her husband, King Edmund,

, a tiny, squalling girl. As she cut the umbilical cord, a

her own baby emerged into the world. It was

a transformation. The stormy darkness gave way to an eerie, peaceful calm. The winds

y relinquished its hold on the world. The stars twinkled softly, like diamonds sca

lden glow over the kingdoms. And then, something strange occurred. The sun didn't set. It r

held at bay, and an unsettling sense of perpetual day reigned supreme. The people of Cynsovia and Py

by boy in her arms. King Edmund and King Arin stood watch, their faces etched with a mix of wo