The Lost Crown: A Fate Unwritten
Part 1: A Forgotten Memory & A Fateful Encounter
🔥🔥The scent of burning wood and roses fills the air. Flames flicker, casting eerie shadows over shattered marble floors and torn banners.
💥A sharp pain pierces Elara’s chest. She gasps, clutching the wound as the world around her collapses
Suddenly—she wakes up, gasping for air.
💤Elara jolts upright in bed, heart pounding
🫣She touches her chest—no wound, no blood. But the pain lingers, like a ghost of something long forgotten.
Elara
(whispers): What... was that?
Her gaze lands on her nightstand. A small, metallic object sits there.
The moment her fingers brush against it, a whisper slips through her mind.
???
(whispering): Find me... before it’s too late.
Elara’s heart races. Who is calling to her? And why does she feel like she already knows the answer?
The city buzzes with life outside her window, but Elara barely hears it. She turns the pendant over in her hands, studying its strange engravings
Elara
Why does this feel... familiar?
A sudden chill runs down her spine. She feels it—someone’s watching her.
Slowly, she turns toward the window. Nothing. Just the quiet hum of streetlights and distant cars.
Yet, deep in the shadows of the alley below, a figure stands still, unseen by the world.
???
(watching) :She’s starting to remember.
Elara steps outside, needing air.
The city hums with life—neon lights flicker, people rush past. She clutches the pendant, lost in thought.
Suddenly, a strong grip yanks her back just as a car speeds past.
Elara
(startled): What the?!
She stumbles into someone’s arms warm, steady, unfamiliar
???
(calmly): You should be more careful.
She looks up. A tall man with dark, tousled hair meets her gaze, his expression unreadable
Elara
(pulling away): I didn’t ask for your help.
???
(smirking): And yet, you needed it
She narrows her eyes. There’s something strange about him.
His gaze shifts—to the pendant in her hand.
???
(serious): That pendant... where did you get it?
Elara freezes. Who is this man? And why does he care about the pendant?
???
Because that pendant shouldn’t be in your hands.
Elara
Well, it is. So, unless you have answers, stay out of my way.
???
You don’t even know what you’re holding, do you?
Elara
Then why don’t you enlighten me?
???
(studying her closely): …It’s dangerous
Elara
Right. And let me guess you’re here to “protect” me?
💭Something in his voice makes her pause. There’s no mockery, only sincerity.
???
(hesitates, then extends a hand): Call me Kieran.
She eyes his hand but doesn’t take it.
Elara
I don’t trust strangers.
Kieran
(smirks): Smart. But unfortunately for you, I’m not just any stranger.
A sudden gust of wind swirls around them, and for a split second, the pendant glows faintly.
Elara
(eyes widening): What… was that?
Kieran
Proof that your past is catching up to you.
Elara’s world is about to change. And she has no idea just how deep this mystery goes…
Part 2 – Shadows of the Past
Elara wakes up in a dimly lit room, her mind still foggy from the vision she experienced. She is in a rundown motel, safe for now. A knock at the door startles her.
???
Open up, Elara. It’s me
Elara
(tense) How did you find me, Kieran?
Kieran
You’re not as good at hiding as you think. Open the door before I pick the lock.
(Elara hesitates but finally unlocks the door. Kieran steps in, his usual smirk fading as he notices the unease in her eyes.)
Kieran
You look like hell. What happened?
Elara
Just… another dream. Or memory. I don’t even know anymore.
Kieran
You mean the same ones you refuse to talk about?
Elara
This one was different. More vivid. I was someone else. A princess. And… someone was calling my name.
Kieran
A princess, huh? And let me guess, there was a prince, too?
Elara
It’s not funny, Kieran.
Kieran
I know. But you need to be careful. If your past is waking up, that means others might be looking for you, too.
Elara
I think they already are.
(Just then, Elara’s phone buzzes. A blocked number. She hesitates before answering.)
???
(distorted voice) The crown must return to its rightful place, Elara. Time is running out.
(The call disconnects. A chill runs down her spine.)
Kieran
(frowning) Who was that?
Elara
I think… someone who knows who I really am.
Silence settles in, heavy and suffocating. Kieran watches as Elara’s hands clench into fists.
Kieran
We need to leave. Now.
Kieran
This isn’t about running, Elara. Someone out there knows about you.
Kieran
About your past. And trust me, if they’re reaching out like this, they aren’t alone.
Elara
…Then what do you suggest?
Kieran
We find them first.
Elara
Easier said than done.
Kieran
Lucky for you, I have a few contacts who owe me favors.
Elara crosses her arms, studying him. Kieran was reckless, cocky, and more trouble than he was worth. But if there was one thing she knew for sure, it was that he never made empty promises.
Elara
Fine. But we do this my way.
Kieran
I wouldn’t expect anything less, Princess.
Elara glares at him, but the uneasy feeling in her chest remains. If someone truly knew about her past, then she had more to fear than just old memories. The hunt had begun… and she was the prey
Part 3 – A Fragile Trust
A deserted street at night. The air is thick with tension as Elara and Kieran move through the shadows, tracking the source of the unknown call. Kieran walks a step ahead, his gaze sharp and alert
Elara
“Are you sure this is the place?”
Kieran
“The coordinates match. But it’s too quiet.”
Elara shivers slightly. The silence feels unnatural, like a trap waiting to spring. She grips the small blade hidden in her sleeve
Elara
Whoever called me knew my name. They knew about the artifact.
Kieran
Looks like you have more enemies than I do.
Suddenly, a noise—a metallic clang—echoes from the alleyway to their right. Kieran immediately pulls Elara back, pressing her against the wall as he scans the darkness
Before Kieran can respond, a figure dashes out of the alley, cloaked in dark rags. Elara’s heart pounds as the mysterious person stumbles, looking over their shoulder as if being pursued
Elara
[Stepping forward]Wait! Who are you?”
The figure freezes at the sound of her voice, then suddenly turns and bolts in the opposite direction
Kieran
Damn it—stay close!”
They both take off after the figure, weaving through the labyrinth of the city’s backstreets. The chase is fast and chaotic, Elara barely keeping up with Kieran’s speed
As they round a corner, the figure vanishes into the shadows, leaving only a single, torn scrap of parchment behind
Elara
[panting, picking up the parchment] It’s... a symbol.
The symbol is ancient, one Elara doesn’t recognize—but the uneasy look on Kieran’s face tells her he does
Elara
You know what this means
Kieran
It means we’re already too late.
A gust of wind sweeps through the alley, making the torn parchment flutter. Elara tightens her grip on it, her mind racing with questions. She turns to Kieran, who is still staring at the symbol, his jaw clenched
Elara
You’ve seen this before, haven’t you?
Kieran
A long time ago. And every time it appears, it means trouble.
Elara studies his face, sensing the weight behind his words. She’s tempted to push him for more answers, but before she can, a loud crash sounds from the rooftops above
Kieran
[grabbing Elara’s wrist] We need to move.
They sprint through the narrow alleys, but the sound of footsteps follows them. Someone or something is watching. The streetlights flicker ominously as they duck into an abandoned building.
Elara
Okay. You need to start talking. Who are they?
Kieran
A faction that deals in shadows and secrets. If they’re involved, then this is bigger than we thought.
Elara exhales sharply, realizing she’s just stepped into something much larger than herself. But she also knows she can’t turn back now
Elara
Then we find them before they find us.
Kieran
Now you’re thinking like a survivor
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