The Lost Crown: A Fate Unwritten
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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