“The Crownless Heart” CHAPTER 1: “The Last Arrow”

A storm brews over a dying kingdom. A prince faces his final battle, and a promise is made with blood. Far away, a soul prepares to be reborn…

Castle Aerenth – burning, besieged, walls crumbling under fire.

Kael[ML](Past)

(gripping his sword, blood on his brow) "Hold the eastern wall! Don't let them through!"

Kael[ML](Past)

(Elira. Please… Run faster than fate.)

Rhydan[ML's Guard]

(rushing up, panting) "The lower battlements are lost. They’re flooding the gates."

Kael[ML](Past)

(shakes head) "Doesn’t matter. Tell me—Elira?"

Rhydan[ML's Guard]

(nods solemnly) "Through the old tunnel. Under the library. She’s safe. For now."

Kael[ML](Past)

(relieved, voice soft) "Then this is my last stand." (He grips Rhydan’s arm tight, gaze hard.)

Kael[ML](Past)

"Swear to me. Protect her. Even after I fall."

Rhydan[ML's Guard]

(hesitates, then nods with steel) "As I have protected you, my prince."

(A blast of fire rocks the northern tower.)

Kael[ML](Past)

(turns toward the wall, cape fluttering in wind and flame) "Then go. I’ll hold them here."

Rhydan[ML's Guard]

"Alone?"

Kael[ML](Past)

(smirks through blood) "They won’t forget this prince easily."

Kael[ML](Past)

(Not when love still lives. Not when her heartbeat still echoes in mine.)

🏹 (Enemy archers take position across the courtyard.)

Kael[ML](Past)

(leaps from the broken archway, sword gleaming in the red dusk.)

Kael[ML](Past)

"For Elira!" (His blade tears through soldiers like fire through parchment.)

Tavrok(Villain)

(stepping forward, towering in black armor) "So, the golden prince stands alone."

Kael[ML](Past)

(eyes burning) "A crown means nothing if it’s not worn for love."

(They clash. Steel on steel. Sparks. Roars.)

🏹 (Above, an archer draws a hidden bow… takes aim.)

(The arrow flies—silent—through smoke.)

(Kael’s body jerks. His eyes widen.)

Kael[ML](Past)

(whispered gasp) "Ah..."

Kael[ML](Past)

(stumbles back, arrow lodged in his chest, blood soaking his armor.)

(He falls to his knees. Hands trembling. From under his chest plate, a silver pendant falls—Elira’s feather.)

Kael[ML](Past)

(fingers close around it) "Elira..."

Kael[ML](Past)

(Forgive me. But this death is mine to bear.)

Kael[ML](Past)

(eyes dimming) "She lives."

Kael[ML](Past)

(He smiles… even as darkness takes him.)

Scene Shift: Forest beyond Aerenth — Moonlight, silence.

(Elira collapses on the moss, clutching her chest.)

Elira[FL](past)

(choking a sob) "No... no, Kael—"

(The pendant around her neck turns cold.)

Elira[FL](past)

(I felt it. Something broke. Something sacred.)

Scene Shift: Many years later — Village barn, dawn.

(A teenage boy named Rael awakens in a pile of hay, breathing heavily.)

Rael[ML](Present)

(sits up, gasping) "Fire... arrows... blood... what was—"

Rael[ML](Present)

(Why do I see her face every night? Who is she?)

(He stumbles to his feet, looking out at the morning sun over the quiet village.)

Rael[ML](Present)

(barely whispering) "Elira..."

(The wind shifts. Leaves rustle. Far away, a silver bell rings in the capital.)

Scene Shift: Capital city of Aurell – banners flying, drums echoing.

(Princess Elira of House Veylan, now grown, steps onto the palace balcony.)

Announcer

"Behold! Princess Elira returns to the people for the Festival of Moons!"

Elira [FL](Present)

(She waves… but her eyes scan the crowd, as if searching.)

Elira [FL](Present)

(Why do I feel… like someone important is missing?)

[END OF CHAPTER 1]

Author

Glimpse of chapter 2 The festival draws near. Rael's strange visions intensify. And a mysterious visitor arrives with a silver ring that changes everything…

Author

Thank you 😊😊😊