chapter:1 The vanishing

**Chapter One: The Vanishing**

The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished. Its crystalline waters, usually flowing with a gentle murmur, now surged upstream, creating swirling eddies that danced like spirits beneath the darkening sky. Villagers of Eldoria stood on the banks, their faces a mix of wonder and dread as they watched the unnatural phenomenon unfold. Whispers of omens and prophecies filled the air, twisting through the marketplace like the wind.

High above, in the opulent castle that towered over the valley, the Queen, Seraphina of the Silver Vale, had just finished her morning rituals. Her golden hair gleamed like sunlight, cascading down her back in waves that seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow. Yet today, an unease nestled in her heart, a feeling she couldn’t shake off despite the beauty that surrounded her. The kingdom was vibrant, yet shadows loomed in the corners of her mind.

As she peered out from her balcony, the sight of the river flowing in reverse sent a shiver through her. It was a sight of chaos—a reversal of nature itself. Instinctively, she reached for the amulet that hung around her neck, a family heirloom said to be infused with ancient magic. It felt warm against her skin, pulsating gently, almost as if it were alive. 

“Your Majesty,” called her advisor, Eldrin, his voice breaking through her reverie. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by a rare urgency. “We must discuss the signs. The people—”

“Eldrin,” she interrupted, her voice steady yet laced with concern. “What do you see in the waters?”

He hesitated, his brow furrowing. “A warning, perhaps. The river is said to carry the souls of the past, and for it to flow backwards... He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

Before he could speak again, the air in the room shifted. A shadow fell across the sunlit floor, and an icy wind swept through the open window. The amulet around Seraphina's neck pulsed violently, illuminating the room with a blinding light. Eldrin stumbled back, shielding his eyes, while the Queen stood frozen, captivated by the brilliance.

Then, in an instant, the light collapsed in on itself, revealing a figure cloaked in darkness. It was a woman, her features obscured by a veil of shadows, yet her presence radiated an ancient power. “Queen Seraphina,” she intoned, her voice echoing as if it came from the depths of the earth. “Your time has come.”

“What do you mean?” Seraphina demanded, a mixture of fear and defiance in her heart. “Who are you?”

“I am Talia, Keeper of the Threads,” the figure replied, her voice weaving through the air like silk. “You must choose, my Queen. The fate of your kingdom hangs in the balance. The river's flow is a reflection of your heart. To lose the light is to invite darkness.”

Before Seraphina could respond, Talia extended a hand, and the amulet leapt from her neck, glowing fiercely in the Keeper's grasp. “You hold the key to an ancient magic, but the choice is yours. Will you embrace your destiny, or will you allow fear to bind you?”

In that moment, the castle trembled, and the ground beneath them rumbled ominously. Seraphina felt the weight of her lineage pressing down on her, the expectations of her people, and the magic that coursed through her blood. The visions of her ancestors filled her mind—great queens who had wielded power and grace, who had faced adversaries with unwavering courage.

“I will not let my kingdom fall,” she declared, the resolve hardening in her heart. “What must I do?”

Talia’s shadowy veil lifted slightly, revealing her eyes and two swirling pools of starlight. “You must journey to the heart of the Whispering Woods, where the river meets the roots of the Great Oak. There lies the answer you seek, but beware—the path is fraught with trials. Darkness stirs, and you are not alone in your quest.”

As the words hung in the air, Seraphina felt a surge of energy radiate from the amulet. She grasped it tightly, the warmth flooding her with newfound strength. 

“Prepare the horses,” she commanded Eldrin, who stood wide-eyed. “We leave at dawn. I will find the Queen’s Heart and restore balance to the realm.”

Eldrin nodded, his face reflecting both pride and concern. As he exited the chamber, Seraphina turned back to Talia. “Will I find her? The Queen everyone speaks of in the prophecies?”

“Only you can determine what is lost,” Talia replied enigmatically. “But know this: the river flows in strange ways, and sometimes it is not just the waters that must change.”

With a wave of her hand, Talia vanished, leaving Seraphina alone in the now eerily quiet room. The weight of her destiny settled on her shoulders like a cloak of stars. She stepped onto the balcony once more, watching as the river continued to swirl and twist in its unnatural dance.

Tomorrow would mark the beginning of her journey—a journey that would lead her through enchanted forests, face-to-face with mythical creatures, and into the depths of her own heart. 

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the land, Seraphina knew she had to embrace the magic within her and face whatever lay ahead. The river may have run backwards, but she would ensure it flowed forward again—starting with her own courage.