Fantasy Prologue II

The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished. The villagers of Eldergrove watched in disbelief as the water, once a gentle flow shimmering under the sun, defied the laws of nature. Fish leaped skyward, plucked from the air by curious children who had rushed to the riverbank. Birds paused mid-flight, bewildered by the sight, their songs silenced by the enchantment that hung in the air.

At the heart of Eldergrove stood a grand castle, its spires piercing the cerulean sky. Queen Seraphina, known for her wisdom and grace, had ruled the kingdom of Aeloria for twenty years. Her laughter could brighten the gloomiest days, and her kindness echoed through every corner of the land. Yet today, her absence loomed over the kingdom like a dark cloud.

Princess Elowen, Seraphina's only daughter, stood on the castle balcony, her heart racing. She had been in her mother’s chambers only hours before, discussing plans for the Festival of Blossoms. The Queen had seemed so vibrant, her smile like the first bloom of spring. And now—now she was gone.

“Your Highness!” A guard called, breaking her reverie. He was breathless, urgency etched across his face. “We must search the forest! There are whispers of a dark sorcery at work!”

Elowen’s heart sank. Dark sorcery? The tales of old spoke of such evils, of sorcerers who could bend reality itself, but she had never believed them. The river flowing backwards was the first sign, and the only thing worse than losing her mother was the thought of such power wielded against her kingdom.

“I’ll go with you,” she declared, determination coursing through her veins. Her mother had always told her that bravery was not the absence of fear but the willingness to confront it. She needed to find the Queen, to unravel the mystery before the kingdom fell into despair.

The guard nodded, his expression both respectful and alarmed. “Very well, Your Highness. But we must be cautious. The forest is thick with magic, and not all of it is benign.”

Elowen donned her cloak, its deep green fabric a stark contrast to the pale blue of her gown. She tucked her long hair beneath her hood, feeling a surge of resolve. With a final glance at the castle, she turned and followed the guard into the shadowed embrace of the Eldergrove Forest.

As they entered the woods, the sunlight dimmed, filtered through layers of emerald leaves. The air crackled with an energy that sent shivers down Elowen’s spine. She felt as if unseen eyes were watching, whispering secrets among the rustling branches.

“Stay close,” the guard instructed, leading her deeper into the forest. They moved cautiously, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet of moss. Every rustle of leaves made Elowen’s heart race.

“What do you think happened to the Queen?” she asked, trying to pierce the heavy silence with her words.

“I’ve heard tales of the Shadowmancer,” the guard replied, his voice low. “A sorcerer who can steal souls and twist the fabric of reality. Some say he resides in these very woods, seeking power through dark means.”

Elowen shuddered at the thought. “But why would he want my mother?”

“Perhaps he believes she possesses a secret—a magic only she can wield,” he suggested, casting a wary glance around them. “Or perhaps he seeks to instill fear, to unseat the throne and plunge Aeloria into chaos.”

A chill settled in Elowen’s bones. The thought of her mother’s kindness twisted into something sinister sent her stomach into knots. But she could not dwell on fear; she had to find Seraphina and bring her back.

After what felt like hours of navigating through the dense trees, they reached a small clearing. In its center stood an ancient stone altar, overgrown with vines and glimmering with an ethereal light. Elowen felt a magnetic pull towards it, as if the very air hummed with magic.

“Look!” the guard exclaimed, pointing towards the altar. “Footprints.”

They approached the stone, where the soil was disturbed, evidence of a struggle. Elowen knelt to examine the marks, her heart racing. There were two sets of footprints—one small, delicate, unmistakably the Queen’s; the other larger, more ominous.

“Do you think she was taken?” Elowen asked, dread pooling in her stomach.

“Or perhaps she went willingly,” the guard replied, his brow furrowing. “We must find out more.”

Suddenly, a cold wind swept through the clearing, sending shivers down Elowen’s spine. The air crackled, and the ground beneath them trembled. She stood, heart pounding, as a figure emerged from the shadows. Clad in dark robes that billowed like smoke, the Shadowmancer stepped into the light.

“Foolish girl,” he hissed, his voice slithering through the air like a serpent. “You seek the Queen? She is no longer yours to command.”

Elowen’s breath caught in her throat, but she held her ground. “What have you done with her?” she demanded, her voice steadier than she felt.

The Shadowmancer chuckled, a low, chilling sound. “Your mother holds the key to a power far greater than you can comprehend. I merely borrowed her for a time.” His eyes glowed like embers, filled with malice and dark amusement.

“Release her!” Elowen cried, summoning the strength of her ancestors. She could feel a flicker of magic within her, a legacy passed down from the Queen herself. It stirred to life, a warm ember against the cold dread of the Shadowmancer’s presence.

The dark figure smirked. “You think you can challenge me? You are but a child, playing at sorcery. The river runs backwards for a reason, and you are too late.”

With a flick of his wrist, shadows twisted around Elowen, threatening to pull her into the darkness. But she concentrated, drawing upon the warmth within her. She remembered her mother’s stories of light conquering darkness, of love dispelling fear.

“By the light of Aeloria,” she whispered, channeling her magic, “I bind you!”

A brilliant beam of light erupted from her palms, illuminating the clearing and pushing back the shadows. The Shadowmancer staggered, surprise flickering in his eyes.

“You dare—?” he began, but Elowen interrupted him, pouring every ounce of her will into the light.

The shadows recoiled, and for a moment, the forest brightened as if touched by dawn. But the Shadowmancer was not so easily defeated. With a growl, he surged forward, dark energy crackling around him. “You will regret this, little princess!”

Elowen’s heart raced, but she refused to back down. “You will not take my mother!” she shouted, thrusting her hands forward as the light intensified.

The clash of energies sent shockwaves through the clearing, causing trees to shudder and the ground to quake. The shadows and light wrestled for dominance, creating a vortex of power that threatened to engulf them both.

Just as Elowen felt herself begin to falter, a familiar voice echoed through the chaos. “Elowen! My brave daughter!”

The Queen’s spirit, radiant and resolute, materialized beside her. Seraphina’s presence filled Elowen with warmth and strength. Together, they faced the Shadowmancer.

“Mother!” Elowen gasped, tears of relief blurring her vision.

“Together, we can banish him,” the Queen urged, her eyes fierce and determined. “Channel our love, our bond.”

With her mother’s spirit beside her, Elowen found the strength to push back against the darkness. The light they summoned was not just power; it was love, hope, and the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter.

The Shadowmancer shrieked as the combined force surged toward him, illuminating the forest in a blinding light. The darkness that had once cloaked him began to peel away, revealing a terrified, vulnerable man beneath.

“No!” he cried, but it was too late. The light enveloped him, and with a final, anguished scream, he was swallowed by the brilliance, dissipating into nothingness.

Silence fell over the clearing, the aftermath of the battle hanging in the air like a dream. Elowen sank to her knees, panting, the energy leaving her body. The Queen’s spirit shimmered, a soft smile on her face.

“You have done well, my dear,” she said, her voice like a gentle breeze. “But our journey is not over. The river runs backwards for a reason; darkness still lingers in the corners of Aeloria. We must restore balance.”

Elowen nodded, determination sparking in her chest. “Where do we begin?”

“Follow the river,” Seraphina instructed. “It holds secrets of the past and paths to the future. We will find the way together.”

As the first rays of dawn broke through the forest canopy, illuminating the path ahead, Elowen felt a renewed sense of purpose. The river may have run backwards today, but it was a sign of change—a call to adventure. With her mother’s spirit beside her, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, to reclaim the magic of Aeloria and protect her kingdom.

The journey had just begun.