The Avallon Chronicles (BOOK I)

11 | Untold Prophecies

The swing of a sword cannot cut the mist from the sky.

– Li He, Tang Dynasty

•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•

AS the words she spoke escaped her lips, a beam of golden light shone upon the palms of her hands. The tree's leaves shimmered with vibrant hues, casting a mesmerizing glow all around. Time itself stood still, allowing no one else to witness this enchanting spectacle.

As time resumed its steady rhythm, Cithara regained her consciousness, finding herself inexplicably at the heart of the garden.

"What just happened?" she wondered aloud.

A whirlwind of perplexing thoughts began to swirl within her mind, thoughts that seemed to defy all logic and possibility.

As the sun's radiant light gradually waned, ominous clouds amassed in the sky, casting a dark and foreboding atmosphere. A deafening thunderclap reverberated through the air, capturing the attention of all who were present, while bolts of lightning illuminated the surroundings in brief, dazzling bursts. Countless raindrops cascaded from the heavens, prompting the Immortals to seek refuge from the impending storm.

Suddenly, their attention was seized by the sight of a horde of enigmatic figures hurtling towards the Empire with alarming speed. The Elders Committee, along with the rulers from neighboring lands who had gathered in the Emperor's hall, were left dumbfounded by this unexpected turn of events.

Helplessly, the Immortals could only watch as the figures descended upon them.

"Greetings, Immortals," a voice resonated from the depths of the mysterious creature before them. Its presence seemed to emanate an aura of otherworldly power.

As the being stepped forward, his form came into focus. The crown atop his head was a testament to his authority, each withered leaf intricately woven into a symbol of dominance. His wings, reminiscent of a raven's feathers, extended gracefully from his back, his ebony plumage glistening with an ethereal sheen.

But it was the third eye, nestled between his brows, that captured everyone's attention. Its iridescent gaze seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality, hinting at a depth of knowledge and perception beyond mortal comprehension.

As the transformation unfolded, the Elders swiftly recognized the true nature of the beings before them. Urgency propelled them to rush outside the castle, prepared to confront the unexpected visitors.

"D-Demons?" Cithara stammered nervously, her voice betraying her unease. Taking slow, cautious steps backward, she sought refuge behind the sturdy embrace of the Avallon Tree, her heart pounding in her chest. She made a conscious effort to suppress any unnecessary movements, hoping to remain unnoticed.

To her dismay, one of the demons descended directly in front of her, his presence exuding an unmistakable air of malevolence. This particular demon, she knew, held a position of authority among their kind—the king of the demons. His piercing gaze fixated upon the protective sanctuary of the tree, where Cithara sought solace.

"I've heard whispers of a new Emperor rising within one of the empires," the Demon King spoke, his voice laced with a chilling amusement. A sinister chuckle escaped his lips as he continued, "It's a pity you no longer have your guardians to shield you." His words, though uttered under his breath, reached Cithara's ears, sending a shiver down her spine.

Caught in close proximity to the Demon King, Cithara couldn't help but overhear every chilling word that escaped his lips.

Alvier, stepping forward alongside the other Elders from various lands, confronted the Demon King, his voice laced with a mix of concern and determination. "What is your intention?"

The Demon King's response carried an unsettling calmness. "There's no need for alarm," he assured them. "We have come to witness the coronation, to pay our respects to our fellow Enchantrians."

Curiosity sparked within Torin, one of the Elders, as he inquired, "How did you manage to breach our Realm? And how did you become aware of the coronation?"

Freia, her voice filled with a sense of foreboding, whispered, "Could this mean that the prophecy is already unfolding?"

Innocently unaware, the soon-to-be Emperor of Everdaile questioned, "What prophecy?"

Alvier let out a weary sigh, his arms draped over the young boy's shoulders. "When the moons and the sun align, the Immortal Realm will face its doom."

Cithara gasped, her mind racing with the implications. "Could this be the end of the Immortal Realm? Or worse, the end of Enchantria?!"

Unbeknownst to her, the Demon King's attention had been drawn to her by the sound of her voice. An evil smile crept upon his face as he approached the sacred tree where she sought refuge. His gaze fixated upon her, he remarked, "Just a child, unaware of her true nature. How pitiful! A life of misery awaits her."

As these words echoed in Cithara's mind, the visions she had witnessed earlier flooded back with vivid clarity. Among them, she saw a figure dressed in black, adorned with raven-like wings similar to those of the demon standing before her.

The Demon King, seemingly uninterested in further confrontation, declared, "Well, it appears that our presence is unwelcome. We shall return to our realm. This tour has sufficed for today."

In the blink of an eye, the dark forces vanished, taking with them the rain, thunder, and lightning that had disrupted the ceremony.

Terrified by the potential repercussions, the Elders and rulers of the Immortal Realm hurriedly made their way to the main hall.

"Is it... Is it too late to cancel the coronation?" the soon-to-be Emperor, Wil Elashor, anxiously questioned.

The Emperor of Mithrin, representing one of the kingdoms in the Western Lands, inquired, "What seems to be the problem?"

As they made their way through the corridors leading to the hall, Wil responded, his voice filled with uncertainty. "The coronation can wait. Right now, we need to address the events that just transpired."

"But we traveled far to witness your ascension as the new Emperor," the queen of Guevaria expressed her disappointment, her words hanging in the air.

Wil took her words to heart, contemplating their significance. "Perhaps... Perhaps it's not such a great idea after all," he mused quietly.

Perplexed, the Emperor of Mithrin inquired, "What do you mean?"

Alvier, sensing Wil's wavering confidence, interjected, rallying support from the rulers of each kingdom. "Maybe Wil has a different plan in mind," he suggested.

Seated around a crystal table that held an intricate Enchantrian map at its center, the group engaged in a discussion, weighing the consequences of their decisions.

"The creatures would be greatly disappointed if they discovered that the coronation had been canceled," the queen of Guevaria added, her voice tinged with concern.

"Yes, we understand, Your Highness!" Alvier exclaimed. "But can't you see the gravity of the situation? What if the portal to the Spirit Realm has been opened?"

Curiosity piqued, Greo, another member of the Elder Committee, questioned, "Who could have opened such a portal? And how would they even have the knowledge to do so? In all my years of studying the Immortal and Mortal Realms, I have never come across any clues on how to unlock it. I didn't even know it was possible!"

Aja chimed in with a suggestion, "Perhaps they found a way to traverse the treacherous Endless Sea."

Alvier dismissed the idea, stating, "That's impossible, My Lady. No creature has ever survived the perils of the Endless Sea. Even the Avallons are unable to venture there. I can assure you that the Demons would not have fared any better in that mysterious realm."

Wil, his voice filled with realization, spoke up, "There's no way the Demons could have arrived here without the aid of hidden portals, unless..." He paused, his words hanging in the air, "unless someone opened them."

•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•