The ancient bells of Elysium rang continuously throughout the kingdom.
For one thousand years, they had remained silent. Their purpose was known only to the royal family and the ancient guardians—to warn the kingdom whenever a great calamity approached.
And today, they rang louder than ever before.
Dark clouds gathered above the crystal towers of Elysium as the kingdom's protective barrier began to crack. Golden light clashed against an unknown darkness that surrounded the city walls.
Kael hurried up the ancient staircase leading back to the palace hall after hearing the keeper's warning.
"The hunters of the Echo Crystal have arrived."
Those words refused to leave his mind.
The moment he reached the throne room, he found Seraphina, Arven, and dozens of guardians preparing for battle.
"What's happening?" Kael asked.
"The barrier protecting Elysium has been breached," Seraphina answered immediately.
"Who are they?"
"No one knows," Arven replied. "But if they managed to locate the forgotten kingdom, then they are far more dangerous than the Shadowborn."
A loud explosion shook the palace walls.
Several crystal windows shattered as powerful dark magic struck the barrier surrounding the kingdom.
Kael walked toward one of the palace balconies overlooking the city.
Thousands of dark figures stood beyond the kingdom's gates. They wore black armour engraved with ancient runes that glowed crimson beneath the moonlight.
Yet something about them seemed familiar.
The echoes whispered softly within Kael's mind.
"The Forsaken Legion."
"The cursed warriors."
"The King's greatest mistake."
Kael frowned.
"The Forsaken Legion?"
Seraphina's expression immediately changed.
"That's impossible."
"You know who they are?" Kael asked.
The old woman nodded slowly.
"They were once the strongest warriors of Elysium."
"What happened to them?"
"They died."
Silence filled the room.
"Over a thousand years ago, they swore their loyalty to the royal family. During the fall of Elysium, they sacrificed themselves to protect the kingdom."
Kael looked back toward the army surrounding the city.
"Then how are they alive?"
"They aren't."
The answer sent chills through his body.
Arven unsheathed his sword.
"Someone brought them back."
Before anyone could continue speaking, the palace doors suddenly opened.
One of the ancient guardians rushed inside.
"Your Highness!"
"What is it?" Kael asked.
"The leader of the enemy army wishes to speak with the heir of Elysium."
The room immediately fell silent.
"Speak with me?" Kael questioned.
The guardian nodded.
"He claims he has no intention of destroying the kingdom."
"Then why attack us?" Arven asked.
"He said he merely came to reclaim what belongs to him."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"And what exactly does he believe belongs to him?"
The guardian hesitated before answering.
"You."
The entire room froze.
The leader of the enemy army wanted Kael.
Without warning, the echoes inside Kael's mind grew louder than ever before.
A single sentence repeated itself again and again.
"Do not trust him."
"Do not trust him."
"Do not trust him."
Yet despite the warning, Kael could feel something strange calling him toward the kingdom's gates.
It was familiar.
Too familiar.
He had felt the same presence before—in his dreams.
"I'll meet him," Kael said firmly.
"Absolutely not!" Seraphina immediately protested.
"It's too dangerous."
"If he's willing to attack an ancient kingdom to find me, then I deserve to know why."
After several moments of silence, Seraphina reluctantly agreed to accompany him.
Soon, Kael stood atop the crystal walls overlooking the mysterious army below.
At the front stood a single man dressed entirely in black. Unlike his soldiers, he carried no weapon.
His face remained hidden beneath his hood.
"You requested to meet the heir of Elysium," Kael called out.
The man slowly looked up.
"So, you truly survived."
His voice was calm, almost disappointed.
"Who are you?" Kael demanded.
Instead of answering, the stranger removed his hood.
The moment Kael saw his face, his entire body froze.
Golden eyes.
Black hair.
The same facial features.
It was as though he were staring into a mirror.
The stranger smiled faintly.
"You look exactly like I imagined."
The kingdom fell silent.
Seraphina's eyes widened in horror.
"No... that's impossible."
The stranger bowed elegantly before Kael.
"Allow me to introduce myself."
He placed his hand over his chest.
"My name is Orion Arwyn."
Kael felt his heart stop.
"Arwyn?"
"Yes."
The stranger smiled once more.
"And I have spent eighteen years searching for my younger brother."
The words struck Kael like lightning.
Younger brother?
That was impossible.
He was supposed to be the last surviving heir of Elysium.
Wasn't he?
The echoes suddenly screamed within his mind.
"Liar!"
"Truth!"
"Blood of the royal family!"
Kael could no longer tell which voices to believe.
Who was Orion Arwyn?
Why did he possess the royal bloodline?
And if Orion was truly his brother...
Then what other truths had been hidden from him?
Far beneath the forgotten kingdom, the Echo Crystal began glowing violently—as though reacting to Orion's arrival.
For the first time since entering Elysium, Kael felt something he could not understand.
Fear.
To be continued...