The torches flickered dimly, casting long shadows against the cold stone walls of the fortress’s lower levels. Aric Thorne moved cautiously, his boots echoing in the narrow passageway beneath Solandis. Eirik Stoneheart walked beside him, holding a map of the underground tunnels. Lira followed closely, her senses heightened, ready for any sudden movement.

“This place is a labyrinth,” Eirik muttered, his eyes scanning the walls. "These passages were built centuries ago, likely to serve as escape routes or hidden vaults. It’s no wonder they were forgotten."

Aric nodded, his gaze fixed ahead. "If the rumours are true, we’re about to uncover something long lost to time."

They had been searching these tunnels for hours, following a series of cryptic clues left in old Valorian texts. It was said that beneath Solandis lay secrets buried deep, untouched since the days of the ancient kings. Aric’s determination had only grown with each step, driven by the hope of finding something, anything! That could help in their quest to rebuild the kingdom.

“Hold up,” Lira whispered, her voice barely audible. She raised a hand, and the air around them seemed to still. "There’s something ahead."

The group halted, and Aric strained his ears. At first, he heard nothing but the drip of water echoing through the passage. Then, faintly, there was a sound, a soft, rhythmic humming, like a lullaby carried on a ghostly breeze.

“Magic,” Lira murmured, her eyes narrowing. "Old magic."

They continued forward, and the tunnel opened into a small chamber. At its center stood an ancient stone door, its surface covered in intricate carvings depicting Valoria’s history, the rise of its kings, the wars fought, and the shadows that loomed over them. At the door's base, a symbol caught Aric’s eye, a raven, its wings outstretched.

“That’s it,” he said quietly. "The symbol of House Ravenshade."

Eirik stepped closer, his hand tracing the edge of the carvings. "This door is different from the others. It’s reinforced, and the mechanism… it’s like nothing I’ve seen before."

“Can you open it?” Aric asked.

The dwarf grinned. "Of course I can. Just need a moment."

Eirik set to work, his skilled hands moving with precision as he examined the locking mechanism. Minutes passed, and the tension in the room grew. Lira kept her eyes on the surrounding shadows, ever wary of hidden dangers.

Finally, with a soft click, the door’s mechanisms released, and it slowly creaked open. A cold draft rushed out, carrying with it the scent of age and secrets long buried.

The room beyond was dimly lit by a single, flickering lantern. At its center stood an elderly woman draped in a tattered cloak, her long silver hair cascading down her back. She turned slowly, her eyes piercing through the darkness with a depth that sent a shiver down Aric’s spine.

“Who disturbs my solitude?” she asked, her voice carrying both authority and a hint of weariness.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Aric stepped forward, his posture respectful but firm. "I am Aric Thorne, and these are my companions, Eirik Stoneheart and Lira Windrider. We seek wisdom and guidance for Valoria's future."

The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Wisdom? Guidance? Few seek such things these days." She paused, studying them intently. "You’ve come far to find me, Aric Thorne. I am Isolde Ravenshade, once queen of this realm. Now, just a forgotten soul in a forgotten place."

Lira’s breath caught. "The forgotten queen," she whispered. "You’re real."

Isolde chuckled softly. "Real, yes. Though I’ve been hidden so long, I sometimes wonder myself."

Aric took a step closer, his tone earnest. "Your name lives on in the histories, Lady Isolde. But we need more than stories. Valoria is in ruins, and our enemies grow stronger by the day. If there’s anything you can tell us, about the past, about what’s to come, we need to know."

Isolde’s gaze softened slightly, and she moved toward a small wooden chair, gesturing for them to sit on the cold stone floor before her. "You speak with a soldier’s determination, Aric Thorne. But what you ask is not so simple."

She sat down slowly, her movements deliberate. "Valoria was once a great kingdom, unified under wise rulers. But greed, ambition, and betrayal led to its downfall. The civil war you survived was only the latest chapter in a much longer tale."

Aric listened intently as she continued, her voice taking on a rhythmic, almost hypnotic quality. She spoke of Valoria's ancient kings and queens, of the battles that shaped its history, and of the betrayals that shattered its peace. And then, she spoke of the prophecy.

"Long ago," Isolde began, "a prophecy was spoken by the seers of Elysia, a prophecy of a darkness that would rise from the depths of Eldoria to consume all. This darkness would be heralded by a great conflict, one that would break the lands and scatter its people. And when the shadow falls, a choice must be made, a choice that will determine the fate of all."

Lira leaned forward, her eyes wide. "A choice? What kind of choice?"

Isolde met her gaze, her expression grave. "To stand united, or to fall divided. To embrace the old ways of power, or to forge a new path. The choice lies not in prophecy but in the hearts of those who seek to lead."

Aric felt a chill run through him. "And where do we stand in this prophecy?"

The old queen’s eyes seemed to bore into his soul. "You, Aric Thorne, stand at a crossroads. Your actions will shape the future of Valoria… Whether it rises from the ashes or falls into eternal night. The path is yours to choose."

The weight of her words settled heavily on Aric’s shoulders. He had always known that the path to rebuilding Valoria would be fraught with danger and hard choices, but hearing it laid out in such stark terms made the stakes feel even more real.

"Then we must be ready," he said finally. "Ready to face whatever comes, and to make the right choice when the time comes."

Isolde nodded slowly. "Indeed. But know this choices are not always clear, and allies can become enemies in the blink of an eye. Trust your instincts, but do not be blinded by pride or fear."

She stood, the weight of years evident in her movements. "I will remain here, in the shadows, as I have for so long. But should you need my counsel, you know where to find me."

Aric rose as well, offering her a respectful nod. "Thank you, Lady Isolde. Your wisdom is a gift we will not squander."

As they turned to leave, Isolde’s voice called out once more. "And beware of Darius Blackwood. His ambitions are greater than any of you realize, and his thirst for power knows no bounds."

Lira glanced back, her expression thoughtful. "We will be careful," she promised.

The door closed behind them, sealing Isolde back in her hidden chamber. As they made their way back through the dark tunnels, the weight of what they had learned hung heavy in the air.

"An ancient prophecy, a hidden queen, and a warning about Blackwood," Eirik muttered. "Feels like we’ve stepped into a story from the old tales."

Aric nodded. "Aye, but this is no tale, Eirik. This is our reality. And we have to be ready for whatever comes next."

As they emerged into the light of the fortress, Aric felt a renewed sense of purpose. They had gained a valuable ally in Isolde, but more importantly, they had gained insight into the stakes of the battles to come. The future of Valoria rested on their shoulders, and the choices they made would determine the kingdom's fate.