The days following Aria's triumph in the Trials of the Ancients were a whirlwind of activity. Skyhaven buzzed with preparations for war, the clang of hammers on anvils and the shouts of warriors training filling the air from dawn to dusk.

Gregory was modestly relieved the next morning when it became clear that his new captors were actually intending for him to be treated as a guest, though one lacking total freedom. They didn’t force him to travel with them, but they also didn’t offer him a chance to leave.

The team moved cautiously through the airlock, the beams from their helmet-mounted lights cutting through the darkness of the abandoned station. The air was stale and cold, carrying an underlying scent of decay that set Marcus's nerves on edge.

As the caravan wound its way through a narrow mountain pass, two days out from their destination, Adeline found herself lost in thought. The excitement of their impending arrival in the elven city had been tempered by a growing sense of unease. The guards seemed more vigilant tha...

Dawn broke over Skyhaven, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold. Aria stood at the edge of the plateau, her eyes fixed on the rising sun. Today would determine not just her fate, but the fate of her entire kingdom.

The city lights blurred past as Haatim drove, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. The silence in the car grew heavier with each passing minute until finally, Petrillo couldn't take it anymore.

The car ride into the city was tense, filled with an oppressive silence that seemed to weigh on Petrillo's chest. Haatim's knuckles were white on the steering wheel, while Frieda stared out the window, her face a mask of grim determination.

The team moved cautiously through the dimly lit corridors, the echoes of their footsteps seeming to reverberate endlessly in the eerie silence. Chelsea limped along, supported by Lucas, while Rylee took point, her weapon raised and ready.

The day of departure dawned bright and clear, a crisp autumn breeze carrying the promise of adventure. Adeline stood in the courtyard, surrounded by a flurry of activity as servants loaded the last of their belongings onto the waiting carriages. Her heart fluttered with excitemen...