Chapter 3
The stories my grandfather told me as a child were filled with warnings about dragon-shifters. According to him, if a dragon-shifter did not unite with their true mate, they would become a dragon permanently, losing their humanity and moral compass. This transformation was irreversible, and they would no longer distinguish between right from wrong.
None of my grandfather’s tales mirrored my current situation exactly. I wasn’t a dragon-shifter, but I was desperate to avoid succumbing to the darkness within me. I was willing to do anything to prevent the fate—even if it meant seeking out a mate.
The true cause of my inner corruption was a mystery.
In order to understand my plight, I ordered my men to scour every book in the castle’s royal library for any mention of elementals consumed by darkness. Despite their effort, they found no answers.
Among the ancient tomes were books about dragons. However, these texts were written in a language so old that only the previous dragon-shifters could decipher them. Dragons had been extinct for decades, hunted to extinction by a cruel king in a distant, abandoned kingdom called Dravonia. The king, legend had it, was cursed by a witch after he killed her mate—a dragon.
The witch ensured that the cruel king would never escape his kingdom by casting a dark, smoky barrier around it. This impenetrable cloud prevented anyone from entering or leaving, except for dragons. Tragically, this curse also trapped countless innocent lives within Dravonia, leaving them to suffer the consequences of the king’s actions.
When she cursed the king and his men, she marked their faces with a distinctive feature. This was to ensure that if they ever managed to break through the barrier, they would be easily recognized. Unfortunately, the specifics of this features were lost to us because the ancient books detailing these events were written in the long-forgotten Dragonian language. Moreover, this all occurred so many years ago that it was unclear whether the king and his wicked followers were even still alive beyond the barrier. Without any dragon-shifter left to read these books, the secrets remained hidden.
I never attempted to read those ancient books myself; not being a dragon shifter and all, I assumed they held no information to my situation.
" Kaden, we are ready for your departure," Deon, my loyal adviser and closest friend, called out. He was more like a brother to me than anything else.
" Thank you, Deon. I will be with you shortly," I replied sternly, reaching down to stroke the head of my magnificent spirit animal, Luka. The bond between us was strong, and his presence gave me a sense of peace amidst the turmoil.
Luka, a veracious black lion, looked up at me with understanding and loyalty. He had been by my side since I was a child, a constant companion and protector. I often wondered if he felt the darkness within me too, but he never showed any signs of fear or hesitation.
I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulders, preparing myself for the day ahead. The journey I was about to embark on was necessary, but it filled me with unease. The elemental realms were growing restless, and it was my duty to address their concerns and maintain the fragile peace.
As I made my way down the grand staircase, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. The weight of the crown felt heavier than ever, and the darkness within me seemed to stir, sensing my anxiety. I clenched my fists, determined to keep it at bay.
Deon was waiting for me at the entrance, his expression calm and reassuring. He had always been my rock, the steady presence that kept me grounded. " Are you ready, Kaden? " he asked, his voice steady.
I nodded. " Let's go."
Our journey took us through the heart of Valtor, where the four elemental realms converged. As we traveled, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and diversity of my kingdom. Each realm had its own unique charm, and the people who lived there were as varied as the elements they represented.
In the Earth Kingdom, we passed through dense forests and fertile fields, where farmers tended to their crops and children played in the open meadows. The Fire Kingdom was a stark contrast, with its rugged landscapes and fiery hues. The people there were fierce and passionate, their spirits burning as brightly as the flames that surrounded them.
The Water Kingdom was a place of serenity and tranquility. The rivers and lakes sparkled in the sunlight, and the people moved with a grace and fluidity that mirrored the element they embodied. Finally, the Air Kingdom's towering peaks and endless skies took my breath away. The people there were free-spirited and adventurous, always reaching for new heights.
Despite the beauty of my kingdom, the darkness within me loomed like a storm cloud. I feared that if I couldn't control it, all of this would be lost. As we approached the outskirts of the Fire Kingdom, I felt an unease awakening within me. I didn’t want the darkness to consume me while attending a meeting with my people.
" Kaden, are you alright?" Deon asked, noticing my tension.
I nodded, forcing a smile. " Just thinking."
Deon gave me a sympathetic look. " We'll find a way to lift this curse, Kaden. I promise." They all think that I was cursed, and there was a time when I had thought the same. But who would have done such a thing?
His words gave me a somewhat of comfort, but the fear remained. As we continued our journey, I couldn't help but think about my grandfather's stories. He had always believed in the power of true mates, and I wondered if there was any truth to the old tales. If I had a mate out there, would she be able to save me from the darkness?
Lost in thought, I barely noticed when we reached our destination. The Fire Kingdom's capital was a bustling city, its streets filled with activity. People went about their daily lives, unaware of the turmoil within their king. I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that I was supposed to protect them, yet I was struggling to protect myself.
As we made our way to the palace, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The streets were crowded, but there was an undercurrent of tension that set me on edge. Luka growled softly, sensing my unease.
" Stay close," I whispered to him, and he responded with a low, reassuring rumble.
The palace was a grand structure, its walls adorned with fiery motifs and its halls filled with the warmth of the element it represented. We were greeted by the Fire Lord, a formidable man with a presence that commanded respect.
" Welcome, King Kaden," he said, his voice booming.
" It's good to see you again."
" And you, Lord Darian," I replied, inclining my head in respect.
We were led to a council chamber, where representatives from each of the elemental realms had gathered. The room was filled with tension, and I could sense the underlying currents of unrest.
" Thank you all for coming," I began, addressing the council. " We have much to discuss, and I am here to listen to your concerns."
The meeting was long and arduous, with each representative voicing their grievances and fears. The elemental realms were growing restless, and it was clear that the fragile peace we had worked so hard to maintain was at risk.
As the discussions continued, I felt the darkness within me stir. It was a subtle shift, a whisper in the back of my mind, but it was enough to make me uneasy. I clenched my fists, focusing on the task at hand. I couldn't afford to let the darkness take over now.
Deon, ever vigilant, noticed my struggle. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, grounding me. " Stay with us, Your Highness," he whispered. He only addressed me is ‘ Highness’ in front of others to show respect.
I nodded, taking a deep breath and forcing myself to focus. The council needed me, and I couldn't let them down.
The meeting lasted well into the night, but eventually, we reached a consensus. It was a tentative agreement, but it was a step towards maintaining the peace. As the council members dispersed, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me.
" You did well, Kaden," Deon said, his voice filled with pride.
" Thank you, my good friend," I replied, grateful for his unwavering support. " But the darkness is growing stronger. I don't know how much longer I can keep it at bay."
" We'll find a way," Deon assured me. " There has to be a solution."
I nodded, hoping he was right. The journey back to the castle was uneventful, but my mind was racing with thoughts of the darkness and the future of my kingdom. As we approached the gates, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Home.
Once inside the castle, I made my way to my chambers. Luka followed me, his presence a comforting reminder that I was not alone in this struggle. I collapsed onto my bed, the weight of the day finally catching up to me.
As I lay there, I thought about my grandfather's stories once more. If there was any truth to the tales of true mates, then perhaps there was hope. Maybe, somewhere out there, was someone who could save me from the darkness.
But for now, all I could do was rest and hope that tomorrow would bring new answers. The fate of Valtor depended on it.