Part - 1
The chamber doors groaned shut behind the last of the nobles, their embroidered cloaks rustling like dry leaves. The hall was dimly lit no longer bathed in the ethereal twilight of Vel Atherra, but by simple oil lamps and flickering braziers. Each noble, priestess, and dignitary took their seat, a mix of confusion and quiet dread on their faces.
Standing at the front of the chamber was Ser Aurelius, armored still, though his eyes were weary. At his side stood Counselor Halric, one hand clasped behind his back and the other on his wolf headed cane.
Aurelius broke the silence. "What is happening?"
Halric let out a slow, tired sigh. "Do any of you know the true history of this kingdom?"
There was a moment of stillness. Then a noble shot to his feet, pale and wide-eyed. "Halric! This is not meant to be spoken aloud, not to everyone."
Halric raised a brow. "And how do you propose we explain any of this to the people? Or to the soldiers? The priests? The children waking up to a sky they do not recognize? I've already asked the guards to keep the outer gates sealed. Thank the stars it is night."
Aurelius frowned. "Night? What do you mean night?"
Halric looked around at the others. "You do not know... of course you don't. You've never known."
He turned back to Aurelius. "Night is the absence of day the dark half of the cycle in the mortal world. On Terra."
Aurelius blinked. "Then why are we on Terra? Why are we not in Vel Atherra?"
Halric's voice grew quiet, serious. "Because the realm we once lived in is not truly called Vel Atherra.
That is a name used by ancient mortals who did not understand the world beyond. 'Vel Atherra' means 'the Veil of Ather', that which lies beyond reach. A poetic name, perhaps, but not a true one."
He took a deep breath.
"The place we called home is truly named The Gloaming Halls. It is the twilight realm of Nirash, the
Moon God of Mercy. A place carved from shadow and reverence, hidden from the cycle of sun and moon. But now... we are no longer there."
The nobles whispered among themselves. Some paled. One priestess crossed herself silently.
"We... we had heard fragments," one noble admitted. "Rumors passed down. But never the truth."
"And how do you know this, Halric?" another asked.
Halric turned to them, eyes distant. "Because I have walked these halls for decades now. Because there are things I was not allowed to say not until now. What matters is not my past, but that you finally understand yours. The truth of this kingdom, and how it came to be."
Before another word could be spoken, a sharp knock echoed on the chamber doors.
Halric turned his head. "Come in."
The doors creaked open and Kaelis stumbled in, Elyria close behind. Both were pale, panting, as if they had seen something dreadful.
Kaelis's voice cracked with urgency.
"It's about Prince Veylen."
Part - 2
Kaelis and Elyria both wore fear-stricken expressions as they entered the chamber. Kaelis spoke first, voice trembling.
"It's about Prince Veylen."
Halric's brow furrowed. "What happened to the prince? Did you find him?"
Kaelis slowly shook his head. "The one you took to the ritual... that wasn't the prince. It was something else. A silhouette that had taken his form."
At the word silhouette, both Ser Aurelius and Ser Alric stiffened, exchanging a grim glance.
"The being we fought in the Wilderwood," Aurelius murmured.
Halric turned to Kaelis, eyes sharp. "How do you know this?"
Kaelis and Elyria turned to Elenya. Elenya gave a slow, solemn nod.
Elyria spoke next. "It is Kaelis's gift. He sees the future in fragments. He had a vision of the imposter shedding Veylen's form, reverting into something inhuman. Something we have never seen before."
Halric didn't hesitate. He turned sharply to the guards. "Search the castle! Now! Not the grounds outside the prince is inside!"
The guards sprinted up the stairs, racing toward the prince's chamber. Moments later, a shout echoed through the halls. The prince had been found.
Lying unconscious on his bed, Prince Veylen appeared untouched, as if simply sleeping. The guards called for Halric, and a small group rushed to the room, bypassing the startled nobles.
Elyria was first to reach the prince's side. She placed her hand on his forehead and let out a soft breath.
"He's unharmed. Just unconscious. He'll recover."
Halric placed a hand on her shoulder. "Stay with him. Watch over him."
Elyria nodded, remaining by Veylen's side. Kaelis sat beside her, eyes distant, the weight of his visions heavy.
As Halric turned to leave, he paused and looked back at Kaelis. "Not you. You're coming with us."
Kaelis stood, glancing once more at Elyria. She offered him a quiet, reassuring look as he followed the Counselor out of the chamber.
Part - 3
Back in the discussion chamber, the nobles were already seated, their expressions tense and uncertain. Halric, Aurelius, Elenya, and Kaelis entered. Kaelis remained standing as the others took their seats.
Halric addressed him directly. "You said you see fragments of the future. What exactly is this gift?"
Kaelis spoke softly but clearly. "It's something passed down to me by my father. He used to see glimpses too, though he never spoke of them openly."
Halric leaned forward, intrigued. "Who was your father?"
Kaelis gave the name, and recognition flickered in Halric's eyes.
"Ah, yes...Wayne, I remember him. He passed away a few years ago. But I never knew he had any such abilities. Why did your family keep it secret?"
Kaelis hesitated before replying. "We weren't sure if what we saw were true premonitions or simply illusions imaginations of the mind. It was Lady Elyria who helped me understand. She told me it was a blessing from Lord Nirash."
Halric nodded slowly. "Mm. I see. Well then, you will stay. Join the conversation. Listen, and learn what state the kingdom of Astelvyr now finds itself in."
Kaelis bowed his head slightly and took a seat. The chamber fell into a hush as the council resumed, the air thick with unease and unfolding truths.
Part - 4
"Where were we?" Halric asked, breaking the silence that had settled like dust on old stone.
A tall noble with pale hair and violet robes stepped forward, his voice careful. "You were telling us why Nirash cast us out, why you refused his mercy, Vel... oh, I mean, The Gloaming Halls. And something about... Night-something?"
"Ah. Yes," Halric nodded, eyes distant. "The mortal realm, Terra, lies between the realms of the two of the eldest gods Solmeryn, Lord of the Aureline Fields, and Nirash, Keeper of the Gloaming Halls.
Long ago, their feud over dominion of Terra threatened to tear the world apart. To prevent this, a pact was struck. Terra would fall under the gaze of the Sun for twelve hours what we call day and twelve under the Moon what we call night."
Halric's jaw tightened, but his gaze didn't waver. "And about the pact, it was broken the moment false blood touched the Moonstone Basin. As for kneeling…" He paused, fingers brushing his beard "Some oaths cannot be undone, even for survival."
Lady Virell's eyes narrowed. "What oath could matter more than our safety?"
"One sworn before Nirash ever lifted this city from Terra," Halric said softly. "But this is not the hour for its telling."
Lord Rhaentis scoffed. "Convenient. You demand trust yet offer none in return."
Halric turned, and for the first time, something like weariness flickered across his face. "If I speak too soon, the last hope of Astelvyr dies with me. That is all I can say."
The room erupted.
"You gamble with our souls!" Lord Malric roared.
"If you will not kneel to Nirash, then what god do you serve?" Lady Virell hissed.
Halric's voice cut through the chaos like steel. "We stand in Terra now. Pray you never learn how many eyes are upon us."
Part - 5
The council chamber had not yet settled. Tension lingered in the air like the smell of burnt incense.
Kaelis, standing apart near one of the broken stained-glass windows, finally stepped forward.
"You mentioned an oath," he said quietly, his eyes never leaving Halric. "The New Moon Oath. What is it?"
A murmur passed through the nobles like a shifting wind. Lady Virell gave Halric a sidelong glance.
"If he doesn't know, perhaps there's wisdom in silence."
But Halric shook his head. "He has a right to know. More than any of you."
He turned to Kaelis. "The New Moon Oath was forged when Nirash first lifted our people of our kingdom from Terra. A pact sealed by blood and divine breath. In exchange for sanctuary beyond the reach of the danger, we swore loyalty. The cost of that shelter was not merely faith... but lineage and life."
Kaelis frowned. "Life?"
"A sacrifice of royal blood which reduces the lifespan. Not once, but every 6 cycles on New Moon. A thread to bind our world to Nirash's realm. As long as the oath is renewed, Astelvyr remains beyond reach hidden in Vel Atherra."
A long silence followed. Kaelis' jaw clenched. "And if the oath isn't renewed?"
"Then we fall," Halric said. "We returns to Terra. As we have."
Kaelis stepped forward. "So this wasn't exile. It was... consequence."
"Yes," Halric said. "The moment the ritual was corrupted, Nirash cast us back. He honored his part.
We failed ours."
Kaelis's voice rose. "Then why? Why keep an oath that requires such a cost? Why did no one speak of ending it finding another way?"
Lord Malric scoffed. "You speak as if kingdoms are built on choice."
Lady Virell's tone was colder. "We chose survival."
Kaelis turned on them, eyes burning. "At the price of the prince's life?"
Another silence. Heavy. Measured.
Halric's eyes found Kaelis again, softer now. "You should know... the New Moon Oath shortens the life of the one who bears it. Every prince born under the moon bears that burden. Veylen knew."
Kaelis froze. "He... he knew?"
"As did we," said Lord Rhaentis. "It was the burden of the crown."
Kaelis shook his head, disbelief creeping into his voice. "And you all let him carry it? You watched him smile, fight, live knowing?"
"The kingdom comes first," Lady Virell said flatly.
Kaelis turned away, hand trembling slightly. "Then maybe the kingdom isn't worth saving."
No one answered him.
Part - 6
The meeting was winding down. No one looked at Kaelis again.
The weight of what had been said still lingered, but the others had already begun shifting toward survival. Voices overlapped, noble rings clinking against stone as hands gestured over hastily drawn maps and scrolls. The council, it seemed, had moved on.
"We need to assess the perimeter. Restore the wards if any fragments remain," Lord Rhaentis was saying,
Lady Virell's voice cut in sharply. "And food. We don't know how long we'll be here, or what this land yields. The treasury vaults won't feed mouths."
It was Lord Theren who finally brought it back to gods. "If we truly have returned to Terra," he said carefully, "then we must consider finding a way to reinstate the pact with Lord Nirash. However... difficult that may be."
Halric nodded once, silent.
And that was it. The final motion agreed upon.
Kaelis stood still at the edge of the chamber as the council dissolved. Chairs scraped, robes shifted, and footsteps echoed down the long hall. Not a single word to him. Perhaps none thought his opinion mattered. Or perhaps they no longer cared.
Outside, the castle was already humming with activity. Orders had been passed to the Knightguard: calm the people, maintain order, and learn what they could of this world they'd returned to. Alric, commander of the knights, had taken charge of the initial patrols.
Halric turned to Aurelius, the high mage, standing quietly by the arched window. "Let's see it for ourselves."
They climbed to the highest balcony of the western tower. A wind stirred their cloaks, heavy with cold and unfamiliar scents. The night stretched wide and indifferent before them.
Endless plains.
No glowing towers. No arcane skies. Just darkness, and grass that shimmered silver under moonlight.
Far in the distance, barely more than a flicker, was a glimmer of light. A village? Or perhaps a lone hearth. Whatever it was, it meant one thing: they were not alone.
A soft knock came. One of the knights had returned from the scouting patrol.
"There's a farm, not far," he reported. "Stone house, lanterns lit. A man and woman live there. We've surrounded the area, kept watch through the hedgerow. They haven't seen us."
Halric exchanged a look with Aurelius.
"We should speak to them," Aurelius said. "We should meet them immediately, they will know the lay of this land. The state of the world."
Halric nodded. "Yes, I need to know what has changed and what lies in the surrounding lands."
They descended quietly, summoned the guard, and rode out under a night sky brushed with stars they no longer recognized.
The ride was slow. Intentional. Astelvyr, still rattled, lay behind them under full alert. Watchfires burned high along the walls, and every gate had doubled sentries.
The plains offered no threat. Only silence.
The farmhouse emerged like a smudge of light in the vast dark. Low stone walls, a sloped thatch roof, and a single lantern burning by the door. Smoke rose lazily from the chimney.
Halric dismounted first, handing the reins to the young guard stationed near the edge.
He eyed the man, sharp. "You didn't harm them, did you?"
The guard stiffened, then looked down. "No, my lord. We kept our distance."
Halric's gaze sharpened. "I am not your lord. Only a counselor. Remember that."
With that, he turned and stepped toward the door, Aurelius behind him, silent and watchful.
The air smelled of earth and ash, of wheat left too long uncut. Somewhere in the distance, an owl called once, then fell silent.
Halric paused at the door, and then knocked. Inside, a movement. Then a whisper of voices.
Then the hinge creaked.
The door opened.
End of Chapter.