The twin moons of Mestories bathed the land in silver light. The fairies still danced, laughter echoing across the floating gardens. For them, it was another night of peace, another night of songs.
But peace often ends without warning.
A tremor rolled across the ground, so faint at first that the fairies dismissed it as the stir of wind. Then the tremor became a quake—trees shook violently, crystal rivers shattered into ripples, and the glowing flowers flickered as if gasping for breath.
From the skies, streaks of black fire rained down like meteors, crashing into villages at the edges of the kingdom. Towers crumbled, and the air filled with screams.
"The demons!" a guard cried, wings snapping open as he took to the air. "They've breached the skies!"
Creatures of shadow tore through the heavens—hulking beasts with burning eyes and jagged wings, their roars shaking the land. They were not the mightiest of Daxania's army, but their numbers blotted out the stars.
The once-lavender sky of Mestories was now aflame.
Inside the golden palace, bells rang, their urgent toll echoing through every hall. Fairies rushed to the walls, drawing spears and conjuring light-magic to repel the invaders.
"Hold the barriers!" shouted the commander, his voice straining against the chaos.
At the highest tower, King Elvarion of Mestories raised his staff, a beam of radiant light erupting from its crystal tip. His aura alone illuminated the battlefield, cutting down a wave of lesser demons in a single strike.
Beside him, Queen Seraphina spread her jeweled wings, chanting a spell that summoned a shield of shimmering starlight over the capital. For a moment, hope flickered in the fairies' eyes.
Yet the assault did not falter. The demons smashed against the barrier, their claws scraping, their fire hissing as the shield groaned under pressure.
In the throne room, Princess Fiona clutched her crystal orb, her heart pounding. The air stank of smoke and ash even here, far from the battlefield. She wanted to join the fight, but her parents' words echoed in her mind.
"Stay behind the walls, Fiona," her mother had said, placing gentle hands on her shoulders. "You are the future of Mestories. If we fall, you must endure."
Her father's voice was harder, though laced with love. "A princess cannot act on impulse. There will come a time for you to rise. Until then… wait."
Fiona's fists clenched. Every scream outside twisted inside her chest. She was no child to hide in safety, yet her parents carried the burden alone.
The palace shook violently. A section of the barrier cracked, shards of starlight falling like broken glass. Through the gap, a demon screeched, charging directly toward the palace.
Guards rushed forward, but Fiona could see the panic in their eyes—the sheer force of the attack was unlike anything before.
For the first time in centuries, Mestories was truly at war.
And as the night grew darker, Fiona realized with horror that this was only the beginning.
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To be continued...