Chapter 5: The King Arrives
Elara woke before sunrise. The crown hummed faintly on the table beside her, a soft, steady pulse that made her heart race. Over the past few days, she had tested it in every way she could imagine. She had created light, shields, and even small movements of objects in the courtyard. She was beginning to feel confident—strong even—but there was a quiet warning at the back of her mind.
This power is not ordinary.
She knew it. The crown was ancient. It had survived centuries. Every queen before her had died. And yet… she had survived.
As she gently placed the crown on her head, a strange sensation washed over her. It was stronger than before, like the crown had awakened fully, aware of her presence and her control. The light at its edges shimmered, brighter than she had ever seen.
Far away, beyond forests and mountains, in a dark and cold castle, the immortal king Arion stirred. His eyes snapped open, sharp and piercing, and his lips parted slightly.
It has been activated.
For centuries, Arion had watched over the cursed crown from afar. He had placed the curse to punish power-hungry queens, to control kingdoms, to keep balance. And for centuries, the crown had obeyed no one but itself—killing anyone who dared wear it.
But now… someone had survived it. Someone had awakened the crown.
Arion rose from his throne, his armor gleaming even in the dim light of his chamber. The air around him seemed to vibrate with energy as he called upon ancient magic. He had felt the crown's power ripple across the lands, felt it reach out and recognize a new master.
Interesting… he murmured, his voice low and dangerous.
He moved quickly, mounting his black steed that shimmered with a strange, almost magical aura. The wind whipped around him as he rode through forests, mountains, and valleys. Nothing could slow him down. The crown had been awakened, and it called to him. It demanded his attention.
Back in the village, Elara was testing the crown again. She had focused her mind, imagining a floating orb of light hovering above her hands. The orb danced, spun, and pulsed, moving exactly as she willed. She laughed softly, thrilled by her control.
Then, suddenly, the ground trembled beneath her feet. The birds in the trees scattered. The villagers looked up, shielding their eyes. A low, deep rumble rolled through the village. The air seemed to hum, vibrating with a power that was larger than anything Elara had felt before.
Her heart skipped a beat. The crown pulsed urgently on her head. Something is coming…
A voice, not her own but deeper, stronger, echoed in her mind: "Do not be afraid. Prepare yourself."
Elara staggered, her hands trembling. She had felt the crown respond before, but never like this. Never so urgent, so alive. The golden glow flared brightly, surrounding her completely. She stumbled backward, falling to her knees.
Then she saw him.
From the horizon, a figure appeared, moving impossibly fast. The villagers gasped. Horses and carriages froze. The figure grew larger, closer, until it was unmistakable—a man in shining armor, moving as if the wind itself carried him. His eyes were piercing, and his presence filled the entire village with a mixture of awe and fear.
Arion had arrived.
Elara's breath caught. She had seen him once before in the castle—the immortal king who had placed the curse centuries ago. He had seemed untouchable, distant, and dangerous. And now, he was here, in her village, because the crown had called to him.
The villagers scattered, some fleeing in fear, others dropping to their knees. Whispers spread like wildfire. "It's the king! The immortal king!"
Arion stopped in the middle of the square, his black armor gleaming, the wind blowing around him like a cloak of shadows. His eyes fixed on Elara. She felt them pierce her very soul, sharp and unyielding.
"You…" he said, his voice low but carrying across the square. "You survived."
Elara swallowed hard. "I… I don't know how," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "The crown… it obeys me."
Arion's eyes narrowed. He circled her slowly, as if inspecting a rare treasure—or a dangerous weapon. "Interesting," he murmured. "No queen has survived this crown in centuries. And yet… here you are."
Elara's hands trembled, but she tried to stand tall. "I don't want to hurt anyone," she said. "I just… I just want to understand it."
The king's gaze softened slightly, though it remained sharp. "Understanding it is not enough," he said. "You must master it. You must control it fully—or it will control you."
Elara's pulse quickened. "I'm learning," she said firmly. "I've already done some things. I can… I can make it obey me."
Arion paused, studying her carefully. "Yes," he said after a long silence. "I can sense it. The crown is responding to you. You have awakened something that has been dormant for centuries. And that… is dangerous."
Elara looked down at the crown, its golden glow pulsing steadily. I survived it. I can control it. I'm not afraid…
But Arion stepped closer, and she felt a strange pressure in the air. Not threatening, exactly, but… commanding. The immortal king had power that even the crown seemed to respect.
"You will need guidance," he said finally. "This crown is more than it seems. More than magic. It is alive, and it will test you. I… can help you, if you allow it."
Elara looked at him, unsure. She had only just begun to understand the crown's abilities on her own. And yet, there was something in his eyes—something that spoke of centuries of knowledge, power, and experience.
"Why are you helping me?" she asked softly.
Arion's gaze did not waver. "Because the crown chose you," he said simply. "And because I… have watched for this moment for centuries. You are the one who can survive it. And perhaps… you are the one who can break the curse."
Elara swallowed hard. The weight of his words sank in. She had survived a curse that had killed countless queens. The crown obeyed her. And now, the immortal king himself had come, because the crown had awakened fully.
She looked around at the villagers, still watching from a distance, their eyes wide with awe and fear. She realized that her life had changed forever. She was no longer just a poor girl from a small village. She was chosen. She was powerful. And now… she was being noticed by someone even more powerful than the crown itself.
Arion's gaze softened slightly, and he extended a hand—not threatening, but firm. "Come with me," he said. "If you are to survive this crown, if you are to learn its secrets, you must leave this village. There is much you do not understand… and much you must master."
Elara hesitated for a moment. The crown pulsed softly on her head, as if urging her to go. She looked at the villagers one last time. Their eyes were full of fear, curiosity, and hope.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward and placed her hand in Arion's. The moment their hands touched, a warmth spread through her body. The crown seemed to hum louder, as if acknowledging the connection between them.
The villagers gasped as the two of them lifted off the ground slightly, carried by some strange, magical force. The golden glow of the crown pulsed in the sunlight, brighter than ever.
Elara realized then that she had crossed a threshold. She had survived the crown, learned to control it, and now… she was beginning a journey that would change everything.
The immortal king and the chosen queen disappeared into the horizon, leaving the village behind. The whispers would follow them, but it did not matter. Elara's life, her destiny, and the power of the crown awaited—and nothing would be the same again.