BOOK THREE: THE FALL OF THE FIRST KINGDOM
Chapter 14: The Letters of the Founders
The ancient voice echoed through the Chamber of Farewell.
"Has the Covenant finally returned?"
The sound seemed to rise from the depths beneath the kingdom itself.
The crystal chest trembled.
The six sealed letters glowed with a gentle silver light.
The First Guardian slowly exhaled.
"They've been waiting."
Riva looked at him.
"Who's waiting?"
He smiled faintly.
"The final witnesses."
---
The chamber shook again.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Far below, the massive stone gates continued opening.
Golden light poured upward through the cracks.
Yet...
Nothing emerged.
Only silence.
Arcturus relaxed his sword.
"They're not coming to us."
The old gardener nodded.
"They're waiting for us to choose."
---
Riva looked down at the letter addressed to her.
Her name was written in elegant silver handwriting.
The wax seal carried the symbol of the White Tree.
Lucien held his own letter.
"So..."
"We open them?"
The First Guardian nodded.
"They belong to you now."
---
One by one...
The Six Heirs broke the silver seals.
The letters unfolded by themselves.
The ink shimmered as if it had been written only moments ago.
---
Riva's Letter
"To the one who carries hope when others cannot..."
"You will often believe the weight of every life belongs on your shoulders."
"It does not."
"A true leader does not carry everyone."
"She teaches everyone to carry each other."
"If you remember only one lesson..."
"Never walk alone."
Riva quietly folded the letter.
Her eyes were moist.
---
Lucien's Letter
"To the one who believes strength is enough..."
"One day you will meet an enemy your sword cannot defeat."
"When that day comes..."
"Choose compassion before victory."
"History remembers warriors."
"The future remembers protectors."
Lucien smiled softly.
"I think he knew me."
---
Eva's Letter
"To the seeker of every answer..."
"Never stop asking questions."
"But remember..."
"Some people matter more than the truth they carry."
"Protect them first."
Eva carefully placed the letter inside her notebook.
---
Parna's Letter
"To the one who hears the world's quietest voices..."
"Nature survives because it changes."
"Do not fear change."
"Guide it."
Parna placed a hand over her heart.
---
Aarvi's Letter
"To the one who heals broken hearts..."
"Hope spreads faster than fear."
"Never underestimate a smile."
"Sometimes laughter saves more lives than swords."
Aarvi laughed through tears.
"That definitely sounds like something I'd be told."
---
Orion's Letter
"To the Guardian..."
"A shield is not carried to hide."
"It is carried so someone else never has to."
"Stand firm."
"But never stand alone."
Orion silently nodded.
---
The letters slowly dissolved into silver light.
Their words did not disappear.
Instead...
They became part of the Six Heirs.
Every relic glowed warmly.
The Chamber itself seemed to acknowledge them.
---
Suddenly...
The crystal chest wasn't empty anymore.
A seventh letter appeared.
Unlike the others...
It had no name.
Its wax seal was black instead of silver.
Even the First Guardian looked surprised.
"I've never seen that before."
Eva carefully picked it up.
"There isn't a name."
Riva frowned.
"Then who is it for?"
Before anyone could answer...
The black seal cracked by itself.
The letter unfolded.
Only one sentence was written inside.
"When the forgotten crown returns... trust the heart before the memory."
The moment everyone read the sentence...
The paper burst into black flames.
Nothing remained.
---
A cold breeze swept through the chamber.
Lucien looked toward the open passage below.
"That wasn't from the Founders."
The First Guardian slowly shook his head.
"No..."
"It wasn't."
---
At that moment...
A young voice echoed from beneath the floor.
Not threatening.
Not frightening.
Simply curious.
"Is someone there?"
The Six Heirs froze.
The voice belonged to a child.
Riva stepped toward the glowing staircase.
"Hello?"
A small boy slowly climbed into the chamber.
He looked no older than twelve.
His silver hair was messy.
His white clothes were covered in dust.
He blinked at the Six Heirs with wide golden eyes.
"You..."
"...aren't the Founders."
Aarvi knelt and smiled.
"No."
"We're their successors."
The boy looked around the chamber in confusion.
"I fell asleep..."
"Did I miss the meeting?"
No one answered.
The First Guardian stared at the child.
His walking stick slipped from his hand and struck the floor.
His eyes widened with disbelief.
"It can't be..."
The old gardener covered her mouth.
Tears filled her eyes.
Arcturus immediately knelt.
The mysterious figure standing near the entrance bowed deeply.
The little boy looked confused.
"Why is everyone looking at me like that?"
The First Guardian slowly walked toward him.
His hands trembled.
After thousands of years...
He finally whispered the name he thought he would never speak again.
"Prince Caelan..."
The boy frowned.
"Caelan?"
He placed a hand against his chest.
"...Is that my name?"
The entire chamber fell silent.
If the First Guardian was correct...
Then someone who should have disappeared with the First Kingdom...
Had just returned.
End of Chapter 14