Dawn of the Elements - Book 4: Future Rewritten

Chapter Two: The Daughter's Arrival

Silver walked down the hallway, his pregnant twin sister, Gold, trailing behind him. His black hair, shot through with a single, striking silver streak, seemed to gleam faintly in the dim light of the corridor. His red eyes, usually sharp and alert, held a flicker of amusement. Gold, her black hair similarly highlighted with a golden streak, matched his pace, her hand resting gently on her swollen belly. Her blue eyes, however, held a mixture of concern and confusion.

According to one of his guards, someone had been caught sneaking into the castle. A chuckle rumbled in Silver's chest, a low sound that vibrated through his broad shoulders. He found the whole situation rather absurd. They were already on high alert, and yet, someone had managed to slip past their defenses. The irony wasn't lost on him. As they continued their progress towards the main foyer, the rhythmic thud of their footsteps echoed in the silent halls, a steady beat that mirrored the pounding of their hearts. The air hung heavy with anticipation, the silence amplifying the sense of foreboding.

"What's so funny, Big Brother?" Gold asked, her voice laced with a mixture of confusion and concern. She tilted her head, her blue eyes searching his face for an explanation.

Gold, the Mistress of Cerulean Fire, was known for her sharp wit and unwavering loyalty. She was also fiercely protective of her brother, and the sight of him chuckling in the face of potential danger was unsettling. Silver looked at his sister, his smile faltering slightly. The chuckle faded, replaced by a more serious expression. He knew she was worried, and he understood her concern. He took a deep breath, the scent of the castle, a mixture of old stone and the faint aroma of magic, filling his lungs. The weight of their situation, the unknown threat lurking within the castle walls, pressed down on him. He knew that he needed to be strong, to be a source of reassurance for his sister, but the fear was still there.

He swallowed, trying to compose himself. Even though he was king, the responsibility felt heavier than ever before. The fate of his kingdom rested on his shoulders, and the safety of his sister and unborn niece was paramount. He had to be strong. He had to be brave. He had to protect them.

"The last time someone tried sneaking into the castle, it was Silana Silverlance trying to warn us about Loran." Silver explained, his voice losing its levity, his red eyes hardening with a sudden seriousness. He remembered the incident vividly, the chaos, the betrayal, the near-loss of everything. The memory served as a stark reminder of the dangers they faced, the enemies they had, and the importance of vigilance. "If someone else actually has the balls to try, then I'm willing to listen." His words were a challenge, a test of courage. He was willing to hear them out, to give them a chance to explain, but he wouldn't be fooled easily. He had learned from his past mistakes. He would be cautious. He would be wary.

The twins of fire then came to the top of the grand staircase in the foyer, their footsteps echoing in the vast space. The foyer was a magnificent room, with high vaulted ceilings, intricate tapestries, and gleaming marble floors. But the grandeur of the space was overshadowed by the palpable tension that filled the air. At the bottom of the stairs stood two of the castle guards, their expressions grim and alert.

Each guard held an arm of what appeared to be a sixteen-year-old girl, who's hands were cuffed in Element Dampening Cuffs. The sight of the cuffs sent a jolt of adrenaline through Silver. Element Dampening Cuffs were designed to suppress the wearer's magical abilities, a tool used only in the most extreme circumstances. The girl looked disheveled. Her clothes were torn and dirty, as if she had been through a brutal struggle. Her black and purple hair looked matted, and greasy, clinging to her face in damp clumps. She also looked like skin and bones, her cheeks hollow, her eyes sunken, a clear indication that she had not eaten much of anything in quite some time. Her gaze was fixed on the floor, her posture slumped, as if weighed down by exhaustion and despair.