Crown of Shadows

Chapter 1- Aelin

As I stood amidst the ruins of my once vibrant town, horror grips my heart. Harrerra College, where I spent countless days learning and laughing with friends, now lay in ruins. Demons roamed freely, their malevolent presence casting a dark shadow over everything.

With a heavy heart, I turned away and fled into the safety of the nearby woods.

Within the serene sanctuary of the forest, I make a teleportation spell, whisking myself away to the Star Realm in search of the Crown Prince.

The realm unfolds before me in a breathtaking panorama of celestial beauty—the sky, a canvas of twinkling stars, mountains aglow with colorful hues, and forests alive with crystal light. Amidst this enchanting landscape stands a majestic city, its spires reaching towards the heavens like guardians of the night.

As I navigate the bustling streets of the city, I collide with a hooded figure—a girl with striking white hair and piercing blue eyes. Apologies spill from my lips as we untangle ourselves

"It's fine!" The girl said. "I'm Alex by the way. Alex Atlantis."

"I'm Aelin. Aelin Elinar." I said. "Have you seen the Crown Prince by any chance?"

The girl, who introduces herself as Alex, shakes her head. "No, I haven't," she replies, her voice soft yet resolute. "But if you ever find yourself in the Eclipse Realm, come say hello. I have to get going, I have many things to tend to. I hope you find who your looking for though!"

With a parting smile, Alex disappears into the crowd of people, leaving me to continue my search.

Seeking guidance, I approach a man armor that looked like a guard, his gaze was sharp and unwavering. "Excuse me," I begin, my voice steady, "have you seen the Crown Prince?"

The man's response was grave. "He departed for Northpass four hours ago I'm afraid," he says, his tone weighted with concern.

With a determined nod, I set my sights on Northpass.

I sure hope I can teleport to this place. It's a whole other world. I thought to myself.

Before I could take another step, the armored guard halted me with a solemn expression. "Wait," he said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "If your order planning on going to Northpass, you'll need a teleportation gem. The city is in a different world altogether."

His words gave me pause, and I watched intently as he got out a gleaming gem from his armor—a delicate, light purple jewel that shimmered with otherworldly energy. Taking it from him, I felt a strange warmth emanating from its surface.

"Keep hold of this," he instructed, his tone grave yet reassuring. "It will guide you to Northpass as long as you have it."

"Thank you," I murmured gratefully, tucking the gem securely into my pocket then began walking out of the city.

As I stood at the edge of the Realm, the teleportation gem cradled in my palm. With a deep breath, I focused my energy, channeling it into the spell.

The gem ignited in a brilliant display of light, its glow enveloping me as the magic took hold. My surroundings blurred, the wind whipping through my hair as I was consumed by the teleportation spell.

When I reappeared, I found myself in a bustling city, its atmosphere reminiscent of scholarly elegance. Tall buildings lined the streets that were full of bookshops and many more buildings that aren't usually in a bustling city. The buildings had an architecture exuding an air of intellectual vibes. People hurried past, some carried umbrellas, some wore fancy hats, and some wore uniforms. There were also people that were driving horse drawn carriages across the streets.