Crown of Shadows

Chapter 4-Aelin

As the moon cast its gentle glow upon the land, Silas and I made our way back to Elentia.

When we arrived back, the familiar sights and sounds of the wind greeted us, but my attention was drawn to Silas as he removed his mask. In the soft moonlight, his features seemed to shift and change, becoming sharper and more defined. His silver eye glowed, his body was muscular, and he had similar pointed ears like mine. I couldn't help but stare, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks as I took in his true appearance.

Silas noticed my reaction and offered me a gentle smile, "Are you alright there?" he asked, his voice soft and reassuring. I nodded, feeling flustered but unable to tear my gaze away from him.

We exchanged a knowing glance before heading our way to the Moon Kingdom, Its ruined landscape stretched out before us, a stark reminder of the devastation wrought by dark forces.

Silas let out a heavy sigh, his expression troubled as he surveyed the destruction. "Shit...this is worse than I imagined," he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration and sorrow. I could only nod in agreement, my heart aching at the sight before us.

Then, Silas turned to face me, "Aelin," he began, his voice tinged with regret, "I may not be able to restore everything right away."

I felt a pang of disappointment, but I knew that Silas was still in training and his abilities had their limits. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice.

Silas sighed, running a hand through his hair as he struggled to find the right words. "I've been focusing primarily on combat training," he explained, his tone apologetic. "My mentor... he's been slow as hell trying teach me other aspects of my abilities."

I nodded, understanding dawning on me. Silas had made progress, but there was still much for him to learn before he could fully harness his powers. I can't say this is his fault. Just by asking him to help me has made him all behind on his training. "How long do you think it will take?" I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

Silas hesitated, his gaze falling to the ground as he considered his response. "I honestly don't know," he admitted, frustration evident in his tone. "It could be months, maybe even a year before I'm ready to take on something of this depth."

I swallowed hard, the reality of our situation sinking in. "So what should I do in the meantime?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Silas reached out and gently took my hand, my heart rate beginning to race, "I'll send you a letter by by a raven once I'm ready," he promised, his eyes meeting mine with unwavering determination. "Until then, stay away from this place. It's not safe for you to be here alone."

I nodded, feeling a mixture of disappointment and gratitude wash over me. Silas squeezed my hand reassuringly before releasing it, a silent understanding passing between us. With a final glance at the ruined kingdom before us, we turned and began to go our separate ways. My heart began to grow heavy without being in his presence.

As I got farther away from the kingdom, I found myself in the woods and relaxed against a tree.

Apologies for the oversight. Let's include that dialogue:

I leaned against the sturdy trunk of a towering tree, the sounds of the forest enveloped me in a soothing embrace. The rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze, the distant chirping of birds, and the murmur of a nearby stream.

"Are you lost, my dear?" Startled, I glanced up to find a tall figure before me, his long straight white hair catching the dappled moonlight filtering through the canopy. His presence seemed to materialize out of thin air, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension.

"I'm just wandering." My reply was cautious, tinged with a hint of curiosity as I assessed the stranger standing before me.

"You really shouldn't be out here alone. There are many dangers around here." His voice was smooth and confident, his concern palpable as he regarded me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

"What kind of dangers?" I couldn't help but ask, my curiosity piqued by his cryptic warning. The forest suddenly felt alive with unseen perils, and I found myself scanning the shadows for any sign of danger.

"Loose demons and other creatures roam these woods, my dear. It's no place for a lone traveler." His words painted a picture of a world teeming with unseen dangers, and I felt a chill run down my spine at the thought of what lurked in the darkness.

"Me and my crew have been looking for a lady to join us with the right capabilities. You seem just the right person," The man continued, his gaze unwavering as he extended a hand toward me.

I lifted a brow then stood up, crossing my arms. "What 'crew'?" I inquired while staring at him.

"The most powerful assassins in all of Elentia. We make sure everybody stays in check and certain people don't wander around the land. Both men and women assassins are in this group, and I'm the leader of the bunch. My name is Phantom Abbot." Phantom explained, his tone carrying a hint of pride.

"You look like a great person to join our group over at Assassins Keep. I can teach you all kinds of things, and you can meet new friends. It'll be like a family," Phantom continued, his voice brimming with conviction as he reached out his hand.

Despite the gravity of his offer, a spark of suspense ignited within me.

"And how can I trust you?" I asked, my voice laced with skepticism. "I don't even know who you are. For all I know, you probably watch little kids sleep."

Phantom's laughter echoed through the forest, dispelling the tension that hung in the air like a heavy cloak. "I'm nothing of the sort, my dear. If I were a bad guy, you would've been dead by now."

He did have a point.

"Fine. But if one thing feels wrong, I'm taking off and getting my ass out of here," I declared, my resolve firm as I clasped his outstretched hand.

"Fine by me," Phantom replied with a grin, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he was whistled then a large brown horse galloping to us. He got on and held out his hand to me and help me up.

And as we rode off into the unknown, I couldn't help but think of Silas. I hope he will have his training done soon. Time is running out.