Crown On My Head

chapter 60

Terrors Peak Lacey

Finally, as the day began to wane, I saw them—the reinforcements. Banners fluttered in the distance, and my heart leapt as I recognized the colours of the lord who had pledged his support. The sight of fresh troops brought a surge of energy to our weary soldiers, and I could see the tide of the battle begin to turn.
But it wasn’t over yet. Not by a long shot. We still had to drive the dark forces back, to reclaim our land from the grip of their evil. I knew that this was just the beginning, that the true battle lay ahead. And as I stood there, on that blood-soaked hill, I vowed to see it through to the end. No matter the cost.
For my people, for my kingdom—I would not let them fall.
They came, rested, and fought.

As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows over the nearly deserted camp, I strapped on my armour, preparing to join the fight below. The sounds of battle echoed up the hill, a distant but relentless reminder of the blood being shed. Most of our forces had already descended to face the Dark Realm's army, leaving only a handful of us behind. The air was thick with tension, every breath a struggle against the weight of what was happening.

I tightened the straps on my gauntlets, steeling myself for the battle to come, when I heard the soft, hesitant sound of footsteps behind me. I turned to see a messenger—his pale face and wide eyes unmistakable against the twilight. He was not one of ours; his robes were dark, and there was a sinister, almost ethereal quality about him. My heart skipped a beat, instinctively bracing myself.

The messenger bowed slightly, then held out a sealed letter. "Princess Lacey," he said in a voice that was almost a whisper, "a message from the Dark Realm."

I hesitated before taking it, the parchment cold in my hand. With a steadying breath, I broke the seal and unfolded the letter. The words were scrawled in dark ink, each one heavy with ominous intent.

"The head of the Dark Realm requests a meeting," the letter read. "Midnight, on the hill where you have made your camp."

I felt a shiver run down my spine. A meeting? Now, in the midst of battle? My eyes darted to the battlefield below. Even from here, I could see the chaos, the death, and destruction tearing through both sides. Bodies littered the ground, and the clash of steel against steel rang out like a twisted symphony of war. Oralaith is already down there, she said she has powers that could help. There was a plea in her eyes, not to ask.

The offer felt like a trap, but there was something in the words that pulled at me. The head of the Dark Realm… This was an opportunity, perhaps the only one, to end this without further bloodshed.

I looked back at the messenger, his expression unreadable in the dim light. "Tell them I will be there," I said, my voice firm despite the uncertainty churning in my gut.

He bowed again and vanished into the shadows, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I turned my gaze back to the battlefield. The horror of it all gripped me, a cold hand squeezing my heart. My people, my soldiers, they were dying out there. Each life lost felt like a weight on my soul, a burden I had no choice but to carry.

Could this meeting stop the slaughter? Could it be a way to save them, to save us all? I didn’t know, but I had to try.

As the camp grew quieter and the battle below raged on, I made my decision. I would go to that hill at midnight. I would face the head of the Dark Realm and whatever twisted plan they had in store. I had no other choice. This might be the only way to protect those who remained, to put an end to this nightmare before it consumes us all.

And if it was a trap… Well, I’d be ready for that too.