Descendants: Legends Uncovered Book 3: Shadows of Destiny

Chapter 2

The next morning, a thick fog settled over the outskirts of Auradon, making the landscape seem otherworldly. Mal, Evie, Jay, Aurora, and Ben gathered early in the courtyard, their faces tense with the weight of their new mission. The air crackled with anticipation, and though the sun tried to break through the haze, it seemed that the day would not easily shake off the shadow that had fallen over Auradon.

“I spent most of the night going through those symbols,” Evie said as she approached Mal, holding a worn-out journal. “They’re ancient, older than anything we’ve faced before. I think they’re linked to a forgotten realm, one that even the magical scholars don’t know much about.”

Mal frowned, her brow furrowed with concern. “A forgotten realm? That doesn’t sound good. If it’s been hidden for so long, it might be for a reason.”

Ben nodded in agreement. “I’ve already sent word to the council to be on high alert. We can’t take any chances.”

Jay, who had been pacing, stopped and crossed his arms. “So, what’s the plan? We just keep poking around and hope we don’t accidentally awaken whatever’s out there?”

Before anyone could respond, a low growl echoed from the woods nearby. The group instinctively tensed, turning toward the sound. From the mist emerged a dark figure, its form shifting and flickering as though it was made from the fog itself.

“What is that?” Aurora whispered, her voice steady but filled with caution.

Mal stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly with the anticipation of casting a spell. “It’s not human, that’s for sure.”

The figure didn’t move closer, but its eyes—glowing with an eerie light—fixed on the group. A voice, cold and distorted, spoke from within the mist.

“You should not have disturbed what was buried. The shadows belong to the past, but the past never stays buried for long.”

Mal’s eyes narrowed as she prepared herself. She didn’t have a staff, but her magic was strong. Spells hummed at her fingertips, and deep within, the dragon she could transform into stirred, ready for battle. “Who are you? What do you want?”

The figure’s form flickered again before solidifying. “I am merely a messenger. The true darkness lies beyond your reach… for now. But the time will come when you will face it. And when that day arrives, you will not be prepared.”

Before they could react, the figure dissolved into the fog, leaving only a chilling silence in its wake. For a moment, no one moved, the weight of the encounter settling heavily on their shoulders.

Ben broke the silence. “That was… unsettling. If that’s just a messenger, then we’re in for something far worse.”

Evie shook her head, flipping through her journal frantically. “There’s nothing in here about messengers like that. It’s like it came from another plane entirely.”

Aurora, still scanning the woods, added, “We need to find out where it came from and what it was warning us about. We don’t have much time.”

Mal took a deep breath, trying to shake the unease gnawing at her. She might be able to turn into a dragon, but even that form didn’t make her feel invincible right now. “We’ll head to the archives and search for any mention of this forgotten realm. If it’s as old as Evie says, there might be something there.”

As they made their way back to Auradon Prep, the fog seemed to follow them, thickening with each step. It was as if the land itself was trying to hold them back, as if something wanted to keep the truth hidden.

In the grand library, they gathered around the dusty tomes and scrolls that lined the ancient shelves. The room was filled with the faint scent of parchment and ink, the soft glow of magical orbs illuminating the walls. Evie spread out the maps and symbols they had found, alongside the ancient texts she had retrieved from the archives.