Love Between Two World

CHAPTER 15 : WHISPER OF PAST 2

Here’s **Chapter 15** for you:

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**Chapter 15: Whispers of the Past**

The castle halls were eerily quiet when Elara and Kael returned. The soldiers who had remained behind were tending to the wounded or reinforcing the defenses, but inside, a solemn stillness had settled over the corridors. It was the kind of silence that echoed the weight of the kingdom’s burdens, now resting squarely on Elara’s shoulders.

She pushed open the door to the war room, where a large map of the kingdom was spread across the table, its edges curling from age and use. Several of the key cities had been marked with red ink—places already lost to the enemy’s onslaught. The sight of it only deepened the pit of dread growing in her stomach.

Kael closed the door softly behind them and stepped up beside her. "We should focus on securing the capital. If they break through here, everything falls."

Elara’s mind raced as she stared at the map, her thoughts tangled in the web of war, her father’s betrayal, and the prophecy that loomed over her. "The capital is more vulnerable than I thought," she muttered, tracing a finger over the northern districts, where the breach had occurred.

Kael watched her closely. "We can’t afford any more delays. Whatever your father is planning, it’s happening soon."

The weight of his words hung between them. Elara knew he was right, but the thought of confronting her father, of facing the truth, was terrifying. What if the kingdom really had been built on lies? What if everything she had ever known was nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion?

But as much as she feared the answers, she couldn’t afford to let that fear paralyze her.

"We need information," Elara said, straightening up. "We need to know where my father has gone, who he’s working with, and what his true goal is."

Kael nodded, stepping closer to the table and surveying the map. "There’s an old ally of your father’s—someone who might know what’s really going on. A former general, exiled long ago after a falling out with the crown. He lives in the Ashen Wastes, beyond the mountains."

Elara looked at him sharply. "I know who you’re talking about. General Torin. My father never spoke of him, but I overheard some of the advisors whispering about his betrayal."

"Yes," Kael said grimly. "He’s the only one who might have insight into your father’s motivations. If anyone can tell us what’s truly happening, it’s him."

Elara felt a chill run down her spine. The Ashen Wastes were a desolate and dangerous place, filled with creatures long forgotten by the rest of the world. And Torin... there was a reason he had been exiled. She wasn’t even sure if he could be trusted.

But what choice did she have?

"Then we go," she said firmly. "We’ll leave tonight."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Tonight? Elara, the city is still recovering from the attack. If we leave now, who will lead in our absence?"

Elara shook her head. "The council can manage the defense for a short time. If we don’t uncover the truth about my father’s plans, the city won’t survive another assault. This is the only way."

Kael hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I’ll prepare the horses."

As Kael left the room to make the preparations, Elara stood alone for a moment, staring at the map. Her father’s face flashed in her mind—his cold, distant expression as he walked away from her. She had once admired him, believed in his strength and wisdom. Now, she was no longer sure who he really was.

But no matter what she discovered in the Ashen Wastes, no matter what secrets lay hidden in her father’s past, she would face it head-on. She had no other choice.

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The journey to the Ashen Wastes took several days. The further they traveled from the capital, the more barren the landscape became. The lush forests and rolling hills gradually gave way to jagged rocks and scorched earth, the sky above them growing darker with each passing mile.

Kael remained silent for most of the journey, his eyes constantly scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. Elara, too, found herself lost in thought, her mind replaying the events of the past few weeks. It all felt like a blur—a nightmare she couldn’t wake from.

On the third night, they camped at the edge of the Ashen Wastes, the air heavy with the scent of ash and sulfur. The ground beneath them was cracked and dry, and the distant mountains loomed like silent sentinels against the night sky.

As they sat by the fire, Kael finally broke the silence. "Are you ready for this?"

Elara glanced at him, her face illuminated by the flickering flames. "I don’t know," she admitted. "But I have to be."

Kael nodded, his expression unreadable. "Torin won’t be easy to deal with. He’s not the man your father once knew."

"I don’t expect him to be," Elara said quietly. "But if he can help us, then it’s worth the risk."

The next morning, they set out at dawn, their path taking them deeper into the Ashen Wastes. The terrain grew more treacherous with every step, and by midday, they had to abandon their horses, the ground too unstable for them to continue.

As they climbed higher into the mountains, the air grew colder, and a thick fog began to settle over the land. Elara’s breath came in short, shallow gasps as she pushed forward, her muscles aching from the climb.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they reached the entrance to a cave, hidden deep within the mountainside. Kael stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he surveyed the entrance.

"This is it," he said, his voice low. "Torin’s lair."

Elara swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. This was it—the moment of truth. Whatever happened next would change everything.

They stepped into the cave, the darkness swallowing them whole. Elara’s pulse quickened as they made their way deeper inside, the walls closing in around them.

And then, out of the shadows, a figure emerged.

"Elara," the voice said, cold and sharp. "I’ve been expecting you."