Shadow of war

Untitled Part 1

Prologue: The First Fall of Light and Shadow

The novel begins centuries before Seraphina and Elias's time, introducing two ancient lovers, one from the Aeloria and the other from the Dravan family. Their love defied the balance of power between Light and Shadow, leading to their tragic deaths and the birth of an eternal conflict. This event shattered the harmony between Light and Shadow, inadvertently unleashing a slumbering entity called the Void. Though weakened, the Void was drawn to the hatred and conflict, influencing generations to come.

Tone:

The prologue sets a dark, tragic tone, with elements of doomed love, betrayal, and the unhealed scars left on the world by the war. It also hints at the cyclical nature of the story that will unfold, foreshadowing the challenges will face.

Chapter 1: A World Divided

In the present, we see a world split between two powerful families, the Aeloria and the Dravans, who have been at war for centuries. The Aeloria, beings of Light, are known for healing, creation, and protection. The Dravans, beings of Shadow, are masters of illusion, manipulation, and destruction. Their lands are separated by a desolate, war-torn borderland, where the conflict has scarred the very fabric of reality.

Chapter 2: A Chance Meeting

Seraphina couldn't shake the memory of the Dravan warrior she had seen in the forest. Elias Dravan. The name echoed in her mind, filling her with unease. She had been taught from childhood that the Dravans were the embodiment of darkness, beings who thrived on chaos and destruction. And yet, when their eyes had locked, there was no hatred, no malice—just a strange, mutual recognition. As if they both knew, in that fleeting moment, that something larger than their families' ancient feud was at play.

Days passed, but the encounter haunted her thoughts. She found herself wandering further into the borderlands than she ever had before, drawn by some invisible force she couldn't explain. The borderlands were dangerous, especially for an Aeloria. The land itself had been twisted by years of conflict, with the energies of Light and Shadow battling for dominance. Strange things happened there—illusions, distortions of time and space, and sometimes, whispers in the wind that carried the voices of the dead.

Despite the risks, Seraphina kept returning, as if searching for something... or someone.

It was on one such day, as she wandered through the ruins of an ancient battlefield, that she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps. Her hand flew to her sword, her senses alert. She stood still, every muscle in her body tensed, ready to defend herself.

The footsteps stopped.

Slowly, Seraphina turned around—and there he was again.

Elias Dravan.

This time, he was closer, standing just beyond the edge of the clearing. His dark armor blended with the shadows cast by the towering trees, but his eyes—those striking, piercing eyes—stood out in sharp contrast. They gleamed faintly with the power of Shadow, a reminder of the forces he commanded.

Seraphina's breath caught in her throat, but she didn't move. Neither did he.

"Why do you keep coming here?" Elias asked, his voice low and controlled. It was the first time he had spoken to her, and the sound of his voice sent a strange shiver down her spine.

"I could ask you the same thing," Seraphina replied, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart. "This land is dangerous for both of us."

Elias's gaze never wavered. "I come here to escape the expectations of my family. And you?"