The Shadows of Erisdar (ON HOLD)

Prologue

Long ago, in the dying embers of a world lost to shadow and ruin, a handful of the greatest sorcerers gathered in desperation. As their realm crumbled beneath the weight of its sins, they wove one final, mighty spell — a portal to another world, untouched by their failures and brimming with promise. Through it, they led the last survivors to safety. From the ashes, a new beginning was born. The world of Ardaman was unlike any other — a land steeped in ancient magic, where creatures of legend roamed freely and the very air thrummed with enchantment. Its forests teemed with fae folk — small, elusive beings of wood and water — while mighty shapeshifters, primarily wolf-kind, prowled the wilds. Wielders of raw magic, witches, and other mystical races made their homes across the land, each guarding their secrets and traditions.Ardaman was governed by a great Council — a gathering of the wisest, strongest, and purest representatives from each race. Through a prophecy long kept and quietly believed, the Council had foreseen the coming of the humans. So when the portal opened, Ardaman welcomed them not as strangers, but as long-expected kin.In the decades that followed, the refugees wove themselves into the living tapestry of Ardaman. Harmony blossomed, but not all hearts remained content. Among the newcomers, envy festered — for the sorcerers' mastery of the arcane and the shapeshifters' power to become beasts of instinct and strength.Driven by obsession, these humans sought to seize such gifts for themselves. They turned to corrupted sorcerers, whose twisted ambitions led to cruel experiments. But shapeshifting could not be taught — it stemmed from ancient bloodlines and minds forged by discipline no spell could mimic.Undeterred, the conspirators turned to darker arts: binding animal souls to human hosts. Wolves were used, and with powerful enchantments, they forced transformations. But the wolf's spirit overwhelmed the human mind, driving them mad. Adults perished, their minds torn apart; children endured longer, but they too fell into savagery.Until one day, a miracle. A woman — once a test subject — resisted the savagery long enough to give birth to twins. Unbeknownst to all, the wolf used in her transformation had been pregnant, and the souls of two unborn cubs became bound to her sons. These children matured with the power to shift, their senses honed, their strength beyond human, yet always shadowed by a lingering wildness.Thus were born the first true werewolves — a new race of magic and flesh, a fragile harmony of beast and man. A living reminder of how far desperation can reach, and what strange life may rise from ruin.Nearly six decades passed, and the werewolves evolved. No longer doomed to madness, they lived in structured packs, mirroring the wild order of the creatures from which they came. But envy lingered. The shifters were larger, faster, stronger — and that truth festered.In time, peace was shattered. The werewolves, driven by hatred and inferiority, began to hunt the shifters — and then others. Ardaman's oldest and most powerful races fell, one by one. By the time the Council grasped the full betrayal, it was too late.The royal dynasties of Ardaman were no more. The Council was nearly replaced in full. And the great races-the shifters, the giants, the elemental kin—faded into myth and legend, whispered only in the deepest forests and forgotten corners of the world.

***

Now, in the year 1007, a final ember of that ancient fire flickers in the hidden forests of Ardaman... in the laughter of four children playing in the trees, unaware that they are the last remnants of a fading memory.

Beneath the ancient boughs of the Whispering Grove, where the oldest trees still remembered the songs of the first shifters, four young souls chased each other through sun-dappled shadows. They did not yet know the weight of their bloodlines, nor the war creeping steadily toward their home. For now, they were only children - laughing, taunting, daring one another to climb higher still."I also want to climb!" Daenaria yelled up at the boys."You can't climb!" Percy shouted teasingly."Can too!" Daenaria retorted, sticking her tongue out. "Better than you, Perseus."She stretched his name mockingly, making Darryl snicker as Percy scowled and returned the gesture.She was nimbler than all of them—on the ground and in the trees—and they all knew it.Anduin and Savanna watched their daughter in amusement as she stubbornly looked for a way up."Who needs entertainment when you have these four?" Calum, Darryl and Percy's father commented, earning a laugh from the other three adults."Yes, they are quite the bunch—especially that daughter of yours, Savanna. She's so stubborn and very determined, just like her father," said Calum's mate. "And the boys adore her."Savanna and Anduin smiled."That they do. And they see her as their equal, and because of that, they don't go easy on her," Savanna noted. "Her being royalty doesn't count towards her favour either."They all smiled, then fell into silence as they watched the children, each adult carrying the same unspoken worry. This might be the last time they played here together.Few shifters remained now. It would not be long before the werewolves found them—and finished what they had started. Anduin's ancestors had settled in a fairly hidden location hundreds of years ago, but after all these centuries, they had been discovered by the original werewolves. Their leader, Alpha Sobeth, hated the shifters and was determined to wipe them out so he could be the most powerful. He had no remorse and would do whatever it took to reach his goal—even if it meant slaughtering innocents. Their only hope lay with the royal pack's sorcerer."Well, you can't climb with us this time," Lucian said sternly, looking down. He was the oldest of the bunch and thus the voice of reason. "Not this tree.""And why not?" she asked, crossing her arms defiantly.He rolled his eyes. "This is a big tree, and its branches are too far apart for you to reach. You're not tall enough yet."She didn't understand Lucian's argument. They always helped her from one branch to the next when she couldn't reach, so why not now?"Then why don't you push me up like the other times?" she asked.Lucian sighed. Must she always be so stubborn?"We can hardly reach between the branches ourselves, so how are we supposed to hold on to push you up? It's too dangerous," he said, turning to continue the climb.Before she could reply, her father's stern voice cut in."Your brother is right, Daenaria. They could get injured themselves if they helped you climb. Best you stay down here with us. We'll be returning home soon anyway."She sighed and trudged back toward the adults, her small face set in disappointment as she plopped down next to the snack basket and watched her brother and his friends in dismay.Soon, her attention drifted to the forest around her, and she wondered where all the animals were. It was quieter than usual. Less birdsong and fewer animals were flitting between the trees lately. Even the night glow was dimmer, and it made her curious. It was like the forest was tired.There was something wrong with her parents, too. They seldom smiled lately, and their eyes were filled with sorrow. She wondered if the time had come when she would no longer be able to play as much, now that training and royal duties were approaching. They always looked sad when they mentioned that. Yet something told her it was something else—something much worse.Her father was calling the boys back when the cracking of leaves made her jump. She wheeled around, and the adults turned as well. A guard emerged from the trees and greeted her parents."Your Majesties," he bowed, then greeted Daenaria, followed by Calum and Leanna. "Master Gabriel has sent me to inform you that he has had success with his trials and is awaiting you in his study."Anduin sighed in relief and nodded. "Take the children back to their chambers and have their carers put them to bed," he said, and they all turned to leave.Some days later, the palace and the surrounding town were bustling with preparations. Everyone was packing essentials for a journey to safety. The king's sorcerer had finally come up with a plan to ensure their survival."Anduin!" Master Gabriel called out as he ran toward the king. "Anduin, we must hurry now. Come!""How many are left?" Anduin asked as they hurried back to the palace, where their families were waiting."Just you, Calum, and your families. Then it's everyone. But we must hurry—if the werewolves find out what we've done, we will all perish.""Where's Calum?" Anduin asked."He should be at the palace already. He left some time ago to get Leanna and the others."Anduin nodded, and they spurred their steeds, urging them to greater speed. The air was heavy with tension as they neared the palace.Then, howls sounded in the distance. The evening air split with the sound, sharp and cold. The werewolves were here, and they weren't ready.Anduin's heart dropped. His family was still inside the palace.Savanna and Leanna were hurrying the children to finish. They would be ready to leave when everyone was dressed accordingly, but the younger ones found the situation difficult to understand. They were nervously waiting for the men when the howls rang out like an alarm. Panic surged through them. They had to reach the mountain, now more than ever.Without a word, they grabbed the children and dashed into the corridor, searching for the fastest route out of the palace.But before they could get far, two werewolves rounded a corner. Their fangs were bared in vicious snarls, their eyes wild with bloodlust.Going back wasn't an option. Three more wolves approached from behind.Daenaria watched in terror as Luna Leanna shifted into a light brown wolf and lunged at the attackers, snapping her jaws and growling fiercely. Her mother transformed seconds later into a muddy-coated beast, charging the wolves from behind.The two women fought like warriors, fury and desperation in every movement as they defended their children.Tears welled in Daenaria's eyes as she watched the wolves tear into her mother. These weren't animals. They were monsters—merciless and cruel. She knew in that moment that they wouldn't hesitate to kill a mother in front of her child.Then, like thunder, Alpha Calum crashed into the fight. His grey form collided with a werewolf, sending it sprawling. Without hesitation, he turned to help his mate, his coat streaked with blood.Suddenly, Daenaria heard her mother's voice in her head:"When I have him pinned to the ground, you run past us and go to the mountain. Get your father. Lucian—protect her."Daenaria looked at the boys—they had heard the message too.They watched carefully as the queen gripped a werewolf by the throat and slammed him to the floor. It was their moment.They ran.—But after a few frantic strides, Daenaria stopped. Darryl wasn't with them. Panic jolted through her.She turned. Her brother didn't notice she had stopped, probably thinking Darryl was watching over her. Torn between duty and fear, she hesitated for only a second before dashing back.Darryl was frozen in place, staring at the brutal fight. His parents were being overwhelmed. His face twisted in anguish—he wanted to help, but didn't know how.She grabbed his arm. "Come on! We have to go!" she pleaded, but he didn't move.Then she saw it—the Alpha was limping, his movements sluggish.Three wolves were on him. One had its jaws locked around his throat.Daenaria's breath caught in her throat.The Alpha looked at his son one last time, silently begging him to leave, to live. But neither child could move. They watched, frozen, as the wolf bit down hard, and the great Alpha fell limp.Darryl screamed and bolted forward, but was yanked back by King Anduin. The king shoved him toward Daenaria, who caught him before he could bolt again.Anduin shifted and leapt into the fray.Two more werewolves lay dead. The queen and the alpha female were still fighting, bloodied but relentless. Daenaria stared at the alpha's body, silently willing him to rise, to keep fighting.The king barked a command to his mate, nudging her toward the stunned children.Savanna ran toward them, grabbed Darryl by the back of his shirt, and threw him over her back, doing the same with her daughter.She ran fast and sure through the winding halls.—Outside the palace, Master Gabriel waited with four steeds. Percy and Lucian were already mounted.Daenaria didn't even register what was happening. Gabriel lifted her onto a steed and then hauled Darryl up in front of Lucian before slapping the creature's rumps. Gabriel ran back inside to his king as they galloped away from the burning memory of what they had just seen. The queen ran beside them in wolf form, but soon fell behind, unable to keep up with the speed of the powerful steeds.Daenaria was numb.In her short six years, she had never seen such violence. She wished she could have done something—anything—but she wasn't a miracle worker like the great shapeshifters of old. No matter how much she wished she were.She glanced sideways at the others. What was Darryl thinking? He was motionless, staring into nothing. Cold. Silent. Who would they all become after this?He may have been older and more accustomed to training, but watching your father die like that... it could break even the strongest soul. She looked at him again—his eyes vacant, his face unreadable. He looked like a person she didn't know anymore. She pushed the thought aside. Her mind drifted toward the mountain. What would happen when they got there?Their parents hadn't told them much—only that the werewolves wanted them dead, and that there was a plan to keep them safe. But what plan? She wished she knew.***Years later, Anduin studied the maps before him as he listened carefully to Master Gabriel's report."Alpha Sobeth died 507 years ago. His son killed him to take his place. That line continued—his descendant, Menison, is now sixty-seven and leads the Magruk. But soon, his son will take over once he's found a bondmate.""What are their numbers and current location?""Their numbers have dwindled much. About forty-six adult members remain, and only twenty are trained to fight. Their territory lies far north now, on the edge of the Grey Fields. It seems they've been shunned even by their kind, for many decades now."Anduin nodded thoughtfully, considering his next move. The Grey Fields lay beyond the Sea of Turmoil, on the far side of the world. If the Magruk ever returned, they would have to sail around it—a journey of many months."So you think it's safe to go home?" he asked."Mostly," Gabriel replied. "They believe all the shifters - including the children of the prophecy - are dead. But if anyone still remembers the children or knows of our kind, then I advise we send them away. They should grow up far from here, under the protection of trusted sorcerers."Anduin frowned at him, stunned. "You expect parents to give up their children? How can you even suggest such a thing?"Gabriel sighed. He had expected that reaction. "I know it's hard. But the sacred waters have yet to return to their peaceful shade. That alone tells us the threat still lingers. The sorcerers can keep the children safe and hidden, train them until they're strong enough. Then they can return to the valley."He paused, watching Anduin's expression. "By then, we'll have recovered and strengthened our defences. We'll be ready. We won't be caught off guard like before."A long silence followed.Finally, the king sighed and stood, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Very well. Prepare the children for departure—but don't tell the families until they're gone. Afterwards, we return home."