Elara was filled with grief, remorse, and an unwavering determination as she stood in the darkened royal room. The man she had once rescued was now a stranger, consumed by darkness, and the world she knew had become a terrifying and hopeless place. But she was determined not to let her grief consume her. Though it was buried deep within the man who had been Caden, there was yet hope.
Elara's mind was racing with ideas of what to do next as she emerged from the room, her footsteps resonating through the deserted hallways. Her former home, the castle, now seemed to her like a maze of lost memories, with each turn serving as a reminder of what was gone. The grounds in which they used to exchange secrets and smiles had become overgrown, with weeds choking and wilting the flowers.
But it was more than just her and Caden involved. The people, who had formerly turned to Caden for protection, now dreaded him as the Dark Lord, for he had brought misery to the whole country. She needed to find a method to get through to him in order to remind him of the person he used to be and to restore light to this earth.
The sound of rushing feet distracted Elara from her thoughts. Her face pale and scared, she turned to see the old servant from earlier running toward her.
The servant, holding a little bundle to her bosom, gasped, "My Lady." Something needs to be seen. Something that might be beneficial to you.
Elara became curious as she trailed the attendant to a tiny, obscure room tucked up far inside the castle. Relics shrouded in dust, forgotten in the catastrophe that had swallowed the realm, crowded the chamber. The servant showed her where to find a little chest with an old, worn surface.
The servant whispered, "This belonged to the Lord before he became... what he is now." "He concealed it from everyone, even you. However, if you ever go back, I think he wants you to locate it.
As Elara gingerly opened the chest, her heart raced. Memorabilia from a bygone era filled inside, including letters, little trinkets, and a necklace that she instantly recognized. It was the one she'd promised to bring back to Caden before she left.
She opened the locket with shaking fingers and saw a little, fading picture of the two of them smiling with love and optimism. She started to cry as memories of that period of time came flooding back. She had been so sure that their future would be together that her job was accomplished. However, that future now appeared so far off, nearly unreachable.
One among the things in the chest was a sealed letter written in Caden's recognizable handwriting and addressed to her. With a heavy heart from anticipation, Elara hesitated to open it. Her heart hurt for the guy she had lost as she read Caden's letter, which was written just before she had to be taken from this world.
My sweetest Elara,
Should you be if you are reading this, then you have made a comeback, just as I always knew you would. Though I worry that is no longer feasible, all I can hope for is that you find me to still be the man you remember. My internal darkness is becoming more powerful every day, and I'm losing the struggle to contain it.
I want so much to keep you safe and to preserve this planet for us. But as the days stretched into years, I came to the conclusion that nothing would be worth saving without you. I fear you will only discover a shadow of the man I used to be when you come back because the man you know is evaporating.
However, I only ask that you remember one thing if you do return: Elara me, not as I shall become, but as I was. And I trust you to locate that part of me that can yet be salvaged.
From the bottom of my heart,
Caden
When Elara finished reading, her hands trembled. For as long as he could, Caden had attempted to cling to the light while knowing that he was changing. But that war had been lost without her. It was despair that had turned him into the Dark Lord, not free will.
The letter, nevertheless, also offered her hope. The Caden she knew was still out there, waiting to be discovered, somewhere deep within. She had to have faith that he was redeemable and that their love was powerful enough to triumph despite this.
Elara put the locket around her neck with care, the cool metal serving as a constant reminder of the man she was fighting for, and she felt a newfound resolve. No matter how far down he had gone, she was not going to give up on Caden.
Elara's determination hardened as she emerged from the concealed chamber. She would find a way to get through to him, to bring back memories of their past love. And no matter the cost, she would not give up until she had brought him back.
However, a dark figure observed her from the shadows as she moved through the silent castle hallways. The Dark Lord had observed her locate the chest and the tears she shed while reading his words. Moreover, for the first time in many years, something flickered within him—a glimpse of the guy he used to be.
But it was soon dashed by the darkness that had taken hold of him and would not release.
Now that Elara had returned, she was committed to saving him. However, the Dark Lord would not be persuaded so easily, and the road to salvation would be dangerous.
Elara was convinced that she would fight for Caden, even if it meant going up against the darkness, as she ventured out into the night and felt the chilly wind rushing through the deserted gardens. And she would not fail this time.