Even after the shadow thing was vanquished, the kingdom remained tense. It had, if anything, gotten stronger. It was there in the air—a heavy, dense energy that affected Caden and Elara's every step. The people were grateful for their safety, but they were also wary since they were prone to being misled by tales of an impending new threat.
In a frantic attempt to uncover any information that may reveal the origin of the darkness, Caden and Elara studied old manuscripts and spoke with the kingdom's experts back at the castle. Once a haven of peace, the castle library seemed more like a battlefield of knowledge as they combed through volumes and scrolls for answers.
During the afternoon, Elara discovered a worn-out, dusty book concealed under a pile of other volumes. She was drawn to it despite its old cover and hardly readable title. She opened it slowly, running her fingertips over the thin pages. She couldn't comprehend the archaic language used to write the text, but she was drawn to the pictures, which showed dark shapes encircled by odd symbols and like the thing they had encountered.
"What's that, Elara?" Observing her concentrated attention, Caden inquired.
"I'm not sure yet," she said, glancing over the papers. But perhaps this is what we're after. This is where the beast that we battled is.
Caden stepped forward and looked over her shoulder. These symbols resemble runes, in my opinion. Magic from the past, the type that hasn't been in use for ages.
Elara nodded, the excitement of discovery causing her heart to race. That's right. This could hold the key to comprehending our opponents.
They looked over the book together, attempting to interpret the text and the sentences. They had to work slowly and laboriously, but they were adamant. The jigsaw pieces started to fit together as they labored through the night.
With a hint of wonder and terror in her voice, Elara eventually said, "This isn't just any dark magic." It's a curse, although a very old one from ancient times. It was embodied in the shadow monster, a precursor to something far worse.
Caden's face became serious. "Worse than what we previously encountered? What could be more harmful than an entity with perfect shadows?"
Elara turned to face him, worry shining in her eyes. The book makes reference to a prophesy that predicts a major catastrophe connected to the dynasty of the kingdom's rulers. The curse may bring about the demise of the kingdom if it is not broken.
The breath left Caden's throat. "My lineage. I am connected to this curse.
Elara touched his arm consolingly. Although we can't say for sure, it's a possibility. If the royal family is linked to the curse, it would help to explain why the gloom is so enduring and constantly coming back.
Caden balled his fists, resolve and rage flaring in his gaze. Then, we must figure out how to shatter it. If my ancestry is the reason, I'll go to whatever lengths to put an end to this, even if it means giving my life."
Elara gave a sharp shake of her head. Not at all, Caden. We'll figure something out. Recall that we are all in this together. Without taking you away, the curse must be broken somehow.
Her remarks caused Caden's determination to weaken, and her unflinching support helped to lessen the weight of his load. With a firm voice, he said, "We'll find it." However, further details are required. We must discover who and why the curse was placed.
We devoted the next few days to nonstop investigation. In an attempt to find any reference to a curse or old foe, they spoke with the oldest members of the court—those who could still recall the stories of the kingdom's establishment. As they combed through secret archives, they found records and long-forgotten papers that revealed hints of the kingdom's turbulent past.
Eventually, an unexpected breakthrough came from a letter written by one of Caden's ancestors that was hidden between the pages of an old royal journal. The letter described a sinister agreement struck centuries prior, in exchange for safety and wealth, between the first monarch of the realm and a formidable magician.
Elara whispered, "This is it," her voice quivering with anticipation and terror. The cost of such an agreement was the curse. Although its purpose was to defend the realm, it had an unintended consequence that was inherited by the royal dynasty.
Reading the letter caused Caden's expression to stiffen. "My ancestor must have been desperate to make a deal with a sorcerer such a matter."
Elara gave a nod. "Desperation frequently results in decisions with long-term effects. However, now that we are aware of the curse's source, we may begin our search for a means to break it.
Though it was now easier to see, the route ahead was still dangerous. They would have to face the sorcerer, or what remained of his power, if they were to break the spell. It would take you into the most sinister reaches of the kingdom's past, where long-forgotten evils awaited you.
Caden and Elara realized that their love would be their greatest asset as they were ready to go off on their new journey. Though the darkness that tried to engulf them was great, they were more formidable when together. And as they moved forward, they were getting closer to learning the truth and bringing lasting peace to the kingdom.