The alabaster towers of Selenopolis stretched towards the sky, their crystalline surfaces reflecting the golden light of dawn. Caelum and Rowan followed Lady Aria through the winding streets of the capital, their eyes wide with wonder at the sights around them.
Selenopolis was a city of impossible beauty. Fountains sang melodies in crystal-clear voices, their waters shimmering with an otherworldly light. The streets were paved with stones that seemed to glow from within, creating the illusion of walking on starlight. Citizens moved about in flowing robes of silver and blue, their faces serene yet curious as they observed the newcomers.
Lady Aria led them to a towering spire at the heart of the city. Inside, a chamber awaited them, its walls adorned with tapestries depicting the history of Lunaris. She gestured for them to sit at a table of polished moonstone.
"Before we discuss the tournament," Lady Aria began, her pale blue eyes fixed on Caelum, "I'd like to understand what brings Myralis out of the shadows after so many years."
Caelum hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Our people suffer," he said finally. "Forgotten by all, we struggle to survive. This tournament... it's our chance to remind the world that Myralis still exists."
Lady Aria listened intently, her face betraying no emotion. "A noble quest," she said at last. "But know that the tournament is not merely a competition. It's a game of power and diplomacy. Each nation defends its interests."
She rose and approached one of the tapestries, depicting six kingdoms united under a starry sky. "There was a time when Myralis and Lunaris were close allies," she murmured. "Your people were known for their self-sacrifice, their ability to put the greater good above all else. But something changed..."
Rowan leaned forward, intrigued. "What happened?"
Lady Aria shook her head. "History is unclear on this point. Some speak of betrayal, others of a tragic misunderstanding. What's certain is that the bonds were broken, and Myralis isolated itself."
She turned to them, her gaze softening slightly. "Princess Velyria oversees the tournament preparations. She has always been... curious about the old alliances. Perhaps you'll find a potential ally in her."
Caelum felt a shiver of anticipation at the mention of the princess. Before he could ask more questions, the door burst open. A group of young people in gleaming armor entered, their faces filled with arrogance.
"Lady Aria," one of them called out, a young man with golden hair, "we heard strangers had arrived for the tournament."
His gaze fell on Caelum and Rowan, and a contemptuous smirk twisted his features. "Are these our... competitors?"
Caelum stood, anger rising within him at the obvious disdain. Lady Aria intervened quickly. "Gentlemen, I present to you Caelum and Rowan, representatives of Myralis. I advise you to treat them with the respect due to any tournament participant."
Surprised murmurs ran through the group. "Myralis? The fallen nation?" one of them sneered. "Might as well let beggars compete!"
Rowan placed a hand on Caelum's shoulder, holding him back. "Keep your calm, kid," he whispered. "This is exactly the kind of reaction they're looking for."
Lady Aria firmly dismissed the group, not without reminding them of Lunaris's values of hospitality. Once alone, she turned to Caelum and Rowan. "I'm afraid this is but a taste of the challenges that await you. The tournament begins in a week. Until then, you must prepare intensively."
The following days were a whirlwind of training and discoveries. Rowan pushed Caelum to his limits, refining his combat techniques under the curious gaze of Selenopolis's inhabitants. Each evening, the young man collapsed, exhausted but determined.
One afternoon, as they explored the city's archives in search of information on Myralis's history, Caelum stumbled upon an ancient scroll. The words, half-erased by time, spoke of a "Seal of Abnegation," an artifact once shared between Myralis and Lunaris.
"Rowan," he called out, excited, "look at this! This could be the key to understanding what happened between our nations."
Before Rowan could respond, a commotion was heard outside. Rushing to the windows, they saw a procession crossing the grand square. At its center, on a horse as white as snow, rode a young woman of ethereal beauty. Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a crystal crown adorned her brow.
"Princess Velyria," whispered an archivist beside them.
Caelum couldn't take his eyes off the princess. There was something in her bearing, in the way she observed the crowd, that betrayed a deep wisdom and an insatiable curiosity.
Their gazes met for a brief moment. Caelum felt his heart skip a beat. In Velyria's eyes, he thought he saw a flash of recognition, as if she had been waiting for his arrival.
As the procession moved away, Caelum remained pensive. The tournament, the mysterious Seal of Abnegation, Princess Velyria... So many elements intertwined, forming a puzzle whose complete picture he couldn't yet see.
That evening, sitting on the balcony of their quarters, Caelum contemplated the moon rising over Selenopolis. Its silver light bathed the city, giving it an unreal air.
"What are you thinking about, kid?" Rowan asked, sitting down beside him.
Caelum sighed. "About everything that awaits us. The tournament, our quest for Myralis... I feel like we're on the edge of something immense, Rowan. Something that goes beyond anything we had imagined."
The old knight nodded; his gaze lost in the distance. "You're right. The echoes of the past resound around us, Caelum. Our challenge will be to decipher them before it's too late."
As night enveloped Selenopolis, Caelum felt a renewed determination fill him. Whatever obstacles lay ahead, he was ready to face them. For Myralis, for his people, and perhaps... for a future he was only beginning to glimpse.