At the edge of the Endless Forest, surrounded by crystal-blue rivers and crowned with towers that reached the mountain peaks, the Kingdom of Valedria gleamed each morning as the sun's first light struck the white stone walls. From afar, it looked like a city carved out of a legend. Yet what truly made Valedria special was not its beauty, but the centuries-old harmony of wisdom, magic, and its unbreakable bond with its people.
The kingdom's ruler, King Aerondis Valedrias, though forty-five years old, carried an authority and wisdom that commanded respect across the entire continent. His silver-black hair falling over his shoulders and his stern yet just gaze marked him as both a warrior and a sage. His wife, Queen Lythara, forty years old, was a graceful master of light magic. Descending from an ancient line of luminous spellcasters, she wielded not battlefield strength, but decisive influence in every critical decision made within the palace.
And then there was Valedria's pride: Princess Ilyrana Valedrias. At twenty years old, she was both the beloved of the people and the kingdom's brightest hope. Her education had been shaped by combat training, strategy, diplomacy, and magical arts. But what set her apart from any other noble was her bond with the people—her willingness to walk among them, listen to their troubles, and offer help whenever she could.
That morning was no different.
The moment Ilyrana stepped into the city square, the people greeted her warmly. It was as if the entire kingdom's spirit had gathered in their smiles. Merchants opened their stalls, students rushed toward the Academy of Magic, and blacksmiths filled the air with the rhythmic ring of their hammers.
Near the central fountain, she noticed an elderly woman sitting with a troubled expression.
"Good morning, Nana Avera," the princess said, kneeling beside her. "Your face looks clouded today. Has something happened?"
The old woman clasped her trembling hands. "Princess… the water in the southern gardens is drying up. The soil is cracking. This hasn't happened in decades."
Ilyrana immediately grew thoughtful. The southern gardens were essential—home to herbs, healing plants, and rare magical blossoms. If the water was receding, it could mean a magical imbalance or a shift in the underground streams.
"I'll inform the Academy at once," she said. "Do not worry. We will fix this."
The woman bowed her head in relief. Ilyrana rose and continued down the street.
Moments later, she came across a group of children arguing near a corner. One of them, eyes full of tears, turned to her.
"Princess Ilyrana! Please help! My little brother is missing!"
Ilyrana acted instantly. She summoned the city guards, listened to what the child could tell, and launched a search. Within ten minutes, they discovered the little boy had wandered to the old tower ruins in the north and gotten stuck. The princess rode there with the soldiers, ensuring the child was rescued unharmed. When the boy threw his arms around her neck and whispered, "Thank you," the people's admiration deepened even further.
Just as she was heading back toward the square, a shadow swept over the ground, followed by the sharp clink of armor. One of the red-cloaked sentinels of the Watcher Battalion was rushing toward her.
"Princess Ilyrana!" the soldier said breathlessly. "There is an urgent matter!"
Ilyrana's expression hardened. "Speak."
"The watchtowers report an unidentified airborne vessel approaching from the northwest. Large silhouette… and definitely not from our region."
Her heart skipped. Valedria had airships, but most belonged to friendly nations. A foreign, unidentified craft approaching their skies could only mean danger.
"We're returning to the palace. Now," she said, her cloak swirling behind her.
With her guards, she ascended the palace steps and pushed open the great hall doors. King Aerondis stood over a map table, while Queen Lythara studied a crystal tablet etched with ancient magical runes.
"Father!" Ilyrana called out. "The Watchers detected an unknown airship in our skies. It's coming from the northwest."
The king's jaw tightened. "So it has come already...?" he murmured, as if expecting this moment.
The princess blinked. "You knew?"
"I didn't," Aerondis replied. "But in recent months, strange energy waves have been reported along the Marnok border. Trade routes have suffered unexplained attacks. Someone may be gathering power."
Queen Lythara set the crystal tablet on the table. "This vessel is not a simple scouting ship. It carries magical traces—unstable, dark. It's powered by something dangerous."
The king fell silent, thinking, then finally spoke.
"Summon the commanders. Valedria's skies will not fall unguarded."
Within a minute, twelve commanders assembled in the war chamber. The map table expanded, and a magical compass displayed wind currents from the northwest. One commander stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, the vessel maintains steady speed. Its course is a direct line toward us. If it belonged to an ally, it would have sent a signal."
Aerondis studied the marked region, frowning. "This could be a show of intimidation. Or the beginning of something greater."
Lythara added softly, "The magical aura is dark. Someone is experimenting with new power."
Princess Ilyrana stepped back into the shadows of the chamber, watching silently. An indescribable unease tightened in her chest. Valedria had always been a beacon of peace. Its people had always lived secure and unafraid. But now… this thing in the sky felt like a tear in their calm world.
The king and commanders began formulating strategies—mobilizing the airborne cavalry, reinforcing magical wards, strengthening border watch posts, signalling the northern defense towers… Orders flowed like rapid-fire lightning.
Yet none of it eased the princess's tension.
Deep inside, she felt this was only the beginning.
Valedria's brightest day had dimmed under a suddenly darkening sky. And the unease clawing at Ilyrana's heart whispered that the storm ahead had only just begun.
The chapter closed with her trembling breath and a single haunting thought:
"This… whatever it is… will change Valedria's fate forever."
Chapter 19 – THE END