The great hall of Eldermere Castle was silent, except for the faint flickering of torches upon the walls of ancient stone. Evans stood at the center, his face expressionless as his council moved to surround the long oak table. The air was heavy with anticipation, like a storm ready to break.On the table in front of them, the amulet lay, its golden light pulsing weakly. Lena hovered beside it, darting wary glances from one face to the other."This kingdom's coming apart at the seams," Evans began, his voice even but with an edge of steel. "We have been through Shadow Guardians, accursed relics, and now a traitor right within our own walls.Whispering broke out among the council members, eyes darting nervously about. The words were heavy, and suspicion thickened the air.Evans held up a hand, his voice cutting through the din to still the murmurs. "We can't afford to fall apart now. The betrayer seeks to weaken us further, and we must root them out

The northern wind bore the scent of smoke as Evans and Lena rode through the forest, their destination set on the mountain trail ahead. Behind them, a small detachment of trusted knights followed in silence. Rebellion in the northern provinces had flared to a fever pitch; Dorian was riding northward now with forces to put it down. The sharp ache of his absence Evans felt anew—Dorian's steady presence had been one of the few things that kept him strong amidst the storm.The recent discovery of the relics had added a new urgency to their quest. Each artifact retrieved was another fragment of the larger picture, and Lena’s theories about their connection to a summoning ritual weighed heavily on Evans’s mind.“You’re quiet,” Lena observed, breaking the stillness.Evans glanced at her, jaw tight. "I'm thinking. These relics-they're more than just tools of chaos. Someone planted them deliberately, knowing exactly what they'd do.""And you think Hadrian

The corridors of the palace were steeped in an oppressive silence as Evans, Lena, and Dorian retreated from the desecrated council chamber. The weight of their fragile victory hung heavy over them. Though Maribel had been defeated, her last words lingered in Evans's mind: "The relics were just the beginning."They entered a secure chamber where the most trusted allies of theirs were awaiting their arrival. There was, of course, Sir Alden, Captain of the palace guard; his grizzled face set with worry.Alden stood up. "What occurred inside?".Evans takes off his helmet and sits down heavily on a nearby bench. "It was Maribel behind the rebellion. She wanted to complete the ritual that was left in the relic of the artifact. We might stop her, but I am uncertain as to the destruction of what she wrought in the Crown Curse."Lena leaned against the wall, her exhaustion evident. “The sigil she was activating—it wasn’t just a summoning spell. It was linked to

The tension within the council chamber was palpable. Evans sat at the head of the table, his piercing gaze scanning the faces of his advisors. Each one had sworn loyalty to him, yet the recent chaos left him questioning everyone. The echoes of betrayal still lingered after the court had unraveled conspiracies within its walls. But now, a new threat loomed—silent, invisible, and far more dangerous.Reports had flooded in from all corners of the kingdom. Entire villages had vanished overnight, leaving behind eerie silence and signs of struggle. Scouts spoke of unnatural shadows stalking the roads at dusk, whispering voices that drove even the bravest soldiers mad. The crown's curse, it seemed, was far from over."Captain Lorian," Evans addressed the stoic knight standing at the far end of the chamber, "you led the investigation in the eastern territories. What did you find?"Lorian stepped forward, his armor gleaming under the torchlight. "Your Majesty, it’s

The relic chamber trembled as the shadowy figure stepped forward, its form a twisted blend of human and beast. Its eyes burned like embers, and its voice resonated with an ancient, ominous power.“You are not worthy to touch the Chalice of Umbra,” the guardian growled, its voice reverberating off the walls. The dark gems on the chalice pulsed in response, as though alive.Evans tightened his grip on his sword, his heart pounding. Amara and Miriam flanked him, their own weapons drawn.“Who are you?” Evans demanded, his voice steady despite the growing tension.“I am the sentinel of this place, sworn to protect the relic from unworthy hands,” the figure replied. “Your bloodline carries the stain of the crown’s curse. Leave now, or face annihilation.”Miriam’s eyes widened. “Evans, this entity… It’s tied to the crown’s magic. It recognizes your connection to it.”“Then it knows why we’re here,” Evans said firmly. “We’re not leaving