Chapter Three: A Glimpse?
"You overestimate yourself—and underestimate me. You might have succeeded in putting me down today… but be assured, I shall rise. And when I do, it will be with a power and fury the world above has never known."
The Shrouded One's voice thundered across the battlefield, his shadowed form looming before the two radiant queens—Elara and Ariella—who stood united, their determination unshaken.
"There is no way darkness and light can coexist peacefully," Ariella replied with calm defiance. "One will always prevail. And darkness has no power over light."
She cast him a mocking glance, her fingers tightening around Elara's in silent resolve.
In an instant, a surge of energy burst from their joined hands—a brilliant fusion of white and blue power. A deafening rumble tore through the air as the ground split apart, a jagged chasm opening beneath the Shrouded One. With a final, echoing roar, he was swallowed by the earth.
Elara jolted awake, breath ragged, heart pounding like war drums in her chest. Beads of sweat streamed down her face, soaking her skin as the remnants of the dream clung to her like smoke.
"This must have been what happened when the Blue and White Queen managed to trap the Shrouded One away…" she whispered, still catching her breath.
She rose quickly, the urgency of the vision pressing against her chest.
"I have to reach Ariella and let her know of this new development… there's no doubt now—this is what happened back then."
She stepped into the soft morning light, unaware that miles away, Ariella sat frozen on the edge of her bed—eyes wide, breath shallow—as the same haunting words from her dream echoed in her mind.