Chapter 6: The King’s Burden

King Alden's Pov

The storm raged outside the large hall, lightning flashing through the stained-glass windows. I sat at the long stone table, feeling the cold surface beneath my hands. Maps of the kingdom were spread out in front of me, with symbols that seemed to grow darker every day.

The reports were the same villages destroyed, forests taken over by shadows, and now rumors of Ignis the royal dragon being killed. I had hoped they were wrong, but the emptiness in the air told me otherwise.

“She’s alive.”

I looked up quickly. The voice belonged to Loria, my trusted advisor, the only one who spoke without waiting for my permission. Her expression was hard to read, but her eyes locked onto mine with such intensity that I felt a tightness in my chest.

“Are you sure?” I asked, keeping my voice steady, even though my mind raced with thoughts.

“She escaped the Shadowborne,” Loria said as she moved closer. “But they are after her. The Void won’t stop until it gets the scale and her.”

My jaw tightened. The burden of my choices weighed heavily on me. “And the dragon?”

Loria paused, her silence loud. I felt that familiar sense of loss, something I had gotten used to.

“That dragon was supposed to protect her,” I said, more to myself than to Loria. “It failed.”

“Maybe not completely,” Loria replied. “She still has the scale.”

I pushed the maps away and stood up, walking across the hall. My boots echoed on the stone floor, a sound quickly drowned out by the storm outside.

“I never wanted this,” I said, stopping at the window. The storm clouds swirled, their shadows covering the horizon. “None of this.”

“You knew the risks when you made your choice,” Loria said, her tone strong but gentle. “The girl is part of it now, whether you like it or not.”

"The girl," I said, shaking my head. "Elara.

She’s just as unready for this as I was when I got the crown."

Loria stayed quiet. She knew better than to give empty comfort. I turned to her, my fists tight.

"If the Void gets her if the Shadowborne win things won’t stop. The kingdom will collapse."

"That’s why you have to act," Loria simply said. Her words filled the air, and for a moment, I resented her for being right.

"Get my dragon ready," I finally said. "I’ll leave at dawn."

"You need to rest," Loria said, but her tone lacked real belief.

"There’s no rest for kings," I replied with a bitter smile.

The day broke slowly, the sun barely shining through the thick clouds. My dragon, Solthar, stood in the courtyard, his golden scales dimmed by the poor light. He locked eyes with me as I walked closer, acknowledging the battle to come.

"You don’t like this," I said, stroking his large neck. Solthar let out a low sound, neither agreeing nor opposing. He was loyal to me, bonded in a way that went beyond words.

Loria stood beside me, as reliable as always. “She’s in the eastern forest,” she said, giving me a small crystal that softly glowed. “This will lead you to her.”

I held the crystal, feeling its warmth against the cold air. “If I don’t come back”

“You will,” Loria cut in, her eyes steady. “The kingdom needs their king.” I nodded, but I still wasn’t sure. With one command, Solthar opened his wings and took off into the sky, the rush of his flight creating a strong breeze in the courtyard.

Below us, the forest appeared dark, with gnarled branches that looked alive.

The crystal I was holding shone brighter, leading us deeper into the darkness. I spotted her before she noticed me.

Elara was in a small clearing, facing away from me, gripping a scale tightly. She was shaking, but I couldn't tell if it was from fear or tiredness. I landed Solthar a little way off, hiding his large body behind the trees.

As I got closer, I didn’t hide my presence. She turned quickly, her eyes wide with a mix of relief and doubt.

“You,” she whispered. “Elara,” I replied calmly.

“Why are you here?” she asked, tightening her grip on the scale.

“To protect you,” I answered simply

She laughed, a bitter, empty sound.

“Protect me? Like the dragon that died trying to help me?”

Her words hurt more than I expected, but I hid my feelings. “That dragon gave its life so you could get away. Its sacrifice mattered.”

She shook her head and stepped back. “I don’t need your help. I don’t need anyone.”

“Do you know what you’re holding?” I asked, pointing to the scale.

Her silence answered me.

“That scale is more than just an item,” I continued. “It’s a piece of power—one that can save this kingdom or ruin it.”

“And you want to save it,” she said with sarcasm in her voice.

“Yes,” I replied without hesitation.

She frowned, clearly taken aback by my honesty.

“Elara,” I said, moving closer. “The Shadowborne will keep coming until they take the scale—and you. If they win, the Void will take everything. This isn’t just about you or me. It’s about everyone.”

She looked into my eyes, as if searching for a hidden reason. "Why do you care?"

I thought about how I started this, but kept it to myself.

"Because I feel responsible," I replied instead.

She gazed at the scale, its weak light shining in her eyes. "I’m not sure I can do this," she confessed quietly.

"Yes, you can," I said, putting my hand on her shoulder. "You’re tougher than you think."

Before she could answer, dark figures emerged from the shadows.

The red figure stepped closer, whispering coldly, "You cannot escape the Void, Elara."

I moved in front of her, readying my sword. "Then they’ll have to get through me first."

Its glowing eyes fixed on mine, and for the first time, I noticed doubt.

"You would risk everything for her?" it was questioned.

"I already did," I replied.

The fight broke out, chaos filling the area. Solthar roared as he joined the fight, his golden flames cutting through the darkness.

But even while we battled, I knew this was just the start.