Thorns of the Moonlit Throne
Volume 2 — Chapter 4: Shadows Within the Walls
Writer: Sabbir Ahmed
The first blow of war did not fall from the sky.
It crept through Arvandor's streets as rumor.
By nightfall, the capital buzzed with whispers—claims that shadow envoys had cursed wells, that the Queen's crown fed on souls, that the Sunfall Dominion marched as saviors, not conquerors. Fear spread faster than truth ever could.
Lyriana listened in silence as her advisors argued. The throne chamber felt colder than usual, the Balanced Crown dimming in response to unrest.
"They're turning the people against us," Aryn said grimly. "Sunfall spies are already inside the city."
Eryon's shadows twitched uneasily. "Some of the fear is genuine. Not all darkness comes from lies."
Before Lyriana could respond, a sharp cry echoed from beyond the chamber doors.
Moments later, a guard burst in. "Your Majesty! Riots near the eastern quarter. Citizens demanding the removal of shadow representatives."
Lyriana rose instantly. "I'll go."
Aryn blocked her path. "It's dangerous."
"That's why I must," she replied.
The crowd surged beneath torchlight—faces twisted by anger and fear. Stones struck the walls of a Shadowlander refuge. A single spark could ignite bloodshed.
Lyriana stepped forward, her voice carrying with magic-laced clarity. "Stop!"
Moonlight flared above her, tempered by shadow. The Balanced Crown answered—not as a weapon, but as a shield. Fear wavered.
"I am your Queen," Lyriana said. "I will not hide while my people turn against one another."
A man shouted back, "You brought this darkness here!"
Lyriana met his gaze. "Darkness did not divide us. Fear did."
For a moment, silence reigned.
Then a hidden arrow sliced through the air.
Aryn moved instantly, deflecting it, but chaos erupted. Shouts. Panic. Smoke.
Eryon's shadows surged, restraining attackers without killing. Guards moved to secure the area.
As order slowly returned, Lyriana stared at the broken arrowhead in her palm—etched with Sunfall sigils.
"They want us to bleed each other," she said softly.
Aryn nodded. "And they almost succeeded."
That night, Lyriana stood alone before the crown. Its glow flickered—strained.
"If balance is my burden," she whispered, "then I will carry it openly."
Far beyond the walls, Sunfall war drums began to beat.
And within Arvandor, the most dangerous enemy had revealed itself—
Doubt.