Chapter 2 - THE AWAKENING OF ETERNIA

The crown drifted closer, rotating slowly as if examining him. Arin's heart pounded so loudly he could hear it echo through the empty ruins. The object was beautiful and terrifying at the same time—made of black crystal with thin fractures glowing faintly with violet light. As he stared at it, whispers brushed against his thoughts like distant voices speaking a language he didn't understand. Suddenly footsteps echoed across the stone floor. Arin turned to see a young woman rushing toward him, her silver hair glowing faintly in the strange starlight. "Don't touch it!" she shouted, her voice filled with urgency. But it was already too late. The crown trembled and lowered itself onto Arin's head as if pulled by an invisible force. The moment it touched him, a surge of power rushed through his veins like lightning. Images flooded his mind—ancient wars, crumbling kingdoms, and a throne standing in a hall of endless shadows. Arin staggered backward as the whispers grew louder. The woman stopped several steps away, staring at him in shock. "Impossible…" she whispered. "The Hollow Crown chose you." Before Arin could ask what she meant, the ground began to tremble violently. Dark cracks spread across the ancient ruins, and something massive stirred beneath the earth. A monstrous roar echoed through the sky. The woman grabbed Arin's arm. "If the crown awakened," she said breathlessly, "then the Void knowns you are here±