"The Queen's Forgotten Oath"

heir return with open arms, but her joy was tempered by the sight of Lysandra's frailty. The once-

t him. Every moment he spent watching her struggle wa

said one evening, his voice low a

e hands folded in her lap. "You

edged with frustration. "You've lost everything. You

. You're the kind of knight this kingdom needs-noble, coura

solve. He couldn't let her sac

mmer

he castle's scholars, healers, and sages. He poured over ancient texts an

mbled upon a book he hadn't noticed before. Its cover was pla

artifact-the Heart of Ignis. According to the text, the Heart was a fragment

c thought, "it might restore Lysand

Heart was said to be guarded by the Eternal Sentinels, beings o

ind made up. He would face an

urney

morning, explaining his plan. The Queen's f

said. "But this quest will be perilous

c said firmly. "I won't re

. Take what you need from the armory and the

Majesty," Alar

ime. She sat by the window in her chambers, th

e asked, noticing the det

is," he sa

wned. "You d

You've sacrificed enough for me. N

k but earnest. "Promise me you'll come

aric said, sque

shen

, to a desolate mountain range known as the Ashen Peaks. The ai

e of the Heart of Ignis, hidden within a l

y. His armor grew uncomfortably hot, and sweat dripped from his bro

creature was a towering figure of molten rock, its body glowing with i

ntinel boomed. "The Heart i

ic said, drawing his sword. "I nee

considering his words. Then it raise

l by

y body, sparks flying with every strike. The creature's heat was overwhel

im. He fought with every ounce of strength he had, channeling

tinel's core-a glowing crystal embedded in its chest.

ees. The victory had cost him

art of

ter, suspended in midair, was the Heart of Ignis. The artifact radi

the ready. He half-expected another Sentine

y through him. Memories not his own flashed before his eyes-visions of th

to test him, weigh

" Alaric said aloud. "I'm doin

s a sign, Alaric grasped the artifact. The moment he did, its energy s

mising aid but warning of the responsibility it

o's R

o the kingdom. The road was long and treacherous, but h

in celebration. Word of his triumph spread

anfare, heading straight

n, her gaze distant. When she saw

.." she

e Heart. "I found it," he said. "Th

he reached for the artifact.

ousand times ov

oring the magic and vitality she had lost. Her frailty vanished

eyes shining with gratit

ved me first. I was ju

was only the beginning. The Labyrinth's influence stil

contin