CHAPTER FOUR
WELCOME TO AETHERIA
Queen Seraphine lived inside a palace carved from moonstone.
She was beautiful, but her eyes carried centuries of sadness.
When she saw Elara, she stood immediately.
"The Heartbearer."
Elara frowned.
"Excuse me?"
The queen approached her.
"Your ancestors came from Aetheria."
Elara's mouth fell open.
"My ancestors?"
"Long ago, one of our people crossed into your world."
"Why?"
"To hide the Heart of Aetheria."
Kael stepped forward.
"Mother..."
Elara looked between them.
"You're his son?"
Kael sighed.
"Yes."
The queen continued.
"The Heart of Aetheria is the source of emotional magic. Long ago, the Shadow King attempted to steal it."
"Who is the Shadow King?"
"An ancient being who believes emotions are the source of all suffering."
Elara felt a chill.
The queen looked directly into her eyes.
"He entered your world centuries ago."
"And created the Serenity Process?"
"Not directly."
The queen's voice became quiet.
"He influenced the people who created it."
Elara understood.
Her entire world wasn't an accident.
Someone had deliberately removed emotions.
"Why?"
"Because the Shadow King feeds on emotion."
Elara stared at her.
"If he feeds on emotions, why remove them?"
"Because he wanted to make your world weak."
Kael stepped beside Elara.
"And now he knows you're alive."
A dark cloud suddenly appeared above the palace.
The magical lights went out.
Everyone froze.
A voice echoed through the sky.
"The Heartbearer has returned."
Elara grabbed Kael's arm.
The queen shouted,
"Protect her!"
Dark creatures descended from the clouds.
Kael drew a glowing sword.
"Stay behind me."
Elara nodded.
But one creature flew directly toward her.
She screamed.
A burst of golden light exploded from her body.
The creature vanished.
Silence filled the palace.
Kael stared at her.
The queen whispered,
"She has awakened."
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