Shadow
Chapter 15
Split of the Crown (6)
Silvaris
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By the following noon, beneath the faint rays of Nixara’s dim sun, the royal court stood in full preparation to receive one of the greatest and most important cosmic delegations. Yet this was no ordinary royal or aristocratic visit — it was a gathering of the elite of Silvaris, the world of wise plant nymphs. The delegation was led by King Shinchi von Silvaris, ruler of that realm parallel to Norton, accompanied by his nephew, Kotaro von Silvaris, the Grand Knight — whose status was even higher than the king himself.

Shadow stood tall at the head of the welcoming committee, with Prince Ivan and his personal guard, the Baron the Thirteenth, by his side.
Shadow offered a dignified bow to the elderly king, who returned it with a gentle, noble smile. With a graceful motion, Shadow gestured toward the grand gates of the palace, inviting the King of Silvaris to walk beside him. Step by step, they proceeded toward the Great Hall of State Guests, exchanging refined pleasantries along the way.

Ivan entered the hall with a calm, noble smile. As he sat down and began arranging the papers before him, a thought crossed his mind:
“Fortunately, the reception protocol doesn’t require the Queen’s presence, since King Silvaris hasn’t brought his daughter, Princess Elene. That will save Asma and Ivanka some time to complete their mission in Alethia... I hope they don’t run into trouble — or danger.”

The political conference began as the King took his grand throne, draped in the finest royal garments, heavy with gemstones. His crown bore the engraved sigil of Norton.
Beside Shadow’s throne sat the wise, aged King Shinchi von Silvaris. Despite his wisdom and the great power of his people, when compared to the dark nymphs of Norton, the might and ancient lineage of Silvaris could hardly compete.

“Esteemed guests! The Great Norton welcomes the radiant sun of Silvaris — His Majesty, King Shinchi von Silvaris, and the Grand Knight, Kotaro von Silvaris!”

Shadow’s solemn greeting echoed through the hall. Applause followed before King Silvaris spoke:

“I thank you for your kind hospitality, King Shadow. And you as well, Prince Ivan.”
Both men nodded politely.
“Silvaris is troubled, King of Norton — and we have come today to voice that concern.”

“All of Norton stands at your service, King of Silvaris,” Shadow replied calmly. “But may I ask — what troubles you so deeply?”

The old king paused, his serene smile never fading.

“The nymphs of Silvaris have lived for millennia under our great sun. Yet ever since the annihilation of Gytophos, things have changed. The light that nourishes our plants now falters. The water nymphs of Marinthos once aided our irrigation, and the light nymphs of Gytophos distributed sunlight evenly across our realm. But now... all balance is lost.”

“A dire situation indeed,” Shadow said, fingers interlaced in thought.
Then, with a subtle smirk, he added,
“Surely, Prince Alistair cannot fulfill such a task — not even with the full power of Agartha of Light at his command?”

The old king chuckled bitterly.

“Of course not! The Damned Sword of the North has far more dangerous duties. You cannot wield a doomsday weapon like Agartha of Light for simple farming! Alistair’s power could burn a hundred suns of Silvaris — I’d rather see my people starve than burn alive!”

Shadow’s lips curved into a sly grin.

“So... what is it that you ask of me?”

King Silvaris inhaled deeply.

“A little bird told me that the King of Norton shelters the last surviving light nymph within his grand kingdom — your new queen, Asma. Her power is the exact key my people need to survive, after fifteen hundred years since Gytophos fell.”

Shadow’s sharp gaze met the old king’s eyes in silent tension.

“And who might this little bird be?”

“Hahaha! Let’s say... not a bird, but a dragon,” the king replied darkly.
His face grew solemn.
“Prince Maher von Ambilia de Agartha — son of the Forbidden Paths, the next emperor of both nymphs and mankind. Do you not think his orders are... worth obeying?”

Defeated, Shadow exhaled a long, weary sigh. He could no longer conceal Asma’s existence.

“Of course. But the Queen will not visit Silvaris for at least two months — she is handling the northern famine crisis.”

“My people have endured hunger for over a thousand years,” the king said calmly. “They will not die in two months. Unlike Norton, which will face its famine in a few short years... Silvaris endures.”

...

Meanwhile, far from the palace, two women crept through the shadowed forest under Norton’s pale daylight. Asma and Ivanka had finally reached the Tower of Alethia. Before entering, Ivanka turned to her queen with a grave look.

“Your Majesty... I fear this will be my final mission before I bid you farewell.”

“Hah! Don’t be ridiculous, you fool. I’m just heading to Fristov and Glasin to solve the problem and will return quickly. You’re my guard — not that idiot’s servant!”

“Your Majesty... he is the king.”
“Whatever!”

They flew through the tower window, landing silently. The air was eerily still — only the whistling wind through the ancient stone echoed. As they walked through the dim corridor, Asma’s wings began to glow, forcing Ivanka to put on her sunglasses as usual.

They followed the familiar hall until Asma noticed something new — a side passage leading down a narrow staircase into deeper darkness.

“Shall we go?” Asma asked.
Ivanka drew her glowing sword, surrounded by blue and black auras.
“I’ll go first, Your Majesty. Please, stay behind me.”

As they descended cautiously, Asma’s wings lit the way — until she caught a glimpse of a moving black shape along the stone wall.

“...Ivanka.”
“Get down, Your Majesty! It’s a trap!”

The ceiling erupted with shadowy figures — the Shades of the Dead! Their smell was metallic, like blood. Their rage was palpable.

Ivanka unleashed her water-shadow power, drowning several of them with every strike. Asma joined the fight, her wings blazing like twin suns. The intensity blinded Ivanka, but she pressed on, tearing through the shadowy swarm.

“How are they unaffected by light if they’re mere shadows?!” Asma shouted.
“I don’t know, Your Majesty! But they’re furious! Can’t you hear their curses?!”
“They... have voices?!”
“Yes! Can’t you hear them?!”

Suddenly, a massive shadow tore through the crowd, indifferent to crushing its own kind. It reached Asma’s face before Ivanka could act — and then, time stopped.

Everything froze. Asma stood motionless, eyes locked with the creature’s golden gaze.

And then... she was elsewhere.

Wind brushed the hem of her nightgown. The quiet hum of cars. The pale moonlight. Tears welled up — grief, loneliness, the sting of mortality. She saw her grandfather again... reached for his warm hand... the wind grew wild. She clung to him desperately as her heart broke. The blinding lights — the speeding car — she didn’t care. All she wanted was to stay.

Blood scattered across the road. Pain. Silence. Broken bones. But she smiled faintly — he had survived.

Through her tears, she saw a tall man’s silhouette — cloaked in black, with a scarred lip and a small mole beneath his chiseled chin. He looked almost exactly like Shadow.

And then... she slept.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Wake up!”

Asma’s eyes fluttered open, stung by the faint sunlight breaking through the forest canopy. Her face was wet. Ivanka, bruised and bloodied, was shaking her awake.

“Ivanka... what happened to you?”
“You fainted, Your Majesty. When their leader attacked, you lost consciousness. I killed it, but I don’t know how you blacked out.”

Asma’s pupils narrowed.

“Their leader... Ivanka, that creature told me something — something important! I don’t think it was our enemy. It... helped me!”
“What did it tell you, Your Majesty?”
“I... I’m not sure if it’s true, but... did Shadow try to kill me the night of my grandfather’s funeral? I think... I just saw it.”

Ivanka froze, pained expression confirming what she dared not say.

Asma exhaled shakily.

“Why...? I don’t understand... why am I Shadow’s enemy? What did those creatures want from me — and why show me that vision?”

“Your Majesty, I swear we all knew of the King’s plan — I, Prince Ivan, everyone — but we were bound by the pact. Still, I know nothing of these creatures. And even though Prince Ivan longs to uncover Alethia’s thousand-year secrets, we must stop if it endangers your life!”

“No.”
“...What?”
“I’ll learn everything — from him. I’ll ask Shadow myself.”

Ivanka blinked in disbelief.

“Your Majesty... I don’t even know what to say.”

“Ivanka... what were those shadows shouting? What were their curses?”

Ivanka hesitated, face tightening with dread.

“They were shouting a name... Adrian. They said—”

‘We will have our vengeance, Adrian, you wretch!’

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