Chapter 7 - NIGHT OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE
The night of the winter solstice arrived under a blanket of heavy snowfall. Oakenvale was eerie in its quietness. The streets were deserted, patrolled only by jittery royal guards who flinched at every gust of wind.
High above the clouds, far beyond the reach of the city’s watchtowers, an airborne fleet prepared to strike.
Elara rode atop Aurelia’s back, clad in dark dragon-scale armor forged in the Citadel. Behind them soared fifty elite dragon-shifters in their semi-beast forms, gliding silently through the snowstorm using leather wings and magical gliders.
“Commander Therond,” Elara called out through the mental link shared by her vanguard. “Position your men at the eastern gate. Wait for my signal.”
“Understood, Your Majesty,” Therond replied. “May the ancient spirits guide your blade.”
Elara patted Aurelia’s neck. “Down, my sweet child. Quietly.”
Like a shadow falling from the sky, Aurelia plunged toward the royal palace. They bypassed the outer city entirely, landing silently on the high balcony of the king’s private chambers—the very balcony where Aldric had once stood to proclaim his love to the kingdom.
Elara stepped off the dragon's back, drawing twin blades forged from star-iron. With a swift kick, she shattered the heavy glass doors, stepping into the warm, candlelit bedchamber.
King Aldric was standing at his writing desk, clutching a golden chalice of wine. He spun around, dropping the chalice, which clattered loudly against the marble floor, red wine spilling like blood across the white rug.
“You...” Aldric gasped, staggering backward. His face was gaunt, his eyes wide with unhinged terror. “How did you get past the guards?”
“Your guards are tired of dying for a monster, Aldric,” Elara said softly, stepping closer. The twin swords in her hands flickered with low silver flames. “It's over.”
Aldric let out a manic laugh. “Over? You think you’ve won because you snuck into my bedroom?”
He suddenly slammed his fist onto a hidden iron lever built into the stone pillar behind him.
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The ground beneath the castle violently shuddered. A deep, deafening rumble echoed from the catacombs below, shaking dust from the ceiling and shattering the stained-glass windows.
“I knew you would come for me!” Aldric screeched, his eyes bloodshot. “If I cannot have this kingdom, no one will! I have shattered the final seal! Ignis-Vael is waking!”
