Page 1 of The Book of Legends
THE LEGEND
Elarion is a realm shaped by the power of Dragon Gods. For centuries, these ancient beings have held an allegiance with the kingdoms to maintain peace, an uneasy balance meant to guard against dark forces from other worlds. Among these kingdoms, Elariya stands as the most powerful, once ruled by King Valtori, who had two sons born on the same day—one by his wife and the other by a sorceress from Nithya.
With his wife’s passing, King Valtori dreamed of uniting his sons, hoping they would someday bond and bring their kingdoms together in peace. But on the night of their fourteenth birthday, external forces descended upon Elariya and Nithya, leaving both kingdoms in ruin. Only the two brothers of royal blood survived, but their bond fractured: one son claimed the throne, branding the other as illegitimate and banishing him and all who defied him to Nithya, now known as the Underworld.
Enraged by the kingdoms’ failure, the Dragon Gods cursed both lands. Elariya was condemned to an eternal winter, while Nithya fell into perpetual darkness andash, separated by a river that runs the color of blood. The citizens took sides, humans pledging their allegiance to Therion, the merciless King of Elariya, while others joined his exiled brother, Kainen, the dark prince of Nithya.
With each year, the curse weakens both kingdoms, leaving them vulnerable to wyverns, wizards, and other dark forces seeking to claim their power. Until then, it would take a Phoenix to rise from the ashes to bring forth the one to thaw the King’s heart and bring light to the prince’s darkness.
Isigh, readjusting the oversized glasses on the bridge of my nose staring at my reflection in the gold-gilded mirror. The newly prescribed lenses are thicker than before. My eyes are enlarged, making them look almost cartoonish, the frames swallowing the shape of my brows.
“They’re not that thick,” my aunt says, but I know she’s just trying to make me feel better. I blink, not wanting to tell her there isn’t much improvement from the last pair. My reflection is a bit distorted, but maybe it’s for the best. I barely recognize myself anymore.
“It’s okay, Aunt Nan.” I exhale, already dreading the next prescription in six months. At this rate, I won’t need them much longer—because soon, I won’t be able to see at all.
“You still look beautiful,” she says with pride, her voice soft but firm. Behind me, a deep, rattling cough shakes her frail frame.
I rush to her bedside, helping her sit up as she struggles to catch her breath. My heart clenches as I rub her back, waiting for the fit to pass.
When she finally settles, I force a smile. “For an owl.”
“A what?” But I know she heard me.
“An owl.” I tap the oversized glasses perched on my nose, my lips twisting in frustration. They remind me of those ridiculous party-supply store glasses people wear for selfies—large, exaggerated, impossible to ignore.
“You don’t…” she trails off, catching my expression.
Her face softens, her weathered features reflecting the years of worry she’s spent on me. “I’m sorry, Selene. I wish there was a way to reverse it. A surgery to correct your eyesight—but there isn’t.” Her gaze lowers, voice thick with regret. “I spoke to the best doctors, but there was nothing they could do.”
Guilt claws at my stomach. She did everything she could, taking me to every specialist, searching for a cure that didn’t exist. The best in the state—maybe even the country—had all reached the same conclusion. I was born with a rare degenerative eye disease, and I would eventually go blind. Likely before I turned thirty.
I was lucky I could still see with glasses. Barely. But I didn’t tell her that part.
“It’s not your fault, Nan.” I shake my head. “I was born this way.” It sucks, but it’s the truth, and there’s nothing anyone can do.
She sighs, squeezing my hand. “Where’s Micah?”
I was bullied, picked on relentlessly for these thick, ugly glasses. But I was lucky—I had one good friend who saw past them: Micah.
She’s been worried about him ever since I moved to the dorms. She’s afraid we’ll drift apart, that I’ll end up alone when she’s gone.
“Practice.” I glance at the clock. “If he gets out early and catches up on homework, we’ll meet up later.”
Most likely, he won’t. But I don’t want her to worry. She has enough on her plate.
I also don’t want to leave her side if I don’t have to. I deliberately scheduled my classes in the morning so I could spend afternoons here. It’s only a two-hour drive from campus, and I’ve managed to make it work.
“Oh, I didn’t want to keep you.”
My heart swells. “You know I’d rather be here with you.”
“I know.” She smiles, but there’s sadness in her eyes. “But you need to spend time with your friends. Live life. Go to parties.”
I squeeze her frail hand. “I do. But I also want to spend time with you before…”
Before I go.” Her voice is calm, resigned. “But nothing will change what’s coming, Selene. I’ve accepted it.”
I shake my head, my throat tightening. “It’s too soon.”
