Chapter 4

     I feared for my kingdom and my people. As their king, it was my responsibility to maintain peace and harmony among the elementals, a legacy my forefathers had worked so hard to build. There was a time when I thought Cassandra, a witch from the Witches' Kingdom of Calenthe, had cursed me. Years ago, I had refused her marriage proposal, and she hadn't taken it well. But now, I doubted that was the reason. It didn't explain why, at nearly a hundred years old, I still looked thirty. No one could explain the reason why I couldn’t age like the rest of the elementals.

     The stories my grandfather told me as a  child were filled with warnings about dragon-shifters. According to him, if a dragon-shifter did not unite with their true mate, they would become a dragon permanently, losing their humanity and moral compass. This transformation was irreversible, and they would no longer distinguish between right from wrong.

    None of my grandfather’s tales mirrored my current situation exactly. I wasn’t a dragon-shifter, but I was desperate to avoid succumbing to the darkness within me. I was willing to do anything to prevent the fate—even if it meant seeking out a mate.

    The true cause of my inner corruption was a mystery.

In order to understand my plight, I ordered my men to scour every book in the castle’s royal library for any mention of elementals consumed by darkness. Despite their effort, they found no answers.

    Among the ancient tomes were books about dragons. However, these texts were written in a language so old that only the previous dragon-shifters could decipher them. Dragons had been extinct for decades, hunted to extinction by a cruel king in a distant, abandoned kingdom called Dravonia. The king, legend had it, was cursed by a witch after he killed her mate—a dragon.

    The witch ensured that the cruel king would never escape his kingdom by casting a dark, smoky barrier around it. This impenetrable cloud prevented anyone from entering or leaving, except for dragons. Tragically, this curse also trapped countless innocent lives within Dravonia, leaving them to suffer the consequences of the king’s actions.

   When she cursed the king and his men, she marked their faces with a distinctive feature. This was to ensure that if they ever managed to break through the barrier, they would be easily recognized. Unfortunately, the specifics of this features were lost to us because the ancient books detailing these events were written in the long-forgotten Dragonian language. Moreover, this all occurred so many years ago that it was unclear whether the king and his wicked followers were even still alive beyond the barrier. Without any dragon-shifter left to read these books, the secrets remained hidden.

   I never attempted to read those ancient books myself; not being a dragon shifter and all, I assumed they held no information to my situation.

    " Kaden, we are ready for your departure," Deon, my loyal adviser and closest friend, called out. He was more like a brother to me than anything else.

    " Thank you, Deon. I will be with you shortly," I replied sternly, reaching down to stroke the head of my magnificent spirit animal, Luka. The bond between us was strong, and his presence gave me a sense of peace amidst the turmoil.

    Luka, a veracious black lion, looked up at me with understanding and loyalty. He had been by my side since I was a child, a constant companion and protector. I often wondered if he felt the darkness within me too, but he never showed any signs of fear or hesitation.

    I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulders, preparing myself for the day ahead. The journey I was about to embark on was necessary, but it filled me with unease. The elemental realms were growing restless, and it was my duty to address their concerns and maintain the fragile peace.

     As I made my way down the grand staircase, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. The weight of the crown felt heavier than ever, and the darkness within me seemed to stir, sensing my anxiety. I clenched my fists, determined to keep it at bay.

    Deon was waiting for me at the entrance, his expression calm and reassuring. He had always been my rock, the steady presence that kept me grounded. " Are you ready, Kaden? " he asked, his voice steady.

    I nodded. " Let's go."

Our journey took us through the heart of Valtor, where the four elemental realms converged. As we traveled, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and diversity of my kingdom. Each realm had its own unique charm, and the people who lived there were as varied as the elements they represented.

    In the Earth Kingdom, we passed through dense forests and fertile fields, where farmers tended to their crops and children played in the open meadows. The Fire Kingdom was a stark contrast, with its rugged landscapes and fiery hues. The people there were fierce and passionate, their spirits burning as brightly as the flames that surrounded them.

    The Water Kingdom was a place of serenity and tranquility. The rivers and lakes sparkled in the sunlight, and the people moved with a grace and fluidity that mirrored the element they embodied. Finally, the Air Kingdom's towering peaks and endless skies took my breath away. The people there were free-spirited and adventurous, always reaching for new heights.

    Despite the beauty of my kingdom, the darkness within me loomed like a storm cloud. I feared that if I couldn't control it, all of this would be lost. As we approached the outskirts of the Fire Kingdom, I felt an unease awakening within me. I didn’t want the darkness to consume me while attending a meeting with my people.

    " Kaden, are you alright?" Deon asked, noticing my tension.

    I nodded, forcing a smile. " Just thinking."