The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 353: The Chosen Treasures

Chapter 353: The Chosen Treasures

Annalise’s heart raced as she opened her eyes after hours of constant elemental magic cultivation and found four of the treasures glowing brightly in her golden power along with the branch from the Tree of Elements.

A smile of pure satisfaction bloomed on her lips as gathered the glowing artifacts and prepared to leave the enchanting place. However, her smile of satisfaction faded quickly when she realized that more time had passed than she thought. With a sense of urgency, she rose to her feet, determined to find Esmeray.

But her poor luck had other plans. As she attempted to leave the garden, an inexplicable force pulled her toward the ruins of the Seelie Palace, the very place she had been trying to avoid all this time. She resisted at first, struggling against the growing tug, but it only intensified with each passing second.

Desperate to escape, Annalise made one final effort to break free, but the invisible force proved relentless. Reluctantly, she turned to face the imposing palace that loomed before her. With a sigh, she approached what appeared to be a door, her hand instinctively pressing against its ancient surface.

Just like she predicted, the door also had a ward cast over it. But to her surprise, the warding on the door yielded to her touch, granting her access immediately.

Feeling both surprised and slightly curious, she pushed the door open with a gentle exertion of her power. Darkness enveloped her initially, but as her eyes adjusted, beams of sunlight filtered through the cracks in the walls and ceiling, revealing the palace’s interior.

Annalise proceeded cautiously, her steps echoing in the dilapidated corridor, the floor covered in dust, debris, and decayed leaves. The walls held not only the rich history of the Seelie Court but also concealed secrets long buried.

Driven by an unseen force, Annalise continued her journey deeper into the palace, her every step guided by an irresistible pull. A small part of her brain tried to remind her that she needed to return by Esmeray’s side immediately but the bigger part was overtaken by that same force that was pulling her deeper into the palace.

Suddenly, the entire palace trembled, nearly causing her to lose her footing, but it was more than enough to cut the tug of the unknown force and bring her back to reality. Alarmed, she cried out, "What’s going on?"

But there was no one there to answer her question.

Another violent force shook the palace, sending fragments of the ceiling crashing to the ground.

This time, instead of trying to flee on foot, Annalise relied on her teleportation ability, instantly returning to the ward where Esmeray awaited her. He was engrossed in casting some spell when she reappeared.

"Where have you been?" Esmeray inquired, his eyes never leaving the incantation he was weaving.

Annalise, still shaken by the palace’s tremors, demanded, "What happened?"

"The four-hour time limit is up. The dark energy is trying to dispel the illusion," Esmeray explained hurriedly, his voice tense.

"Why didn’t you inform me earlier?" Annalise questioned, concerned about their predicament and regretting her actions.

"Because I couldn’t reach you through the ward!" Esmeray shouted, his concentration wavering as another quake rocked their surroundings.

Annalise felt guilt wash over her as she grasped the gravity of the situation. "My apologies. I assumed we had more time. Let’s leave now."

Esmeray needed no further encouragement. He seized her hand, and with a swift motion, they both exited the illusion just in the nick of time, narrowly evading the encroaching dark energy.

As they reemerged into his house in the Secret Realm, the enchanting surroundings and barren lands disappeared, replaced by the familiar surroundings of Esmeray’s cozy living room.

Their narrow escape left Annalise breathless, her heart was racing from the close encounter with the real dark energy, but that was not the only reason, she was also excited about her success in finding the suitable additions to her weapon, and slightly shocked by what transpired right before the dark energy tried to evade the illusion.

She couldn’t help but recall how powerful that force was which led her inside the Seelie Palace and the memory sent a chill running down her spine.

She missed finding out something really big.

* * *

Annalise stood resolutely in the heart of the living room of the Cursed Castle, surrounded by a gathering of her closest family and friends. Her husbands - Valerius, Damien, and Kenric stood the closest to her, while her friends and the guardians were seated around the fireplace that was filling the room with warmth.

Esmeray was also there to witness the moment of her revealing her chosen treasures.

As for the servants, most of them were in the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Anticipation hung in the air like a shroud, the kind of palpable excitement that could only be felt on the cusp of something extraordinary.

Taking a steadying breath, Annalise began to reveal her carefully chosen artifacts, one by one. She was pulsating with both excitement and nervousness.

Her first item was a crystal globe, its translucent surface shimmering with an eerie crimson hue. Within it swirled the essence of a warrior’s blood, a testament to battles long past. As she surveyed the faces of those gathered, she was met not with surprise but with pride and approval. It seemed as though they had known, expected even, that her powers and weapon would choose this particular item. After all, the blood belonged to the warrior who was the first one to fight against the dark energy and lost his life while trying to save his Realm and people.

Her gaze found Esmeray’s, and in his approving nod, she found both acceptance of her choice and the unspoken encouragement to continue. With newfound confidence, Annalise proceeded.

Next came an artifact that was pulsing with celestial energy. It was a fragment of the Blue Star, a powerful and ancient relic infused with celestial magic so potent that it had eluded mastery throughout the history of the four realms.

Annalise’s eyes searched for Edith, the guardian of Stars and Constellations, and there it was, a nod of encouragement that left no doubt. She would receive guidance in the delicate art of celestial magic, a rare privilege.

Then, a pair of items materialized in her hands – a vial filled with unicorn blood and a lock of unicorn hair. The purity and rarity of these components were unmistakable, and they held promises of both strength and grace in her forthcoming weapon.

Lastly, as if to cap off this selection of extraordinary items, came a strand of Esmeray’s own hair. Annalise had predicted that her magic and weapon would accept his power, and here it was, a confirmation that sent a shiver down her spine.

Her gaze once again found the King of Darkness and she almost believed that she saw a hint of a smile on his lips before it was completely erased by the man. Since he didn’t give her a satisfactory reaction, she turned to look at her husbands and all three of them gave her encouraging nods.

"These are all," she announced, her voice steady as the chosen items levitated between her outstretched hands. Each artifact exuded a unique and powerful aura, and together, they seemed to hum with anticipation.

Sir Niles was the first to speak, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Each one is powerful and one of a kind to exist."

Marley also chimed in, his face lit up with the same enthusiasm. "True. That’s why I’m really looking forward to the weapon now."

Annalise turned her gaze toward Esmeray once again. The man had been quietly observing her throughout this revelation. His presence was both reassuring and electrifying, a reminder of their shared destiny. She couldn’t help but ask, "When are we going to forge the weapon, then?"

Esmeray met her gaze with a knowing look in his eyes. "This coming Midnight of the full moon," he replied. There was no need to elaborate; they all understood the significance of the chosen time. The full moon would awaken the dormant power within the fragment of the Blue Star, setting the stage for the creation of a weapon unlike any the realms had ever seen.

As the artifacts hung suspended in the air, Annalise couldn’t help but feel the weight of destiny settling upon her shoulders. She was ready to embark on a journey that would not only shape her own fate but the fate of the upcoming war.