Page 33 of Court of Aether and Shadows

But as time passed, differences arose among these first Fae. Some reveled in the darkness, finding beauty in the mysteries of shadow and night. Others were drawn to the brilliance of light, basking in its warmth and clarity. Some sought the quiet emptiness of the void, while others embraced the wild energies of the elemental forces.

These philosophical differences eventually led to the great schism, the sundering of the Fae into four distinct courts:

The Shadow Court, my domain, embraced the power of darkness and twilight. We were the keepers of secrets, the weavers of dreams and nightmares. Shadowling or a title with Shadows embedded normally trailed our existence.

The Light Court, our eternal rivals, championed illumination and truth. They saw themselves as beacons of hope and purity in a world of encroaching darkness. Many labeled them Aether or Aether Court. A misconception that was never corrected.

The Void Court dwelt in the spaces between, masters of nullification and absence. They sought perfect stillness, the ultimate peace of non-existence. Some enjoyed taunting them as the Null Court, bickering that they are probably humans with a pinch of power.

The Elemental Court embodied the raw forces of nature, wild and unpredictable. They were as varied as the elements themselves, a chaotic mixture of fire, water, earth, and air. With how chaotically enriched their energies are, some enjoyed referring to them as Divinity while those who painted them as evil labeled them as the Fae’s ultimate ruin.

For eons, these courts maintained a precarious balance, each vying for supremacy but none strong enough to overwhelm the others. It was in this climate of constant tension that the Fae Elders, beings so ancient they remembered the time before the schism, came forth with their prophecy.

The promise of a Queen born of three realms – tainted, null, and aether – set all four courts ablaze with speculation and plotting. Each believed that they were destined to claim this Queen, to use her power to tip the scales in their favor.

But I knew better.

I had seen beyond the veil — had glimpsed the truth that others could not or would not see. The prophesied Queen was not meant to be a weapon for any one court to wield against the others.

She was the key to our reunification, the bridge that would span the chasms that divided us.

And now, after centuries of waiting, of carefully maneuvering pieces into place, she was here. My little songbird, my chosen Queen, still unaware of her true heritage and the destiny that awaited her.

I opened my eyes, returning my gaze to the mirror.

The image of her true Fae form still shimmered there, a tantalizing glimpse of what was to come. But as I stared, my own reflection began to bleed through, overlaying hers.

My molten gold eyes blazed with an inner fire, reflecting the passion and determination that had driven me for so long.

The silver markings etched into my obsidian skin came alive, pulsing with barely contained power. They were the physical manifestation of my magical essence, the visible sign of the shadows that dwelt within me.

I watched as tendrils of darkness began to coalesce around me, responding to the turmoil of emotions roiling beneath my carefully controlled exterior.

Fear –an unfamiliar sensation– clawed at my insides. Fear for her safety, for the trials I knew she must face before she could truly become who she was meant to be.

With a deep breath, I exerted my will, taming the wild magic that threatened to spill forth. The shadows receded but did not disappear entirely. An idea formed in my mind, a way to ease my concerns while still adhering to the delicate balance required by fate and prophecy.

"Come," I commanded softly, reaching out to the lurking shadows. They responded eagerly, twining around my outstretched hand like affectionate pets. "I have a task for you, my faithful servants."

I poured my will into the shadows, imbuing them with a spark of my own essence. "Go to her," I instructed. "Watch over my Maiden until she has grown strong enough to pierce the veil between worlds. Protect her, but do not interfere unless her life is in true peril. She must face her trials and emerge victorious of her own accord."

The shadows pulsed once in acknowledgment, and I watched as it briefly created a vessel of scales, one no different from a snake. It wrapped around my wrist, as though creating some sort of vow — pulsing and shedding to briefly display a wonderous shade of white. The scales taint to darkness not seconds later before the entity of pinched aura slipped away, passing through the mirror's surface as if it were no more substantial than mist.

I felt a piece of myself go with them, a constant connection that would allow me to know if she was ever in real danger.

With that done, I turned away from the mirror, my gaze sweeping over the grandeur of my throne room.Soon, I promised myself,she would stand here beside me, resplendent in her power and beauty. But until then...

"Be safe, my love,"I whispered to the empty air."Be strong. The trials ahead will not be easy, but they are necessary. Persevere, and know that I am waiting for you on the other side."

With those words, I strode back to my throne, ready to continue the intricate dance of politics and power that would pave the way for her arrival.

The prophecy was in motion, the pieces were falling into place. All that remained was for my Queen to awaken to her true nature and claim her rightful place at my side.

And when she did, all the realms would bear witness to the dawn of a new age – an age of shadow and light, of void and element, all united under our rule. The thought brought a smile to my lips, anticipation coursing through my veins like liquid fire.

They’ll all bow down to your reign, my Queen.

Echoes Of Forgotten Innocence

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