Chapter 1: Sacrifice(prologue)
Prologue
Past
Aralyn’s hands trembled as she held a thick black book. The cover was cracked and worn, the leather faded from age. It looked ancient, like it had no business still existing. Her swollen belly pressed against the front of her long black dress, stretching the faded white floral patterns nearly to tearing.
She’d read the book more times than she could count. But tonight felt different. Her heart raced as different thoughs went through her mind.
She walked to the center of the room, where candles flickered on the stone floor, and sat down carefully, ignoring the dull ache in her legs.
Her breath caught as she opened the cover.
On the first page, a single line written in jagged ink:
"Let this never be forgotten."
She turned the page, one hand resting on her stomach instinctively.
"Thousands of years ago, the realms lived divided—0 Fire, Water, Ice, Earth, Shadow, and the sealed Realm of Beasts."
The baby shifted slightly, a part of her stomach rising a little, showing the movement of the child.
"Each realm had its laws, its rulers, its pride. There was no peace. But there was balance. Until a child was born, carrying all five elemental gifts."