RITUAL COMING SOON
"The Queen of Shadow - Truth Is Not a Gentle Gift"
Prologue
Some seek Truth
in the stars.
Others search for it
in books.
Yet it has never lived
where it was expected to be.
It waits…
in the flame.
In the light
that slowly consumes
the shadows of illusion,
warming the air
like a whisper
that cannot be stopped.
It waits —
quietly,
patiently —
for those
who have the courage
to receive it.
Today,
Truth has come
to you.
Feel it.
Let the Queen of Shadow
guide you.
Enter
the ritual of Truth.
Discover
the power
of the Beloved
of the King of Souls.
Silent,
deep…
impossible
to forget.
Before the Answer
The temple
in the palace garden
lay bathed
in moonlight.
Surrounded by ancient trees,
quiet,
full of mystery,
it seemed to breathe
in the rhythm
of the night’s whispers.
It was here
that Zalia came
seeking
an answer.
Her heart
beat faster
as she crossed
the threshold.
She felt the cool marble
beneath her feet,
slowly rising
along her body
like a silent shiver.
The scent
of burning resins
mingled
with the fragrance
of night-blooming flowers,
thickening the air
like something
almost tangible.
Her father
used to say
that this temple
was a place
where the echoes
of prayers to Isilvar
still lingered.
It was devoted
to Wisdom
and Truth.
And yet…
when she looked
at the flame
that never went out,
a doubt
slipped quietly
into her heart.
Was she truly ready
to see
the Truth?
The Pulse of Ancient Magic
Zalia
took a deep breath.
She loved
her future husband.
She admired him —
a warrior,
a king,
the protector
of his people.
But did she truly
know him?
Did gentleness lie
beneath his stern gaze?
Was his anger
merely a mask…
or something more?
Tomorrow,
she would stand
at his side
as queen.
But tonight…
tonight,
she longed
for Truth.
— I am a servant
of the Queen of Shadow—
she whispered.
The words
of the incantation
trembled in the air,
softly,
as if they carried
a life
of their own.
And then…
something shifted.
The flame
before her flickered.
Its golden hue
deepened,
as though someone
had poured
pure power
into it.
It grew taller
and brighter,
shimmering
with silver
and gold.
And with it…
the mist appeared.
Zalia
held her breath.
From the mist,
a figure emerged —
a slender form
wrapped
in a white cloak.
Long, pale hair,
threaded
with strands
of silver
and gold.
Delicate hands.
And eyes.
Blue,
piercing,
filled with light.
Eyes
that knew
everything.
Zalia watched,
captivated
by the power
of the being
before her.
This was
no dream.
The mist
pulsed around her
like living light,
and her garment
fell over
her slender shoulders
like silk
woven
from fog.
But it was not beauty
that filled Zalia
with awe —
it was power.
Everything
around them
pulsed with energy,
and the air
grew dense,
as if every particle
knew the name
of the Queen of Shadow.
Legends
had been told
of her power,
yet what Zalia
saw now
was something
beyond description —
it could only
be felt.
Calm.
Reverence.
Ancient magic.
Lirienne
did not look
like one
who asks questions.
She already knew
the answers.
The Gift of Truth
Zalia
stared
at the being
standing
before her.
Pulsing energy
filled the space,
and her heart
began to race.
Yet it was not fear —
it was the opening
of a door
to a world
she had never known.
— You came —
Zalia’s voice
was soft,
almost soundless,
as if each word
could seal
something
irreversible.
— I always come
when a devoted subject
calls for me —
Lirienne spoke
gently,
yet there was something
undeniable
in her voice,
something
that cut through doubt
like a blade
of light.
Her blue eyes
flickered
with golden sparks,
as if they saw
more
than Zalia
ever could.
— I am not sure
if I am doing
the right thing.
Lirienne
tilted her head
slightly,
as if weighing
the meaning
of those words,
and the mist
around them
thickened,
wrapping the space
in a soft,
living light.
— And yet,
you spoke
the incantation.
Zalia felt
the air
around her
tremble,
subtle,
yet unyielding.
Every particle
of reality
seemed to wait
for her decision.
— I desire
Truth.
— Truth
is not
a gentle gift —
replied
the Beloved
of Isilvar.
Her voice
resonated
through the space,
like the echo
of something ancient,
something
without beginning
or end.
— It may
bring you solace…
but it may
also wound you.
It may grant you
peace…
but it may
also ensure
that nothing
will ever be
the same again.
Zalia tightened
her fingers
on the edge
of her robe.
She knew this.
And yet,
she could no longer
turn back.
— Are you ready
to see the world
as it is,
and not
as you wish
it to be?
— Yes —
Zalia
whispered.
Lirienne
watched her
for a long moment.
There was no judgment
in her eyes —
only
quiet
acknowledgment.
— Then see.
Lirienne’s voice
filled
the entire temple,
and the mist
around them
shifted suddenly,
shimmering
with the power
of the Shadow Queen,
as if the universe itself
had accepted
her answer.
The Breath of Isilvar
Lirienne
extended
her slender hand
before her.
Between her fingers,
drawn
from pure light,
a white candle
appeared.
— This is
for you.
Zalia
accepted it
carefully.
The candle
was heavier
than she had expected,
as if the wax
held something
within it,
something
still waiting
to be called.
— I am a devoted subject
of the Queen of Shadow—
Zalia’s words
fell
into the space…
and then
the flame
ignited.
It was
no ordinary fire.
In the moment
a flash
of white light
filled the temple,
the Ever-Burning
Flame of Power
trembled,
as if Isilvar himself
had breathed
his power
into it —
and then
it surged upward
in silver flames.
Zalia
felt warmth
that did not burn,
but permeated
everything,
slowly,
deeply…
beneath the skin.
In Lirienne’s eyes,
silver flames
appeared as well —
she herself
was light.
— It is time —
the Queen’s voice
was Truth.
Zalia’s fingers
instinctively reached
for the bracelet
of white opals
her mother
had given her
before her death.
“When unrest
finds you,
look
into the opals,”
she used to say.
Now the stones
shimmered,
awakening,
and Zalia’s body
was wrapped
in a velvet calm,
soft
and familiar
like a memory.
It was the same feeling
that returned
whenever her mother
spoke of Lirienne —
the Flame of Truth,
the Beloved of Isilvar,
King of Souls
and Mages.
That fire
was now
within her.
She was part
of its light.
Lirienne
raised her hands.
From the mist
emerged
a bundle
of lemon grass,
its leaves
adorned
with luminous droplets.
She held it
above the flame —
yet the fire
did not consume it.
Instead,
it filled the temple
with a fragrance
fresh,
clear…
almost radiant.
This was
no ordinary scent.
It was something
that moved
through thought itself
and made the world
sharper,
more defined.
— Look —
Lirienne’s voice
was quiet,
yet undeniable.
Zalia lifted
the candle
and gazed
into the flame.
And within it…
she saw him.
Before the Unveiling
In the temple,
there was only a quiet murmur,
as if the Flame of Power
breathed slowly,
filling the space
with its rhythm.
The image in the flame
was not a dream —
it was reality.
Zalia
saw her beloved.
He did not sit
on a throne.
He stood
in the heart of the battle.
His silver armor
shone
in the moonlight,
yet he was not
only a warrior —
he was a shield.
The sword in his hand
deflected blows,
not for glory,
but for protection.
Beside him,
someone else fought.
Isilvar.
The King of Souls
was like a storm —
his cloak
moved in the wind,
and his hands
cast lightning,
tearing
through the darkness.
They were surrounded
by dark figures —
enemy warriors,
their eyes glowing
with a cold,
ominous light.
Their blades
were black
like a starless sky.
They had come
to take
what did not belong
to them.
And her beloved —
a devoted servant
of the King of Souls
and Mages —
stood
in their way.
He fought
to protect his people…
and her.
Zalia felt
the warmth
of the Eternal Flame.
Her thoughts
were clear,
her heart
calm.
And yet,
she knew
this was only
the beginning.
She had come
for Truth.
Lirienne
raised her hands.
In her fingers,
two golden chalices
appeared,
shimmering
in the firelight.
From within them,
a delicate vapor
rose —
light,
almost invisible…
yet present.
The Queen
lifted her chalice
to her lips,
and her blue eyes,
cut with golden sparks,
rested
on Zalia.
— Celandine…
the herb of Truth —
her voice
echoed
with something
endless.
— Drink,
and you will see
what lies beneath
what others want you
to see.
— Drink,
and you will begin
to perceive
the hidden truth.
Zalia
lifted the chalice
to her lips.
Lirienne
watched her,
and a smile
appeared
on her face —
not gentle,
but a challenge.
This was the Lirienne
her mother
had spoken of —
a powerful,
fearless warrior,
surpassed
only by Isilvar.
— Drink…
let Truth
set you free —
she commanded.
Touch of Destiny
In Zalia’s eyes,
sparks of courage
appeared.
She felt
a gentle excitement,
subtle,
warm…
almost trembling
beneath her skin.
She knew
that soon
she would be free.
Truth.
This
was what her mother
had taught her.
Zalia remembered
how she would repeat
those words
whenever she could not
find a way.
“Let Truth
set you free.”
She remembered
the day
when silence
fell
upon their kingdom.
When the healers
raised their hands
in helplessness.
When even her father —
strong,
unbreakable —
looked at the world
with empty eyes.
Zalia’s mother
was dying.
Grief
covered
the entire kingdom.
And then…
one morning —
she changed.
Despite her weakness,
a smile
appeared
on her face.
That day,
she looked
into her husband’s eyes
and spoke
in a calm,
gentle voice:
“I will die soon,
my love.
But it is nothing.
I will always
watch over you.
My soul
will be free,
held
in the care
of the Universe.
And you
will go on living
and care
for our daughter.
Do not grieve.
Prepare yourself.
Let us prepare
together.
Let Truth
set us free.”
In that moment,
Zalia understood
that her mother
had also called
upon the Queen of Shadow.
She would close herself
alone
in her chamber,
and everyone knew
she listened
only
to her.
Because of this,
the entire kingdom
prepared
for what had to come.
For no one
escapes
the Mother
of the King of Souls…
Destiny.
Now,
in the temple,
Zalia
looked
into the flame.
And she drank…
sip
after sip.
What Lies Hidden
The image
in the flame
shifted.
Zalia
no longer saw
the temple.
She no longer felt
the cool marble
beneath her feet.
She was
elsewhere.
She saw
palace corridors,
quiet,
stretching
through half-light,
filled
with the scent
of stone
and fire.
Her beloved
walked through them
slowly,
weary
after a long battle.
His body
was marked
with the blood
of his enemies,
yet his face…
held no anger
no sorrow.
It was joy.
Quiet,
deep…
like a return
to what is true.
He opened
a tall window
and looked
to the sky.
He breathed
deeply,
filling his lungs
with cool air
that carried
the silence
after the storm.
He looked
upon his city,
spreading
at the foot
of the mountain.
He thought
of his people.
Of his loyal horse,
who had fought
beside him
in every battle.
He thought
of his Lord…
of Isilvar —
the All-Powerful
Son of the Universe,
who always
rewarded
his loyalty.
Who healed
his soul
without words.
And of that power…
which Isilvar
sent to him,
even before
danger
could take form.
And suddenly,
in his eyes,
something ignited…
love.
He placed
his hand
over his heart
and breathed
deeply.
He turned
and leaned
against the wall.
A servant
offered him
a cup of wine.
The King
lifted it
in his hands
and looked
ahead.
Before him,
in a rich
golden frame,
hung
a painting.
He was not alone.
On either side
of the portrait,
candlesticks
stood.
They did not burn
with ordinary light.
Their flame
was white,
threaded
with silver
and gold.
The white flame
of the Queen of Shadow.
The King
raised his cup
and made
a toast.
“We are safe,
my love.”
It was
a portrait
of Zalia,
wrapped
in the glow
of Truth.
Choice
Zalia felt
the final drops
of the celandine brew
slide
down her throat.
Truth
filled her thoughts,
slowly,
deeply…
She looked
at Lirienne.
Lirienne
stood
in the glow
of the Flames of Truth.
Her hands
lifted slightly,
as if they embraced
the very air…
And then
something
shimmered.
A delicate,
silver chain
appeared
between her fingers.
At its end,
white opals
glimmered,
like drops
of light.
Lirienne
stepped closer
and placed it
around Zalia’s neck.
Her fingers
were light
as mist…
yet the touch —
the touch
was real.
“This necklace
will remind you
that Truth
is not fleeting.”
Her voice
was warm,
yet undeniable.
Zalia felt
the opal stones
pulse
with a gentle warmth
against her skin.
“Wearing it,
you will always
be able
to look within.
You will always
be able
to see
what lies hidden.
You will always
find
the courage
within you…
just as
your mother did.
And when the day
comes
when you forget
who you are…
one sentence
will be enough…”
“I am a devoted subject
of the Queen of Shadow.”
Lirienne
smiled softly
and stepped back.
The mist
around her
grew dense.
Zalia felt
her presence
for one
last moment…
The light
of the Flames of Truth
danced,
soft
and calm —
and then
the Shadow Queen
was gone.
And you?
Are you ready
to look
into the Flames
of Truth?
Are you ready
to see
both light…
and shadow?
Or do you choose
to leave
the mist
unbroken…
hiding
what lies within?