The streets of the city felt colder than usual, though the sun hung high in the sky. Arin's mind was restless. The note from the stranger haunted him, and the pulsing warmth of the pendant was a constant reminder that his life was no longer ordinary. He needed answers—fast.
He remembered the scholar, Elara, who had helped him just days before. Known for her knowledge of ancient relics, she had hinted that the pendant was more than a simple trinket. Arin sought her out, weaving through narrow alleys until he found the small, ivy-clad tower where she lived.
"Arin," Elara said before he could speak, her eyes sharp yet kind. "I had a feeling you'd come. The pendant is stirring, isn't it?"
He held it out. "It's… powerful. And dangerous. Someone is after it. Someone who knows about me… or my family."
Elara's gaze softened. "Yes. This pendant belonged to the last heir of the Shadow Throne, a kingdom thought lost to time. It carries a fragment of their power. Few can wield it safely. Many have died trying."
Arin swallowed hard. "How do I control it?"
Elara stepped closer, placing a hand near the pendant without touching it. "You don't control it yet. You must understand it. It reacts to intent, to courage, and to fear.
Only when your heart is steady can it unlock its true potential."
She handed him an ancient scroll. "These runes explain the pendant's history and the trials ahead. Study them carefully. And Arin… trust cautiously. Not everyone who appears friendly will be your ally."
Arin nodded, the weight of her words sinking in. He unrolled the scroll and began reading. Symbols glimmered faintly as if alive, shifting slightly under his gaze. The pendant pulsed in response, stronger this time, like it recognized its heir.
A sudden knock on the tower door startled him. Arin spun around. Outside stood a young messenger, wide-eyed and trembling.
"Master Arin… the city… it's under threat," the messenger whispered. "A cloaked army has been spotted moving through the eastern gates. They… they're coming."
Arin's grip tightened on the pendant.
The warnings were no longer abstract. Shadows were closing in, and the journey that had only just begun would demand more from him than he ever imagined.
Thank you for reading Chapter 5 of Legacy of the Shadow Throne!
Arin has begun to understand the pendant's power, but new threats are approaching the city.
Stay tuned for Chapter 6—Arin's first trial will test him like never before!
Who do you think the cloaked army is? Share your thoughts in the comments!