Chapter 1 :- The Kingdom Remembers.
The morning sun rose slow and golden over the mountains.
Isen, Ivy, Aiden, Tenley, and Orien walked down the winding path toward a land they hadn't seen in years—Delhelm, the heart of their old kingdom.
As they crested the final hill, the mist parted.
And there it was.
Still standing.
Still shining.
The Kingdom of Delhelm.
The towers soared high above the trees, their silver spires catching the light. Market streets bustled. Stone bridges arched over sparkling canals. Lanterns hung between homes, swaying in the breeze. Birds chirped in the air as if nothing had ever changed.
They stopped at the hilltop, eyes wide, breath caught.
"I… can't believe it," Ivy whispered.
Orien smiled, folding his arms. "It survived."
Tenley wiped at her eye discreetly. "It's exactly how I remember it."
Aiden looked up at his parents. "You lived here?"
Isen nodded slowly. "We ruled here."
Memories flooded back.
Battles fought.
Secrets buried.
Love born.
And loss.
Ivy's hand trembled slightly in Isen's, and he turned to her. "Are you alright?"
She closed her eyes. "Just… a nightmare I had once. About the cruel king. But looking at this now… it feels like ... I have gone through those things for a good cause."
Isen squeezed her hand , slightly smiling.
Together, they walked forward.
As they entered the city gates, the guards at the post barely had time to react. They stood frozen—watching the group pass, their eyes wide in disbelief.
A street vendor dropped a basket of apples.
A child tugged at her mother's sleeve.
Then, suddenly, a voice—shrill, broken, disbelieving—pierced the quiet:
"King Isen and Queen Ivy… they've returned!"
A gasp.
Then silence.
Then…
Chaos.
A wave of cheers rose like a flood. Men, women, and children spilled from their homes, running toward them. Flowers were thrown into the air. Music burst from corners. Bells rang.
"Long live the king!"
"Queen Ivy!"
"They're back!"
"I knew they would return!"
Guards snapped to attention, their spears raised in salute. Elders bowed. Teenagers clapped and screamed. Little girls ran forward to touch Ivy's robes, and wide-eyed boys looked up at Isen with reverence.
Aiden blinked, overwhelmed. "Is this what it's like to be a king?"
Ivy laughed through her tears, pulling him close. "It's what it's like to be loved."
They were swept through the city streets by joyful citizens. Streamers flew. Drums beat in rhythm. People threw petals from the balconies above.
The five were escorted to the palace gates.
The Palace of Delhelm stood just as they remembered it—white marble walls, golden vines etched into the stone, stained-glass windows catching the morning light like gems. The massive wooden doors creaked open as they approached.
Inside, nothing had changed.
The great hall glowed. The throne sat waiting.
Tenley stepped in and let out a low whistle. "Still looks like a dream."
Orien chuckled. "A dream we once ruled."
Ivy and Isen stood at the base of the throne, looking up at it—not as rulers, but as two people who had lived lifetimes to earn that peace.
Aiden wandered in awe. "Was this… all yours?"
Isen nodded. "And now, it's yours too."
Suddenly, a group of royal caretakers approached with gifts—robes, crowns, scrolls, even old relics once believed lost in time. The High Minister, now gray and bent but still proud, approached slowly and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesties… we never stopped believing. We always knew you'd return."
Ivy took his hand and raised him up. "You protected our home."
The minister smiled through tears. "Delhelm is yours once more."
That evening, a great feast was held. Bonfires were lit in the square. The people danced. Wine flowed. Ivy played with the children. Tenley showed off sword tricks. Orien told exaggerated stories of their past adventures. Aiden climbed the throne, giggling.
And Isen?
He stood in the shadows for a moment, looking over it all.
The joy.
The peace.
The family.
He smiled.
And for the first time in years… he let himself believe it might last.
But deep in the forest…
The shadows stirred again.
And the magic beneath the earth whispered.