Whispers in the Shadows: A Tale of Dread

"Many years ago, in a far-off land, a powerful witch cast a spell of revenge on the kingdom," Grandma Nancy began, her eyes sparkling in the dim light. "She was angry because the king had killed her lover, a wise wizard. The elders and sages gathered to stop her, and they sealed her in a black book, bound with iron and kept in the king's palace."

Precious listened, entranced, as Grandma Nancy continued. "The king's son, a young prince, grew up with a sense of adventure. But little did he know, the black book was calling to him, whispering in his dreams. One day, he followed the voice and found the book. As he reached for it, a nail pricked his finger, and his blood fell onto the pages. The witch's spirit was freed, and she emerged from the book, standing before him."

Grandma Nancy's voice dropped to a whisper. "The witch took control of the prince, using him to destroy the kingdom. He killed his father, imprisoned his mother, and ruled with an iron fist. A prophecy emerged: someone would stop him, but anyone who tried would meet a terrible fate."

Precious's eyes widened as Grandma Nancy concluded, "And that, child, is the story of the black book. Remember, some secrets are better left unspoken, and some stories are too dangerous to tell."

"But, Grandma Nancy, what happened next?" Precious asked, her curiosity piqued.

Grandma Nancy smiled, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. "Well, child, that's where the story gets really interesting. You see, the prince, now a king, was consumed by the witch's darkness. He ruled with cruelty, and the kingdom suffered. But there was a prophecy, a promise that someone would come to break the curse and free the kingdom from his tyranny."

**************

A NEIGHBOURING KINGDOM

"Get yourself off that bed, Precious! Have you lost your mind?"

Sophia's voice was like a sharp slap, jolting Precious awake. The sound echoed through the room, As she was on the bed and mumbling some words which was the black book!

Precious a young lady from Nri kingdom to Elrador. jerked up, her heart racing like a drumline. She rubbed her eyes, "What's the time?" she mumbled, her voice husky from sleep.

"It's 7:30 in the morning," Sophia replied, dulling her face with makeup.

"Oh no!" Precious sprang up from the bed, her heart racing like a runaway horse. She hurried into the bathroom, the cool tiles a shock against her bare feet. The scent of fresh soap and shampoo enveloped her as she splashed water on her face, the coolness a welcome respite from the warmth of her bed.

Twenty minutes later, Precious emerged from the bathroom, her braids tied up in a messy bun, and her face still flushed from sleep. She wore a towel wrapped around her chest, and her skin gleamed with a subtle sheen of moisture. Sophia, still focused on her makeup, didn't even flinch as Precious hurried past her, the scent of fresh soap and shampoo trailing behind.

"What's the hurry, Precious?" Sophia asked, her voice laced with a hint of amusement, as she skillfully lined her eyes with a kohl pencil.

"I'm running late for work, I don't want my boss scolding me at the restaurant," Precious replied, her voice muffled as she rummaged through her closet, searching for the perfect outfit.

Sophia raised an eyebrow, "You know, you're going to be late for more than just work if you don't slow down," she said, her eyes sparkling with a knowing glint.

Precious rolled her eyes good-naturedly, "Oh, Sophia, you're such a worrywart," she teased, as she slipped on a sleek black dress, the fabric hugging her curves in all the right places.

As Precious rushed out to the door, Sophia called out, "Hey, don't forget to meet me at the market today! I have a new dress design to show you, Sophia is actually a seamstress."

Precious waved her hand in acknowledgment, already hurrying down the street. Sophia chuckled to herself, "Silly girl, always in a rush."

Meanwhile, Sophia turned back to her mirror, applying a final coat of lip gloss. She blew a kiss to her reflection, her full lips curling into a sly smile. Before hanging her bag on the shoulder.

ELDRADOR KINGDOM

The grand wooden table in the throne room shone like a mirror, reflecting the flickering torchlight. King Ryker, dressed in his elaborate robes, sat at the head of the table, his council members gathered around him. The air was thick with tension, and the kingdom's problems seemed to weigh heavily on everyone's minds.

"Your Majesty," Lord Arin began, his voice urgent, "the situation is getting worse every day. The people are worried and angry, and the darkness is spreading its influence."

Captain Orion, a top warrior in the palace, nodded in agreement. "We've had reports of strange happenings in the villages, Your Majesty. People are talking about dark magic and ancient powers coming back to life."

"The people are scared, Your Majesty. They need something to give them hope, something to remind them that good still exists." King Ryker's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with dark thoughts. "I won't be threatened by my subjects' fears or the superstitions of the ignorant. We'll deal with this darkness using strength and force alone."

Lord Ravenswood, the king's personal adviser, leaned forward, his face hidden in shadow. "Perhaps, Your Majesty, we should think about the ancient artifacts. The ones said to have the power to defeat the darkness once and for all."

King Ryker's eyes gleamed with a sinister intent. "I won't be swayed by old relics. My power is absolute, and I'll crush anyone who dares oppose me."

The council members exchanged uneasy glances, aware of the king's growing instability and the danger it posed. As the meeting adjourned, they dispersed, each lost in their own thoughts, aware of the treacherous path ahead.

As the council members departed, King Ryker's gaze lingered on Lord Ravenswood, his mind whirling with dark possibilities. "Ravenswood, remain a moment," he commanded, his voice low and menacing.

Lord Ravenswood bowed, his face still shrouded in shadow. "Your Majesty?"

"I have a task for you," King Ryker said, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "One that requires your particular skills. See to it that Aria, the sorcerer who dares challenge my rule, is dealt with. Permanently."

Lord Ravenswood's expression remained neutral, but a flicker of excitement danced in his eyes. "As you wish, Your Majesty. I will ensure she poses no further threat."

King Ryker's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Excellent. I knew I could count on you, Ravenswood. Now go, and do not fail me."

With a bow, Lord Ravenswood departed, leaving King Ryker to his dark thoughts. The king's mind raced with visions of power and domination, his grip on his throne tightening like a noose.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, who had been listening to their conversation. Her eyes glowed with determination to find the chosen one as she slipped away into the darkness. ready to face whatever lay ahead.

A CAVE SOMEWHERE

In the heart of the mystical cave, Sorceress Valtira sat cross-legged on a velvet cushion, her eyes closed, and her hands resting on the ancient tome before her. She chanted the words of the prophecy, her voice barely audible over the soft crackling of the candles:

"Astra descendo, lumina surgent

Eira venit, tenebrae recedent no

Libro revelio, veritas aperit

Luminaria, lux mentis, ignis animi"

("The stars descend, light emerges

Eira comes, darkness recedes

The book reveals, truth opens

Luminaria, light of the mind, fire of the soul")

As she spoke the final words, a bolt of lightning illuminated the cave, and a figure materialized before her. It was the Grand Master, his long white beard and robes shimmering with a magical glow.

"Sorceress Valtira," he said, his voice low and resonant, "the time of the chosen one has arrived. the bringer of light has come of age. Prepare yourself, for she will soon seek your guidance."

Valtira bowed her head, her eyes still closed. "I am ready, Grand Master. I shall tutor her in the ancient arts, and guide her on the path of wisdom."

The GrandMaster nodded, his eyes twinkling with a knowing glint. "Teach her the secrets of the Luminaria, the magic of the mind and soul. For in the darkness that lies ahead, only the light of knowledge will prevail."

With a wave of his hand, he vanished into thin air, leaving Valtira to ponder the weight of her task.

AN HOUR LATER, THE HAPPY PLATE RESTAURANT

Precious wiped the sweat from her forehead as she expertly juggled multiple tables at the bustling restaurant that is actually where she works. Alex, a charming and handsome waiter, flashed her a warm smile as he delivered a tray of drinks to her section.

"Hey, precious," her co-worker at the restaurant smiled, greeting her. "Alex, what's up?"

"Just trying to survive the morning rush," Alex replied with a smile. "You know how it is."

"Yeah, of course," Precious replied.

"At least the restaurant isn't as packed as it used to be," Alex added

"You're right," Precious said, watching as her co-worker walked away with a tray. She sighed and dipped her hands into her apron, pulling out her phone to check if her boyfriend Stanley had called. "He still hasn't called," she muttered with a sad sigh, before putting the phone back in her pocket and returning to her work.

BACK TO ELRATOR KINGDOM

King Ryker descended into the dungeon, his presence commanding the guards to bow in respect. The air thick was as he approached the cell, a sinister, brutal smile spreading across his face. "Hi, Mother," he called out, his voice dripping with sarcasm, contempt, and mockery, before spitting on the ground with a disgusting, wet splat.

"You are a devil!" she yelled, her anger and hatred noticeable as she rattled the rusty, creaking bars of her cell. "A monster! You'll pay for your cruelty, Ryker!"

"I know, Mother," he replied, his voice cold, calculating, and menacing, his eyes glinting with malevolence and cruelty. "I am here to pay my respects to you,” he said smiling

“You won't reign forever, no matter what you do. The light will conquer the darkness, and will destroy your evil legacy!" she yelled at him weakly

His eyes narrowed, his face twisted in a snarl, his voice venomous and vitriolic. "Not if I allow it to be," He sneered, his words dripping with malice and hatred.

As soon as King Ryker left the cell, his mother collapsed to the ground, a single tear rolling down her cheek, her body wracked with sobs, her mind consumed by anguish and despair. The guards looked on, their faces impassive, expressionless, and unyielding, as the sound of her sorrow echoed through the cold and dark corridors of the dungeon.

*******

An underground coven of powerful witches gathered together, their whispers echoing off the damp walls as they chanted in unison: "Darkness must reign supreme, darkness must reign supreme." Their leader, a tall and imposing figure with eyes that burned like embers, raised her hands to silence the group.

"Whoever tries to bring our darkness down shall be consumed by our wrath," she hissed, her voice like a snake slithering through the shadows. "We shall summon the ancient powers, unleashing a maelstrom of darkness upon the world."

The witches nodded in agreement, their eyes gleaming with malevolent intent. They began to weave a spell of darkness, their words dripping with malice:

"Shadows, gather 'round

Darkness, descend upon the ground

Consume all light, snuff out the flame

Let our wrath reign, let our power reign"

As they spoke, the air grew thick with an unholy energy, the very fabric of reality seeming to bend and twist under their dark magic. The witches cackle with glee, their voices echoing off the walls as they summoned forth a terrible and ancient power.