The throne room was quiet.
The nobles had left. The golden doors were closed. But Queen Seraphina stayed on the throne, her hands clenched in her lap, thinking.
Then her handmaid came in and bowed.
"Your Majesty, the High Priestess is waiting."
Seraphina stood. "Take her to the moon chamber. I'll go there now."
The moon chamber was hidden deep in the palace. It was round, quiet, and filled with candlelight. The walls were carved with the symbol of Oraviel—an open eye inside a sunburst, watching over all.
The High Priestess stood by the altar, dressed in silver robes. The symbol of Oraviel shone on a chain around her neck.
She bowed as Seraphina entered.
"My Queen," she said softly. "I have felt the shift. Darkness stirs in the kingdom."
Seraphina nodded. "I need to speak with you. Strange things are happening. People are dying in their sleep. Animals are dropping dead—just like the old stories from the Book of Warnings. And the water is vanishing from the rivers."
The High Priestess didn't speak. She waited.
"And the dreams," Seraphina said, her voice lower. "They've returned. I see myself running through the forest. A creature chases me—its skin burned, its face broken. I run until I see a girl, shining like the sun. She reaches out her hand. But I always wake up before I see her face."
The High Priestess finally spoke. "Oraviel is showing you the truth. These are not dreams. They are visions."
Seraphina's eyes widened. "So I'm not just imagining this?"
"No," the priestess said. "When a queen's heart is burdened, Oraviel speaks. He sees all. The light you saw is His messenger. She brings hope."
"And the creature?" Seraphina asked.
"That is something else. A shadow. It feeds on pain, on guilt, on fear."
Seraphina looked down. "It started when I was fifteen. After my parents died. I let my anger lead me. I made a choice—a dark one. And since then, these dreams have haunted me."
The priestess gently took Seraphina's hand.
"You carry much, my Queen. You climbed to the throne with strength, but inside, you are hurting. You've had to act strong, because of those who doubt you. But Oraviel sees past the mask."
Tears formed in Seraphina's eyes, but she blinked them away.
"What should I do?"
The High Priestess pointed to the sunburst symbol on the wall.
"Face what's hidden. Pray. Seek truth. The girl in your vision is not your enemy—she is your guide. If you follow the light, Oraviel will lead you."
That night, Seraphina stood on her balcony, the wind brushing through her hair. The stars looked dim. The land below was too quiet.
But she felt it—somewhere in the silence, Oraviel was watching.
And maybe, just maybe, the light in her dreams was real.
And reaching for her.