Moonlight bathed the land in silver as the portal shimmered open, swirling with golden energy and forgotten magic. The five stood still, eyes wide with awe as the air trembled around them. Beyond the veil, a vast city floated over a calm sea—turrets and spires glowed like stars, waterfalls spilled into misty clouds, and an ethereal bridge awaited them.
Kaelara stepped forward first, every muscle tensed. "That's… it. That's Velharon."
Avenya's fingers flexed by her side. "I remember parts of it. Like echoes. A cradle and a crown. A mother's voice."
Serenya reached for Calla's hand instinctively. "It feels like home and yet… a warning."
Zerina whispered something under her breath in a language long lost. The wind responded, brushing their cloaks like reverent hands.
Calla finally spoke, voice tight with emotion. "We go in together."
They stepped through.
The City of Velharon
As they crossed the ethereal bridge, the city bloomed around them. Golden trees lined streets paved with starstone. Towering statues of ancient Queens loomed above, watching silently. Birds with feathered wings of flame and frost soared overhead.
Kaelara spun slowly, eyes glinting. "This is wild. I swear that tree just bowed to me."
"It did," Avenya said, smirking. "They remember us."
"They remember you," Serenya corrected, nudging her. "We're just the backup singers."
Avenya chuckled. "Oh please. You're the melody."
They walked deeper into the city, the palace rising before them like a memory made real—white marble and black obsidian, etched with runes that pulsed faintly.
As they entered, the throne hall opened up like a dream. Five thrones stood at the far end, each shaped differently: flame, moon, tree, star, and shadow.
And behind them, a mirror—tall as a mountain and shimmering like the sea.
The Mirror Room
As they approached, the mirror flickered with images. Not reflections—memories.
Calla gasped as a vision of her younger self danced across the surface, hidden beneath layers of silk, a servant's daughter playing noble.
Kaelara saw herself running through forest trails, howling with wolves, bare-footed and wild.
Zerina's breath caught as she watched herself light candles at a temple altar—young, devout, devoted.
Serenya pressed a hand against the glass. "Why is it showing this?"
"Because it wants us to remember," Avenya said, her voice lower. "Before we rule, we must know who we are."
"And who are you?" Kaelara asked, not unkindly.
Avenya turned, eyes dark. "I'm the one who survived."
A silence fell.
Zerina stepped forward, reaching to touch her. "You're also the one who brought us back."
Calla added, "And the one who bled first."
Kaelara grinned. "And the one I can't stop dreaming about. Even when I don't want to."
That drew a soft laugh from Avenya. "I aim to please."
Serenya tilted her head. "So why does the city feel… unfinished?"
The mirror shimmered again. A door appeared in the wall behind it—hidden by illusion.
The Secret Vault
The Queens descended spiral steps behind the mirror, torches igniting magically as they passed. They reached a vault covered in vines and bone-carved seals. In the center, a pedestal held a glowing orb—the Heart of Velharon.
"It's still beating," Calla whispered.
"Because we returned," Avenya said. "Because we're ready."
They stepped closer.
Suddenly—BOOM.
A shadow burst from the walls, slashing air, screaming with hunger. The heart pulsed violently.
Kaelara unsheathed twin daggers. "We've got company."
The shadow formed into a monstrous figure, draped in armor made of screams and regret.
Zerina's hands ignited. "Let's see how well it burns."
The Final Trial
The battle exploded.
Zerina launched firestorms, flame dancing with sacred precision. "Move left!" she cried, blasting at the creature's exposed side.
Kaelara flanked, blades flashing. "You take the high road, I'll cut him low!"
Avenya raised both hands, summoning a storm of magic—wind, stone, and light. "Keep him busy!"
Calla conjured barriers of golden light to shield them, her eyes glowing with inherited power.
Serenya whispered an ancient prayer, binding the shadow with radiant chains that burned from within.
The creature roared, shattering walls.
"Now!" Avenya screamed. "Strike!"
All five unleashed their power—flame, forest, light, prayer, and storm—at once. The vault trembled as the shadow was consumed in a blinding explosion.
Then silence.
The orb pulsed gently once more.
Crowning Moments
They stood around the Heart, panting, bloody, triumphant.
Kaelara tossed her bloodied daggers aside and sat down. "Well, if I die tomorrow, I'll die satisfied."
Serenya dropped beside her. "Can we not die? Just once?"
Calla checked her pulse, then hugged her tightly. "You're not going anywhere."
Kaelara glanced at Avenya. "So… was this the part where you claim us as your loyal knights or something?"
Avenya raised a brow. "Would you kneel?"
Kaelara smirked. "Only if I can make you beg."
Zerina chuckled softly and leaned into Avenya. "You didn't have to face that thing alone."
"I know," Avenya murmured. "But I would have."
Calla looked between them all. "This is it, isn't it? We rule together."
Serenya nodded. "And we protect each other. Always."
They placed their hands atop the Heart, and magic surged around them.
Five crowns emerged from the air, settling on their heads.
They were home.
Later That Night – Private Conversations
Calla and Serenya
Moonlight bathed their shared balcony. Calla wrapped her arms around Serenya from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder.
"You held your own," Calla whispered.
Serenya leaned back into her. "You always see more in me than I do."
"That's because I love you."
Serenya turned and kissed her, soft and sure. "Then remind me again."
Their kisses deepened, fingers trailing down silk, bodies joining slowly in candlelight and breathless gasps.
Kaelara and a Visitor
Kaelara sat sharpening her blade when a knock sounded.
A palace attendant stood there—tall, dark-eyed, strong.
"I heard the forest queen has a wild side," he said, eyes flicking with interest.
Kaelara stood. "She does. But she doesn't share her name."
The man stepped in, closing the door behind him. "Then I'll just scream whatever comes to mind."
Kaelara laughed low. "Then scream loud."
She pinned him to the wall, hands exploring, breath heavy. "We deserve pleasure too," she growled.
And the night gave it to her—hot, fast, tangled.
Zerina
Zerina sat alone in the bathhouse, steam rising around her.
A guard entered, shirtless, sweat still gleaming from the trial. "Permission to enter, Highness?"
Zerina smiled. "Only if you pray first."
He knelt, bowed his head.
Then she beckoned him forward. "Now worship properly."
He obeyed.
Avenya's Solitude… and Surprise
Avenya sat atop the tower, looking out at the sea. The wind played with her hair.
Footsteps approached.
It was the Headmistress Elvareth.
"You remembered everything," Elvareth said softly.
"Not everything," Avenya replied. "But enough."
"You hold all their powers now. You could rule alone."
"I won't."
"Why?"
Avenya turned, eyes fierce. "Because they are mine. My sisters. My loves. My army."
"And who are you really?"
Avenya looked up at the stars. "The Black Queen. The forgotten one. The one who returned."
Elvareth bowed. "Then it is done. The kingdom is yours."
As the stars aligned above, casting light over the city, Avenya smiled.
Velharon lived again.
And its Queens had returned.