The Dragons Crown by Hawra at Inkitt

Chapter 1

The forgotten kingdom

The Kingdom of Aleron was once a place of untold splendor. Its towering castles glittered under the sun, its fields rich with crops, and its skies filled with the majestic flight of dragons. But that was before the kingdom fell into ruin, before the shadows of time erased its memory. Now, all that remains is a name whispered in the wind — Aleron, the Forgotten Kingdom.

In the heart of the kingdom’s forgotten land, Lira stood at the edge of a crumbling stone wall, gazing out over the wild expanse that had once been a thriving kingdom. Her fingers brushed against the weathered surface of a broken monument, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as if the kingdom itself was speaking to her, telling her secrets buried long ago. The legends spoke of a crown, a relic of unimaginable power, hidden in the very heart of Aleron. But the crown was more than a mere artifact; it was the key to the kingdom’s past… and perhaps its future.

Lira’s heart raced with a mix of awe and fear. She had heard the tales — of kings who had ruled with wisdom, of dragons who had protected their realm, of battles fought to the death. But those were stories, mere myths. And yet, here she was, standing in the ruins of the very kingdom the legends spoke of.

Her hand clenched around the object she had found, hidden beneath layers of dust and rubble — a crown, old as the land itself, and yet inexplicably untouched by time. Could this be the crown the tales had spoken of? Or was it something far darker?

The wind picked up, rustling the dry leaves at her feet, and for the first time, she wondered if she was meant to find it. Perhaps the Forgotten Kingdom wasn’t forgotten at all — perhaps it had been waiting for her.

Lira stood frozen, the crown clasped tightly in her hands. It pulsed with an energy she could feel deep within her chest, its weight pressing down on her as if the very stone beneath her feet recognized its presence. The wind had died down, and a strange stillness settled over the ruins. But something felt wrong. She wasn’t alone.

Then, from the shadow of an overgrown archway, a figure emerged.

A tall, cloaked individual, their face hidden beneath a hood. The figure moved with quiet purpose, each step measured, as if they had walked these ruins a thousand times. Lira’s pulse quickened. She wanted to speak, to demand answers, but the words caught in her throat. Who was this person? How had they found her so quickly?

The figure stopped a few paces away, their voice low and gravelly. “So, it has chosen you.”

Lira’s eyes widened, and she instinctively tightened her grip on the crown. “What are you talking about? Who are you?”

The stranger’s gaze shifted down to the crown in her hands, a knowing expression crossing their face. “I am someone who has watched over this place for a long time. A keeper of the kingdom’s secrets. But that crown…” Their voice faltered for a moment, as though the very mention of it was too much. “It should never have been found. Not by you, at least.”

Lira frowned, feeling a shiver creep up her spine. “What do you mean? I don’t understand. Why shouldn’t I have found it?”

The stranger’s eyes softened with a touch of sadness. “Because the crown belongs to a bloodline that was lost long ago. A bloodline tied to the rise and fall of Aleron. You are holding the key to the kingdom’s fate, whether you know it or not.”

Lira’s mind raced. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, but one question kept rising to the surface. “How do you know all this?”

The stranger finally lowered their hood, revealing a face weathered with age, marked by scars and a life lived in the shadows. Their eyes were sharp, intense, but held a sorrow that made Lira feel as though she were looking into the past itself. “I have lived through the years that this kingdom has been forgotten. I’ve seen what happened to Aleron. And I’ve seen what the crown has done to those who sought it before you.”

Lira felt the weight of their words, but another thought flashed through her mind. “You know what this crown is? What it can do?”

The stranger nodded gravely. “Yes. It has the power to restore what was lost, to bring the kingdom back to life. But it also has the power to destroy. A curse was placed upon Aleron when the crown was misused. If it falls into the wrong hands again, the kingdom will never rise. It will be lost forever.”

Lira stared at the crown, now heavy in her hands. The air seemed to grow heavier with every passing moment. She had always felt a pull, an inexplicable connection to this place. But now, with this stranger’s words sinking in, the weight of her discovery felt almost unbearable.

I didn’t ask for this,” Lira whispered, her voice trembling. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with it.”

The stranger’s expression softened further, as if they could see the doubt and fear in her eyes. “You don’t have to do this alone. But the path you walk will not be easy. There are others who seek the crown, and they will stop at nothing to take it from you.”

Just as Lira was about to speak, a low growl echoed from the shadows of the ruined castle. The stranger’s gaze snapped toward the sound, their eyes narrowing. “We are not alone. We must leave, quickly.”

Lira’s heart pounded as she glanced around, but she could see nothing. The growl grew louder, followed by the rustling of leaves and the snap of twigs. The sound was unmistakable. Something—or someone—was coming.

We have to move,” the stranger urged, already turning to go. “This way.”

Lira hesitated, her heart racing, but she followed without thinking. She couldn’t stay here, not with the creature approaching. The stranger moved quickly, their footsteps swift and sure. She kept close, trying to match their pace through the maze of broken stone and fallen statues.

The growl came again, louder this time, and closer. Lira felt the ground tremble beneath her as they dashed forward, deeper into the ruins. The sound of claws scraping against stone echoed through the silence, making her blood run cold.

Where are we going?” Lira gasped, breathless from running.

To safety,” the stranger replied tersely. “We can’t face it here. Not with the crown in your hands.”

They reached a narrow gap between two massive stone walls. The stranger shoved aside a large stone that had blocked the way, revealing a hidden passage. It was dark and narrow, and a damp chill filled the air. Without hesitation, the stranger grabbed Lira’s wrist and pulled her into the passage, the entrance closing behind them with a soft, grinding sound.

The growl of the creature faded, but Lira’s heart continued to race. She had no idea what had just happened or what danger still lay ahead, but she knew one thing: she was in this now. There was no turning back.

The passage wound deeper into the earth, twisting and turning until the sounds of the outside world were nothing more than echoes. The air grew colder with each step, and Lira could barely see in the dim light. Her breath came in soft puffs, the chill of the stone pressing against her skin.

Finally, the passage opened into a large, cavernous chamber. The walls were covered in ancient carvings, depicting dragons and kings—tales of old, now long forgotten. But the most striking thing in the chamber was a massive, ornate door at the far end. It was decorated with intricate patterns of scales and crowns, the symbols of Aleron’s royal bloodline.

The stranger stepped forward, eyes flicking to the door. They placed a hand upon it, and the stone creaked, as though it were alive. “This is where we’ll pause,” they said, their voice softer now. “We have only a moment before we’re pursued again. Take this time to prepare.”

Lira glanced around, her eyes settling on the stone pedestal at the center of the room, upon which lay an ancient scroll, its edges tattered and worn by time. The stranger approached it slowly, but before they could reach out, they turned to Lira.

“The path ahead is fraught with peril,” the stranger said, their tone heavy. “That crown in your hands is more than a relic. It is the key to unlocking Aleron’s lost power… or to sealing its destruction. You will be tested. You must be prepared for what comes next.”

Lira nodded, her hands trembling as she held the crown. There was so much more to this than she had realized. The strange pull she had felt, the weight of the crown—it all made sense now. But it didn’t make her feel any less afraid.

Suddenly, the growls from outside echoed again, closer this time. The creature was coming. And there was no time to waste.

Take the scroll,” the stranger urged. “It holds the answers you need. They will lead us to the next step.”

Lira reached for the scroll, her fingers brushing the ancient parchment. As she did, a cold gust of wind blew through the chamber, and the distant sound of claws scratching stone drew nearer.

Stay close,” the stranger whispered. “And remember, the fate of Aleron rests in your hands now.”

The guardian towered over Lira, its scales shimmering in the soft, golden light that now bathed the cavern. Its eyes, glowing with an ancient, ethereal light, seemed to pierce into her very soul, testing her resolve.

You are the heir of Aleron,” the guardian’s voice rumbled, deep and foreboding. “But your true worth must be proven. The crown you bear has the power to restore the kingdom—but only if you are worthy of its burden.”

Lira stood frozen, her breath catching in her throat. The weight of the crown seemed heavier now than ever before, its power palpable in the air around her. She could feel its pulse beneath her fingertips, almost as if it were alive, waiting for something.

The guardian’s massive wings unfurled, and it stepped closer. “Only the chosen may wield the power of Aleron. Fail, and the kingdom will remain forgotten, lost to time. Succeed, and you will bring forth the dawn of a new age.”

Lira’s heart raced. She had never asked for this—never wished for the responsibility that had been thrust upon her. But she had no choice. The crown was hers, and its power could save or destroy everything. And there was one thing she knew for certain: she couldn’t let it fall into the wrong hands.

The guardian lowered its head, bringing its glowing eyes to her level. “To prove your worth, you must answer three riddles. Fail one, and the kingdom is lost forever.”

Lira’s breath quickened. She wasn’t sure what the guardian meant by riddles, but she knew there was no turning back now. She had to face whatever test awaited her.

First question,” the guardian boomed. “What is the strongest force in the world, capable of shaping empires, burning kingdoms, and tearing down walls?”

Lira thought for a moment, her mind racing. She had heard stories of great wars, of rulers who had fallen, of revolutions that had changed the course of history. But there was something else that came to mind—the one thing that could transcend everything else.

Love,” Lira said, her voice steady despite the pounding in her chest. “Love is the strongest force. It can build or destroy everything.”

The guardian’s eyes glowed brighter, and for a moment, Lira felt a surge of power ripple through her. The air seemed to shift around her, as though the very heart of Aleron had heard her answer.

The guardian nodded slowly. “Correct.”

Lira exhaled, her heart still racing. But she knew there was no time to relax. The second question was coming.

Second question,” the guardian continued. “What is the one thing that can never be stopped, can never be controlled, and moves in a straight line no matter what stands in its way?”

Lira frowned, her mind searching for the answer. She thought about time, the relentless passage of it, how it moved forward, regardless of anything. There was nothing that could stop it.

Time,” Lira said, her voice clear. “Time moves forward, no matter what.”

The guardian’s eyes glimmered with approval, and the golden light grew brighter around them. “Correct.”

Lira could hardly believe it. She was actually getting these riddles right. But there was no time to feel triumphant. The final question loomed ahead, and it was the one that would determine everything.

The guardian paused for a long moment, as if weighing something deep within itself. Then, in a voice softer yet more grave, it spoke the final riddle.

Third question,” it said. “What is the greatest weapon one can wield, more powerful than any sword or army, and capable of changing the world in an instant?”

Lira’s heart skipped a beat. This question felt different—more profound. She thought for a long moment. Her eyes drifted to the crown in her hands, and she felt the answer welling up inside her.

Truth,” Lira whispered, almost to herself. “Truth is the greatest weapon. It can cut through lies, tear down falsehoods, and change everything in a single moment.”

The guardian’s eyes dimmed, then flared once more with a brilliant light. The cavern trembled, as if the very earth itself acknowledged her answer.

Correct,” the guardian intoned, its voice echoing through the cavern. “You have answered all three riddles correctly. You are worthy of the crown and the power of Aleron.”

Lira’s breath caught in her throat. The weight of the moment settled over her like a heavy cloak. She had passed the test—but what now? What did the guardian mean by ‘the power of Aleron’? What was the true purpose of the crown?

The guardian stepped back, lowering its great head in a gesture of respect. “The crown has chosen you. You have proven yourself worthy of its power. But you must understand, child, that with great power comes great responsibility. The crown has the power to restore the kingdom—but it will also expose its deepest, darkest secrets. The truth of Aleron, its rise and fall, is intertwined with the fate of the crown. What you choose to do with it will determine the future of this land.”

Lira nodded, her hands tightening around the crown. She understood the gravity of what had just happened, and though she wasn’t entirely sure what it meant, she knew one thing: she couldn’t fail now. The kingdom of Aleron, and perhaps the entire world, depended on the decisions she would make in the days to come.

Take your place,” the guardian said, gesturing to the stone platform. “Place the crown upon your head, and unlock the kingdom’s power. The true test begins now.”

Lira hesitated for a moment. But then, with a deep breath, she stepped forward and placed the crown upon her head.

The moment she did, a surge of power erupted within her. A flood of memories, of visions of Aleron’s past, rushed into her mind. She saw the kingdom in its prime—glorious cities, soaring castles, the bustling streets filled with life. But then, darkness swept over it. Betrayal. War. The fall of kings. The rise of corruption. And the curse that had been placed upon the crown.

Lira gasped as the visions faded. The cavern was still and quiet, save for the distant echoes of her own breath.

The guardian looked at her with solemn eyes. “You are now the ruler of Aleron. But your rule will not be easy. There are those who will seek the crown’s power, those who will stop at nothing to take it from you.”

Lira straightened, feeling the weight of the crown settle on her head, its power now fully awakened within her. The future of Aleron—and the world—rested on her shoulders.