Prologue
The palace was burning.
Silver banners that had flown proudly above the Moon Kingdom for centuries crumbled into ash as flames climbed toward the night sky.
Steel rang through the halls.
The cries of soldiers echoed beneath the crackling fire.
King Cassian Evren stood at the throne room doors, his sword stained with blood, refusing to yield another step.
Behind him, Queen Elara held their sleeping daughter close to her chest.
The child stirred, unaware that her world was ending.
“Take her.”
The king’s voice was calm despite the chaos.
A knight stepped forward.
His silver armor was cracked.
His hands trembled.
“I swore to protect you, Your Majesty.”
Cassian placed one hand on the knight’s shoulder.
“Tonight...”
“You protect our future.”
The queen kissed the child’s forehead.
“Tell her she was loved.”
Tears blurred the knight’s vision.
“I will.”
A deafening crash shook the palace.
The great doors began to splinter.
The enemy had arrived.
Cassian drew one final breath.
Then smiled.
“Long live the Moon Kingdom.”
The doors burst open.
Darkness flooded the throne room.
The knight turned and ran.
Behind him...
The king and queen never looked back.
By dawn...
The Moon Kingdom believed its royal family had vanished forever.
Only the moon witnessed the truth.
And beneath its silver light...
One promise survived.
A promise that would wait twenty years to be fulfilled.
