Chapter 2


    <b>The City of Zar</b>


    The caravan moved toward the royal palace of The City of Zar. Princess Sophia sat inside a lavish carriage while her handmaiden fanned her gently. Pushing aside the corner of her emerald-green silk gown, Sophia gazed out at the broad streets of The City of Zar.


    Street vendors shouted to attract buyers for their fresh, ripe fruits. In another corner, children chased each other, laughing and playing. But on the other side of the street, a dispute had broken out between several men. Sophia listened closely and quickly realized the reason for their quarrel—money. The greatest concern of the people across the entire Azharian kingdom.


    Her handmaiden, trying to ease the tension, spoke with a hopeful tone:


    <i>"Things have calmed down… Ever since the Great King and the Shaikh made peace, many trade routes have become safe again. Soon, the people’s hardships will also be resolved. I hope we will once again see peace in the city."</i>


    Sophia turned her gaze to her handmaiden. With her usual arrogance and cutting tone, she snapped:


    <i>"Oh? Are you a politician now? This country has never known peace, and it never will. The royal treasury has nothing to do with the lives of the common people. It has always been this way, and no king has ever handed out his wealth to the masses. My father is no exception, and even if he were to consider it, my brothers and I would never allow it! We have ambitions—dreams—far greater than worrying about beggars. To fulfill them, we must ensure the palace’s wealth remains untouched. Now, why is this carriage moving so slowly? That foolish driver is testing my patience!"</i>


    The handmaiden wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, then shouted an order. The driver immediately snapped his whip, urging the horses forward. The speed of the caravan increased, forcing pedestrians to scatter in fear. Moments later, they arrived at the grand stairs of palace.


    Slaves rushed to open the carriage door, and with the utmost reverence, they lifted the princess onto their shoulders, carrying her through the palace gates. Only after placing her down did they retreat, never daring to turn their backs toward her.


    Sophia adjusted her silk gown and brushed her flowing hair back over her shoulder. She ascended the grand central staircase, but before she could enter her chambers, her father’s voice called out to her. She turned, only to find herself enveloped in his warm embrace before she could utter a word.


    King Nima, the mighty ruler of the Azharian Empire, was the undisputed master of this vast realm. A warrior king who had personally fought in over 190 battles, standing alongside his soldiers on the battlefield. The scars of war were etched across his body, and his enemies trembled at the mere mention of his name.


    But this same great king transformed into the gentlest man on earth when it came to his children. It was impossible for them to ask for something and hear the word <i>no</i> from his lips.


    King Nima embraced his daughter tightly. After showering her with affectionate words, he inquired about her journey to the Crimson Realm. Ever since peace had been established between the king and the Shaikh, Sophia had traveled with a royal caravan to that distant land as an honored guest.


    Sophia pulled away from her father’s embrace and replied:


    <i>"The journey was fine, but I counted the moments until I could return. I can say with absolute certainty—there is not the slightest trace of civilization or peace in that place. Even though the Shaikh’s soldiers constantly ensured my safety, I was still subjected to the insults or flattery of the commoners. Wherever we went, slaves were forced into brutal fights while their masters gambled on the victor. And the djinn… don’t even get me started on them. Here, their existence is still uncertain, but in the Crimson Realm, they live among the people as if they belong! I even saw—with my own eyes—a nobleman with multiple cages in his estate. Inside them were strange creatures—humanoid in shape, but with goat-like hooves instead of feet. Their eyes burned like fire, and their voices were like beasts unknown to this world. But to be fair, I can’t deny their hospitality. There wasn’t a moment when we weren’t served the finest meals and meats. The real problem was the Shaikh’s sons. They constantly showered me with gifts, desperate to win my favor… But, ugh! Their stench! I must bathe for hours before I feel clean of the Crimson Realm’s filth!"</i>


    The king chuckled at his daughter’s dramatic complaints, expressing his joy at her safe return. He then made his way to the royal council chamber, where he took his seat on the throne. Sophia, meanwhile, withdrew from her father’s bedchamber. But just before the doors closed, something caught her eye—something she had never noticed before.


    On the king’s mahogany desk, a half-unrolled ancient map lay spread out. Red ink marked various locations, and strange names were written upon it—names like <b><i><u>"The Valley of Shadows", "The Silent Forest" </u></i></b>and<b><i><u> "Mount Bidad".</u></i></b>


    A spark of curiosity ignited within her. Quietly, she approached the desk, trying to examine the map more closely. But before she could take a better look, the sound of her father’s approaching footsteps startled her. King Nima’s expression turned serious as he remarked, <i>"You should bathe quickly… The scent of the Crimson Realm still lingers on you."</i>


    Sophia quickly called for her handmaidens. As they prepared the royal bath, she removed her silk gown and slipped into the warm water. Her closest handmaiden, Rana, knelt beside her, washing her hair with fragrant oils. With a playful smile, Rana asked: <i>"So? How was it? Did everything go as you expected?"</i>


    Princess Sophia smiled as she ran her fingers through her hair, responding:


    <i>"It was better than I imagined… Rana, everything they say about the men of the Crimson Realm is true. Shaikh was so strong and powerful that we stayed awake for two whole nights! But it was so enjoyable that I’d go back this very instant if I could… If only it weren’t for my father’s insistence. If he weren’t so overprotective, I would have told him the truth. Shaikh is simply waiting for me to prepare the circumstances, and the moment I do, he will waste no time in coming to ask for my hand. He keeps telling me how much he longs for me to bear him many strong and handsome sons…"</i>


    Rana, who was washing the princess’s feet in the warm bathwater, let out another heartfelt laugh:


    <i>"So, you finally experienced the Shaikh… It’s obvious he adores you. Otherwise, why would he have agreed to retreat and open the borders to our kingdom? Trust me, he will make even greater sacrifices for you. Just be patient and let the bond between the king and the Shaikh grow stronger… Then, you can slowly bring this up to your father! Are you still sure he’s the right choice? The man is practically as old as your father…"</i>


    Sophia shot a haughty glance at Rana and replied:


    <i>"And yet he never falls short—not for a moment! Physically, he’s ten times stronger than the men my age. And as for wealth? He could fill this very palace with silver and gold just for me. Besides, he is the ruler of the Crimson Realm! A land that has remained untouchable for over five hundred years. No one dares to invade it. That means I will never have to taste the horrors of war."</i>


    Their conversation continued as Rana eagerly asked more questions about the Crimson Realm.


    <b>The Royal Court</b>


    In the grand hall of palace, King Nima sat upon his throne, with the senior commanders of the City of Zar standing before him. At his command, all other court officials were dismissed, leaving only the royal advisors to step forward. The circle grew tighter, and in a lower voice, the king began to speak:


    "News has arrived from Seacity—King Bahram and the Fortress of the Sun have been dishonored. Their ships were lost, and they have suffered a great cost. If we do not find the culprit behind this violation soon, they will turn their accusations against us. If you have any proposals, speak now, for the situation is dire…"


    Siamak The Wise, the king’s chief advisor, took a moment to think before responding:


    "It has not even been a full month since your treaty with the Shaikh… He took an enormous amount of gold from us as tribute and promised to secure the entire gulf. My king, is it not wise to reconsider this deal? Everyone knows that a significant portion of the pirates in these waters are from the Crimson Realm. There is a real possibility that the Shaikh took our wealth and then turned against us, seizing even more of our assets!"


    King Nima furrowed his brows, his expression darkening with anger. He replied in a harsh tone: "Silence! The Shaikh is now our ally and friend. We must not distrust him. Besides, my daughter returned safely just today. If the Shaikh intended any harm toward me or our kingdom, he could have—heaven forbid—harmed her. I am certain he is not responsible for this."


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    The king turned his attention to his commanders and gave a firm order:


    "Prepare an elite unit of our finest soldiers and set out for Seacity immediately. Ready several warships and follow the trade route of the Fortress of the Sun. The attack must have occurred along that path, and there is a high chance you will encounter the raiders again. Whoever brings me the severed head of their leader will be rewarded with their weight in gold."


    The commanders saluted and quickly left the court to begin their mission. The king dismissed the other advisors and, together with Siamak the Wise, entered his private chamber. The room, located on the ground floor of the palace at the end of the last corridor, was secluded and far from the reach of others, perfect for the most secretive discussions. They sat around the table and began speaking in hushed tones. Siamak unfolded a map on the table—the same map that Sofia had seen earlier in her father''s bedchamber.


    <i>"My king, a dove from the Silent Forest has brought news... but there is no sign there either. The soldiers have searched the entire area, yet they have found nothing. We have gathered reports from almost all the regions we focused on, except for the Mount Bidad and the Valley of Shadows. Yesterday, I sent a small army to confirm the status of our previous agents at the Mount Bidad,"</i> Siamak the Wise reported.


    The king asked with growing concern: <i>"Do you think the attack was their doing?"</i>


    Siamak narrowed his eyes and replied: <i>"It is not impossible, but may the gods have mercy on us. If the Divs are still alive and have made it across the sea, we can never hope to defeat them with a mere army. Don’t you remember that it took seventy cavalries just to destroy two of them? But it seems unlikely. There is no ship large enough to carry them, and if an army of them were gathered within our realm, our soldiers would have spotted them by now and reported back. Our patrols search every day. I am certain that the two Divs we encountered were the last survivors of their kind—fateful survivors of the battle with your grandfather five hundred years ago. I’m keeping a close watch, so do not worry."</i>


    The king sighed deeply, leaning back in his chair. He turned to Siamak and said:


    <i>"I hope it’s just a rumor. Never mind that, Siamak, why do you still doubt the Shaikh? Why do you speak so hesitantly about him to others? He is no longer a threat to us. Sophia has him in hand. Everything has gone according to plan, and their secret relationship has created one of the safest channels for our realm! So be sure, as long as this relationship continues, he will not harm us. Just be cautious that no one, especially Sophia, discovers our role in their connection."</i>


    Siamak stood up and, with a quieter tone, said: <i>"Rest assured, my lord. I know how difficult it is for you to accept the secret intimacy between your daughter and the Shaikh, but you have done the kingdom a great service. Future generations will surely write countless tales about you."</i>


    Suddenly, an ear-piercing scream echoed from the palace courtyard. The king, Siamak the Wise, and several soldiers hurried to the yard. The courtiers had gathered in one corner, and a few of them were trying to calm a woman who was still shrieking. The king stepped forward and froze. The garden was lush and green, but there was one tree in the center of the crowd that stood out. A tree that had been perfectly normal just a short while ago, now with its trunk entirely blood-red. Every second, more of it was drying up, and its leaves were quickly falling off.


    The woman, crying out before the courtiers, started chanting and speaking in incomprehensible phrases:


    <i>"Set the water ablaze... daughter of light... where is the sun''s child? The shadows are too close..."</i>


    The once vibrant tree’s dried branches suddenly caught fire. The courtiers recoiled in fear, and the woman, in a frenzy, broke free from their grasp. She rushed toward the tree, chanting the same phrases, and before anyone could stop her, she was consumed by flames. Her screams rose louder, blending with her song, but then, suddenly, it stopped. The tree burned in an instant, and the flames extinguished just as quickly.


    The courtiers stood in stunned silence, staring in horror. The woman, who had been a servant in the palace kitchen, was now a charred corpse, her limbs wrapped around the trunk of the tree. When several soldiers tried to detach the body, not the slightest movement occurred. It was as if the woman had become part of the tree.


    No one could explain what had happened. minutes later, several woodcutters arrived to remove the tree and the body. The first woodcutter swung his axe, and as it struck the tree’s trunk, the axe split in two. The same happened to the second woodcutter, and every attempt to separate the body failed. Reluctantly, they brought sheets to cover the tree, hoping to try again the following day.


    <b>Private Chamber</b>


    The king, accompanied by his soldiers, returned to the palace. A strange headache had overcome him, and the shock of what had just occurred was still gripping his mind. King Nima had fought in many battles and had witnessed many horrifying scenes, far worse than seeing a burned body. But this… this was different. There was no logical explanation for the servant’s behavior.


    King Nima returned to his private chamber and sat down in his heavy, luxurious chair. He closed his eyes, trying to push the woman’s screams and the strange flames out of his mind, but the images danced before him. He couldn’t understand what had happened. That woman, that tree, those flames… everything seemed unnatural.


    He recalled how his grandfather, the late king, had often spoken about omens and warnings from the gods. Could this be a sign? A warning?


    Suddenly, the door opened slowly, and Siamak the Wise entered the room. His face was pale, and his hands trembled slightly. He stepped closer and said:


    <i>"My lord, I need to speak with you."</i>


    The king opened his eyes and looked at him wearily. <i>"Speak, Siamak, what news do you bring?"</i>


    Siamak took a deep breath and said: <i>"My lord, I’ve investigated that woman. She was just a simple servant, but a few weeks ago, her behavior started to change. Her colleagues say she spoke often about the ''shadows'' and feared something lurking in the dark. She even claimed to hear a voice in her head that was giving her commands."</i> The king frowned and said, <i>"A voice in her head? What are you talking about?"</i> Siamak continued, <i>"My lord, I don’t think this was just simple madness. Something is changing. I searched the ancient court records and found texts that speak of ''the signs of the end''—trees turning the color of blood, spontaneous fires, and people falling under the influence of dark forces… All of these were mentioned in the old texts."</i>


    The king leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. <i>"So, you believe this is a warning as well?"</i>


    Siamak nodded. <i>"My lord, I don’t mean to alarm you, but we must be prepared. If these signs are real, then something great is coming—something that may be even more dangerous than war."</i>


    The king was silent for a moment before asking, <i>"What do you propose?"</i>


    Siamak carefully replied, "My lord, we must reach out to other advisors and even the other rulers of the realm. If something big is approaching, only they can help us stand against it."


    The king nodded in agreement. <i>"Very well. You are in charge of this. Do whatever must be done. I don’t want to leave anything to chance."</i>


    Siamak bowed respectfully and left the room. The king remained alone, staring at the candle flames on the table. His mind was filled with unanswered questions. Was this truly a warning? Were they prepared? And most importantly, could he protect his family and his kingdom?


    The king walked to the window and gazed upon the golden city. The night made it seem peaceful, but he knew that this peace might only be temporary. Something was coming—something dark and dangerous—and he had to be ready.


    With the king’s departure to the inner chambers, his private quarters fell silent. Moments later, Princess Sophia, who had been hiding behind the window, slowly rose from her place. Her eyes were filled with confusion and turmoil, her hands trembling with an unexplainable rage. The words she had just heard had yet to fully settle in her mind.


    Her father—the king she had always believed in, the man she had trusted with all her heart—had willingly given her away to the Sheikh. The relationship she had thought was formed in secrecy and emotion was nothing more than a calculated move in her father’s grand plan. A plan he believed was vital for the survival of Azarian lands.


    But in the end, all it did was shatter the image of the great King Nima that had been ingrained in her mind for seventeen years. Sophia slowly sank into a chair, still dizzy from the weight of the truth. She struggled to comprehend the rest of the conversation between the king and Siamak.


    <i>"The demons… still exist?" she thought. "But they were just old legends—stories told to frighten children at night… The Sheikh… I hate this place… I have to leave for the Red Kingdom as soon as I can. If the demons are real—and if they are even remotely close to the myths—Azarian lands will be destroyed. I will not die because of my father’s arrogance and selfishness..."</i>


    <b>Crimson Realm</b>


    South of the Azharian lands, beyond the great gulf, the Shaikh’s royal palace stood tall with its emerald walls and domed rooftops—an unmissable sight. But few knew of the dungeons hidden beneath the palace. Dungeons that whispered with secrets.


    Both sides of the dim corridors were lined with dark cells, filled with prisoners writhing on the cold stone floors, their bodies broken by torture. The further one walked, the stronger the stench of blood became, creeping into the smallest corners of one’s being. And at the very end of this grim passage, the final cell came into view.


    The Shaikh and his warlord arrived at this point, a burning torch in hand. Someone sat hunched in the corner of the cell. Slowly, the figure opened its glowing red eyes and staggered toward the iron bars. It raised its scratched, cloven hands to shield its gaze from the torch’s harsh light.


    With a commanding voice, the Shaikh spoke. <i>"It is done. Sophia is now in my grasp… Now it is your turn to fulfill your end of the bargain."</i>


    The creature in the cell—Mared, a djinn—grinned, revealing jagged, uneven teeth. <i>"Not so fast, Sheikh," </i>he rasped.<i> "There is still a part of your promise left unfulfilled… You haven’t forgotten, have you? You must bring her here. Only then will your mission be complete, and I will grant you a weapon unlike anything this world has ever seen. A weapon that will not only crush the Ahzarian realm but will give you dominion over all the realms."</i>


    Mared’s red eyes narrowed. <i>"But remember… time is not on your side."</i>


    The Shaikh muttered under his breath and turned to leave.


    Mared’s voice echoed through the dungeon.


    <i>"Do not forget—my tribe will come looking for me. I suggest you keep your word before they arrive. If they find me still imprisoned… their wrath will give you a fate so terrible, you will beg for death a hundred times a day."</i>


    The Shaikh quickened his pace, leaving the dungeon behind as fast as he could.