Chapter Six: The Treasure of the Forgotten Flame

 

Chapter Six: The Treasure of the Forgotten Flame

The next morning came with a hush of starlight and the soft murmur of distant voices. The castle shimmered with a gentle glow, but something in the air had changed. It felt heavier, like the sky itself was holding its breath.

After a quick breakfast of starfruit pastries and morning mist tea, Ariel, Boo, Thistle, and Advisor Orlow were led to the Tower of Memory—a tall, round room made of spiraled crystal. The windows stretched high overhead, casting rainbow-colored shadows on the floor.

Inside, standing beneath a floating orb of starlight, was a great white owl with gold-flecked feathers and deep, intelligent eyes.

"Ah! You must be the Starborn," the owl said in a crisp, warm voice. "Welcome, welcome. I am Professor Quill, royal historian of Starlight."

He bowed his feathered head and adjusted a pair of half-moon spectacles perched precariously on his beak.

"We’ve waited a long time for you."

Ariel smiled nervously. "I’ve never had someone wait for me before."

Boo gave her a sideways glance and muttered, "Let’s not forget we don’t actually know if you’re the Starborn. This could still be a big cosmic mix-up."

"Oh, we’ve done more than wait," Quill said with a flutter of his wings. He walked—more waddled—over to a grand pedestal and unrolled a long scroll. "We’ve studied. And searched. And hoped."

The scroll glowed softly as he read aloud:

"When shadows rise and starlight fades, A child shall come from lands unknown, With heart aglow and courage grown, A guardian dark at her side, And in her hand, the Key of Light."

"That’s you," Quill said, pointing a wing at Ariel. "And your grumpy guardian."

"Excuse me," Boo huffed, tail flicking. "I am not grumpy. I am delightfully crusty."

"Charmed," Quill said, clearly amused. "Now, the Key of Light—your key—was long believed to open a treasure locked for centuries. But we’ve never had a way to test that. Until now."

With a motion of his wing, two royal guards entered the tower, carrying between them a battered, dented metal chest. It was once a beautiful thing—gold and silver inlay, etched with suns and stars—but now it was scuffed, scratched, and bent all up.

"What happened to it?" Ariel asked.

Boo’s eyes narrowed. "Did someone send it through a trash compactor?"

Quill sighed. "We tried to force it open. With magic. With hammers. Even with dragons. Nothing worked. It is impervious. But the legends say only the key can open it."

Ariel stepped forward, holding the silver key in her palm. "Well, I don’t know if this little thing is going to work on that giant dented box..."

But the moment she brought the key near, it began to glow.

So did the box.

Soft light bloomed from the etchings, and the dents shimmered and slowly began to vanish. The soldiers stepped back. Boo’s fur stood on end.

Gasps echoed through the chamber.

"It’s real," whispered Queen Liora from the doorway. "You are without a doubt the Starborn child who will save us all."

Ariel’s mouth dropped open. "Whoa whoa—save us all? I don’t know how to do that!"

"Then start by opening the box," the Queen said gently. "Your answer may be inside."

Ariel nodded slowly, inserted the glowing key, and turned.

Click.

The lid opened.

Inside, nestled in velvet, were three items: a parchment map edged in silver, a delicate bracelet with a tiny star-shaped charm, and a small collar with a gem that shimmered like a captured galaxy.

"A map to the Shadowlands," Quill whispered. "The place where Lord Umbric dwells."

"Shadowlands? Sounds like a great vacation spot," Boo muttered.

"A land beyond the veil," Orlow said. "Dark, cold, forgotten. It's where light goes to hide."

Ariel stared at the items. "We’re supposed to go there?"

The Queen nodded. "That map is the first clue. But your path is your own. Choose wisely."

Ariel and Boo exchanged a long glance.

"What exactly are we supposed to do with a bracelet and a collar charm?" Boo asked, eyeing the items suspiciously. "Is this supposed to dazzle Lord Umbric into surrendering?"

"Maybe they’re magical?" Ariel offered, though her voice was filled with uncertainty.

"Or maybe they’re just really shiny accessories," Boo muttered. "We're going into the Shadowlands, not a fashion show."

"We need to sleep on this," Boo said firmly.

"Agreed," Ariel said. "I need to think."

Orlow led them back to their rooms. Thistle tagged along, his furrowed brow deep in thought.

As they slipped into their beds—the comfiest either of them had ever known—they lay staring at the crystal ceiling.

"This is a bad idea," Boo muttered. "Shadowlands? That’s just asking to get eaten by something with too many legs."

"I’m not sure we have a choice," Ariel said. "But it is scary."

Thistle sat in a moonbeam near the window. "You’re our only hope. If anyone can do this—it’s you two."

Boo snorted. "We’re doomed."

But sleep came swiftly.

They awoke to noise.

Shouts. Running footsteps. The castle buzzed like a stirred-up hive.

They dressed quickly and rushed into the hall where aides scurried in all directions, scrolls and lanterns in hand. Orlow met them mid-stride.

"Thank the stars, you’re awake. Come—quickly."

He led them up a spiraling staircase and out onto a wide balcony.

Queen Liora stood at the railing, her silvery hair caught in the rising wind. She looked out over the city.

And for the first time, it wasn’t shining.

Parts of it had gone dim.

Lights flickered. Streets once radiant now looked pale, their shimmer dulled like stars behind storm clouds. In the plaza below, citizens gathered in growing clusters, their murmurs turning to shouts. Some pointed toward the sky, others paced with worry, clutching small glowing charms or lanterns that barely held their light. Children clung to parents, and shopkeepers shuttered their stalls hastily. One glowing fruit stand had already been overturned, its precious goods trampled in the chaos. A few citizens argued loudly, and a pair of guards attempted to calm a group near the fountain where someone had scrawled a desperate message in chalk: "Bring back the light."

The panic was spreading like a shadow crawling through the city.

"The light is failing," the Queen said quietly. "They ask for answers. I have none."

Ariel looked at Boo.

Boo sighed. "Don’t say it."

Ariel stepped forward. Her voice was soft but steady.

"We’ll do it. We’ll go. We’ll find a way to bring the light back."

The Queen turned. Her eyes shimmered.

"Then may the stars light your path, brave ones. For now, it begins."