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Chapter 8 – Shadows of the Crown

  At the highest point of the palace stood a massive stone gate—

  No locks, only invisible royal seals.

  Behind it lay the Grand Library,

  One of the oldest secrets in the kingdom.

  A guard at the threshold whispered:

  > “This wasn’t made by us…

  It’s a remnant of the Catastrophe.

  No one enters without royal decree—

  Or they lose their name… and their memories.”

  Inside, the shelves stretched toward the heavens.

  Books soaked in moisture.

  Manuscripts that pulsed faintly.

  Pages written in languages no one could name.

  The library’s only description within court whispers:

  > “A place that won’t remember you—

  Unless you have the right to remember it.”

  ---

  Pages 11–20: The Silent Prison

  In a location unmarked on any map…

  There was a silent prison.

  No doors ever opened.

  No names ever written.

  A new escort asked an older warden:

  “Who built this place?”

  “No one knows.”

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  “And who’s locked inside?”

  “Anyone the court has chosen to forget.”

  A prisoner was dragged forward—

  Shoved into one of the black cells.

  His wife cried at the gate…

  But then suddenly stopped.

  She looked around, confused, and asked the warden:

  > “Who… was I crying for?”

  ---

  Pages 21–30: Guards on the Wall

  A cold night.

  Wind crashing against the Great Wall.

  Two guards stood on watch.

  One whispered:

  “The sounds of beasts beyond the Abyss…

  They’re getting louder.

  Are they drawing closer?”

  The other replied with confidence:

  > “This wall hasn’t trembled in three hundred years.

  Not since the First and Second Catastrophes…

  It’s the last guardian of life.”

  Silence.

  Then—

  A distant roar.

  Small…

  But it echoed in the soul.

  ---

  Pages 31–40: The First Catastrophe

  A narrative voice layered over fast-moving images:

  > “Three hundred years ago…

  The sea rose—

  And drowned the world.”

  The one mountain that remained above the water

  Became humanity’s final refuge.

  But when the waters receded…

  The beasts appeared.

  And with them…

  Something new: The Will.

  > “The Great Wall wasn’t built to keep enemies out—

  But to contain the truth within.”

  ---

  Pages 41–50: Inside the Royal Court

  In a cold, quiet chamber, three royal advisors sat around a long table.

  First Advisor:

  > “The reports from the Sixth Citadel have reached the inner circle.”

  Second Advisor:

  > “Has the king been informed?”

  Third Advisor (calmly):

  > “The king knows…

  But he says nothing.”

  The camera lingered on the report lying on the table.

  It read:

  > “Levan… No Will. Alive. Under surveillance.”

  ---

  Pages 51–60: The Private Meeting

  In a side wing of the palace, one of the advisors sealed a letter in a black envelope.

  Another whispered to him:

  “Do you see this boy as a threat?”

  > “No.

  But I see… a possibility.”

  “Of what?”

  > “Of breaking the law.”

  ---

  Pages 61–70: The Library’s Back Hall

  A brief scene in the hidden corridor of the Royal Library.

  A servant trembled as he carried a small wooden box.

  Behind him, the voice of an old woman warned:

  > “Don’t touch anything on these shelves…

  Some books don’t forgive those who read them.”

  The servant glanced around—

  One book opened by itself.

  No hands.

  The box fell.

  He ran.

  ---

  Pages 71–80: Varos Zayne – The Sixth Commander

  Back in the Sixth Citadel,

  In a chamber sealed from time,

  Stood a man whose feet did not touch the ground.

  Long white hair veiled his eyes.

  His aura distorted the light around him.

  Varos Zayne, Commander of the Sixth Citadel.

  He stood in silence, gazing at the artificial Abyss.

  Then whispered:

  > “I’ve sent the reports to the royal court as ordered… Daryoval.

  But why?”

  > “Why now?

  Have we moved without realizing…

  that we are pieces in someone’s chessboard?”

  ---

  Pages 81–100: A Quiet Ending

  The Abyss—

  Seen from afar, beyond the layered walls.

  Inside the court—

  A servant closed the last window.

  In the prison—

  A new cell sealed itself, without a sound.

  And in the library—

  A blank page turned itself open.

  No hand touched it.

  Narration:

  > “In a world governed by laws…

  There are laws even their makers do not understand.”

  ---

  End of Chapter 8 – Shadows of the Crown

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