Chapter 16: The Lost Prince of Astoria
The morning sun filtered through the enchanted trees of Astoria as Evanora and Everett trudged along a narrow forest path. After their adventure at the ancient ruin, their bond had grown, though neither of them had spoken much about the kiss they shared. Still, there was a new energy between them, a feeling that they were in this together—no matter what strange challenges awaited.
“So, where exactly are we heading today?” Everett asked, glancing at the map Evanora held, which looked like it was drawn by a toddler with a magic marker.
“Well, according to this,” Evanora squinted at the shaky lines on the map, “there’s supposed to be a hidden realm somewhere in these woods. And it’s said to be the resting place of Astoria’s long-lost prince.”
“Resting place?” Everett asked, raising an eyebrow.
“That sounds… well, a little final.”
“Oh, not like *that*,” Evanora giggled.
“It’s more like he was hidden away, kept in another realm to protect him from dark forces. The thing is, no one knows exactly where or how he was hidden. The only clue we have is this map.”
Everett tilted his head, trying to make sense of the odd squiggles on the paper.
“Yeah, this map looks like it was drawn by a three-year-old.”
Evanora grinned.
“I know, right? But it’s magical. If we follow the path exactly, it should lead us to the entrance of the hidden realm.”
“If it’s so magical, why doesn’t it just tell us directly where to go?” Everett asked, half-joking.
Evanora winked.
“Because that would be too easy.”
They continued walking, the sounds of the magical forest filling the air around them. Every so often, a glowing butterfly or a mysterious creature darted between the trees, and the ever-present hum of magic seemed to pulse beneath their feet.
After a while, the path grew narrower and the forest darker. The trees around them seemed to close in, their branches twisting together like fingers reaching for the sky. The air became cooler, and Everett shivered slightly, feeling a strange energy wash over him.
“This place gives me the creeps,” he muttered.
“Are you sure this is the right way?”
Evanora looked at the map again, biting her lip. “Well, the map says we’re close. There should be a clearing up ahead, and that’s where we’re supposed to find the portal to the other realm.”
Everett glanced around, his eyes scanning the shadowy trees. “I don’t see any clearing.”
Suddenly, a faint shimmer appeared in the distance, like a curtain of light dancing between the trees. Evanora’s eyes widened. “There it is! That’s the portal!”
They hurried toward the shimmering light, and as they stepped through, the world around them seemed to shift. The air felt lighter, the colors brighter. They were no longer in the dense forest, but in a vast meadow filled with blooming flowers and golden sunlight. In the distance, a grand castle floated on a cloud, shimmering with an ethereal glow.
“Whoa…” Everett breathed. “Is this… another realm?”
Evanora nodded, her eyes wide with awe. “It must be. This is where the lost prince is hidden.”
They ventured deeper into the meadow, making their way toward the castle. As they approached, a figure stepped out from the shadows of the tall grass. He was young, perhaps only a few years older than Everett, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He wore a long, regal robe, and there was a faint aura of magic surrounding him.
“Who are you?” the young man asked, his voice both calm and commanding.
Evanora stepped forward, trying her best to seem composed. “We… we’ve come looking for the lost prince of Astoria.”
The young man’s eyes narrowed. “And what makes you think you’ve found him?”
Everett, ever the blunt one, shrugged. “Well, you’re standing in a magical hidden realm in front of a floating castle, so, uh… we’re kind of putting two and two together.”
Evanora shot Everett a look, but the young man let out a small chuckle. “You’re right. I am the prince you seek. My name is Alaric.”
Evanora’s eyes lit up. “We’ve heard stories about you, Prince Alaric. You’ve been hidden away for years, ever since the Dark Forces tried to take control of Astoria.”
Alaric nodded solemnly. “Yes, I was sent here to protect the royal bloodline. But I sense that something has changed in the outside world. The darkness is rising again, isn’t it?”
Everett and Evanora exchanged a glance. “Yeah,” Everett said, stepping forward. “There’s this guy, Monroe. He’s leading a group of evil tourists and bad witches, and they’re trying to kidnap witches to harvest their souls. We’re doing everything we can to stop them, but we need help.”
Alaric’s expression darkened. “Monroe… I’ve heard that name before. He was once a powerful ally of the Dark Forces. If he’s risen again, Astoria is in grave danger.”
Evanora looked up at the prince with determination. “That’s why we’ve come to find you. You’re the rightful ruler of Astoria, and we believe you’re the only one who can unite the witches, wizards, and good tourists to defeat Monroe.”
Alaric studied them for a moment, his gaze lingering on Evanora. “And who are you to make such a request?”
“I’m Evanora, a witch escort,” she said proudly, though a slight blush crept up her cheeks. “And this is Everett, a tourist. We’ve already gathered a small group of witches and wizards to help us, but we need more.”
Everett nodded. “Yeah, and let’s just say we’re kind of in over our heads here. We could really use a powerful prince with some magic skills.”
Alaric smiled faintly. “You’re brave to come here. And foolish. But I admire your courage.”
Everett shrugged again. “We’ve been called worse.”
Alaric’s expression softened as he looked at them both. “Very well. I will help you. But understand this—if I return to Astoria, Monroe will come after me. My power is a threat to his plans, and he will stop at nothing to destroy me.”
Evanora stepped forward, her voice filled with resolve.
“Then we’ll protect you. Together, we can defeat him.”
Alaric looked at her, a glint of admiration in his eyes.
“You’re stronger than you realize, Evanora. I can sense the magic within you. You’ve only begun to tap into your true potential.”
Evanora blushed, looking down at her hands. “I… I still have a lot to learn.”
“And you will learn,” Alaric said. “I’ll help you. But for now, we must return to Astoria. Monroe won’t wait long before he strikes again.”
Everett gave a half-smile.
“Great. More life-threatening battles. Just what I signed up for.”
Evanora giggled, nudging him with her elbow. “You love it.”
Alaric turned toward the floating castle behind him and raised his hand. The ground beneath them trembled, and a portal of swirling light opened before them.
“This will take us back to Astoria,” Alaric said. “But be warned—the moment we step through, the battle will begin. Are you ready?”
Everett and Evanora exchanged a glance. They had faced danger before, but this felt different. With the prince by their side, the stakes were higher than ever.
“I’m ready,” Evanora said, her voice steady.
Everett sighed, cracking his knuckles.
“Let’s do this.”
With a nod, Alaric led them through the portal, and in an instant, they were back in Astoria, standing on the edge of the magical forest. The sky above them was darkening, and the air was thick with tension.
Monroe’s forces were on the move, and the real fight was about to begin.
But now, with the lost prince of Astoria by their side, Everett and Evanora felt a spark of hope. They weren’t alone anymore. They had a powerful ally, and together, they would stand against the darkness.
The battle for Astoria was just beginning.