MERIDIAN WARRIORS '98: HEAVENLY HEART & THE DRAGON REIGN
The midday heat hung heavy over the training grounds as steel bit steel. The swords clashed in the sun, and their horses charged like thunder across the churning dirt.
Watching from the high stone arches, young Prince Phobos felt the familiar fire igniting in his chest. Later that evening, sitting in the warm glow of the castle den by the fire with his sisters, Will Vandom and Queen Elyion, Phobos couldn't hold back his ambition.
"One day it won't be just a pack of horses," Phobos declared, his voice echoing off the tapestries. "It will be an army of knights, and I will lead them into battle!"
King Xayden leaned back in his heavy oak chair, a faint, weary smile touching his lips as he looked at his son. He held a hand to his bandaged side—a lingering gift from their enemies.
"Ah, you've come back... thank you," Xayden murmured softly to the room, his eyes fixed on the embers. "I will be fine, thanks to the dragons."
Phobos crossed his arms, a shadow of skepticism crossing his young face. "I do not share faith in dragons. But if this is our last hope, I bid you safe passage."
Xayden continued the tale into the late hours, weaving legends of old magic, ancient beasts, and the fragile peace holding their realm together.
20 Years Later...
The grand war room was thick with tension, illuminated only by scattered candles and map markers. Age and battle had darkened the kingdom, and the threat looming outside the walls was far worse than anything Xayden had warned them about.
"What? You want to release more prisoners?!" Vathic barked, leaning heavily on the war table. "Narissa's stronger than ever! Releasing criminals into our ranks is madness!"
"Next time the witch attacks, we'll need all the help we can get," Queen Elyion countered, her voice carrying the absolute authority of the throne. She exchanged a firm glance with her sister, Will Vandom, before turning back to Raythor and Vathic. "We are safeguarding the kingdom, and that means taking risks."
Raythor shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting to the glowing amulet resting against Will's chest. "I thought permission was required to take the Heart of Kandrakar... using its power so recklessly could pull the realm apart."
From the shadows near the balcony, Phobos stepped forward. The eager boy by the fire was gone, replaced by a hardened commander draped in dark armor.
"As tragic as your tale of woe is, what do you want us to do?" Prince Phobos said coldly, sweeping his gaze across the hesitant guards. "Sit here and wait for her to breach the courtyard?"
Will stepped between Phobos and the guards, her hand instinctively coming to rest on the radiant Heart of Kandrakar.
"The witch has been steering clear of us since we got my brother on our side," Will said, her voice steady and brimming with quiet confidence. "She knows his strength. And this time... we'll be ready."
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