Fallen Radiance

Elena fell to her knees in the void darkness, clasping her head in her hands, breathing hard and painfully. The images that flashed before her eyes were the same familiar light and shadow -- the roses on the mountain, Renault's warm smile, their once awkward agreement, even the quill she had cherished for years.

"That's enough..." Her voice was low and hoarse, as if forced from the depths of her throat. "Don't show me any more of this..."

But the memories, as if out of control, came flooding back. She saw Reynaud standing in the cloister of the palace, his hands in his sleeves, and the smile on his face had gone from warm to complicated. There was something deep in his eyes that she could not understand, and his words were not as easy as before.

"Elena, why are you always so stubborn?"

It was their first argument, and the first time Renaud had spoken to her in such a tone.

'Stop it! Elena suddenly stood up and shouted, her eyes full of pain and struggle, "I don't want to remember this! All this past is nothing but illusory torture!"

Her voice echoed through the endless darkness, but the flood of memories did not stop. She saw them standing in front of the great hall of the royal palace, the gentleness of Reynold's face had given way to coolness, and the patience was lost in his voice.

"You don't understand, this is not just about feelings, this is about the future of the royal family, about the stability of the empire!"

"But that's not what you promised at the beginning, Renault!" Her voice was angry and disappointed. "You said we could go together without relying on scheming and calculation!"

Reno was silent for a moment, then sneered: "Elena, do you really think that a prince can survive only on feelings?" This is not a fairy tale. There is no place for innocence in our world."

As Elena struggles with the torn memory, the real statue changes.

Inside the Lost Valley, the black statue began to vibrate violently, and the runes carved on the surface lit up with a burning red light, as if awakened by some invisible force. The air around him became hot and twisted, as if the whole space was whimpering.

The High priest, Cavell, stood before the altar, staring intently at what lay before him. There was a rare hint of shock and unease on his face. Clutching his scepter, he whispered to the shadow blade beside him, "This trial... It's different."

The shadow blade looked with some doubt: "High Priest, the statue has never had such a strong reaction, what the hell is going on?"

Cavill's eyes grew deeper, his voice low. "Elena has a special power in her soul... A power even I can't fully master. This is not just a test to abandon the son, but a test that will change the fate of the camp."

"The fate of the camp?" Shadow Blade frowns, "This is just a test, how can it affect the entire abandoned child camp?"

Cavell did not answer, his palm touching the base of the statue gently, feeling the faint wave of power. His eyes grew heavier. "Shadowblade, send orders at once to fortify the Valley of the Lost. Anyone who comes near must be killed."

Meanwhile, in the sleeping room of Ophelia's Palace, Renaud Ophelia is awakened from a dream. He clutched his chest, his face covered in cold sweat, and his breathing was heavy and disordered.

There was an intense colic in his heart, and it felt like an invisible hand was gripping his heart with such force that it almost suffocated him.

'Your Highness! The servant at the door heard the noise and immediately opened the door and entered.

Renaud waved his hand to keep away. He forced himself to sit up, his eyes complex and dark. His voice was low and a little tired. "I'm fine. Stand down."

The servant, not daring to say more, bowed out of the chamber, and the door was closed again.

Renaud sat on the edge of the bed and looked blankly out of the window. He pressed his hand gently to his chest. The pain was still there, but even more disturbing was the strange familiarity.

That pain, as if tied to someone's fate.

"Elena..." He murmured, his eyes showing a little confusion and struggle.

He got up quickly, walked to his desk and took out a wooden box from the drawer. When I opened the box, the yellowed letterhead came into view.

"If we quarrel, we make up by letter." Her words still ring in my ears with palpitating clarity.

Renaud slowly unrolled the pad, gently sliding his fingertips over the writing, his eyes showing mixed emotions: "Where the hell are you... What the hell are you going through?"

In the trial space, Elena's body was enveloped in red light, her hands clenched into fists, her knuckles white. The images of the past flashed before her eyes like a lantern, revealing her deepest pain again and again.

'That's enough! She roared with pain and anger in her voice.

There was a sudden jolt of red light, and the runes on the statue flickered more violently, as if sensing her anger. The whole space of the Lost Valley began to tremble, as if some greater power were awakening.

Elena's eyes lit up with a cold light, and she slowly raised her head, her voice low and hoarse: "The ties of the past will not bind me... Your shadow, Renault, is no longer my cage!"