Chapter 68 Tides Of Tension

• The journey into the Kingdom of Water had been filled with uncertainty, but now that they had Queen Alia’s tentative agreement to witness the Heartstone’s potential, Meher, Ayaan, and their pack could breathe for a moment. Their next step was to prove that the Heartstone was more than just a legend, a mere relic of forgotten times. The water’s currents, deep and unpredictable, had their own rhythm, and they had to align themselves with it.
• They were taken to the heart of the kingdom’s waters, a grand citadel that floated atop the largest of the kingdom’s many lakes. The citadel, known as The Crystal Palace, was a breathtaking structure of glass and stone that seemed to rise from the water like a reflection of the sky. It was a place of power, peace, and ancient secrets, and Meher could feel the weight of its history as they passed beneath its arches.
• As they entered the palace, they were led to a chamber unlike any other—a hall carved directly into the depths of the lake. Water flowed around them, its gentle movement a constant reminder of the kingdom’s connection to the element. The walls of the chamber were lined with ancient carvings, depicting stories of water’s power to heal, to sustain, and at times, to destroy.