Song Of The Forgotten Realm

The wind drifted softly across the abandoned highlands as if carrying the last breathing memory of a world few still remembered. The moon hung low over the cliffs of Elarion Ridge and painted the land with a pale silver glow. At the center of the ridge a lone woman walked slowly through the sweeping grass fields, her boots brushing against ancient stones half buried in the earth.

Her name was Lyria Vance. She was a researcher, a wanderer, and a collector of untold stories. For years she had traveled across distant continents recording myths and legends for her growing archive. But she had never planned to come here. Elarion Ridge was not a place people willingly visited. It was said to be cursed. It was said to hold the doorway to another realm. And every villager in the nearby town warned her with trembling voices to stay away.

Lyria had never believed in curses. She believed in history and forgotten truths. So when she found a fragment of an old journal describing a lost kingdom hidden behind the ridge she felt something in her heart call to her. A calling she could not silence. And so she came.

The air held an unusual warmth despite the cold night. A soft hum vibrated beneath her feet like distant music echoing through stone. Lyria knelt down and placed her hand on the ground. The vibration grew stronger.

There is life here. Ancient life.

She stood and walked forward until she reached the old ruins marked on her map. Broken pillars rose from the earth like skeletal remains of a forgotten temple. Vines curled around cracked marble and the faint glow of moonlight reflected off runes carved into the stones. Lyria touched one of the pillars and felt a pulse beneath her fingertips. A heartbeat.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew through the ruins strong enough to make her step back. Her hair whipped across her face and she shielded her eyes. A soft voice whispered through the air. It was not a voice she recognized. It was deeper, older, filled with longing.

Lyria.

Her heart stopped. She looked around in panic. Who is there

The wind calmed but the air shimmered. Slowly a figure formed before her. A man appeared out of the pale glow. Tall. Broad shouldered. Hair dark as the midnight horizon. His eyes glowed in a soft shade of silver that seemed to hold galaxies within. His presence was warm and cold at once. Ethereal yet real.

Lyria froze where she stood. The figure took a single step forward.

Do not fear me. His voice was gentle but carried weight like an echo that had traveled across centuries.

Who are you Lyria asked. Her voice trembled and she hated that it did.

The man placed a hand over his chest as if remembering what it meant to breathe. My name is Caelan. I am the last guardian of the Forgotten Realm. Or what remains of it.

Lyria blinked in confusion. Forgotten Realm That is just a legend. A myth made to scare children.

Caelan lifted his gaze to the moon as if watching memories unfold. Legends are memories softened by time. My people lived here long ago until a great rift tore through our realm. I was bound to protect the gate between worlds but the gate collapsed. The curse of its fall tethered my soul to these ruins. I have waited for one who could hear the song of the realm again.

Lyria touched her chest unconsciously. Song I do not hear anything.

Caelan smiled softly. You will.

She stepped closer but cautious. Why appear now Why me

Caelans silver eyes glowed brighter as he studied her face. Because you carry something in your heart that resonates with the realm. You seek truth not out of ambition but out of longing. You carry a wound you refuse to acknowledge. That allows you to hear what others cannot.

Lyria stiffened. She wanted to deny his words but something in her heart whispered that he was right. She carried hurts she never allowed herself to face. The loss of her mother. The loneliness of her endless travels. The feeling that she was searching for something she did not understand.

Caelan studied her quietly. Through your pain you still see beauty in forgotten things. That is why you are here. The realm calls to you.

Before she could respond the ground beneath them shook. The air trembled with a deep rumble. Lyria stumbled and Caelan caught her instinctively. The moment his hands touched her she felt heat surge through her body. Not painful. Not frightening. A warmth that felt like being seen for the first time.

Caelan looked toward the center of the ruins. It is awakening.

What is awakening Lyria asked.

The rift.

At the far end of the ruins a burst of pale light erupted from the ground forming a swirling vortex of silver and shadow. It twisted violently like a storm trapped in one place. Dark tendrils leaked from it, writhing like living mist.

Lyria stepped back in fear. That looks dangerous.

It is. Caelans voice grew heavy. If the rift breaks open it will consume both realms. Spirits will pour into your world and mortal souls will be lost in the void.

Her eyes widened. How do we stop it

Caelan turned to her slowly. You and I must walk into the rift and restore the heart of the realm before the shadow takes over. I cannot do it alone. I lost my power long ago. But with you the realm will awaken.

Lyria shook her head. I cannot do something like that. I am not chosen or destined or whatever you think I am. I am just a researcher.

Caelan stepped closer and gently held her hands. She stiffened but did not pull away. His touch was warm and grounding. You are more than you believe. You have strength inside you you refuse to accept. It is not destiny that brought you here. It is courage.

Lyria swallowed hard. Her heart beat too fast. She met his gaze and saw truth in his eyes. A truth that terrified and comforted her at once. She whispered, If I go into that rift will I survive

Caelans expression softened. If we go together yes.

Lyria nodded slowly. Then I will help you.

Caelan closed his eyes in visible relief. Thank you.

They stepped toward the swirling rift. The closer they came the louder the hum grew. It sounded like a thousand voices whispering at once. Songs of sorrow. Songs of hope. Songs of pain.

The moment Lyria touched the edge of the rift a rush of memories flooded her mind. She saw flashes of Caelan standing with a group of warriors made of light. She saw a palace floating in a starlit sky. She saw a monstrous shadow tear the realm apart. Then she saw Caelan alone in the ruins crying out in despair as the gate shattered.

She gasped and stumbled. Caelan steadied her. You saw it. My past.

Lyria looked at him with new understanding. You lost everything.

Caelan nodded slowly. My people. My home. And the woman I loved.

Lyria heart tightened unexpectedly. I am sorry.

Caelan touched her cheek gently. Do not be sorry. That is another life. One that ended long before yours began.

But Lyria felt a strange ache in her chest. A longing. A sadness she could not explain. The rift glowed brighter as if sensing her emotions.

Caelan whispered, The realm is responding to you.

They stepped inside.

The world twisted and folded around them. Light stretched like liquid. The ground vanished beneath their feet and reformed moments later. They found themselves standing in a vast plain made of shimmering crystal. The sky above them was a swirling mix of purple and silver clouds.

Lyria gasped. This place is beautiful.

Caelan smiled softly. This was once the heart of the realm. It has changed but its soul remains.

They walked across the glowing ground. Shadows appeared in the distance. Twisted creatures with long limbs and empty eyes. Lyria felt fear rise inside her.

What are those

Remnants of despair. Fragments of the shadow that destroyed my people. They exist only to consume hope.

The creatures moved toward them with unnatural jerks. Lyria took a step back. Caelan moved in front of her.

Stay behind me.

He raised his hand and a burst of silver light shot forward striking the creatures. They hissed and dissolved into mist. Caelan breathed heavily and staggered slightly.

Lyria rushed to him. You are hurt

Caelan shook his head. Only weakened. The realm drains me. But it strengthens you.

Me Why me

Because you carry the new heartfire. The realm responds to your presence. You are its chosen light.

Lyria felt panic. I cannot be that. I do not know how to be that.

Caelan cupped her face gently. You do not have to know. You only need to trust yourself. And trust me.

Her breath trembled. I do.

Caelan looked stunned for a moment. His silver eyes softened. Then let us continue.

They reached the center of the crystalline plain where a massive sphere of cracked light hovered above a deep chasm. The sphere pulsed like a dying star.

Caelan voice was low. This is the heart of the realm. You must heal it.

Lyria shook her head. I do not know how.

Your soul does.

Lyria placed her hands on the fractured sphere. At the moment of contact a bright surge of energy shot through her. She cried out as visions flooded her mind. Memories that were not hers. A temple filled with singing voices. A woman with silver eyes kissing Caelan goodbye. A kingdom celebrating under falling starlight. Then the darkness came. The kingdom fell. Caelan was left alone.

Lyria saw his despair. His heartbreak. His eternal solitude.

Tears streamed down her face. Caelan placed his hands over hers. His touch anchored her.

I am here. He whispered. You are not alone.

Lyria felt warmth bloom inside her chest. A soft golden glow spread from her heart into her arms and into the sphere. The cracks trembled then mended. The sphere brightened until its light flooded the entire realm.

The ground shook. The chasm closed. The sky cleared. A wave of pure energy washed over them.

Lyria felt her body weaken and she fell into Caelans arms. He held her tightly.

You did it. You healed the heart.

Lyria breathed weakly. What happens now

Caelan looked at the brightening sky. The realm will be restored. But the curse binding me to your world is broken. I must return fully to this realm. I cannot stay with you in the mortal world.

Lyria felt her heart shatter. No. Please no. I only just found you.

Caelan held her close. His voice trembled slightly. Lyria I have lived alone for centuries. Meeting you was the first light I have felt in a very long time. But our worlds are different. And the realm needs its guardian once more.

Tears ran down her cheeks. I do not want to lose you.

Caelan lifted her face gently and kissed her. His lips were warm and soft. The kiss was filled with longing and pain and love that defied time. When he pulled away his voice was barely above a whisper.

Our souls are bound. This is not the end.

The realm glowed brighter and Caelans body began to dissolve into light.

Lyria reached for him desperately. Caelan

His fading hand touched her heart. I will find you. In this life or the next.

The light swallowed him.

Lyria gasped and suddenly she was standing alone among the ruins of Elarion Ridge. The rift was gone. The air was calm. The moon shone gently over the land.

She pressed a hand to her heart. A soft warmth lingered there.

Someday. She whispered. I will find you too.

And the wind carried a faint whisper across the ridge.

I am waiting.