The Fae King's Chosen

Chapter 3 - The Prophecy Begins

Alessia's breath caught as Oberon's words echoed through the grand hall. Prophecies? Curses? Fae? Her world had tilted on its axis in mere moments. She gripped the cold marble pillar beside her, knuckles whitening as she fought to steady herself. This can't be real.She tried to wrap her mind around it, but it was impossible. Her life had gone from mundane to... this, in what felt like a matter of hours.

It was overwhelming. It was insane She wasn’t supposed to be here. She should be back home, at her apartment, living her normal, predictable life. Not standing before a king in a realm she'd never imagined existed.

Oberon's piercing blue eyes seemed to penetrate her very soul, his gaze both assessing and inscrutable. His presence was overwhelming, filling the vast space with an energy that made the air feel charged. As he descended from his throne with deliberate grace, her heart pounded louder with each step he took.

Why do I feel like this? Alessia thought, her heart racing. It wasn’t just fear; there was something else, something unsettling that tugged at her, making it hard to think straight.

"You must have many questions," he said, his voice a deep rumble that resonated through the hall. He stopped just a few paces away, close enough that she could feel the warmth emanating from him."But first, I must ask you something.”

She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. "What... do you want to know?" Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

He tilted his head slightly, a strand of dark hair brushing his shoulder. "Tell me, did you feel the pull when you stepped through the portal?"

Memories of the shimmering light in the park flooded back—the inexplicable urge to leave her usual path, the sensation of being drawn forward by an unseen force. She nodded slowly. "I felt... something. Like it was calling to me."

A brief glance passed between Oberon and Caelorn, who stood silently beside her. She'd almost forgotten he was there, his golden eyes observing everything with quiet intensity.

"The portal was meant for you," Oberon continued. "It would not have opened otherwise."

Alessia's grip tightened on the pillar. How could this be true? She wasn’t special. She wasn’t part of some ancient prophecy. She was just a person, living a normal life. Nothing about her should have led her to this place. None of this could be real.

“I don’t understand,” she said again, her voice shaking. “Why me? I’m just... I’m just nobody. There’s nothing special about me.”

Oberon's expression softened ever so slightly. "You carry within you a power that has been dormant, waiting to awaken. Our realm has awaited someone like you for centuries."

She shook her head, a mix of fear and disbelief swirling within her. "But I don't have any power. I'm just... me."

"Perhaps you haven't discovered it yet," Caelorn interjected gently. "But it's there."

She glanced at him, finding a measure of comfort in his steady gaze. Unlike Oberon's commanding presence, Caelorn's demeanor was calming—a lifeline in the storm of emotions threatening to consume her.

Oberon took a step closer, and the air seemed to thicken between them. "Our world is dying, Alessia," he said softly. "A curse cast by the Netherrealm has stripped us of our women, our magic fading with each passing year. Without women, our people cannot thrive. You are the first to cross over in centuries."

"The Netherrealm?" she echoed, the name sending a shiver down her spine.

"A realm of shadow and malice," Oberon explained, his jaw tightening. "Long ago, we fought a war against them. In their defeat, they cursed us, seeking to destroy us slowly."

Her mind raced, trying to grasp the enormity of what he was saying. The streets filled only with men, the fading magic—suddenly, it all made a terrible kind of sense. "But how can I help? I'm not from here. I don't know anything about magic or breaking curses."

"Your arrival is no coincidence," Oberon replied. "The prophecy speaks of one from another world who will break the curse and restore balance."

She took a shaky breath, her pulse quickening. "I don't know how to break a curse."

"In time, you will learn," he assured her, his gaze holding hers with an intensity that made her heartbeat falter. "We will help you."

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard. For a moment, she glimpsed something unguarded in his eyes—a hint of vulnerability beneath the stoic exterior. The weight of expectation pressed heavily upon her, yet there was a strange comfort in knowing she wasn't alone.

"I... I need time," she whispered. "This is all too much."

"Of course," Caelorn said, stepping forward with a reassuring smile. "Come, I'll show you to a place where you can rest."

She nodded numbly, grateful for the offer. As she turned to follow Caelorn, she felt Oberon's gaze linger on her. The weight of it sent a flutter through her stomach that she couldn't quite explain.

"Alessia," Oberon called softly.

She paused, looking back at him.

"You're not alone in this," he said. "Remember that."

She held his gaze for a moment, a myriad of emotions flickering between them—fear, uncertainty, and something else she couldn't name. Then she turned and followed Caelorn out of the hall, her thoughts a tangled web of confusion and disbelief.

The corridors of the palace were a labyrinth of grandeur. Walls adorned with intricate tapestries depicted epic battles and serene landscapes, while the soft glow of enchanted lanterns cast dancing patterns across the polished floors. Alessia tried to absorb it all, but her mind was overwhelmed.

"Caelorn," she began hesitantly, breaking the silence. "Do you truly believe I can help your world?"

He glanced at her, his expression gentle. "I have faith in the prophecies, and in you. Your arrival has already begun to stir the magic that remains."

She looked down, her fingers nervously tracing the pattern of the fabric on her sleeve. "In my world, prophecies and magic are just myths."

"Many truths are hidden in myths," he replied. "Sometimes, we just need to see them with new eyes."

They reached a set of ornate doors, and Caelorn pushed them open to reveal a spacious chamber bathed in soft moonlight. A cool breeze carried the scent of night-blooming flowers, and the distant sound of a waterfall provided a soothing backdrop.

"You can rest here," he said. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

She stepped inside, the plush carpet beneath her feet muffling her movements. "Thank you," she murmured, turning to face him. "For everything."

He offered a small bow. "It's my duty—and my honor. Sleep well, Alessia."

As the door closed softly behind him, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The room was beautiful, yet unfamiliar. She wandered to the window, gazing out at the sprawling gardens illuminated by the silvery glow of the moon. Strange constellations dotted the sky, stars brighter than any she'd seen back home.

"How did I end up here?" she whispered to herself, hugging her arms around her body.

A soft knock at the door startled her. Before she could respond, it opened slightly, and Oberon stepped inside, his imposing figure silhouetted against the hallway's light.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," he said quietly.

She turned to face him, her heart skipping a beat. "No, it's alright."

He stepped further into the room, closing the door behind him. "I wanted to ensure you have everything you need."

She offered a tentative smile. "It's more than I could ever ask for."

He nodded, his gaze drifting around the room before settling back on her. "I know this must be overwhelming."

"That's an understatement," she said with a soft, nervous laugh.

A faint smile touched his lips. "I admire your strength. Not many would handle this as well as you are."

She looked away, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "I don't feel very strong."

"Strength isn't always about how we feel," he replied. "Sometimes it's about how we choose to act despite our feelings."

She met his eyes again, drawn in by the sincerity she saw there. "I just... I don't want to let anyone down."

"You won't," he said firmly. "We'll face whatever comes next together."

The closeness between them was palpable. She became acutely aware of the warmth radiating from him, the subtle scent of cedar and something uniquely him. For a moment, the enormity of the situation faded, replaced by the simple reality of two people standing together in the quiet night.

"I should let you rest," he said finally, taking a small step back.

"Thank you, Oberon," she said softly. "For everything."

He inclined his head. "Sleep well, Alessia."

As he turned to leave, she found herself speaking without thinking. "Oberon?"

He paused, looking back at her expectantly.

"Earlier, you said you felt the magic stir when I arrived. What did you mean?"

He considered her question for a moment. "When you stepped through the portal, it was as if a ripple passed through the realm. The fading magic flickered—like a dying flame given new air. It's a sign that the curse can be broken."

She absorbed his words, a mixture of hope and anxiety welling within her. "I hope you're right."

"I am," he said with quiet conviction. "Goodnight, Alessia."

"Goodnight," she replied.

After he left, she settled onto the plush bed, her mind racing. Sleep seemed impossible, but exhaustion soon weighed her eyelids. As she drifted off, her dreams were filled with flashes of light, shadowy figures, and the haunting echo of Oberon's voice promising that she wasn't alone.