The night air was cool as the little boat glided through the calm waters, returning to the village. Lyra’s fingers nervously traced the edge of an ancient scroll she had discovered in a mysterious library. The weight of what she had learned felt heavy in her heart — the darkness they faced was much older and more dangerous than she had ever thought.

Ethan sat across from her, his eyes scanning the horizon while his mind seemed to be racing. “The curse of the Hollowed King is connected to ...