Muskan_umata

When amateur archaeologist Lila unearths an ancient amulet in the scorching desert, she thinks she’s found the key to saving her people from ruin. But the moment she touches it, the ground collapses beneath her, and she wakes up in a world she doesn’t recognize—with a face that isn’t hers. 

Now, trapped in the body of Queen Aurora a legendary ruler whose downfall cursed an entire kingdom, Lila is thrust into a world of political intrigue, ancient magic, and a prophecy she doesn’t understand. According to a fiery phoenix that emerges from the amulet, she must **restore the seven flames—a task that will unite the warring Phoenix and Dragon Kingdoms and heal a rift that has plagued the land for centuries.

But Lila is no queen. She’s a reluctant adventurer with a sharp tongue and a knack for getting into trouble. As she navigates courtly schemes, battles with shadowy enemies, and the growing power of the amulet, she begins to uncover the truth about Queen Aurora’s past—and the dark forces that led to her downfall. 

With time running out and the amulet’s power growing stronger, Lila must decide: will she embrace her new identity as the Phoenix Queen and fulfill the prophecy, or will she fight to return to her old life—even if it means dooming the kingdoms to eternal strife?

Crown of the seven flames

The chamber was closing in around us, the walls shifting and grinding as if the temple itself were alive. The whispers grew louder, more frantic, until they were almost unbearable. I clutched the map tightly, my mind racing.

"There has to be another way out," Arl said, his voice tense as he scanned the room.

"The map," I said, holding it up. "Maybe it can show us."

The runes on the parchment glowed brighter as I focused on them, their light illuminating the chamber. The symbols shifted and rearranged themselves, forming a new pattern—a path leading deeper into the temple.

"This way," I said, heading toward a narrow passageway that had opened in the wall.

Arl followed close behind, his sword drawn. The passage was tight and dark, the air thick with the scent of damp stone. The whispers faded as we moved deeper, replaced by an eerie silence.

After what felt like an eternity, we emerged into a large, circular chamber. The walls were lined with ancient carvings, their surfaces worn smooth by time. At the center of the room stood a pedestal, similar to the one that had held the map, but this one was empty.

"What is this place?" Arl asked, his voice echoing in the stillness.

"I don't know," I said, stepping closer to the pedestal. "But I think it's important."

As I approached, the carvings on the walls began to glow, their light casting strange shadows across the room. The air grew warmer, and the faint sound of crackling fire filled the chamber.

"Aurora," Arl said, his voice tense. "Look."

I turned to see a figure stepping out of the shadows—Kaela, the rebel leader. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity.

"I thought you might end up here," she said, her voice calm but edged with something I couldn't quite place.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my hand instinctively going to the dagger at my side.

"The same as you," she replied, stepping closer. "Looking for answers."

"And did you find them?" Arl asked, his tone wary.

Kaela's gaze flicked to him, then back to me. "Not yet. But I think you might have."

She gestured to the map in my hands, her expression unreadable. "That map is more than just a guide. It's a key."

"A key to what?" I asked, my heart pounding.

Before she could answer, the ground beneath us began to tremble. The carvings on the walls glowed brighter, their light intensifying until it was almost blinding. The air grew hotter, and the sound of crackling fire grew louder.

"We need to go," Kaela said, her voice urgent. "Now."

But it was too late. The chamber was collapsing around us, the walls crumbling as the floor split open. I stumbled, the map slipping from my grasp as I fell.

"Aurora!" Arl's voice was distant, muffled by the roar of collapsing stone.

I reached for the map, my fingers brushing its surface as the ground gave way beneath me. The last thing I saw was Kaela's face, her expression a mix of fear and determination, before everything went dark.

A fragile alliance