Shadow Monarch Ashborn Novels & Stories

"Why do you hunt us?" The figure smiled cruelly. "Because the Heartstone belongs to the darkness. It is the heart of our power." With a flick of their wrist, shadows exploded around them, forming into grotesque creatures that lunged at Ava's group. The fight was desperate. Ava's magic surged as she battled the creatures, but the figure's power was overwhelming. Just as one of the beasts closed in on her, a brilliant flash of light erupted from Ashton's sword, cutting it down. Together, they forced the figure back, but the warning was clear: the Shadowborn would not relent.

“Good. Skepticism. The young in my day swallowed prophecy like milk. It curdled them.” Behind her, Scar muttered, “I like him already.” Luna did not take her eyes off the stranger. “Who are you?” she asked. “What are you?” He tilted his head. Something in that tilt—wary, analytical—echoed an old posture she had seen in the Moon Temple statues. “I am Ashar,” he said. “Once called Ashar of the First Circle. Alpha of Ashen Reach. Pact-holder. Gate-watcher. And very, very tired of being dead.”

Instead, he caught Kamman's arm, as if preventing his fall. "Aren't you a Phoenix, sir? How come your body doesn't live up to your name?" Asia asked in a mocking tone, a playful smile plastered steadily on his face. He said that with no idea that his presence was slowly draining bits of Kamman's soul. Kamman closed his eyes and focused on the pain, trying to subdue it. One of his hands pressed to his head, and the other gripped the nearest table to support his body. His men visibly panicked, especially Rei, who immediately rushed to hold him. However, he barely reached him before Asia's arm was raised in front of him, preventing access.

His focus went back to what he held in his hands and that stirred up some questions in my head that I had to ask. He spoke calmly and that reduced the tension in the room. “Are you some type of a genie?” “It’s not a kettle, it's an urn.” “Do you live there?” “I just said I'm a wolf shifter, young girl?” He always has this 5-7 seconds of uncomfortable pause before he speaks, like he tries to formulate words in his head. “My ashes were kept there.” His throat worked Your ash? Please, Emmett, make everything you're saying make sense and be more realistic

My skin flushed red hot, every nerve ending in my body suddenly screaming in bizarre, frantic awareness. Two broad, claw-scarred leather boots came to a halt directly in front of my face. I forced myself to look up. Lucan Ashcroft. The Alpha Lord of the Moonsong Dominion. The supreme heir to the Silverclaw monarchy, and the most feared warrior in the seven territories.

“Then we fight. I won’t run.” Ryan’s lips curved into a faint, approving smile. “That’s the spirit. But remember you’re not alone. I’ll be right here.” As the sun struggled to pierce the mist, figures began to emerge from the forest. The Shadowborn had returned, larger in number, their shapes more terrifying and grotesque than the night before. Limbs stretched at impossible angles, faces half formed, eyes glowing a malevolent violet. They advanced like a living tide, silent and deliberate, yet brimming with lethal intent.

she says gently yet firmly, “it’s time to wake up, dear. Morning’s already here.” I sit up slowly, rubbing my eyes to hide the heaviness inside. She places a bowl of porridge beside me, smiling. “You need to build your strength, little one. We’ll head to the market later to see what we can trade.” “Martha,” I say softly, looking up at her. “Before we go, I… I have to change something.” She freezes mid-motion, raising an eyebrow. “Change something? What do you mean?” I run my fingers through my hair—the same hair that once caught attention in every palace hallway. It’s crimson red, like embers—my father's royal crest's color. It is both a sign of power and a curse.

Right after posting it, while I was still reading comments mocking me for putting on a tough front, I saw Immortal Ashes Team’s official account tag me in a post, openly standing by my side. "The crowd follows the herd. The strong walk alone. Those who don’t know how to cherish what they have will lose it. Ash Mercer, we stand with you. IA will always be your strongest backing."

Let everything go back to normal. Normal. The word tasted like ash. I turned the water off and stood dripping in the quiet. Steam swirled around me thick and heavy. But I didn’t want normal, all I want is her. And that scared me more than any slap Ethan could throw.

“You think she rules you. But I know her mind. I am her mind. And I know she’s terrified of what she’ll become when you’re gone.” Amara’s hand brushed Luca’s arm. “Don’t.” “She’s trying to bait you,” she said softly. The clone stepped closer. “Tell me, Queen of Ash — how does it feel to wear a crown built on the bones of men who worshiped you?” Amara didn’t flinch. “It feels heavy. And earned. Something you’ll never understand.” A low rumble began beneath the ground. The air filled with the sound of shifting metal — the Ash Legion emerging from beneath the square. Dozens, then hundreds of them, crawling up through the marble like insects.