New story: Shadows of Betrayal (#184)

* New story: Shadows of Betrayal

* Minor tweaks

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Co-authored-by: actions (automatic) <[email protected]>
Co-authored-by: Marie Katrine Ekeberg <[email protected]>

_posts/2023-08-02-Shadows_of_Betrayal.md

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+---
+layout: post
+title:  "Shadows of Betrayal"
+author: lily
+categories: [ young adult, fantasy ]
+image: assets/images/2023-08-02-Shadows_of_Betrayal.png
+---
+
+The city of Eldoria was once a thriving metropolis, filled with laughter and joy. But now, it lay in ruins, its streets empty and its buildings crumbling. Most of the people had long abandoned it, leaving behind only whispers of a dark secret that had torn the city apart.
+
+In the heart of Eldoria, there stood a grand castle, once the symbol of power and prosperity. It was here that Prince Lucian, the rightful heir to the throne, resided. He was a young man of noble heart, beloved by his people. But little did he know that his closest friend, Sir Tristan, harbored a deep jealousy that would lead to the city's downfall.
+
+Tristan had always been in the shadow of Lucian, his accomplishments overshadowed by the prince's natural charisma and charm. He had spent years plotting his revenge, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. And that opportunity presented itself when a mysterious sorceress arrived in Eldoria.
+
+The sorceress, known as Seraphina, possessed a power that could grant immortality. She promised Tristan eternal life in exchange for his loyalty and assistance in overthrowing Lucian. Blinded by his desire for revenge, Tristan agreed without hesitation.
+
+Together, Tristan and Seraphina devised a plan to poison the prince. They knew that Lucian's love for his people was his greatest weakness, so they decided to taint the city's water supply. The poison would spread through the veins of Eldoria, slowly killing its inhabitants and leaving Lucian powerless to save them.
+
+As the days passed, the people of Eldoria grew weaker and sicker. Panic spread like wildfire, and Lucian, desperate to find a cure, sought the help of the sorceress. Unbeknownst to him, Seraphina had been manipulating him all along, using his love for his people as a weapon against him.
+
+Lucian arrived at Seraphina's lair, his heart heavy with grief and fear. He pleaded with her to save his people, unaware of the betrayal that awaited him. Seraphina, with a wicked smile, revealed her true intentions. She had no intention of saving Eldoria; she only sought to watch it crumble.
+
+In a fit of rage, Lucian confronted Tristan, his once loyal friend. But Tristan, consumed by his newfound immortality, had become a shell of his former self. He reveled in Lucian's pain, taunting him with his betrayal. The prince, broken and defeated, realized that his city was lost.
+
+With a heavy heart, Lucian returned to Eldoria, his spirit shattered. He watched as the city he loved crumbled before his eyes, its once vibrant streets now filled with death and despair. The people he had sworn to protect had turned against him, their trust shattered by the poison that ran through their veins.
+
+In the end, Lucian was left with nothing but the echoes of his past. The city that had once thrived under his rule now lay in ruins, a haunting reminder of the betrayal he had endured. He wandered the empty streets, a ghost in his own kingdom, forever haunted by the shadows of his past.
+
+And so, the city of Eldoria became a mere memory, a cautionary tale of the consequences of betrayal. The once bright future of its people was extinguished, leaving behind only darkness and despair. And in the heart of that darkness, Prince Lucian stood alone, forever tormented by the betrayal of shadows.