The Tainted Past (Fantasy)

In the kingdom of Eldryn, where bloodlines determine power and history is etched in magic, Ayla Serenth hides a secret that could shatter her world. Born with forbidden magic tied to the kingdom's ancient enemies, Ayla has spent her life concealing her abilities, working as a healer in the shadows of a society that would brand her a traitor if the truth came to light.

When the king announces a desperate call to arms against a rising darkness in the north, Ayla's quiet life is upended. Drafted into a unit led by the enigmatic and fiercely loyal Captain Kieran Drayke, Ayla is forced to venture into the very lands where her magic originated. As their group battles monstrous creatures and uncovers ruins from a forgotten war, Ayla begins to hear whispers-both from the past and from within herself-urging her to claim the power she has always feared.

But the deeper they delve into the mysteries of the north, the more Ayla realizes that the darkness threatening Eldryn is connected to her own bloodline. As allies turn into enemies and truths blur into lies, Ayla must decide whether to embrace the magic that marks her as a villain or risk losing everything to the shadows of the past.

The Tainted Past is a gripping fantasy tale of buried secrets, forbidden magic, and the courage to rewrite a destiny steeped in shame. In a world where history's scars run deep, only those brave enough to confront them can hope to forge a new future.