THE TWELVE KEYS

by A. K. Sharma

Published 26 August 2022
In the Kingdom of Shengxiao a tradition has been carried on for centuries, the Annual Shengxiao Games. The Kingdom of Shengxiao was created by the Gods for the first twelve animals that won the Challenges of the Five Earthly Elements of Water, Fire, Metal, Earth, Wood. Their purpose was to guard the Heavenly Gates from enemies. When the murder of one of the Families' High Elders takes place, a Key is released for another family to claim, this also meant that all Twelve Keys had now been challenged.
To protect the Kingdom, it is decreed that the games be changed back to the original Dragon Games which were fought to the death leaving only one winner. Only those who belonged to the Dragonian Clan could make a challenge for the Key.
A Prince who is traitor to his father the King, a Prince who does not know he is a Prince, becomes the King's Spy, and a cousin of the King who wants the Crown are the main challengers for the Key. The Water Element Game is the first of the challenges to take place resulting in an unexpected winner. With four challenges remaining, the King's Spy must do everything he can to win the Games and the Kingdom for his King.