Chapter 10: The Darkness Within

Malachar's laughter faded, but his words lingered like poison in the room.

"Including the woman he loves..."

The silence that followed was unbearable.

Evelyn looked directly at Thaddeus.

"Is it true?" she asked quietly.

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he walked toward the shattered window overlooking the snow-covered forest.

"Yes," he finally admitted.

"Every Blood Moon weakens the chains that keep my darkness under control."

"This one will be different."

"Because of the Eternal Bond?" Orion asked.

Thaddeus nodded.

"The bond amplifies everything."

"My strength."

"My hunger."

"My darkness."

"And if I lose control..."

"No one here will be able to stop me."

Ryland folded his arms.

"We've stopped you before."

"Not like this."

"Not with the prophecy unfolding."

Evelyn slowly approached him.

"Then we'll find another way."

Thaddeus laughed bitterly.

"There isn't one."

"You don't know that."

"I've lived for more than a century, Evelyn."

"I've searched for every possible cure."

"There isn't one."

"Then why keep fighting?"

He turned to face her.

"Because the moment I stop fighting... innocent people die."

His words struck her harder than she expected.

For the first time, she understood the burden he carried every day.

He wasn't fighting the world.

He was fighting himself.

Suddenly, alarms echoed through the mansion once again.

"Perimeter breach detected!"

"North barrier collapsing!"

Ryland cursed.

"Again?"

A guard rushed into the throne room.

"My King! Scouts report dozens of supernatural clans approaching the estate!"

"Who are they?" Orion asked.

"Not enemies..."

"They're refugees."

Everyone exchanged confused glances.

"Refugees?" Thaddeus repeated.

"Yes, sire."

"Entire villages have been destroyed overnight."

"Destroyed by what?"

The guard swallowed nervously.

"No survivors know."

"Only one message was left behind."

"What message?"

The guard hesitated before speaking.

"The Blood Heir belongs to the Shadow King."

The room fell silent.

"Shadow King?" Evelyn whispered.

"Who's that?"

Orion looked pale.

"A legend."

"No..." Thaddeus corrected.

"Something much worse than a legend."

"Centuries ago, before the supernatural kingdoms existed, there was one ruler feared above all others."

"The Shadow King."

"He ruled both life and death."

"Until he vanished."

"Everyone believed he was destroyed."

"Apparently... we were wrong."

Ryland clenched his fists.

"Malachar is trying to bring him back."

"Exactly," Thaddeus answered.

"And Evelyn's blood is the key."

A loud explosion shook the mansion.

Dust fell from the ceiling.

"They've reached the outer wall!" another guard shouted.

Without hesitation, Thaddeus summoned his dark armor.

Black flames wrapped around his body before hardening into ancient obsidian armor.

His sword materialized in his hand.

"Stay inside," he ordered Evelyn.

"No."

Everyone turned toward her.

"I'm done hiding while everyone risks their lives because of me."

"You're not trained."

"Teach me."

"Now?" Ryland asked with disbelief.

"There's no time."

"Then I'll learn while fighting."

Thaddeus stared into her determined hazel eyes.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Finally...

He extended his hand.

"Stay beside me."

"Never leave my side."

"Can you promise that?"

Evelyn placed her hand in his.

"I promise."

The moment their hands touched...

The Eternal Bond flared to life.

Silver and black energy intertwined around their arms.

The entire throne room trembled.

Outside...

Every supernatural present stopped fighting.

They all looked toward the mansion.

Above the estate...

The clouds slowly parted.

For just a brief moment...

A crimson moon became visible in the daytime sky.

"Impossible," Orion whispered.

"The Blood Moon isn't supposed to rise for five more nights."

Far away, within the ruins of an ancient temple...

Malachar smiled as the crimson light illuminated his face.

"Excellent..."

"The bond is evolving much faster than expected."

"Soon..."

"The Shadow King will awaken."