Chapter 12: The Guardian's Secret

A heavy silence settled over the battlefield.

Snow drifted gently around the enormous dragon as everyone stared in disbelief.

Thaddeus slowly lowered his sword.

"What did you just say?"

Asterion's ancient golden eyes met his.

"The Shadow King has awakened."

"Not completely... but enough to influence the mortal world."

Orion stepped forward.

"That shouldn't be possible."

"His prison was sealed by the First Bloodline over a thousand years ago."

The dragon nodded solemnly.

"The seal has weakened."

"Every century it grows weaker."

"Now someone is feeding it dark magic from the outside."

Ryland clenched his fists.

"Malachar."

"Yes."

"He seeks to destroy the final seal using Evelyn's blood."

Evelyn looked from one face to another.

"Why me?"

"Because your blood created the prison," Asterion replied.

"Only your blood can open it."

"Or strengthen it forever."

Everyone fell silent.

Thaddeus frowned.

"So she has a choice?"

"She always did."

"The prophecy was misunderstood."

"It never said the Blood Heir would destroy the world."

"Only that she would decide its fate."

Evelyn felt the weight of those words settle upon her shoulders.

"I don't know anything about magic."

"How am I supposed to save anyone?"

"You won't be alone," Asterion answered.

"The Eternal Bond exists for that reason."

"Four souls united against one darkness."

Suddenly, the dragon turned toward Thaddeus.

"But there is another problem."

"Your darkness is changing."

Thaddeus's expression hardened.

"I know."

"No," Asterion replied.

"You don't."

"The darkness inside you is no longer merely power."

"It has become sentient."

Ryland and Orion exchanged alarmed glances.

"That's impossible," Orion whispered.

"Dark magic has no consciousness."

"Normally, yes," Asterion said.

"But the Blood Moon has awakened something sleeping deep inside him."

"What happens if it fully awakens?" Evelyn asked nervously.

The dragon lowered his head.

"Then Thaddeus will cease to exist."

"Only the Darkness will remain."

A painful silence followed.

Evelyn looked at Thaddeus.

Despite his calm expression, she could see the fear hidden behind his black eyes.

He had known this moment might come.

He had simply never admitted it.

"There has to be another way," she insisted.

"There is," Asterion answered.

"A relic."

"The Heart of Elysium."

"A crystal created before darkness and light were separated."

"It has the power to balance both."

"Where is it?" Ryland asked immediately.

"Hidden inside the Temple of Souls."

"A place no one has entered for nearly two thousand years."

"Because no one has ever returned," Orion added quietly.

The dragon nodded.

"Only those bound by the Eternal Bond can survive the trials inside."

Thaddeus sheathed his sword.

"Then we leave immediately."

"No," Asterion replied firmly.

"You have only three days before the Blood Moon reaches its peak."

"The temple will not open until tomorrow night's eclipse."

"Until then... prepare yourselves."

"Once you enter..."

"There will be no turning back."

Suddenly, one of the guards ran toward them.

"My King!"

"We've captured one of Malachar's spies!"

The group hurried back toward the castle.

Inside the dungeon, a hooded prisoner knelt inside a magical cage.

His face remained hidden.

"Remove his hood," Thaddeus ordered.

A guard pulled it away.

Everyone froze.

The prisoner smiled.

"Hello, Dark King."

It wasn't a stranger.

It was someone Orion recognized immediately.

"Marcus..." Orion whispered in disbelief.

"You died fifty years ago."

Marcus laughed softly.

"Death doesn't hold much power anymore."

"Not since our true master awakened."

He slowly turned his gaze toward Evelyn.

"He's waiting for you..."

"Daughter of the First Bloodline."