Chapter 13: The Crown of Dawn

"Unfortunately... you're too late," Kael said as the golden crown floated above his outstretched hand.

The magnificent relic radiated brilliant sunlight despite the darkness surrounding him.

Every ancient symbol carved into its surface glowed with divine energy.

"No," Aurora whispered.

"The Crown would never choose him."

Kael laughed.

"You're absolutely right."

"It didn't."

"But that doesn't mean I can't take it."

The Crown suddenly shook violently, resisting the dark magic wrapped around it.

Golden light clashed against Kael's black aura.

"It's rejecting him," Orion observed.

"Then why hasn't it returned to its chamber?" Ryland asked.

Elias' warning echoed in Evelyn's mind.

"The relics cannot be claimed by force... but they can be corrupted."

"Stop him!" Evelyn shouted.

Thaddeus charged first.

Dark flames exploded around his sword as he closed the distance.

Kael merely smiled.

"I've been waiting for this."

He snapped his fingers.

The temple floor split apart.

Gigantic stone guardians rose from beneath the ruins.

Each stood nearly twenty feet tall, carrying enormous weapons forged from enchanted stone.

"Temple Sentinels," Aurora gasped.

"They only awaken when someone tries to steal the Crown."

"Looks like they don't care who's right or wrong," Ryland growled.

"They'll kill everyone."

One Sentinel swung its massive hammer toward Thaddeus.

He barely dodged the devastating strike.

The marble floor shattered beneath the impact.

"I'll handle Kael!" Thaddeus shouted.

"Destroy the guardians!"

Ryland shifted into his wolf and leaped onto another Sentinel's back.

Orion vanished in a blur, slicing at its glowing joints.

Aurora and Cedric fought together, drawing one giant away from Evelyn.

Meanwhile, Kael calmly retreated deeper into the temple.

The Crown continued resisting his control.

"You belong to me," he hissed.

Dark chains wrapped around the relic.

The golden light dimmed.

Evelyn felt a sharp pain in her chest.

Her pendant burned against her skin.

"It's calling me," she whispered.

"Go!" Aurora shouted.

"We'll hold them off!"

Without hesitation, Evelyn ran past the battling giants.

Thaddeus saw her sprint toward Kael.

"Evelyn! Wait!"

But she was already gone.

Deep inside the temple stood a magnificent circular chamber.

Sunlight streamed through a hole in the ceiling, illuminating an ancient stone altar.

Kael stood beside it, struggling to suppress the Crown's power.

"Stay back," he warned as Evelyn entered.

"You don't understand what this relic can do."

"Neither do you," Evelyn replied.

The Crown suddenly floated free from Kael's chains.

It hovered between them.

Golden light filled the chamber.

"Choose," an ancient voice echoed.

"Only one may bear the Crown of Dawn."

Kael lunged toward it.

Dark magic burst from his hands.

At the same moment, Evelyn instinctively reached forward.

Silver light flowed from her pendant.

The two powers collided.

The chamber shook violently.

The Crown rose higher into the air.

"Prove your worth," the ancient voice declared.

Everything disappeared.

Evelyn suddenly found herself standing inside a peaceful garden filled with white roses.

Across from her stood a young girl no older than ten.

The child smiled warmly.

"Who are you?" Evelyn asked.

"I was the first Queen of Ashbourne," the girl answered.

"This is your trial."

"Where's Kael?"

"Facing his own."

"What do I have to do?"

"Answer one question honestly."

The child stepped closer.

"If saving the world required sacrificing the people you love..."

"Would you do it?"

Evelyn froze.

Images appeared before her.

Thaddeus smiling.

Ryland laughing.

Orion protecting her.

Her unborn child.

Her friends.

Everyone she cared about.

Tears filled her eyes.

"I don't want to lose them," she whispered.

"But I won't let millions die either."

"Then what would you choose?"

Evelyn took a deep breath.

"I'd find another way."

"Even if everyone said it was impossible."

"I'd fight until my last breath before sacrificing anyone I love."

The little girl smiled brightly.

"That... is the answer every true Ashbourne ruler gives."

The garden dissolved.

Back in the temple chamber, the Crown shot through the air.

Kael reached for it.

"No!" he roared.

Instead, the golden relic gently settled upon Evelyn's head.

A pillar of radiant sunlight burst through the temple roof.

The entire desert lit up.

Every Temple Sentinel immediately stopped moving.

Then, one by one...

They knelt before Evelyn.

"The Crown has chosen its Queen," Aurora whispered.

Kael stared in disbelief.

Then he smiled.

"Perfect..." he said quietly.

"Exactly as the prophecy required."

Before anyone could stop him, he crushed a black crystal hidden inside his palm.

A portal swallowed him instantly.

His final words echoed through the temple.

"Now the second seal will break."