Chapter 14: The Second Seal

Kael's final words echoed throughout the Sun Temple.

"Now the second seal will break."

The black portal closed behind him, leaving only silence.

A moment later, the entire temple began to tremble.

The golden pillars cracked as dust rained from the ceiling.

"Something's wrong," Orion said.

"This isn't because of the Crown."

Evelyn instinctively touched the newly claimed relic resting upon her head.

Warm light flowed through her body, calming the chaotic Ashbourne magic inside her.

For the first time since awakening her bloodline, she felt complete.

"The Crown accepted you," Aurora said with relief.

"Your powers are finally stabilizing."

Before anyone could celebrate, the temple floor suddenly split open.

A massive beam of crimson light erupted into the sky.

"The seal!" Cedric shouted.

"Kael activated something before escaping!"

Far beneath the temple, ancient chains snapped one after another.

The ground shook violently.

Thousands of miles away, Hollow Peak trembled in response.

Deep beneath the mountain, the Devourer slowly opened both glowing crimson eyes.

Its enormous chains rattled.

One of them shattered completely.

"The second prison has weakened," Elias whispered from Hollow Peak as he watched the Heart Crystal flicker.

"We're running out of time."

Back inside the Sun Temple, ancient runes illuminated every wall.

The Crown on Evelyn's head suddenly released a brilliant wave of sunlight.

The crimson beam weakened slightly.

"It's trying to repair the seal," Aurora realized.

"Help her!"

Thaddeus stepped beside Evelyn.

Dark flames surrounded him.

"Tell me what to do."

"Place your hand over mine," Evelyn replied.

"The Crown is reacting to your darkness."

He hesitated for only a second before obeying.

The moment their hands touched, black and white energy intertwined instead of colliding.

Everyone stared in amazement.

"Light and Darkness... together," Orion murmured.

"The prophecy was true."

"Only together can balance be restored," Cedric added.

The combined energy shot toward the crimson beam.

Golden symbols wrapped around the damaged seal.

Slowly...

Painfully...

The cracks stopped spreading.

The temple finally became still.

Evelyn collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily.

Thaddeus immediately caught her before she could fall.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded weakly.

"I sealed it... but only temporarily."

"How long?" Ryland asked.

"Not long," Aurora answered before Evelyn could.

"Once a seal is broken, it can never fully recover."

"Then Kael accomplished exactly what he wanted," Marcus muttered.

"Yes," Cedric replied.

"He never wanted the Crown."

"He wanted Evelyn to claim it."

Silence filled the chamber.

"Why?" Evelyn asked.

"Because the prophecy requires the Queen to awaken every Sacred Relic," Aurora explained.

"Only then can the path to the Crystal Heart be opened."

"And Kael needs the Crystal Heart to free the Devourer."

Thaddeus clenched his fists.

"We've been helping him all along."

"Not entirely," Orion corrected.

"Without the Crown, Evelyn would've never gained control over her powers."

"Now at least we have a chance."

Suddenly the Crown glowed once again.

A beam of golden light projected a map into the air.

One location pulsed brighter than the others.

"Ashbourne Palace," Cedric whispered.

"The Crystal Heart is calling to its Queen."

"Then that's our next destination," Thaddeus declared.

Aurora frowned.

"It won't be that simple."

"Why?" Ryland asked.

"Because Ashbourne Palace no longer exists."

"It sank beneath the Black Lake after the kingdom fell."

"The palace is underwater," Evelyn said quietly.

"Exactly."

"And beneath it lies the entrance to the final sanctuary."

As everyone prepared to leave the ruined temple, a wounded messenger stumbled through the broken gates.

His armor carried the crest of Hollow Peak.

"Your Majesty!" he gasped.

"We've been searching everywhere!"

Marcus rushed toward him.

"What happened?"

The messenger dropped to one knee.

"Hollow Peak has fallen."

"Queen Morgana attacked with the full Shadow Army."

"The Heart Crystal..."

He struggled to breathe.

"...has been stolen."

Every face turned pale.

Evelyn slowly tightened her grip around the Crown.

"Then we're already too late."

Far away, inside the Shadow Citadel, Morgana gently placed the stolen Heart Crystal upon a massive stone altar.

Behind her, the chained silhouette of the Devourer slowly smiled.

"Only one relic remains," Morgana whispered.

"Soon... the Final Seal will break."