Chapter 5: The Queen They Sought

"Bring me the Ashbourne Queen alive!"

Kael Draven's command echoed across Hollow Peak as hundreds of black-armored warriors charged toward the ancient tower.

The mountain trembled beneath their footsteps.

Dark mist rolled down the cliffs, swallowing the narrow pathways leading to the Oracle's sanctuary.

"Protect Evelyn!" Thaddeus ordered.

Dark energy erupted from his body, surrounding the tower in a wall of black flames.

The first wave of attackers slammed into the magical barrier, only to be thrown backward.

"That won't hold for long," Orion warned.

"There are too many of them."

"Then we make every second count," Ryland growled.

Without hesitation, he shifted into his massive black wolf.

Bones cracked.

Muscles expanded.

Within moments, a creature nearly the size of a horse stood where the werewolf had been.

His crimson eyes burned with fury.

He lunged straight into the enemy ranks.

The battlefield erupted into chaos.

Claws tore through armor.

Magic lit the dark sky.

Steel clashed against enchanted blades.

Orion vanished in a blur of supernatural speed, appearing behind enemy soldiers before they even realized he had moved.

One after another, warriors collapsed.

Marcus led the royal guards into formation.

"Shield wall!"

The guards locked enchanted shields together, creating a defensive line around the tower entrance.

Inside, Evelyn struggled to process everything she had learned.

"Ashbourne Queen..." she whispered.

"I've spent my entire life believing I was ordinary."

The Oracle shook his head.

"You were never ordinary, child."

"Your parents sacrificed everything to hide your identity."

"Then why didn't they tell me the truth?"

"Because knowledge would have exposed you."

"Ashbourne blood carries a magical signature."

"The moment you accepted your heritage, every dark creature searching for your family would have sensed you."

Evelyn lowered her gaze.

"So they lied to keep me alive."

"Yes."

A violent impact shook the tower.

Large cracks spread across the magical barrier.

"They're breaking through," Marcus shouted.

Outside, Kael calmly watched the battle unfold.

"Interesting," he murmured.

"The Dark King has grown stronger."

One of his commanders approached.

"Should we send the second division?"

"Not yet."

"I'm waiting for something."

"What?"

Kael smiled.

"Her power."

"The Ashbourne Queen doesn't even know what she is capable of."

"Fear awakens ancient magic."

Another explosion shook the tower.

This time, part of the roof collapsed.

Stone debris crashed onto the floor.

"Everyone outside!" Thaddeus commanded.

"The tower isn't safe anymore."

The group hurried toward the rear exit leading to the mountain cliffs.

Enemy soldiers immediately surrounded them.

"We've lost the high ground!" Marcus warned.

Dozens of crossbows were aimed directly at Evelyn.

"Drop your weapons," an enemy captain shouted.

"Or she dies."

Thaddeus stepped forward.

"If you want her..."

"You'll have to kill me first."

Darkness swirled around him.

The air itself seemed to bend beneath his power.

Even the enemy soldiers hesitated.

"Remarkable," Kael said while slowly walking forward.

"The legendary King of Darkness himself."

"I've waited twenty years for this meeting."

"You should've stayed hidden," Thaddeus replied coldly.

"Perhaps."

"But then I wouldn't get to watch you lose everything."

Kael raised one hand.

The black symbol branded onto his palm began glowing.

Instantly, hundreds of dark crystals rose from the ground around the mountain.

"Blood Seal Formation," the Oracle gasped.

"Everyone run!"

Too late.

The crystals released crimson chains made entirely of magical energy.

The chains wrapped around Thaddeus, Ryland, Orion, and the royal guards.

"What is this?" Ryland roared as he struggled.

"Anti-Tribrid magic," Kael answered proudly.

"Created specifically for him."

Thaddeus tried breaking the chains.

Nothing happened.

His dark magic faded.

"Impossible," he muttered.

"Your strength is meaningless inside my prison," Kael smiled.

Evelyn looked around desperately.

Everyone she loved was trapped.

"Let them go!" she shouted.

"Take me instead."

"Exactly," Kael replied.

"That's the plan."

He slowly approached her.

"Come willingly... and they live."

"Refuse... and every one of them dies before sunrise."

Evelyn's breathing became uneven.

She looked toward Thaddeus.

"Don't do it," he ordered.

"He's lying."

"Maybe," Kael admitted.

"Maybe not."

"Are you willing to gamble their lives?"

Tears filled Evelyn's eyes.

For the first time in her life, she truly felt powerless.

Suddenly...

The silver pendant around her neck burst into brilliant white light.

The mountain shook violently.

Every crystal surrounding the battlefield cracked.

Ancient symbols appeared beneath Evelyn's feet, spreading across the ground like glowing roots.

"No..." Kael whispered.

"She awakened it."

A powerful wave of pure white magic exploded from Evelyn's body.

The crimson chains shattered instantly.

Enemy soldiers were thrown backward.

Even Kael stumbled several steps.

The Oracle stared in complete disbelief.

"The Heart of Ashbourne..."

"It has chosen its Queen."