Chapter 8: The First Seal Breaks

The monstrous voice echoed through the underground temple, sending violent tremors across Hollow Peak.

Ancient pillars cracked one after another.

Dust poured from the ceiling while the Heart Crystal pulsed with unstable energy.

"Everyone move away from the crystal!" Elias shouted.

Marcus immediately ordered the royal guards to escort everyone toward the center of the chamber.

Thaddeus kept Evelyn close as another violent tremor shook the ground beneath them.

"What exactly is happening?" Evelyn asked.

"The Devourer is testing its prison," Elias answered grimly.

"Every time one of the ancient seals weakens, it grows stronger."

"Can it escape?" Ryland asked.

"Not yet," Elias replied.

"But if Kael succeeds in collecting the Sacred Relics before us... nothing will stop it."

A loud crack interrupted him.

Everyone turned toward the Heart Crystal.

A long fracture slowly spread across its surface.

"No..." Elias whispered.

"The crystal is weakening."

Without warning, brilliant silver light exploded from the crack.

A small floating orb emerged from inside the crystal before hovering directly in front of Evelyn.

"What is that?" Orion asked.

"The Spirit Core," Elias answered.

"It only appears before the rightful Ashbourne ruler."

The glowing orb slowly entered Evelyn's chest.

Instantly another flood of memories overwhelmed her.

She saw a magnificent throne room.

A young queen wearing a silver crown.

Knights kneeling before her.

Then everything changed.

Dark armies surrounded the kingdom.

A cloaked man betrayed the royal family from within.

"Open the gates!" he shouted.

"The King of Darkness has arrived!"

The castle walls collapsed.

Flames consumed the city.

Evelyn gasped as the vision disappeared.

"I know him..." she whispered.

"Who?" Thaddeus asked.

"The man who betrayed Ashbourne."

"I saw his face."

"Who was he?"

Evelyn's expression turned pale.

"He looked exactly like Kael."

Silence filled the chamber.

"Impossible," Marcus muttered.

"Kael isn't hundreds of years old."

"Unless..." Orion slowly said.

"He's carrying the same bloodline."

"Or he's immortal," Ryland added.

Before anyone could continue, a young guard ran into the chamber.

"Captain!"

"Scouts have returned!"

"What is it?" Marcus asked.

"The mountain is surrounded."

"Thousands of soldiers are gathering below Hollow Peak."

"Whose army?"

"We don't recognize their banners."

Everyone rushed toward the temple entrance.

Looking down from the cliffside, they froze.

Far below, countless black tents covered the valley.

Rows upon rows of armored soldiers stretched beyond the horizon.

Huge siege weapons were being assembled.

"That's not an army..." Ryland murmured.

"That's an invasion."

Thaddeus narrowed his eyes.

"Kael planned this from the beginning."

"The attack on the manor..."

"The assault on Hollow Peak..."

"They were distractions."

"His real objective is something much larger," Orion concluded.

Suddenly, a gigantic war horn echoed across the valley.

The enemy army parted in the middle.

A massive black carriage rolled forward.

Its doors slowly opened.

A woman dressed in crimson stepped out.

Her long silver hair flowed behind her.

A black crown rested upon her head.

Kael walked toward her before lowering himself onto one knee.

"Your Majesty," he said respectfully.

Everyone on the mountain watched in stunned silence.

"Who is she?" Evelyn whispered.

The Oracle's face drained of all color.

"No..."

"She cannot be alive."

"Tell us!" Thaddeus demanded.

Elias swallowed hard.

"That woman..."

"Is Queen Morgana."

"The last ruler of the Shadow Empire."

"She died over a thousand years ago."

As if hearing his words, the mysterious queen slowly lifted her head.

Her crimson eyes locked directly onto Evelyn.

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

"So..." she whispered, though her voice somehow echoed across the entire valley.

"The Ashbourne heir has finally awakened."

"How wonderful."

"I've waited centuries for this meeting."

Dark clouds gathered above the mountains.

Lightning split the sky.

The entire enemy army knelt before their queen.

Thaddeus gripped his sword tightly.

For the first time in many years...

Even the King of Darkness felt that the battle ahead might be greater than anything he had ever faced.