Chapter 9: The Heart Chamber

The horns echoed across the valley like a warning from the gods themselves.

Every warrior in the expedition turned toward the entrance of the ruins.

Thousands of glowing eyes stared back from the darkness.

Malakar's army had arrived.

Emma felt her stomach tighten.

The sheer number of rogues was overwhelming.

They filled the valley floor, spread across the cliffs, and emerged from the surrounding forests.

It looked less like an army and more like a living tide.

'How many?' Emma whispered.

'Too many,' Captain Rowan answered grimly.

Even Kael remained silent.

That frightened Emma more than anything.

The Shadow King always seemed confident.

Now, for the first time, she saw genuine concern in his eyes.

'Everyone defensive positions,' Kael ordered.

The warriors immediately moved.

Weapons were drawn.

Shields locked together.

The small expedition formed a protective circle around Emma.

Far across the valley, a lone figure emerged from the army.

Malakar.

His black armor reflected the silver light pouring from the temple.

Unlike everyone else, he looked completely relaxed.

Almost amused.

'You made excellent time,' he called out.

'Shut up and leave,' Rowan growled.

Malakar ignored him.

His crimson eyes focused entirely on Emma.

'The temple welcomed you, didn't it?'

Emma didn't answer.

'I can see it in your eyes.'

A smile spread across his face.

'You spoke to her.'

'How do you know that?' Emma demanded.

'Because she spoke to me once as well.'

The statement caught everyone off guard.

'You're lying,' Aldric said.

'Am I?'

Malakar laughed softly.

'You people always assume history belongs only to heroes.'

Kael stepped forward.

'Enough.'

'Afraid she'll hear the truth?'

'The only thing she'll hear from you is nonsense.'

The two men stared at each other.

Ancient hatred filled the air between them.

Emma could practically feel it.

Then Malakar sighed dramatically.

'Very well. We'll do this the hard way.'

The rogue leader raised his hand.

Instantly thousands of wolves began howling.

The sound shook the valley.

'Warriors!' Rowan shouted.

The first wave charged.

The battlefield exploded into chaos.

Hundreds of rogues rushed forward.

Arrows darkened the sky.

Steel clashed against claws.

The defenders fought fiercely, but they were hopelessly outnumbered.

Emma grabbed the moonstone.

Silver light surged through her fingers.

'Please work.'

Energy burst outward.

Several attacking wolves were thrown backward.

'Good enough.'

The battle intensified.

Kael transformed into his wolf form and launched himself directly into the enemy ranks.

He moved like a storm.

Every strike sent rogues flying.

Every roar scattered attackers.

For a moment it seemed like the Shadow King was unstoppable.

Then something emerged from the crowd.

A massive creature stepped into the battlefield.

Its fur was completely black.

Its eyes contained no color at all.

Only darkness.

'Shadow Beast,' Aldric whispered.

The monster was even larger than Kael.

Twisted spikes protruded from its back.

Dark mist surrounded its body.

'That's impossible,' Rowan muttered.

The beast charged.

Kael met it head-on.

The impact shook the ground.

The two creatures crashed through ancient ruins.

Stone shattered.

Dust filled the air.

The battle around them paused as everyone watched.

Even Malakar seemed interested.

'Your king always was stubborn,' he remarked.

'Why are you doing this?' Emma shouted.

Malakar looked at her.

'Because I know what's coming.'

'Then tell me.'

'The seal is failing.'

'We can stop it.'

'No.'

His voice became unexpectedly serious.

'You cannot.'

For the first time since meeting him, Malakar didn't sound cruel.

He sounded convinced.

'The darkness beneath the world is awakening. The seal only delayed the inevitable.'

'Then why attack us?'

'Because Ravenwood would rather die clinging to old lies than face reality.'

Emma didn't know what to believe anymore.

Both sides claimed to be protecting the world.

Both sides claimed the prophecy supported them.

And she was somehow caught in the middle.

A sudden explosion interrupted her thoughts.

The temple itself began glowing brighter.

Silver light erupted from every pillar.

Ancient symbols illuminated across the stone floor.

The entire valley trembled.

'It's opening,' Aldric whispered.

'What's opening?' Emma asked.

'The Heart Chamber.'

The moonstone around her neck burned hot.

A beam of light shot from the crystal.

It pointed directly toward the center of the temple.

'Emma,' Kael's voice echoed.

She turned.

The Shadow King had returned to human form.

Blood stained his armor.

The Shadow Beast was nowhere to be seen.

'You have to reach the chamber.'

'What about you?'

'We'll hold them off.'

'Kael—'

'Go.'

His voice left no room for argument.

The temple shook again.

Massive stone doors slowly opened near the center of the ruins.

Silver light poured from the darkness beyond.

The Heart Chamber.

Emma looked between the doorway and the battlefield.

Warriors were falling.

Rogues continued advancing.

Kael's forces couldn't hold forever.

Malakar began walking toward her.

Slowly.

Confidently.

'The choice awaits you,' he called.

'What choice?'

'The same choice Elara faced centuries ago.'

Emma hated that everyone kept talking in riddles.

But she could feel something pulling her toward the chamber.

Almost like a heartbeat.

The temple wanted her inside.

'Go!' Kael shouted again.

Emma finally ran.

Several warriors cleared a path.

Arrows flew overhead.

The ground shook beneath her feet.

She sprinted across the ancient courtyard and passed through the massive doorway.

The noise of battle faded instantly.

Silence replaced it.

The chamber beyond was enormous.

A circular hall stretched farther than she could see.

Silver crystals covered the walls.

Ancient symbols glowed beneath her feet.

At the center stood a floating crystal larger than a house.

The Heart of the Temple.

It pulsed with silver light.

Like a giant living heart.

'Welcome, Emma Carter.'

She froze.

A figure stepped from the light.

Queen Elara.

Not a vision.

Not a memory.

This felt real.

'You came,' Elara said softly.

'Apparently I didn't have much choice.'

The ancient queen smiled sadly.

'None of us ever do.'

Emma approached cautiously.

'Tell me what's happening.'

'The seal is breaking.'

'Everyone keeps saying that.'

'Because it is true.'

The giant crystal pulsed.

Silver light filled the chamber.

'Long ago, we imprisoned the darkness beneath the world.'

'The Shadow Realm.'

'Yes.'

'And Malakar wants to free it.'

'No.'

Emma blinked.

'What?'

'Malakar wants to control it.'

A chill ran through her body.

'That's worse.'

'Much worse.'

The queen stepped aside.

The crystal suddenly became transparent.

Emma gasped.

Inside it she saw something impossible.

A massive crack stretched through the center.

Dark energy leaked from within.

The seal wasn't merely weakening.

It was already broken.

'No...' Emma whispered.

'The final choice is here,' Elara said.

'What choice?'

The queen's expression filled with sorrow.

'To save the world, someone must become the new seal.'

Emma's blood ran cold.

'What does that mean?'

Before Elara could answer, a violent explosion shook the chamber.

The doors behind Emma burst open.

Malakar stepped inside.

And for the first time, genuine fear appeared on Queen Elara's face.