81. In spite of all the efforts to look for Orion, nobody had found him yet. Orion was calm and still, he didn't care about the chaos that was happening above. He had made his au out of the palace undergrounds to his destination. There was an ancient, massive structure sealed in black stone that was towering in front him. Its surface was covered in strange symbols that moved all around, and there were chains made of powerful starlight wrapped tightly around it, binding it shut, but it wasn't as tightly wrapped as it should be. Orion went closer to it. "So this is where you've been all this time.” He said quietly. There was no response, but he felt something answer him. He raised his hand slowly and the symbols carved into the walls lit up immediately started to glow bright while moving. "The city burns.” Orion continued, he sounded amused by what he saw. "Fear, anger, and panic was such beautiful fuel. Humans really are predictable pathetic creatures." A low hum filled

82. “Stop!” Adrian suddenly hissed, holding a wall. “Do you feel that?” He asked. “Feel it?” Princess Sue snapped. “I can barely breathe.” Zalaria didn’t stop walking. “That’s ritual pressure. The closer we get, the worse it gets.” “Great, love that for us.” Another tremor shook the narrow stairs. Dust fell from above, coating their head and shoulders. [WARNING: ENERGY DENSITY INCREASING.] He e took in a deep breath. “System, keep me stable.” [LIMITED SUPPORT AVAILABLE.] “Of course. Employ.” They finally got off the stairs into a long underground passage. The walls were cracked, and even those had those dark lines glowing through them. Princess Sue leaned closer to look at them. “Those symbols…” “Yeah.” Zalaria said. “This is where they connect.” “So this whole city is basically one big spell circle?” “Exactly.” “That’s insane.” “Welcome to my life, your majesty.” Zalaria replied dryly. They suddenly heard a low growl from deeper in the

83. “He has been here the entire time?” Princess Sue exclaimed. Orion smiled, calmly. His hands were still behind his back, and the black chains on the massive structure were rattling with the energy pulsing through the chamber. “Alive, yes. I’m glad that you’re finally here, Adrian.” Orion said. “I knew you’d come. Every step of this was meant for you to be here right now.” Adrian narrowed his eyes at the crazy man. “What the hell are you talking about? You tried to… you poisoned me. You made everyone think I was a traitor. You sent creatures to kill me. You—” Orion raised a hand, cutting him off. “All of that was extremely necessary.” His said in a soft, almost hypnotic, manner. “Every thing I did was necessary to push you, Adrian. To force you to be here at the exact moment you are now. You are my golden boy.” “That doesn’t make any sense, he almost died.” Princess Sue said. “What would have happened if he did?” “It didn’t happen, did it?” Adrian could see t

Outside the palace, the city shook heavily one last time, and it was the greatest one yet. The glowing symbols that ran through the streets began to fade one by one like dying stars. People in the streets held on to various things around them, clutching their chests. "What just happened?" "Is it over?" “We’re going to die!” Inside the ruined underground chamber, it was worse as a section of the ceiling had caved in completely, killing some people who had gone under. “What do we do now, sir?” One of the guards asked their leader. The leader looked at the giant mass of stone, dirt, and rubble, frowning. It wasn’t safe for him in there, but suddenly, he saw a movement. “Wait.” He said to them. A hand pushed out through the rubble, shaking. It punched out debris and a head appeared, coughing. “Fuck!” It was Adrian. His body felt like it had been dragged through fire and crushed at the same time. [SYSTEM STATUS: CRITICAL!] [ENERGY LEVEL: 3%] “I’m still alive..

87. In the courtyard, soldiers stood in neat lines while nobles gathered for the event. There were a lot of emotions in the air but the most prevalent were relief, and pride. “At least the prince acted quickly." "Yes, if not for him, we might have all died." "He contained it, didn't he? That’s what the pamphlets said.” "That's what I heard too." “But I also hear it was that knight, what changed?” “He’s no longer a knight, and old news circulate all the time.” The commoners and some nobles continue to speak, and in front of them all stood Prince Henry. He looked like the tall, proud version of him again, like nothing had ever touched him. Henry held his chin high as a nobleman bowed deeply before him. "Your highness, your bravery saved this kingdom, we are all grateful." Henry nodded. "Yes, it was necessary and extremely risky. I almost died.” "We are grateful, truly." Someone else said. "Of course you are.” Henry said. “Your prince risked his life to