2026-04-08 00:22:11
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 116: Crown of Binding
The transition back to the physical world felt like breaking through a membrane. One moment they were walking through shadows, the next they stood in the Sanctum of Flame, their forms still partially transparent as reality solidified around them."We have seconds," Lyra whispered, her outline flickering between shadow and substance. "Look."The Sanctum was a circular chamber with a domed ceiling painted with scenes of knights battling dragons. Blue flame burned in sconces around the perimeter, casting an eerie light over the dozen knights who stood in formation around a central dais.Upon the dais rested a pedestal of black iron, and upon the pedestal sat the Crown."The Crown of Binding," Aldric breathed, recognition in his voice.Unlike the ornate crowns of worldly kings, this was a simple circlet of black metal, unadorned save for seven spikes that rose from its band like stylized flames.Yet even from a distance, Dain could feel its power, an ancient malevolence that called to the
Chapter 115: The Shadow Road
Dawn broke over the Ashen Plains, painting the white-barked trees in hues of gold and amber. Dain woke to find Lyra already up, standing at the edge of their camp with her face turned toward the distant mountains."You don't sleep?" he asked, approaching cautiously."Not as you do," she replied without turning. "Rest is... different for my kind.""And what kind is that, exactly?" Dain pressed, stopping beside her.Lyra's strange eyes shifted to him, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Persistent, aren't you? Very well. I am what your people once called a Shadowwalker.""I've never heard of Shadowwalkers," Dain admitted."Few have, these days," Lyra said. "We were more common in the time before the King, before the Order. When the boundaries between worlds were less... rigid."Serra approached, having overheard their conversation. "You're saying you're from another world?""I'm saying I exist between worlds," Lyra corrected. "Neither fully here nor fully elsewhere. It's what
Chapter 114: Shadows of the Citadel
Night fell over the Ashen Plains as Dain, Serra, Aldric, and Taren made camp in a small copse of white-barked trees. The distant silhouette of the Blackfire Mountains loomed on the horizon, barely visible in the moonlight."We should reach the River of Sorrows by midday tomorrow," Aldric said, feeding small branches into their modest fire. "From there, it's another day's ride to the Citadel."Taren winced as Serra examined the bruise spreading across his jaw where Valen had struck him. "Assuming we don't run into more of Valen's welcoming parties.""He'll report to Thorne first," Serra reasoned, applying a salve from her small medical pouch. "That gives us some time.""Not much," Aldric cautioned. "And the closer we get to the Citadel, the more Order patrols we'll encounter."Dain sat slightly apart from the others, examining his hands in the firelight. Though they appeared human now, he could feel the potential for transformation just beneath his skin, a power waiting to be called fo
Chapter 113: Blood Awakening
The chains around Dain's wrists suddenly felt hot, almost burning against his skin. Something stirred in his blood, a power different from the Forge's golden light, darker yet not malevolent."Dain?" Serra questioned, noticing his expression change."I feel something," he replied, his voice low as Valen's knights approached. "Something in my blood."Taren glanced nervously between Dain and the advancing knights. "Whatever it is, now would be a good time to let it out."Aldric positioned his horse between them and Valen, sword raised. "Stay behind me," he ordered. "I'll create an opening.""You'll create nothing but your own grave," Valen countered, drawing his sword. Black fire crawled along its edge, similar to Thorne's power but lesser, a mere shadow of a shadow.Veyla raised her hands, amber fire dancing between her fingers. "The Heir comes with us, Commander. Alive or broken, Thorne cares not which.""Why?" Dain demanded, stalling for time as the strange power continued to build w
Chapter 112: Chains of Deception
Chains clinked around Dain's wrists as Aldric led him, Serra, and Taren through the Spire's hidden exit. The bindings were real but loose, a necessary deception for their journey to the Citadel of Flame."Are these really necessary?" Taren grumbled, testing the slack in his chains. "I feel like we're taking this prisoner charade too seriously.""The Order's sentries won't be fooled by half measures," Aldric replied, his expression grim as he guided them through a narrow tunnel beneath the city. "The Citadel's wards detect intent as well as appearance."Serra walked close to Dain, her own chains rattling softly. "How far to the Citadel from here?""Three days' ride," Aldric answered. "If we can reach the eastern gate without being spotted by Thorne's loyalists."Above them, the sounds of battle continued to shake dust from the tunnel ceiling. Elara's confrontation with Thorne had expanded beyond the Spire, spreading across Sol'Kareth in a clash of primal forces."Will she be alright?"
Chapter 111: Revelations in Silver
Silver light rained down upon Sol'Kareth, each droplet sizzling where it touched stone or metal. The knights watched in awe and terror as the light passed harmlessly through flesh but illuminated the truth beneath."What sorcery is this?" Aldric demanded, staring at his hands where veins glowed silver beneath his skin."Not sorcery," the Oracle replied from her raised dais. "Truth. The Forge's light reveals what is hidden."Around them, the effect spread. Knights on both sides found themselves illuminated from within, their bodies momentarily transparent, revealing not just bone and blood but something deeper, something like essence."The soul laid bare," Elara explained, her massive form shimmering as the light passed through her scales. "See yourselves as you truly are."Thorne's void-face contorted in what might have been rage. "Enough of these theatrics," he snarled, his multiple voices discordant. He raised his hands, darkness gathering to counter the silver light."Look at him,"
You may also like
Legend of Oasis : A tale of magic and mystery
Ramutshatsha Arikonisaho34.1K viewsTotem Warrior
Cindy Chen27.4K viewsSoul Avatar
Japhel15.3K viewsunparalleled sword sovereign
GCsage27.3K viewsThe Secret of The Demonic Artifact
Jimmy-Chuuu6.3K viewsNot a husband
Thane3.6K viewsThe Lord of Heaven: A Road to Eternity
Jajajuba5.4K viewsThe Final Breath
Chi-Ink443 views