THE LAST BLOOD SOVEREIGN

CHAPTER 11: THE SHRINE OF ETERNAL BLOOD

 

Kael ran.

The valley trembled beneath his feet as deafening explosions echoed behind him.

He did not dare look back.

The First Blood Sovereign's final command rang through his mind.

"You must not look back."

His chest tightened.

Was the old man still fighting?

Or had he already vanished forever?

Kael gritted his teeth and forced himself onward.

"I'll come back," he whispered.

"I'll become strong enough... and I'll never let anyone sacrifice themselves for me again."

Ahead, the northern cliffs rose like towering walls of black stone.

Ancient crimson symbols glowed faintly across their surface.

At first glance, there was no entrance.

Kael searched frantically until he noticed a handprint carved into the rock.

The shape matched the crimson mark on his palm.

He took a deep breath and placed his hand against it.

The mark ignited.

The cliff shook violently.

With a deep rumble, the stone wall split apart, revealing a hidden passage descending into darkness.

The moment Kael stepped inside, the entrance sealed behind him.

The sounds of battle vanished.

Silence.

Only the soft glow of crimson crystals illuminated the tunnel.

Kael walked cautiously, every step echoing through the ancient passage.

After several minutes, the tunnel opened into a magnificent underground temple.

His breath caught.

The chamber was enormous.

Dozens of towering pillars stretched toward a ceiling lost in darkness.

Ancient murals covered the walls, depicting generations of Blood Sovereigns standing beside dragons, phoenixes, and giant wolves.

At the center of the temple stood a massive throne carved from crimson crystal.

Seated upon it was a skeleton dressed in royal armor.

A crown rested upon its head.

Despite being long dead, it radiated overwhelming authority.

Before the throne floated a small crimson flame.

It flickered gently.

As Kael approached, the flame suddenly expanded into the form of a young woman.

She appeared to be no older than twenty-five.

Her long crimson hair flowed like liquid fire.

Golden eyes studied Kael with quiet curiosity.

"So..."

"The heir has finally arrived."

Kael instinctively stepped back.

"Who are you?"

She bowed gracefully.

"I am Seraphine."

"The Keeper of the Eternal Blood Shrine."

"I have waited one thousand years for your arrival."

Kael looked around.

"You knew I would come?"

She smiled softly.

"No."

"I only knew that one day... someone worthy might."

Her expression became serious.

"But before I acknowledge you..."

"You must answer one question."

Kael nodded.

"What is it?"

Seraphine's golden eyes locked onto his.

"If you gain the power to destroy every kingdom that betrayed your family..."

"Will you seek justice..."

"...or revenge?"

The question echoed through the silent temple.

Kael remained silent for a long time.

He remembered the villagers who mocked him.

The assassins who hunted him.

The Chimera that boasted of slaughtering his ancestors.

His fists clenched.

"I want revenge."

Seraphine's expression did not change.

"And if revenge turns you into the very monster your father died to stop?"

Kael froze.

He had never considered that.

He looked at the murals surrounding the temple.

Every Blood Sovereign stood protecting others, not ruling them through fear.

Slowly, he relaxed his fists.

"I won't pretend I don't hate them."

"I do."

"But if I become a monster... then everything my parents sacrificed for will have been meaningless."

"I'll fight them."

"I'll stop them."

"But I'll never become like them."

For the first time, Seraphine smiled warmly.

"The bloodline chose well."

She waved her hand.

The skeleton upon the throne slowly stood.

Its empty eye sockets ignited with crimson flames.

Kael instinctively reached for a weapon before remembering he had none.

The skeletal king descended the steps one by one.

When he finally stood before Kael...

He slowly knelt.

Then placed the ancient crown at Kael's feet.

"The First King..."

Seraphine whispered.

"...accepts you."

The crown began to glow.

A stream of crimson light flowed into Kael's body.

His aura expanded.

The mark on his palm evolved, forming a second intricate ring around the original symbol.

"You have reached the Second Stage of Blood Awakening," Seraphine said.

"But greater power comes with greater enemies."

As if summoned by her words, a loud crack echoed through the temple ceiling.

Dust rained down.

A sinister laugh echoed through the shrine.

"So this is where the Blood Sovereigns hid their heir."

A spear of black energy pierced the ceiling, crashing into the temple floor.

Standing atop it was a masked warrior dressed in dark armor.

His eyes glowed violet behind a silver mask.

He slowly drew a jet-black sword.

"My name is Varos."

"I serve Emperor Malachar."

"I have come..."

"...to finish the work we began eighteen years ago."

Kael stepped forward, the crimson mark on his hand blazing brighter than ever.

For the first time...

He did not feel fear.

He was ready to fight.