THE LAST BLOOD SOVEREIGN

CHAPTER 17: BLOOD REMEMBERS

 

The crimson sword hummed in Kael's hand.

It was unlike any weapon forged by a blacksmith. Its blade seemed to be made of crystallized blood, and crimson runes pulsed along its edge with every beat of Kael's heart.

The Warlord stared at it in disbelief.

"No..."

"The Blood Sovereign Blade..."

"It cannot exist before the Seventh Awakening."

Kael looked down at the weapon.

"I didn't create it."

"It answered my call."

The sword pulsed once, as if agreeing.

The Warlord's grip tightened around its colossal axe.

"I will destroy it before it matures."

With a deafening roar, the giant charged.

The streets shook violently.

Kael remained still.

For the first time since the battle began...

He felt completely calm.

Every movement of the Warlord was clear.

He could see the shifting of its weight.

The tightening of its muscles.

The exact path of the coming strike.

The axe descended.

Kael took a single step to the left.

The blade missed him by less than an inch and slammed into the street, splitting it open.

Before the Warlord could recover—

Kael swung his crimson sword.

SHING!

A brilliant arc of scarlet light flashed across the battlefield.

The Warlord staggered.

Silence fell.

Then...

A deep crack appeared across its black breastplate.

The armor that had resisted arrows, magic, and siege weapons split open.

The Warlord looked down in shock.

"You..."

"You cut Abyss Steel."

Kael said nothing.

He simply raised the sword again.

For the first time in centuries...

The Warlord felt genuine fear.

"Attack him!" it bellowed.

Every remaining Abyss creature rushed toward Kael.

Hundreds of them filled the streets.

Elara shouted, "Kael, behind you!"

Kael closed his eyes.

He took a slow breath.

The voice of Aurelius echoed faintly in his mind.

"A Sovereign does not waste movement."

Kael opened his eyes.

The crimson sword glowed brilliantly.

He swung it once.

Only once.

A circular wave of crimson energy burst outward.

It swept through the streets like a rising tide.

One by one, the Abyss creatures froze.

Then they dissolved into black ash carried away by the wind.

The citizens watched in stunned silence.

The city captain lowered his sword.

"One strike..."

"He destroyed them all."

Even Elara could hardly believe what she had witnessed.

"Who... are you?"

Kael looked at his own hand.

The power frightened him.

Not because it was uncontrollable.

Because it felt...

Natural.

As though it had always belonged to him.

The Warlord suddenly laughed.

A harsh, broken laugh.

"So that is why..."

"The Emperor fears your bloodline."

It reached beneath its armor and pulled out a black crystal covered in crimson veins.

Kael's expression changed.

He recognized the aura immediately.

"The Abyss..."

The Warlord nodded.

"The Emperor gave this to me."

"He said if I failed..."

"...I should break it."

Elara's eyes widened.

"Kael!"

"Don't let him!"

The Warlord crushed the crystal in its massive hand.

CRACK!

A pillar of black light shot into the sky.

Dark clouds spiraled overhead.

The ground split apart beneath the city.

Citizens screamed as buildings began collapsing.

A monstrous roar echoed from beneath the earth.

"No..." Elara whispered.

"It's opening a Rift."

The black pillar widened.

A tear appeared in the air itself.

Beyond it lay an endless realm of darkness.

Countless glowing crimson eyes stared through the opening.

One by one...

Gigantic claws reached toward the human world.

The Warlord fell to one knee, laughing despite the blood pouring from its wounds.

"It doesn't matter if I die..."

"The Abyss has found you."

Kael stared at the growing Rift.

His newly awakened power was immense.

But instinct told him the truth.

Whatever was coming through that tear...

Was far stronger than the Warlord.

Far stronger than him.

Then, from high above the city, a clear voice rang out.

"Everyone, get down!"

A brilliant golden spear descended from the heavens like a falling star.

It struck the center of the Rift.

BOOOOOOM!

The explosion lit up the entire sky.

The Rift shuddered violently.

The giant claws retreated.

The black light flickered.

Kael looked upward.

Hovering in the sky was a young man in silver armor, holding another golden spear.

Golden wings of pure energy spread from his back.

His eyes locked onto Kael.

"You..."

"...are the last Blood Sovereign."

He smiled.

"I've spent ten years searching for you."

Before Kael could respond, dozens of black portals opened around the city.

Figures cloaked in darkness stepped out, surrounding the battlefield.

Each wore the same silver mask as the assassins Kael had defeated in the Crimson Forest.

But unlike those assassins...

These warriors radiated far greater power.

The leader removed his hood.

A cruel smile spread across his face.

"We've finally found our prey."

He drew a jet-black sword and pointed it at Kael.

"By order of Emperor Malachar..."

"No one leaves this city alive."