THE LAST BLOOD SOVEREIGN

CHAPTER 20: THE EMPEROR'S DECREE

 

The Imperial Capital of Noctis had not sounded its war bells in eighteen years.

Today, all thirteen bells rang together.

Their thunder echoed across the empire, reaching every fortress, every outpost, and every city under Emperor Malachar's rule.

Thousands of soldiers knelt in perfect silence.

At the top of the Black Citadel, Emperor Malachar stood alone.

His black cloak drifted in the cold wind as he gazed toward the distant horizon.

His crimson eyes reflected neither joy nor anger.

Only certainty.

"The Blood Sovereign has awakened."

Behind him, a man in dark robes emerged from the shadows.

His face was hidden beneath a porcelain mask with no expression.

"My Emperor."

"The Eclipse Legion has failed."

"I know."

"The Warlord has fallen."

"I know."

"The Celestial Kingdom has declared its protection over the heir."

Malachar slowly turned.

"And yet..."

"...you think this changes anything?"

The masked man lowered his head.

"No, Your Majesty."

"It merely delays the inevitable."

A faint smile crossed the Emperor's lips.

"Eighteen years ago..."

"I destroyed the strongest bloodline the world had ever known."

He rested one hand upon the hilt of a massive black sword.

"If I could do it once..."

"I can do it again."

Suddenly—

A cold laugh echoed through the throne room.

It did not come from any person present.

It came from the shadows themselves.

Black mist gathered beside the throne, forming the silhouette of a giant horned figure.

Its glowing crimson eyes burned with ancient hatred.

"The boy grows faster than expected."

Malachar looked directly at the shadow.

"I anticipated that."

The shadow's voice rumbled like distant thunder.

"Do not underestimate the Blood Sovereign."

"I watched his ancestors imprison kings among my kind."

The Emperor's smile disappeared.

"I underestimate no one."

He drew the black sword.

The instant its blade left the scabbard, every candle in the throne room went out.

The horned shadow fell silent.

Ancient runes pulsed across the weapon's surface.

It was not forged by human hands.

It was alive.

"The Voidfang..." the shadow whispered.

"So... you truly intend to use it."

Malachar's crimson eyes narrowed.

"If destiny demands another war..."

"Then I shall end this one myself."

Hundreds of miles away...

The City of Ashes was slowly beginning to recover.

Smoke still rose from ruined buildings, but the wounded had been treated, and the dead were being honored.

Kael stood atop the western wall, looking toward the distant mountains.

He could not stop thinking about one question.

"Why did Malachar destroy my family?"

Power alone could not explain it.

The Blood Sovereigns had protected the world.

So why betray them?

Footsteps approached behind him.

Selene joined him, carrying two cups of hot tea.

She handed one to Kael.

"You haven't slept."

Kael accepted it with a grateful nod.

"Neither have you."

She smiled faintly.

"Generals rarely sleep."

For a while, they watched the sunrise in silence.

Finally, Kael spoke.

"Tell me the truth."

Selene looked at him.

"My family..."

"Were they really betrayed because people feared their power?"

Selene's expression grew distant.

"No."

Kael turned to her.

"Then why?"

She took a slow breath.

"Because they discovered something."

"What?"

She hesitated.

"My father never told me everything."

"But he said the Blood Sovereigns uncovered a secret buried beneath the Imperial Palace."

Kael's eyes narrowed.

"What kind of secret?"

Selene looked toward the rising sun.

"He called it..."

'The Eighth Seal.'

Kael frowned.

"I thought there were only seven."

"So did everyone else."

Before either of them could speak again—

A Celestial Knight rushed onto the wall.

"General!"

Selene turned immediately.

"What happened?"

"The scouts have returned."

"They found an ancient ruin."

Kael's heart quickened.

"A Sovereign Shrine?"

The knight nodded.

"We believe so."

He unrolled a weathered map.

A glowing crimson mark appeared deep within the Whispering Mountains, nearly three weeks away.

"The ruins only revealed themselves last night."

"The local villagers say crimson light has been shining from beneath the mountain."

Kael stared at the map.

The memories Aurelius had given him stirred.

He recognized the location.

It matched one of the hidden marks in his mind.

"The Third Sovereign Shrine..."

Selene looked at him.

"You know this place?"

Kael nodded slowly.

"I think..."

"It's calling me."

At that exact moment, the crimson mark on his palm began to glow.

Not faintly.

Brilliantly.

Then a voice echoed inside his mind.

Ancient.

Powerful.

And unmistakably familiar.

"Kael..."

"Come quickly..."

"I cannot hold the seal much longer..."

The voice ended with a deafening scream.

Kael's blood ran cold.

He had heard that voice before.

It belonged to...

Arkan.

He was alive.

But he was in terrible danger.