THE LAST BLOOD SOVEREIGN

CHAPTER 21: THE CALL OF THE GUARDIAN

 

Kael’s hand flew to his chest.

The crimson mark burned so fiercely that it felt as though molten fire coursed through his veins.

“Arkan...”

His voice was barely a whisper.

Selene immediately noticed the change in his expression.

“What happened?”

Kael looked at her, his breathing uneven.

“It was Arkan.”

“The First Guardian.”

“He’s alive.”

Caelan, who had just climbed onto the city wall, stopped in his tracks.

“Arkan?”

“The Crimson Guardian?”

Kael nodded.

“He’s trapped.”

“And he’s calling for me.”

Selene frowned.

“Can you tell where the voice came from?”

Kael closed his eyes.

The mark on his palm pulsed once more.

Images flashed through his mind.

A mountain split by lightning.

A waterfall flowing upward instead of down.

An enormous crimson gate covered in ancient runes.

Then...

Arkan, kneeling in chains of black fire.

Behind him stood a colossal stone door, its seals cracking one after another.

Kael’s eyes snapped open.

“The Whispering Mountains.”

“The Third Shrine is there.”

“So is Arkan.”

Before anyone could respond, the city bells rang frantically.

A Celestial scout landed on the wall, breathing heavily.

“General!”

Selene turned.

“Report.”

“The Imperial Army has crossed the Black River.”

“What?”

“They’re moving faster than expected.”

“How far?”

“Five days.”

Silence fell.

Caelan folded his arms.

“They’re forcing our hand.”

Selene looked at Kael.

“If we stay, we’ll be trapped.”

“If we leave, the city loses its strongest defenders.”

Kael stared toward the distant mountains.

His heart was torn.

The people here still needed protection.

But every instinct told him Arkan’s life—and perhaps the fate of the Third Shrine—depended on reaching him in time.

An elderly voice interrupted his thoughts.

“You should go.”

Everyone turned.

The city mayor slowly approached, leaning on a carved wooden staff.

Behind him stood dozens of citizens.

The little girl Kael had saved stepped forward first.

She smiled shyly.

“You saved us.”

“So now...”

“...it’s our turn to help you.”

One by one, the citizens nodded.

A blacksmith stepped forward.

“We’ll rebuild.”

A captain of the city guard rested his sword against his shoulder.

“We’ll defend our home.”

An old healer smiled warmly.

“You carry a burden far greater than this city.”

The mayor looked Kael in the eyes.

“If your journey saves the world...”

“...then don’t waste time protecting one town.”

Golden lights rose once more from the gathered people.

Unlike before, they did not enter Kael immediately.

Instead, they gathered above the city, forming a magnificent crimson-gold phoenix.

The spirit spread its wings across the sky.

Everyone stared in awe.

Selene whispered,

“The Blessing of the People...”

“I’ve only read about it.”

The phoenix descended toward Kael.

It touched his forehead gently before dissolving into warm light.

His wounds vanished completely.

His exhausted body felt renewed.

The crimson mark on his palm gained another glowing ring.

A calm voice echoed within his soul.

“The hearts of those you protect...”

“...shall always strengthen you.”

Kael smiled.

For the first time since leaving Black Hollow...

He understood what it truly meant to be a Blood Sovereign.

Not a ruler.

A protector.

He turned to Selene.

“I have to go.”

She nodded.

“I know.”

Caelan twirled his golden spear with a grin.

“Then you’re not going alone.”

Elara slung her bow over her shoulder.

“I still owe you for saving my city.”

Selene smiled faintly.

“And I promised your mother I’d protect you.”

Kael blinked.

“My mother?”

Selene simply nodded.

“I’ll tell you everything.”

“When we reach the shrine.”

Just then, a powerful gust of wind swept across the city walls.

A gigantic silver eagle descended from the floating fortress.

Its wings stretched nearly thirty meters wide.

It landed before the group and lowered its head respectfully.

“Our transport has arrived,” Selene said.

The four climbed onto the eagle’s back.

Below them, the citizens waved and cheered.

As the eagle soared into the clouds, Kael looked back one last time.

The City of Ashes was already rebuilding.

Hope had returned.

Far away, beyond the Whispering Mountains...

Dark clouds churned unnaturally.

Lightning struck the same peak over and over again.

And hidden deep within that mountain...

Arkan opened his weary eyes.

Blood ran from countless wounds.

The black chains binding him tightened again.

He looked toward the distant sky and smiled weakly.

“You’re coming...”

“I knew you would.”

Behind him, the ancient stone gate cracked once more.

A deep voice echoed from beyond it.

“Guardian...”

“You cannot hold me forever.”

Arkan tightened his grip on the last remaining seal.

“No...”

His crimson eyes blazed with determination.

“I only need to hold you...”

“...until my king arrives.”