THE LAST BLOOD SOVEREIGN

CHAPTER 26: THE PRICE OF A KING

 

Silence filled the ancient prison.

The only sound was the slow clinking of the chains that bound Nerath, the World Eater.

Clink...

Clink...

Each movement sent tremors through the mountain.

Kael stared at Arkan.

"So that's why you've stayed here all these years."

Arkan gave a weary smile.

"Eighteen years."

"I took this burden the night your parents escaped the palace."

Kael's heart tightened.

"My parents..."

Arkan nodded.

"Your father wanted to remain and become the anchor himself."

"But your mother refused."

"She told him..."

"If you die today, our son dies with you. If our son lives, hope lives."

Kael lowered his head.

His mother had not saved him out of fear.

She had saved the future.

Arkan continued.

"So I chose instead."

"I've held the final chain ever since."

Blood dripped steadily from his wrists.

The black chains dug deeper into his flesh.

"I... can't hold it much longer."

A thunderous crack echoed through the cavern.

CRACK!

The final chain splintered further.

Nerath's laughter shook the prison.

"Your time is ending, Guardian."

Selene stepped beside Kael.

"There must be another way."

Eldros closed his eyes.

"There is."

Everyone turned.

"But no one has attempted it in over a thousand years."

"What is it?" Kael asked.

"The Rite of Shared Blood."

Arkan's tired eyes widened.

"No."

"Eldros..."

"That ritual was forbidden."

The old Keeper nodded.

"Because it has never succeeded."

He looked at Kael.

"Instead of one Sovereign becoming the anchor..."

"...several willing souls can share the burden."

Caelan stepped forward immediately.

"I'll do it."

Elara didn't hesitate.

"So will I."

Selene rested her hand on the hilt of her sword.

"You won't face this alone."

Kael stared at them in disbelief.

"You'd risk your lives..."

"...for me?"

Caelan laughed.

"I told you."

"We're stubborn."

A warm smile spread across Kael's face.

For the first time...

He truly understood that he was no longer alone.

Eldros raised his staff.

"Then stand within the ancient circle."

The four stepped onto the glowing runes surrounding Arkan.

The crimson symbols came alive.

Light spread across the cavern floor.

Eldros began chanting in a language older than kingdoms.

The chains responded.

They glowed brighter.

For one hopeful moment...

The cracks began to mend.

Nerath stopped laughing.

His massive eye narrowed.

"No."

"I will not be imprisoned again."

A terrifying roar erupted from the darkness.

Black flames exploded from his body.

The cavern shook violently.

Three of the ancient pillars collapsed.

The ritual faltered.

Eldros shouted,

"Hold your positions!"

"Do not break the circle!"

Kael gritted his teeth as immense pressure crashed against him.

It felt as though an entire mountain rested on his shoulders.

His knees buckled.

Blood ran from his nose.

Selene stumbled but remained standing.

Caelan drove his spear into the ground for support.

Elara bit her lip until blood flowed.

Still...

None of them stepped away.

The crimson light grew stronger.

Then—

A deep, familiar voice echoed through the cavern.

"You have done well."

Everyone looked toward the entrance.

A lone figure walked through the darkness.

His armor was black and crimson.

A long cloak fluttered behind him.

His silver hair caught the glow of the crystals.

Prince Kaelor.

Every weapon in the chamber was raised toward him.

Selene's sword flashed from its sheath.

"What are you doing here?"

Kaelor calmly spread his empty hands.

"If I wanted you dead..."

"I would have brought an army."

Kael frowned.

"Then why come?"

The prince looked at the weakening chain.

His expression grew grave.

"Because my father lied to me."

Silence.

Kaelor took another step.

"I was taught that the Blood Sovereigns sought to rule the world."

"But..."

He looked directly at Nerath.

"They were protecting it."

The World Eater laughed.

"So..."

"Even the traitor's son begins to see."

Kaelor ignored the taunt.

Instead, he removed the imperial crest from his armor.

He threw it onto the ground.

The metal emblem echoed through the cavern.

"My name is Kaelor Malachar."

"Today..."

"I stand not as the Emperor's son..."

"...but as a guardian of this world."

He walked into the glowing circle beside Kael.

"If the burden can be shared..."

"Then let me carry part of it."

Everyone stared at him in stunned silence.

Far away, within the Black Citadel...

Emperor Malachar suddenly rose from his throne.

His crimson eyes widened.

He looked toward the Whispering Mountains.

Then, for the first time in nearly two decades...

The Emperor spoke with genuine emotion.

"Kaelor..."

"What have you done?"