THE LAST BLOOD SOVEREIGN

CHAPTER 3 : THE GUARDIAN BENEATH THE SEAL

 

The ground split apart with a thunderous roar.

Ancient trees swayed violently as birds fled into the darkening sky. Deep cracks spread across the forest floor, glowing with crimson light.

Kael struggled to keep his eyes open.

His chest burned from the wound the Crimson Fang Wolf had inflicted. Warm blood soaked through his torn shirt.

The beast remained kneeling.

Its massive body trembled as if it stood before a being far more terrifying than itself.

Then...

A pillar of crimson light erupted from the shattered earth.

The air grew heavy.

Even the wind stopped.

From within the light came the sound of slow, measured footsteps.

One...

Then another.

A tall figure emerged.

He wore black armor etched with glowing crimson runes. A long crimson cloak flowed behind him despite the still air. His silver hair reached his shoulders, and his piercing red eyes seemed to hold thousands of years of memories.

His presence alone made the forest bow.

The Crimson Fang Wolf lowered its head until its forehead touched the ground.

It dared not even breathe.

The mysterious man ignored the beast.

His gaze rested entirely on Kael.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then the stranger slowly knelt beside the wounded young man.

"So..."

His deep voice carried both sorrow and relief.

"After one thousand years... I have finally found you."

Kael frowned weakly.

"Who... are you?"

The man's expression softened.

"My name is Arkan."

"I was once the First Guardian of the Blood Sovereign."

Kael blinked.

"The... Blood Sovereign?"

"I don't understand."

Arkan smiled sadly.

"You wouldn't."

"They erased your history before you were old enough to remember."

Kael tried to sit up but cried out in pain.

"My history?"

"I've lived my whole life in Black Hollow."

"I've never even left the village."

Arkan shook his head.

"No."

"You were hidden there."

"You were never meant to remain there."

Kael stared at him in disbelief.

Before he could ask another question, Arkan reached toward the wound on Kael's chest.

A crimson glow surrounded his hand.

The torn flesh began to close.

The pain slowly faded.

Kael's eyes widened.

"You... healed me."

"It is only a temporary blessing," Arkan replied.

"Your true power must heal you from now on."

He stood and looked toward the distant mountains.

His expression became grave.

"They know."

"Who?"

"The people who destroyed your clan."

Kael felt a chill run through his body.

"My... clan?"

Arkan nodded.

"Eighteen years ago, the Blood Sovereign Clan ruled not through fear, but through balance. They protected this world from creatures born beyond the Abyss."

"They were respected by every kingdom."

"But power breeds envy."

"The Seven Kings betrayed your family."

"They united under Emperor Malachar."

"They slaughtered every man, woman, and child they could find."

Kael's breathing became uneven.

"No..."

"My parents..."

Arkan looked into his eyes.

"Your father was the last Blood Sovereign."

"Your mother died protecting you."

"They entrusted you to loyal guardians."

"You were smuggled away while your home burned."

Kael's world collapsed.

Everything he had believed about himself...

Everything he had accepted...

Had been a lie.

"I'm..."

"The last survivor," Arkan finished quietly.

Silence filled the forest.

Then...

A sharp whistle echoed overhead.

Arkan's expression darkened instantly.

"They're here sooner than I expected."

Several black arrows shot through the trees.

Arkan raised one hand.

The arrows froze in midair before turning to dust.

Figures in black cloaks dropped silently from the branches.

Each wore silver masks engraved with the imperial crest.

There were twelve of them.

Every one radiated immense magical power.

The leader stepped forward.

"So the prophecy was true."

"The Blood Sovereign's heir lives."

He slowly drew a crimson sword.

"By order of Emperor Malachar..."

"The boy dies today."

Kael's heart pounded.

He had never fought anyone stronger than village bullies.

Now an entire squad of elite imperial assassins stood before him.

Arkan calmly unsheathed a magnificent crimson blade that seemed forged from living fire.

Its appearance alone caused the forest to tremble.

His voice became cold.

"I guarded the Blood Sovereign for centuries."

"I will not fail his son."

The assassins smiled confidently.

Then the leader raised his sword.

"Kill them."

Twelve shadows lunged forward at once.

Kael watched in stunned silence as the first battle of his true destiny began.