THE LAST BLOOD SOVEREIGN

CHAPTER 37: RETURN TO THE BLACK CITADEL

The Imperial Capital appeared on the horizon.

For the first time in eighteen years, Kael looked upon the city that had shaped his destiny.

The Black Citadel rose above the empire like a mountain of obsidian.

Its towers pierced the clouds.

Its walls carried the scars of countless wars.

To ordinary people, it represented power.

To Kael...

It represented unanswered questions.

Veyron slowed as they approached.

"The city feels different," Selene said quietly.

Kael nodded.

"It is afraid."

Everyone looked at him.

"The entire city..."

"...feels like it is holding its breath."

Aurel's expression became serious.

"The Eighth Seal is affecting everything around it."

The group landed outside the Imperial Capital.

Immediately, thousands of soldiers surrounded them.

Weapons were raised.

Commands were shouted.

But then...

A voice echoed from the city gates.

"Stand down."

The soldiers froze.

The crowd parted.

Emperor Malachar walked forward.

Alone.

No army.

No guards.

No crown.

Only a black cloak covering his shoulders.

Kael stared at him.

The man who had haunted his dreams.

The man he had sworn to defeat.

But now...

He saw something different.

Not a monster.

A tired man.

A man carrying a burden too heavy for one person.

Malachar stopped several steps away.

For a long moment...

Neither spoke.

Then the Emperor said softly,

"You look like your father."

Kael's hands tightened.

"You knew I would come."

Malachar nodded.

"I hoped you would."

Kael's eyes narrowed.

"After everything..."

"After all the lies..."

"You hoped?"

Malachar accepted the anger in his voice.

"I deserve your hatred."

"But I did not want your hatred to be built on another lie."

Silence.

The soldiers watched nervously.

No one had ever seen the Emperor speak this way.

Kael stepped forward.

"Tell me the truth."

Malachar looked at the sky.

"The truth cannot be explained here."

He turned toward the Black Citadel.

"Come inside."

Kaelor looked at his father.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, neither moved.

Then Malachar whispered,

"My son."

Kaelor froze.

Those words carried more emotion than any speech.

The prince looked away.

"I don't know if I can forgive you."

Malachar nodded.

"I don't expect you to."

"But I hope one day..."

"You understand why I made the choices I made."

Inside the Black Citadel...

Kael walked through halls filled with history.

Paintings of emperors.

Statues of warriors.

Ancient weapons displayed behind enchanted glass.

Then he stopped.

A painting caught his attention.

Two young men stood together.

One wore the crimson robes of the Blood Sovereign.

The other wore the black armour of the Empire.

King Aetherion.

And Malachar.

Friends.

Brothers.

Kael stared.

"How long did the world believe this was impossible?"

Malachar stood behind him.

"Because the world prefers simple stories."

"A hero."

"A villain."

"Good."

"Evil."

He looked at the painting.

"But the truth is usually more painful.”

They entered the deepest chamber of the palace.

The room was enormous.

At its center stood a massive circular table.

Seven symbols surrounded it.

The Seven Blood Sovereigns.

Malachar placed an ancient book on the table.

"This belonged to your father."

Kael slowly opened it.

Inside were hundreds of pages.

Plans.

Maps.

Records.

But one page caught his attention.

A drawing of the Eighth Seal.

And beneath it...

A warning.

THE SEAL DOES NOT HOLD A MONSTER.

Kael looked up.

"What does that mean?"

Malachar was silent.

Then he answered.

"It holds a doorway."

Everyone became still.

"A doorway to where?"

Malachar looked toward the floor.

"Before the Abyss existed..."

"Before this world had kingdoms..."

"There was another realm."

"A place where the first beings were born."

Kael's expression hardened.

"The First Watcher?"

Malachar nodded.

"The Watcher is not the enemy."

"The Watcher is a guardian."

"Of what?"

Malachar's face became grim.

"Of something that even gods feared."

Suddenly...

The entire Citadel shook.

BOOM!

The lights went out.

A black wave spread through the palace.

Malachar's expression changed instantly.

"No..."

Kael felt his Blood Sovereign Mark burning.

Not with power.

With warning.

A servant rushed into the chamber.

"Your Majesty!"

"The Imperial Archives have been attacked!"

Malachar's eyes narrowed.

"By whom?"

The servant trembled.

"Lord Varyn."

Silence.

Kaelor stepped forward.

"My father's adviser?"

Malachar's face darkened.

"He's finally made his move."

A second explosion shook the palace.

Then a voice echoed through every corridor.

Calm.

Confident.

Familiar.

Lord Varyn.

"After centuries of waiting..."

"The final key has arrived."

The walls began turning black.

Malachar immediately drew his sword.

"Everyone..."

"Prepare yourselves."

Kael looked at him.

"Why?"

The Emperor stared toward the darkness approaching them.

"Because the man who has controlled this entire war..."

"...is no longer hiding."

Far away beneath the palace...

Lord Varyn placed his hand on the Eighth Seal.

The final chain cracked.

CRACK.

And for the first time in eighteen years...

The seal began to open.