THE LAST BLOOD SOVEREIGN

CHAPTER 43: THE FALL OF THE BLACK CITADEL

The crimson eye opened completely.

It stared down upon the world beside the golden eye of the First Watcher.

One watched to protect.

The other watched to consume.

Every living creature on the continent felt the change.

Birds abandoned the skies.

The seas became violent.

Ancient beasts hidden beneath mountains awoke from centuries of slumber.

The age of silence had ended.

Inside the Fifth Shrine, Lysara looked toward Kael.

"There is no more time."

The peaceful valley had begun to crumble.

The crystal river flowed backwards.

The seven stars above flickered one after another.

"The shrine is collapsing," Selene said.

Lysara nodded.

"The Hollow King's influence has reached even this sanctuary."

She placed both hands upon Kael's shoulders.

"The Fifth Inheritance is yours."

"But remember this."

Kael met her eyes.

"The Heart of the Sovereign is not merely a gift."

"It is a promise."

"What promise?"

"That no life under your protection will ever become just a number."

Kael silently nodded.

Those words etched themselves into his heart.

Thousands of miles away...

The Black Citadel was under siege.

Not by armies.

But by shadows.

Dark creatures poured from cracks in reality itself.

Imperial soldiers fought desperately through the streets.

No matter how many enemies they defeated...

More emerged.

Prince Kaelor's elite guards defended the palace gates.

Commander Rovan cut through wave after wave of creatures.

"We're losing the western wall!"

A messenger shouted.

Another soldier stumbled forward.

"The eastern district has fallen!"

The commander looked toward the palace.

"Protect His Majesty."

"No matter the cost."

Deep beneath the Citadel...

Malachar fought alone.

His black armour was cracked.

Blood ran freely down his arm.

Across from him stood Lord Varyn.

No longer completely human.

Dark crystal covered half his body.

His eyes burned like black stars.

"You cannot stop destiny."

Varyn smiled.

"The Hollow King has already entered this world."

Malachar wiped blood from his mouth.

"No."

"It has only extended a finger."

Varyn laughed.

"Does that comfort you?"

The Emperor raised his sword.

"It gives me hope."

The First Sovereign stood before the broken seal.

His expression had become unusually tense.

He looked at Malachar.

"We have one chance."

The Emperor nodded.

"I know."

Varyn frowned.

"What chance?"

The First Sovereign answered calmly.

"The Sixth Sovereign."

At that exact moment...

Kael and his companions emerged from the collapsing Fifth Shrine.

A pillar of blue light shot into the heavens behind them.

The shrine vanished.

Only golden sand remained.

Aurel immediately looked north.

"The Sixth Shrine has awakened."

Kael felt it too.

His Blood Sovereign Mark pulsed.

Not once.

Not twice.

But continuously.

Something was calling him.

A voice.

Ancient.

Familiar.

"Come home..."

Kael frowned.

"Did you hear that?"

Selene nodded.

"It sounded like..."

"...your father."

Suddenly, the sky tore open above them.

A wounded silver hawk fell from the clouds.

It crashed into the sand only a few metres away.

Caelan rushed forward.

"It's carrying a message."

Around the bird's leg was a black scroll bearing the Imperial Seal.

Kaelor opened it.

His face immediately turned pale.

"What is it?" Elara asked.

The prince read aloud.

To Kael, Last Blood Sovereign.

If this message reaches you, then the Black Citadel has fallen.

Lord Varyn has broken the Seventh Chain.

I can no longer hold the seal alone.

Do not come to rescue me.

Go to the Sixth Shrine.

Complete the Seven Inheritances.

That is your only hope.

Tell my son...

Kaelor's voice broke.

He continued reading.

...that I was proud of him every day.

Silence covered the desert.

Kaelor lowered the scroll with trembling hands.

"My father..."

No one spoke.

Then...

The silver hawk gave one final cry.

Its body dissolved into light.

It had fulfilled its final mission.

Kael clenched the scroll.

Every instinct screamed at him to return.

To help Malachar.

To end the battle.

But then he remembered the Emperor's words.

"The world doesn't need one man to carry every burden."

He looked toward the distant horizon.

"The Sixth Shrine."

Selene stepped beside him.

"We'll get there."

"No matter what stands in our way."

Aurel raised his staff.

"The Shrine of Storms lies beyond the Skybreak Cliffs."

"No living army has crossed them in over a thousand years."

Caelan smiled, spinning his spear.

"Good."

"I was starting to think this journey had become too easy."

Elara laughed softly.

"You'll regret saying that."

Far beneath the Black Citadel...

The Eighth Seal shattered again.

CRACK!

Only one ancient chain remained intact.

Lord Varyn looked at the widening gateway with triumph.

The Hollow King's voice echoed from beyond.

"Soon..."

"The Last Blood Sovereign will stand before me."

The First Sovereign quietly closed his eyes.

"No."

He whispered.

"He will not stand before you."

"He will stand against you."

The darkness answered with a laugh that echoed across the continent.