Void Core: The Last Awakener

14. The Forbidden Archives

Alarm bells echoed violently throughout the Veyr Manor.

Guards rushed across corridors while servants panicked in every direction. The peaceful atmosphere of the clan collapsed instantly beneath chaos as explosions continued shaking parts of the castle.

Inside the western wing, Magnus’ expression darkened immediately.

“The archives…”

Without another word, he turned toward the doorway.

Golden mana surged faintly around his body as overwhelming pressure filled the chamber.

“Stay here,” Magnus ordered coldly.

Then he disappeared from the room in a burst of speed.

Several guards followed immediately behind him while distant battle sounds continued spreading through the manor halls.

Kael remained frozen beside the table.

His chest tightened painfully.

The forbidden archives.

Those records contained information about the Void.

Which meant—

The intruders came because of him again.

“…Of course they did…”

The whisper inside his mind sounded amused.

“…Everything revolves around you now…”

Kael clenched his fists tightly.

“Stop talking.”

But the shadows beneath the room still trembled faintly.

Evelyne quickly moved toward the doorway before looking back at Kael.

“Stay inside the chamber,” she said firmly. “Do not leave no matter what happens.”

Kael nodded silently.

“…Mother.”

Evelyne paused briefly.

Fear and worry lingered clearly inside her eyes.

But even now—

There was still warmth there too.

Then she left quickly after Magnus.

The chamber fell silent once more.

Only distant explosions and screams echoed throughout the manor now.

Kael slowly approached the repaired window while staring toward the central castle grounds. Bright flashes of mana illuminated the stormy sky repeatedly as knights battled dark figures below.

Black-robed intruders moved across rooftops unnaturally fast while crimson mana exploded against defensive barriers surrounding the manor.

The Abyss Cult had returned.

“…They seek the truth…”

Kael’s breathing became uneven again.

“…And they seek you…”

Far away across the castle, another explosion shattered part of the northern hallway.

BOOM!

Inside the forbidden archives, ancient shelves collapsed violently as powerful mana clashed throughout the massive underground chamber.

Clan knights fought desperately against several black-robed cultists while burning papers scattered through the air.

At the center battlefield—

Leon’s wind blades sliced through two enemies instantly.

SLASH!

The cultists crashed against stone pillars lifelessly.

But more continued appearing from the shadows.

“Protect the records!” one elder shouted angrily.

A crimson explosion erupted moments later, throwing several knights backward violently.

The cultists were stronger than expected.

Leon narrowed his eyes sharply while dodging another incoming attack.

“These people aren’t ordinary assassins…”

One masked cultist laughed coldly.

“We did not come for your clan.”

Crimson mana exploded around his blade.

“We came for the truth buried here.”

Leon’s expression darkened immediately.

The Void.

Everything tonight revolved around Kael again.

Suddenly—

BOOM!

Golden mana pressure descended across the archives like a storm.

Every cultist froze instantly.

Magnus Veyr arrived.

The overwhelming pressure alone cracked parts of the stone floor while nearby flames extinguished beneath his aura.

The clan knights immediately regained hope.

“Lord Magnus!”

Magnus’ golden eyes swept across the battlefield coldly.

“You dare infiltrate Veyr territory twice?”

One cultist stepped forward slowly.

Unlike the others, his robe carried strange black markings resembling distorted circles.

The moment Leon saw the symbol—

His expression sharpened slightly.

The Void symbol.

The cultist stared directly at Magnus fearlessly.

“You hide dangerous things inside this clan.”

Golden mana surged violently around Magnus.

“And you came here seeking death.”

BOOM!

The battle exploded instantly.

Meanwhile—

Back inside the western wing, Kael sat silently while trying to ignore the distant sounds of war outside.

But it was impossible.

Every explosion made his chest tighten further.

Because people were fighting because of him.

“…You feel guilty…”

The whisper sounded softer now.

Almost comforting.

“…Interesting…”

Kael grabbed the edge of the table tightly.

“I don’t want anyone to die.”

The voice laughed quietly.

“…Yet death follows you naturally…”

Kael suddenly stood up.

“No.”

The shadows beneath his feet trembled faintly.

“…You cannot deny what you are…”

Before Kael could respond—

The chamber door suddenly burst open violently.

CRASH!

Kael immediately stepped backward in shock.

A wounded guard stumbled inside covered in blood while breathing heavily.

“Y-Young Master Kael…”

The man looked terrified.

“Th-They broke through the eastern corridor…”

Kael’s eyes widened slightly.

“What?”

Before the guard could continue—

A crimson blade pierced directly through his chest from behind.

Blood splattered across the floor.

Kael froze completely.

The guard collapsed lifelessly moments later.

Behind the corpse—

A black-robed cultist slowly stepped into the chamber.

The man’s face remained hidden beneath shadows while crimson mana flowed around his weapon.

But unlike the assassin before—

This cultist immediately dropped to one knee the moment he saw Kael.

“…Void Child.”

Kael’s breathing stopped briefly.

The cultist lowered his head deeply.

“At last…”

His voice trembled.

“We found you.”

Kael instinctively stepped backward.

“Stay away from me.”

But the cultist slowly raised his gaze again.

And despite the hidden face—

Kael could feel terrifying fanaticism behind those eyes.

“The Abyss has awaited your awakening for centuries.”

The shadows throughout the room began trembling unnaturally.

Kael’s chest suddenly burned painfully.

“…Yes…”

The whisper inside his mind sounded pleased now.

“…One of ours…”

The cultist slowly stood again.

“You do not belong among these people,” he said calmly. “They fear you because they understand nothing.”

Kael clenched his fists tightly.

“I’m not with you.”

The cultist tilted his head slightly.

“You will be.”

Crimson mana flickered around his blade.

“The Void always returns to the Abyss eventually.”

Kael’s breathing became increasingly unstable.

Black veins slowly surfaced beneath his skin again.

The cultist noticed immediately.

And smiled beneath the shadows.

“Beautiful…”

The darkness throughout the chamber suddenly twisted violently toward Kael like living creatures.

The windows shattered instantly.

CRASH!

Kael grabbed his chest painfully while the whisper inside his mind grew louder than ever before.

“…Awaken…”

The cultist slowly spread his arms.

“Accept your true nature, Void Child.”

The black veins spread further across Kael’s arms.

The room temperature dropped violently.

“…Destroy…”

Kael squeezed his eyes shut desperately.

“No…”

“…Devour…”

The shadows exploded across the chamber walls wildly while black energy flickered around Kael’s trembling body.

The cultist stared with fanatical excitement.

“Yes…”

Then suddenly—

BOOM!

A violent gust of wind exploded through the chamber entrance.

The cultist’s eyes widened instantly.

Leon appeared beside the shattered doorway surrounded by raging silver winds.

His expression turned cold the moment he saw the darkness surrounding Kael.

And for the first time—

Leon witnessed the Void directly awakening before his eyes.