Chapter 9: The Battle for the Guardian

The underground sanctuary trembled as both sides faced one another.

The glow from the Celestial Heart illuminated the ancient chamber, reflecting off crystal pillars and the calm blue river that flowed beneath the stone floor. The air itself seemed charged with ancient magic, making every breath feel heavier.

General Varis stood at the front of his soldiers, his expression calm and confident.

Behind him, thirty elite Royal Guards formed a perfect battle formation.

Unlike Commander Rylan's men, these soldiers showed no hesitation.

Their loyalty belonged to Lord Malachar.

Varis rested his sword on his shoulder and smiled.

"Your Highness, don't make this more difficult than it needs to be."

Kael stepped in front of Liana.

"The answer is still no."

Varis sighed dramatically.

"I expected as much."

He slowly raised his hand.

"Capture the Guardian."

"Kill anyone who resists."

The soldiers charged.

Their armored footsteps echoed through the sanctuary like thunder.

Commander Rylan immediately barked orders.

"Defensive formation!"

His remaining guards rushed forward, meeting the attackers head-on.

Steel clashed against steel.

The peaceful sanctuary erupted into chaos.

Liana instinctively stepped backward as swords flashed before her eyes.

She had never witnessed a real battle.

The screams...

The sound of metal striking metal...

The determination in the soldiers' faces...

Everything terrified her.

Kael noticed.

He briefly looked over his shoulder.

"Liana."

She met his eyes.

"No matter what happens..."

"Stay close to the Heart."

She nodded.

"I will."

A soldier broke through the defensive line and rushed toward her.

Before he could reach her, Kael intercepted him.

Their swords collided with tremendous force.

The impact sent sparks flying across the chamber.

Kael twisted gracefully and knocked the weapon from the soldier's hands.

Rather than striking him down, he kicked him backward.

The man crashed into two others.

Liana watched in amazement.

Even during battle...

Kael refused to kill.

General Varis noticed as well.

"You've always been weak."

Kael glared at him.

"Mercy isn't weakness."

Varis laughed.

"No."

"It is exactly why you'll lose."

With astonishing speed, the general lunged forward.

His sword glowed with crimson energy.

Kael barely managed to block the strike.

The force pushed him several feet backward.

Commander Rylan's eyes widened.

"Dark Flame magic..."

"Malachar taught you forbidden techniques."

Varis smirked.

"The Regent rewards loyalty."

He attacked again.

Each strike carried overwhelming strength.

Kael blocked the first.

Dodged the second.

But the third grazed his side.

Blood stained his royal coat.

"Kael!" Liana cried.

"I'm fine," he answered, though his breathing had become heavier.

The injury wasn't deep.

But it reminded him that Varis wasn't an opponent he could underestimate.

Meanwhile, Commander Rylan fought desperately to protect the entrance.

One by one, his loyal guards fell.

Some were wounded.

Others had been forced to surrender.

They were being overwhelmed.

Liana looked around helplessly.

There had to be something she could do.

Her eyes drifted toward the Celestial Heart.

It pulsed softly.

Almost as though it was calling to her.

Without thinking, she walked toward it.

The moment her fingers touched the crystal...

A warm wave of energy flowed through her body.

The fear inside her heart slowly faded.

Instead, she felt...

Peace.

Suddenly, images flashed through her mind.

Ancient battles.

Forgotten temples.

A woman dressed in silver armor.

The First Guardian.

The woman smiled gently.

"Do not fear the light."

"Become one with it."

Liana blinked.

"What does that mean?"

The voice answered softly.

"Trust yourself."

At that very moment, General Varis broke through Kael's defense.

His crimson blade pointed directly toward Liana.

"I have you."

Kael's eyes widened.

"No!"

He rushed forward.

But he was too far away.

Varis swung his sword.

Liana instinctively closed her eyes.

Instead of pain...

She felt warmth.

Brilliant blue and golden light exploded from her body.

The sanctuary shook violently.

Every weapon in the chamber vibrated.

The soldiers froze.

Even Varis staggered backward.

The light gathered around Liana, forming countless glowing feathers that floated through the air.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

They shimmered with golden light.

Her long hair moved as though carried by an invisible breeze.

Everyone stared.

Commander Rylan fell to one knee.

"The Guardian..."

Varis couldn't hide his shock.

"So it's true."

The feathers suddenly shot across the sanctuary.

None of them struck a single soldier.

Instead...

Every wounded guard—friend and foe alike—felt their injuries begin to heal.

Cuts closed.

Pain disappeared.

Broken bones mended.

Kael looked around in disbelief.

"She healed everyone..."

Liana stared at her own hands.

"I didn't mean to."

The golden light gradually faded.

She swayed from exhaustion.

Kael caught her before she collapsed.

"You need to rest."

"I... I couldn't control it."

"You don't have to."

General Varis slowly regained his composure.

"So that's your power."

He smiled coldly.

"No wonder the Regent wants you alive."

He reached into his cloak and removed a small black crystal.

Commander Rylan immediately recognized it.

"No..."

"Destroy it!"

Too late.

Varis crushed the crystal in his hand.

Dark smoke spread rapidly throughout the sanctuary.

The temperature dropped instantly.

The crystal pillars trembled.

A deep growl echoed from somewhere beneath the sanctuary.

The glowing river turned black.

Cracks spread across the stone floor.

Kael's face became pale.

"He broke the ancient seal."

Commander Rylan tightened his grip on his sword.

"Impossible..."

"I thought it was only a legend."

Liana looked at them in confusion.

"What seal?"

No one answered.

Because something enormous was awakening beneath them.

A gigantic claw burst through the floor.

Stone exploded in every direction.

Soldiers screamed as they stumbled backward.

Another claw appeared.

Then another.

Slowly, an enormous creature climbed from the darkness below.

Its body was covered in black scales.

Its eyes burned like molten gold.

Massive wings unfolded behind it, filling nearly half the sanctuary.

The beast let out a deafening roar that shook the ancient ruins.

Even General Varis looked terrified.

"I... I didn't summon that."

Kael stepped in front of Liana once more.

His expression had never been more serious.

"The Shadow Dragon..."

Commander Rylan whispered the creature's name in horror.

"The guardian of the prison."

The dragon's burning eyes swept across everyone in the chamber.

Friend and enemy alike.

To the ancient beast...

There was no difference.

Anyone inside the sanctuary was now an intruder.

As the dragon opened its enormous jaws, dark flames began gathering inside its mouth.

Kael tightened his grip on his sword.

"Everyone..."

"Run!"

The roar of the Shadow Dragon echoed through the sanctuary, marking the beginning of a far greater danger than any of them had imagined.