Chapter 20: The Crown in the Shadows

The haunting melody of the King’s Lament echoed across the battlefield.

Every note pierced Lyra’s mind like a blade.

She collapsed to her knees, clutching her head as fragments of forgotten memories crashed into her.

“No…”

She whispered through gritted teeth.

“It can’t be…”

Karl was the first to reach her.

“Lyra!”

He knelt beside her, but the silver aura surrounding her pushed him back.

Arnold rushed over from the opposite side.

“Don’t touch her!”

“She’s reliving the memories.”

Lucien tightened his grip on his greatsword, his eyes fixed on Malrik.

“You’ve gone too far.”

Malrik lowered the silver flute with a satisfied smile.

“I simply helped unlock what was already inside her.”

Inside Lyra’s mind…

The burning palace returned.

This time, the memories were clearer.

She saw her father, King Alaric, standing in the throne room with blood staining his royal robes.

His sword was chipped, but his posture remained proud.

Beside him stood Queen Evelina, holding five year old Lyra close.

The great doors burst open.

Malrik entered first.

Behind him walked another man.

Unlike Malrik, this stranger wore a magnificent black crown adorned with crimson jewels.

His face remained hidden beneath a hood.

King Alaric stared at him in disbelief.

“You…”

“You were my brother.”

The hooded man slowly lowered his head.

“I was.”

Queen Evelina gasped.

“No…”

“Caelan…”

The name echoed through the room.

King Caelan.

The King’s younger brother.

Lyra watched as the memory unfolded.

“You betrayed your own family,” King Alaric said.

Caelan’s voice was cold.

“I saved our bloodline.”

“You buried it.”

“The kingdoms were becoming weak.”

“The humans were multiplying.”

“The Lycans refused unity.”

“The werewolves fought among themselves.”

“You ruled with compassion.”

“I will rule with fear.”

Back on the battlefield…

Lyra gasped as tears streamed down her face.

“I remember…”

Everyone turned toward her.

“My uncle…”

“He betrayed us.”

Lucien closed his eyes.

“So she finally knows.”

Arnold frowned.

“You knew?”

Lucien nodded solemnly.

“I suspected.”

“But I could never prove it.”

Malrik laughed loudly.

“Very good.”

“The Princess remembers.”

Victor looked at Malrik in confusion.

“My Lord…”

“The King had a brother?”

Malrik’s smile widened.

“He did.”

“And he was far more ambitious than anyone realized.”

Karl stared at Lyra.

“You have an uncle?”

Lyra nodded weakly.

“He wanted the throne.”

“My father refused to surrender it.”

“So…”

She swallowed painfully.

“…he destroyed our kingdom.”

Her voice cracked.

“He killed his own brother.”

The words echoed across the valley.

Even the Blood Hunters shifted uneasily.

Some had never known the truth.

They believed Lunaris had fallen during a war.

Not because of betrayal from within.

Suddenly…

The black crystal floating above Malrik cracked.

A surge of crimson lightning shot into the blood red eclipse.

The sky rumbled.

Lucien’s face turned pale.

“No…”

“He’s opening it.”

Arnold looked toward the heavens.

“Opening what?”

Lucien answered without taking his eyes off the eclipse.

“The Blood Gate.”

Silence.

Karl frowned.

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s an ancient prison.”

Lucien’s voice grew heavy.

“A prison built by the Moon Goddess herself.”

“It seals away creatures born from Blood Magic.”

Malrik spread his arms triumphantly.

“And tonight…”

“I shall set them free.”

The eclipse darkened further.

A massive crack appeared in the crimson sky.

From within came a deafening roar.

The ground shook violently.

Villagers screamed.

Children cried.

Even the wolves whimpered.

Something enormous was trying to escape.

Lyra looked upward, terror filling her silver eyes.

“What…”

“…is that?”

Lucien stepped in front of her.

His expression had never been more serious.

“Whatever happens…”

“You must not let the gate fully open.”

“Because if it does…”

“There will be no kingdom left to save.”

Suddenly, a beam of crimson light shot from the Blood Gate and struck Malrik.

He cried out as dark energy engulfed him.

His body began to change.

Black veins spread across his skin.

His eyes turned completely crimson.

A pair of jagged horns slowly emerged from his forehead.

Victor stumbled backward in horror.

“My Lord…”

“What is happening to you?”

Malrik threw back his head and laughed.

“This…”

“…is the power I have sought for twenty years!”

His aura exploded outward, flattening trees and shattering rocks.

Karl planted his feet against the force.

Arnold shielded Lyra.

Lucien raised his sword.

Far above them, hidden within the widening Blood Gate…

Two glowing red eyes slowly opened.

Watching.

Waiting.

And then…

A deep, ancient voice echoed across the heavens.

“At last…”

“My prison weakens.”