Chapter 14: The Hand Beneath the Crown

The hand that emerged from the darkness was not human.

Its fingers were long and covered in black scales.

Kael stumbled backward.

Lucien grabbed his arm.

“Run!”

The ground beneath them cracked again.

A second hand appeared.

Then a massive figure began pulling itself from the darkness.

The Crimson Beast growled.

“No…”

Even Malachi stepped back.

Kael looked at him.

“You know what that is?”

Malachi’s face had lost its confidence.

“It shouldn’t be here.”

The creature rose.

It was enormous.

Its body was wrapped in ancient armor, covered with symbols Kael had seen throughout the sanctuary.

Three horns curved from its skull.

And in the center of its chest was a glowing crescent.

Lysander dropped his sword.

“My God…”

Rowan stared in disbelief.

“The First Guardian.”

The creature opened its eyes.

Silver.

Not red.

Not black.

Silver.

Its gaze landed directly on Kael.

Then it bowed.

“King of Moon.”

Kael froze.

“I am not a king.”

The creature slowly raised its head.

“You are the last.”

Malachi immediately shouted.

“Kill him!”

The Crimson warriors rushed into the chamber.

Chaos erupted.

Lysander charged first.

His silver sword cut through the nearest warrior.

Darius shifted into a massive dark wolf and attacked another.

The Crimson Beast roared and slammed its claws into the ground, sending several soldiers flying.

Lucien grabbed Kael.

“Stay with me.”

Kael pulled his arm free.

“I need to understand what is happening.”

“You can understand it later.”

“No.”

Kael looked toward the crown.

“I’ve spent my entire life being lied to.”

His eyes hardened.

“I’m done running.”

The First Guardian stepped between Kael and the battlefield.

“Then claim your inheritance.”

Kael looked at the crown.

“How?”

“Blood.”

The guardian extended its hand.

“Your blood must awaken the three powers.”

Kael hesitated.

“What happens if I do?”

The guardian’s silver eyes darkened.

“You will become the most powerful ruler this world has known.”

“And the price?”

Silence.

Kael already knew he wouldn’t like the answer.

“The three bloodlines will be bound to your soul.”

Kael looked at Darius.

At the Crimson Beast.

At Azrael.

Then at Lucien.

“What does that mean for them?”

“Their lives will become tied to yours.”

Lucien immediately stepped forward.

“No.”

Kael looked at him.

Lucien shook his head.

“Don’t do it.”

“You said you’d sacrifice yourself.”

“I didn’t know the price would be your life too.”

Kael’s expression softened.

For the first time, he saw genuine fear in Lucien’s eyes.

Not fear of the crown.

Fear of losing him.

Kael whispered:

“You’re afraid.”

Lucien looked away.

“Yes.”

A sudden explosion shook the chamber.

Malachi emerged from the smoke.

Blood covered one side of his face.

But he was smiling.

“You still don’t understand, little prince.”

Kael turned toward him.

Malachi raised his hand.

The Crimson Crown on his head began glowing.

“I didn’t come here to kill you.”

He removed the crown.

“I came to give you something.”

He threw it onto the floor.

The moment it touched the stone, the crown transformed into a black blade.

Kael stared.

Malachi smiled.

“The weapon your father used to destroy the Moon Kingdom.”

Rowan’s face went pale.

“Malachi…”

Malachi looked directly at Kael.

“Ask your guardian what happened the night your father used that sword.”

Kael slowly turned toward Rowan.

“Tell me.”

Rowan’s eyes filled with regret.

“Kael…”

“Tell me!”

Rowan finally spoke.

“Your father didn’t die protecting you.”

Kael’s heart stopped.

“He died because…”

Rowan swallowed.

“…I killed him.”

Silence.

Even the battlefield seemed to disappear.

Kael stared at him.

“You…”

Rowan lowered his sword.

“I was the one who ended the Moon King’s life.”

The First Guardian suddenly knelt.

And the crown above them began to bleed silver.

Kael whispered:

“Why?”

Rowan looked directly into his eyes.

“Because your father asked me to.”