Blackstone Fortress Novels & Stories

Chapter 94 — The Black House ~LORENZO~ SOUTHWESTERN CHINA — 6:42 A.M. Fog rolled like old breath over the jagged face of the Yellow Cliffs, curling around scaffolds and camouflaged towers that pierced the morning air like bone through flesh. Beneath the crags, hidden from satellites and whispers, sat The Black House. It wasn't a house. It was a fortress. A creed. A war wound carved into stone.

“My name is Makan. And I’ve been waiting for someone like you.” OUTSKIRTS – NIGHT The sky pressed low over the ruins, ash swirling like restless ghosts. Abigail stood at the mouth of the Brass Fangs’ refinery, the same decaying structure Tunde had walked into days ago. Only now, the wind carried something colder. She wore her dust-streaked jacket zipped to the throat, a satchel slung tight across her shoulder. Her hand rested on it, over the Adrium shard glowing faintly inside. She knocked once.

It just kept coming, slow and thick, like the earth was leaking. "Step... step... step," I whispered to myself. I was a Rogue. I was used to carrying heavy things. I was used to running until my lungs felt like they were full of fire. But this was different. Every time Darius gasped, I felt a sharp pain in my own chest. The Bond-String was pulling on me. It was tight. It was a lead rope, dragging me toward the castle. We reached the edge of the trees. The fortress of Blackthorn sat on the hill. It looked like a giant grey tooth against the dark sky. The green mist was swirling around the towers. It looked like a sick snake.

The commanders rushed to obey. As Ryden exited the war room, the atmosphere inside Blackwood Keep felt heavier than ever. The fortress itself was ancient. Built directly into the frozen cliffs overlooking the black pine valleys below. Unlike Nightfall’s spiritual warmth, Blackwood felt cold by design. Strong. Defensive. A territory built to survive war. But now fear moved through its halls anyway. Ryden descended toward the lower medical chambers quickly. The deeper he moved into the fortress, the stronger the scent of blood became.

He did not want to incur any losses and lose any of the warships before they had even set out. “Stop the jabbering,” Blackstone stated, caring little for the barriers being erected around the warships. He dashed forward, his eyes conveying his intent to do battle. With his hammer raised up high and Edict coiling around him strongly like a constricting boa, he danced into the path of the 2nd Sky and slammed his hammer down! *Boom*

With the return of Nocté, the element calmed down and floods no longer happened. Agnes and Bastian had to work hard and hire local help to make the Black Cliff habitable for people, not sea creatures. There was plenty of work left to this day, but Agnes kept her chip up. Nocté was surprised at the strong health of the old woman: she never complained to her about back pain or aching bones.

A smirk crawled unto his features as he stretched out a hand for me and I just stared in awe, his words sinking in. Damon Blackwood, as in Black Empire Blackwood. The self made billionaire, that's impossi- I quickly slid my hand into his, realising I had left him hanging. Bad first impression Jasmine! You idiot!! I mentally scolded myself, I needed this job. Don't fuck it up! Don't fuck it up! I played those words in my head like a song on repeat. 𝐃𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍 Her skin felt like velvet against mine. I had to resist the urge to take her hands to my lips to kiss them and appreciate her effortless beauty.

"And I think where they are keeping the one they kidnapped. The ancient Blackstone Hall." Mateo kept staring. He hadn't said a word. There was a look of frustration on his face, and pain. This was affecting all of us. Tymeria Blackstone... Claudine... they were friends, or the ones we assumed as friends, and they were all in on it. "I thought the Blackstone Hall was sold to someone," I said and Caden nodded. It was an old house belonged to the Blackstones, but then they sold it off because it was at the edge of Draconia and taking care of the property was getting harder. I remembered Thoren, Caden's brother, mentioning it one time.

The air grew colder as we approached the edge of the vale, and an unnatural stillness settled over the group. “We’re close,” I said, the memory of the vision guiding me. “The fortress is just beyond this ridge.” Jessica glanced at me. “Let’s hope you’re right. I’d rather not spend all day wandering around cursed territory.” As we crested the ridge, the fortress came into view. It was exactly as I had seen—an imposing structure of black stone, its spires piercing the blood-red sky. “Looks welcoming,” Jessica muttered. Mike motioned for the group to halt. “We scout first. No one goes in until we know what we’re dealing with.”

And for a second… It felt like high school all over again. “Welcome to Blackthorn, Zara,” Damon said finally, his voice carrying something I couldn’t quite place. “Try not to cause trouble.” My chest tightened. If only he knew. I forced a smile. “I don’t plan to.” His eyes flickered like he didn’t believe me. Like he knew better. And that? That unsettled me more than anything. I turned and walked through the gates without looking back. But I felt his gaze on me the entire time. By the time I reached the main courtyard, my heart still hadn’t settled. This was supposed to be different.