Chapter 175 Kneel

Chapter 175 Kneel
Azerath

Aetheria vanished behind me as I crossed the eastern wall. Beyond the ridge stretched the wasteland.

Serafina and I had stood here once before, searching for her brother.

Long ago, this had been a vast sea. Now it was a grave.

The water had receded centuries ago after generations of toxic manna had been dumped from Mount Aetheria. In its place lay a barren plain shrouded in thick gray mist streaked with veins of sickly green. Dead trees rose from the cracked earth like blackened skeletons, while a sluggish river of poisonous waste wound across the lowlands, flowing from the mountain's scarred slopes.

Beneath that poisoned earth lay Kilmarnock. A doorway to Ember, concealed beneath the ground after the sea disappeared.

No living creature willingly entered this place. The mist burned flesh like acid. The river was worse.

Perfect.

Moriath still clung to my back, his fangs buried deep in my shoulder. He had become oblivious to everything except my blood.

I folded one wing and plunged toward the poisoned river. Only at the last moment did I twist my neck. My jaws closed around the back of Moriath's skull.

His eyes widened. "What are you—"

I ripped him from my shoulder and hurled him into the river below. He struck the foul water with a deafening splash.

Steam burst skyward. The river hissed violently as though it had swallowed molten iron.

I swooped lower, keeping my eyes fixed on the spot where he had fallen.

For a heartbeat, nothing moved. I allowed myself a moment of hope.

Then a scream echoed across the wasteland. Not one of agony. One of exhilaration.

Moriath burst from the river like a projectile. His skin peeled away in dripping sheets as the poison consumed it, exposing the muscle beneath. Before my eyes, fresh flesh spread over him.

His wounds regenerated almost instantly—but more slowly than before. The sickly green water clung to his flesh, slowing the healing process. His once-brilliant crimson eyes had dulled.

The toxic manna was working...

Albeit slowly.

He laughed. "You thought you could get rid of me by throwing me into a river of acid? Unfortunately for you... I'm still alive."

Before I could climb away, he crashed onto my back once more. His claws hooked beneath my scales. His fangs found the wound on my shoulder.

"Oh..." he sighed in bliss. "I was wondering when I'd get another taste."

I twisted my neck, trying to seize him with my jaws. He slipped aside. I snapped again. He dodged again.

Every movement I made, he anticipated.

He clung to me with impossible agility, shifting around my horns and neck like a serpent coiling around a tree.

Very well.

If I could not throw him off... I would bury him.

I beat my wings harder and climbed. The poisoned wasteland dwindled beneath us. The clouds swallowed us whole.

Higher still. The air grew thin. Ice formed along my horns. Even my wings protested the climb.

Still, Moriath refused to let go. His breathing had slowed. His entire existence had narrowed to a single thing.

My blood.

I stopped flapping. For one silent moment, we hung suspended above the world.

Then I rolled onto my back. The sky became earth. The earth became sky.

I felt Moriath's claws dig deeper into my flesh. I gritted my teeth against the pain.

"You will never rid yourself of me, dragon," Moriath hissed. "I will be the tick on your back that never lets go. Even if you hang upside down."

"There are ways to get rid of a tick," I replied.
"Pesticide."

I tucked my wings against my body. Gravity seized us.

"What are you doing—"

We plummeted.

The wind roared past my ears. Clouds exploded around us. Far below, the poisoned wasteland rushed up to meet us.

Only then did Moriath realize what I intended.

He released his claws, trying to leap away. I spread my wings just enough to block every escape. Then, moments before impact, I folded them tightly against my body.

The ground erupted beneath us. A massive crater opened beside the poisoned river. Gray mist exploded in every direction.

My full weight crushed Moriath into the acid-soaked earth. The toxic mist immediately engulfed us.

It burned.

Even through my scales, the poison stung like molten metal. The membranes of my wings hissed as the acid ate at the exposed skin between the bones.

I ignored the pain.

I lifted my head just high enough to draw a breath above the poisonous fog before pressing myself down again.

Beneath me, Moriath struggled. He clawed. He writhed. He snarled through a mouthful of mud and poison.

I pressed harder and waited. Seconds passed, then minutes.

His struggles slowed. His claws scraped weakly against my scales. The snarls became bubbling gurgles. Still I did not move.

Once, I had mistaken Moriath for dead. I would not make that mistake again.

The mist continued to eat away at my wings.

I endured the pain.

And waited.

I waited until the monster beneath me struggled no more.

I waited until even bone surrendered to ooze.

\----------

Serafina

Violet orbs formed in my palms. With a flick of my wrists, I sent them hurtling toward General Sallow and Lieutenant Dread.

The blasts struck their black armor and erupted into violet flames. Both men were hurled across the marble floor, screaming as the enchanted fire consumed the metal protecting them.

The palace guards rushed forward.

"A weapon, Kraven!" Aldo shouted, tossing him a sword.

Kraven caught it cleanly. He gave the blade a testing swing before leveling it at the advancing guards.

"Now then," he said with a grin. "Which one of you wants to die first?"

The guards grinned back.

"Attack!" one of them roared.

Steel crashed against steel. The throne room erupted into chaos.

Despite their training, Vaelric's guards were quickly overwhelmed by the rebels. One by one, they fell beneath swords, axes, and spears until only a handful remained.

I turned my attention to the shadows writhing across the marble floor. They crept toward me, hoping to catch me off guard.

Violet light flared in my palms.

The shadows froze.

Then, they fled, slithering back beneath the throne and vanishing into the darkness.

"Cowards!" Vaelric roared.

Before anyone could react, he seized Ryven by the collar and dragged him away from Magnus's body. A black dagger flashed into his hand. Its blade rested against Ryven's throat.

"Ryven!" Helga screamed, charging forward with her axe raised.

"Another step," Vaelric warned, pressing the dagger deeper until a thin line of blood trickled down Ryven's neck, "and your friend dies."

Helga froze.

"Serafina," Vaelric said, his crimson eyes settling on me. "Come to me... or say goodbye to Ryven."

Lio stepped forward, his staff glowing with brilliant white light. "Release him, Vaelric," he said evenly. "Surrender, and I'll allow you to return to Arcanis. You may still rule there as the Dark Prince."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Elyndra glance down at something hidden in her pocket, just as she had in the Cursed Forest. At the time, I had assumed it was a pocket watch. But when Helga searched her, she hadn't found one.

Then I heard it.

A heartbeat.

Tiny. Faint. Too small to belong to a person.

I frowned, but there was no time to wonder why something alive was hidden inside her pocket.

Elyndra quickly withdrew her hand and looked up.

"Brother," she pleaded, "listen to him. We no longer have an army—"

"Silence!" Vaelric snapped. His gaze shifted back to Lio. "And who are you to offer me terms?"

Lio lifted his chin. "I am Celestial Lionel Maximilian Valen," he declared. "Brother to Serafina."

Recognition flickered across Vaelric's face.

"You know me," Lio continued. "Not long ago, I was the small boy lying in your alchemy ward."

"Impossible," Vaelric muttered. Then he laughed. "Even if it were true, you have no authority to negotiate with me."

"He does!" a rebel shouted.

"We want Lio as our King!"

"Our Emperor!"

The cry spread through the throne room.

"Lio!"

"Lio!"

"Lio!"

Vaelric's expression darkened. He pressed the dagger harder against Ryven's throat. Ryven winced but never cried out.

I stepped forward slowly, raising my hands. "Take me instead," I said quietly. "You've already taken his father from him."

Vaelric chuckled. "I didn't even know Magnus had a son." His eyes drifted toward Elyndra. "If you wish to blame someone..." he said. "Blame my dear sister. She wanted Magnus to replace me."
His smile widened. "And I will kill anyone who dares challenge me for my throne."

Lio caught my arm and pulled me back.

"Fine," he said, never taking his eyes off Vaelric. "I accept your challenge. Just let Ryven go."

For a long moment, no one moved. Then Vaelric shoved Ryven away. Ryven stumbled, collapsing beside his father's body.

At the same instant, Vaelric hurled the black dagger straight at Lio.

Time seemed to slow.

I lunged, snatching the dagger from the air an instant before it pierced Lio's eye.

Suddenly, a deafening boom echoed from somewhere beyond the palace walls.

The entire throne room lurched violently. Dust rained from the ceiling.

For one brief moment, everyone stopped fighting.

\----------

Elyndra

The deafening boom shook the throne room. I stumbled as the marble floor lurched beneath my feet. Nearby, Florian and Kier threw themselves behind a marble pillar, peering out with frightened eyes.

My gaze fell to Ryven.

Despite the cut across his neck, he crawled back to Magnus's body. Gently, he took his father's lifeless hand and pressed a kiss against it.

The sight twisted something inside me.

My hand drifted to my pocket once more.

I wanted to end this. I wanted to stop my brother. But I couldn't bring myself to kill him.

He was still my blood. The only real family I had left.

I looked at my brother.

Vaelric stood before the throne, his fingers resting upon the Black Crown. Blackish-green light rippled across its surface, casting an eerie glow over the throne room.

Every sword...

Every dagger...

Every spear...

Every weapon within the throne room tore free from its owner's grasp.

The blades rose into the air. Then they turned. Each weapon pointed at someone's throat.

A cold silence fell over the chamber.

"Nice try, Serafina," Vaelric scoffed. "But I dare you to save everyone in this throne room. Including everyone in Aetherion."

Serafina frowned. "Aetherion?"

As though answering her question, terrified screams erupted from outside the palace.

"Why is there a sword pointed at me?"

"I don't want to die!"

"Why does that arrow keep following me?"

The cries echoed through the open windows.

Vaelric spread his arms. "Now that I have everyone's attention..." His dark eyes settled upon Serafina. "I want you to concede defeat and become my bride. In return, I will allow everyone to live."

The throne room fell silent.

Serafina slowly surveyed the frightened faces around her. Then she gave a single, quiet nod.

"I accept."

"Come," Vaelric commanded. "Kneel before your Emperor."

Serafina walked toward him. She stopped beside me. Then, without looking up, she slowly lowered herself to one knee.

As she did, she opened her hand.

The small glass case shot from my pocket as though pulled by an invisible thread. It landed on the marble floor directly before her.

My breath caught. She knew. How?!

Serafina looked up at Vaelric. A faint smile crossed her lips.

"It's time for you to die, Vaelric."

She brought her foot down.

The glass shattered.