Chapter 25 The Void's Vessel
Cassius：POV
I touched the healed burn on my chest, grateful for the "Shadow Heart" amulet from my Void Lord. The pain was worth it—this talisman had freed me from that Storm Dragon's lightning restraints. That "Storm-wing" was tougher than expected, but three centuries of cultivation still gave me the advantage.
I used illusion magic to hide my void tattoos, keeping them hidden from others.
The midnight palace corridors were silent as I moved through shadows. Guards walked their usual routes, clueless about the secret passages I'd built decades ago. Idiots. Even my brother Darius had no idea about the real power growing under his nose.
"That Storm-wing was a real pain in the ass," I muttered, feeling the Void mark on my chest throb. It pulled at me, dragging me deeper into the palace's forgotten guts.
I slipped behind an old tapestry, fingers finding the pressure plate disguised as decoration. The wall slid open without a sound, showing narrow stairs going down into blackness. As I descended, the air got colder and thick with magical energy.
The chamber below was once part of an ancient seal to keep the Void out. Ironic that I'd turned it into exactly what our ancestors feared. Twisted runes covered the walls, pulsing with purple light. Blood-red symbols patterned the floor, with a floating crystal radiating dark energy at the center.
I locked the door and walked to the middle of the array. The mark on my chest burned like hell, blood running down and following the rune patterns under my feet.
"Great Void Lord," I dropped to my knees in front of the crystal, "your most loyal servant is here."
The crystal lit up, purple-black mist swirling until it looked almost like a person. A voice like a thousand whispers hit my mind: "My faithful Cassius... you've done well..."
"Got out of that annoying bind, my Lord," I grinned. "Your power really came through."
"Even with that Storm Dragon trying to spill everything, your brother Darius only trusts you." The Void Lord's laugh shook the whole chamber. "Two more days, when the three moons line up, the Void Gate opens, and you become my voice here."
"Everything's ready, my Lord," I said. "The Star-Chosen dragon's bloodline is right there for the taking. Lyra's going to be your sacrifice."
"The starlight in the Star-Chosen opens the Void Gate," my master's voice dripped with hunger. "Get her blood during the triple moon alignment. Complete the sacrifice, and I get a real body."
The Void Lord's approval made me grin like crazy. "As your reward, more power..." Purple-black energy rushed from the crystal into me, and damn, it felt amazing. I couldn't help but laugh. Every part of me buzzed with excitement. I felt like I could take on the whole world.
"This ring controls shadow creatures," a black ring appeared and dropped into my palm. "This vial shuts down any dragon's elemental powers. And this," a small runic stone fell into my other hand, "blocks Storm Dragon energy attacks."
I took these gifts like they were sacred. "With these, even if that Storm Dragon shows up again, I'll handle him easy."
"When I arrive, Star Crystal Territory, Flame Scale Domain, and Shadow Valley—all yours to rule." The Void Lord showed me a vision of myself on a massive throne built from the combined territories, wearing a crown made of Void energy.
"You'll live forever and have power beyond any dragon," his whispers filled me with want. "Remember—eliminate any threat, especially that Storm Dragon. Their family's sealing power is the only thing that could stop the ritual."
After we finished talking, I hit a mechanism in the wall that opened another chamber. Twenty dragon warriors in black robes stood inside, each with Void marks like mine on their chests, eyes glowing with crazy purple light.
"My faithful disciples," I spoke to them, "your years of loyalty pay off soon. Two days from now, during the wedding ceremony, when I signal, you take all the key spots. Kill anyone who fights back."
I left through another secret passage that went straight to Lyra's tower prison. Waved the guards away and walked into her cell. Found her sitting by the window, moonlight showing off her stubborn face.
"My dear niece," I walked over slowly. "Still as pigheaded as when you were little. But nobody believes you now."
Lyra turned to me, eyes full of hate. "They'll see through your lies eventually, Cassius. Justice will triumph over evil."
I laughed hard. "Dream on! Your father's been under my thumb for years. Two days, and you marry Valen and become the key to everything new."
I walked around the room, voice full of fake nostalgia. "You were such a sweet kid. So trusting, so... well-behaved."
I saw Lyra's body go stiff, fear flashing in her eyes. She remembered something.
"Finally coming back to you, isn't it?" I smiled like a predator. "Those times we were alone, when I said it was a 'special game' that had to stay secret..."
I got closer, throwing up a silence barrier with a flick of my wrist. Lyra's hands shook, but her voice stayed steady. "You're a monster, Cassius. You used a child's trust... you've always been a coward."
"I just want to crack that tough act of yours," I said calmly, grabbing her wrists and chaining them above her head with magic. "The ritual works best when the sacrifice gives up everything willingly."
I tore open her shirt. "Such beauty wasted on being stubborn," I whispered, roughly grabbing her breasts. Her disgust just turned me on more as I put my mouth on her nipples.
"Stop it!" she screamed, fighting the restraints.
I ignored her protests, ripping off her pants and shoving lubricating fingers inside her. "Your fighting back makes this so much better."
Lyra's eyes went wide with horror. "This... you did this to me when I was a kid too," she gasped, tears running down her face as memories flooded back.
"Such a good little girl you were," I laughed.
I undid my clothes, getting ready to take what I wanted. Lyra suddenly stopped struggling, her eyes meeting mine with deadly calm.
"Take one more step, and I'll bite my tongue off and kill myself," she said with chilling certainty. "Your ritual needs me alive, doesn't it? Without the Star-Chosen, your plans fall apart."
I froze, seeing the conviction in her eyes. This wasn't a bluff—she would rather die than endure further violation. The calculation raced through my mind: without her living blood at the precise moment, the Void Gate wouldn't open.
Fury replaced desire as I slapped her hard across the face. "You think you've won? There are worse tortures than this," I snarled, reluctantly fastening my clothes. "Two days, Lyra. In two days, your blood will serve its purpose whether you're willing or not."
I released the restraints with a violent gesture and walked to the door, my mind already adapting. Physical torture might be more effective than sexual domination after all.
Before leaving, I turned and placed my palm against the doorframe, channeling purple-black energy into the wood. Intricate void runes spread across the entrance, pulsing with malevolent power.
"Let's strengthen these defenses, shall we?" I said with a cold smile. "That Storm-wing who rescued you last time won't dare enter again. These void traps will drain his element faster than he can summon it."
I gestured to the guards outside, doubling their number. "No one enters without my explicit permission. She is to remain completely isolated."
I gave Lyra one final, threatening look. "You'll see," I spat, "destiny is set, and darkness will prevail."