Chapter 29: Mark of the Eldritch Blood
The chamber trembled as Vael stepped fully into the light, his silhouette stretching unnaturally across the walls like a living shadow. The torches flickered—some extinguished completely—unable to bear the weight of his presence.
Rhea clung to Aarav as the sigil on her neck flared again, making her gasp in pain.
Aarav's blade sparked with crimson fire. "What did you do to her?"
Vael smiled thinly. "Only what was necessary. A king cannot rise without a leash."
Kieran and Nyssa burst into the room, blades drawn—then froze. Even the air felt heavier here.
Nyssa lowered her voice. "A High Elder… this is no ordinary battle."
Vael raised a single hand. The air rippled. Kieran, Nyssa, and the Knights were blasted backward, the force slamming them into the walls. Stone cracked on impact.
Aarav didn't move. His grip only tightened on Rhea. "Stand down."
Vael's grin widened. "Ah. There he is. The arrogance. The fury. The old king."
Aarav gently laid Rhea down behind him. "Stay back."
Rhea grabbed his wrist, her voice shaking. "Aarav… don't fight him alone—"
"I'm not alone." He stepped forward, his blood magic igniting around him like a storm.
The chamber groaned. The sigils carved into the walls began to glow—reacting to the presence of two powers that should never coexist.
Vael moved first. In a blur of shadow, he appeared behind Aarav, claws extended—
Aarav spun, blocking with his blade. The impact sent shockwaves through the stone floor.
Vael's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Good. You remember how to dance."
Aarav attacked, a flurry of deadly strikes infused with ancient flame. Vael dodged effortlessly, phasing between shadows, mocking him with each movement.
"You were strong once," Vael taunted, appearing at Aarav's back. "But centuries of sleep make the blood slow."
Aarav slashed behind him—too slow. Vael's hand caught the blade mid-strike.
Nyssa yelled, "My king!"
Vael squeezed. The blade cracked.
Aarav's eyes widened—only for a heartbeat—then he let the broken weapon fall.
And unleashed raw bloodfire from his palm.
It struck Vael point-blank, slamming him into the far wall. The Elder did not fall—but he did stagger.
Veyron limped into the room just in time to see it. "Well… damn."
Vael wiped a thin line of blood from his lip, staring at it with surprise. "You dare injure me?"
Aarav's voice rumbled with ancient fury. "Touch her again and I'll do worse."
Vael's smile vanished. His pupils narrowed into slits.
"You cannot save her," he hissed. "The mark binds her life to ours. Kill me, and she dies."
Aarav froze.
Rhea's breath hitched.
Nyssa swore under her breath.
Vael continued, voice smooth as poison. "And if you do nothing… the mark will consume her from within. Turning her into something far worse than a vampire."
Aarav's heartbeat thundered in his ears.
Rhea looked at him, her eyes shining. "Aarav… whatever happens, I trust you."
Vael stepped back into a swirling portal of shadows. "Come for her at the Hollow Throne… if you're brave enough to lose everything again."
With a final pulse of dark energy, the Elder vanished.
The room fell silent.
Aarav turned to Rhea, lifting her gently into his arms as the sigil on her neck flickered like a dying flame.
Kieran approached, breath ragged. "This changes everything."
Nyssa bowed her head. "We cannot face the High Elders unprepared."
Aarav looked at his army—his friends—his queen.
"No," he said softly, power gathering in his eyes.
"This is where the war truly begins."
To be continued…