Chapter 14
As they approached the heart of the Dark Tribe's territory, Jane cast an invisibility spell over the group, concealing them from the watchful eyes of enemy scouts. Once they reached the edge of the Dark Hall, the spell wore off, and they became visible again.
Jane turned to Esther.
"It's up to you now, girl," she said solemnly.
"I don't think so," Esther replied with defiance.
Jane turned around—and there stood her son, Jacob.
"Mother, why?" Jacob demanded, his voice filled with betrayal. "Haven't I given you everything? I freed you from servitude, gave you power beyond your dreams—yet you betray me? For what? These weaklings and runaways? Do you really think they can challenge me here, in my own land? Even in theirs, I win."
Jane stepped forward calmly. "Son, I once believed in you—not because of power, but because I hoped you could return to the good man you used to be. But you've changed. You've become more cruel than anyone ever imagined. You enslave people. You kill without remorse. Aethelgard was never meant to be ruled by one tribe. Every tribe is meant to be independent. What you use—dark magic—is not a gift, but a mistake our ancestors made. And you, my son, have proven to be an abomination of that mistake."
"Enough of this nonsense!" Jacob roared. "You ungrateful fool! I'll lock you in the dungeon with your fellow traitorous royals. Aethelgard may be independent, but it has always been ruled by the Ice Kingdom—and now, by me!"
"Kill them all!" he ordered.
At his command, an army of dark warriors, beasts, and loyalists descended upon them, led by the cruel Agent Granerde. A heated battle erupted, with everyone summoning their hidden beasts and abilities. But they were no match for the sheer strength of the dark forces.
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Power House
"Don't you think the gem might taste sweet if we eat it?" Philip joked as they crept into the tabernacle.
"Are you hungry, boy?" Cynthia replied, raising an eyebrow.
"For the record, I'm older than Eric. And yes, I'm hungry," Philip smirked.
"You don't mind sucking breast milk too?" Clare teased.
"Let's focus," Cynthia cut in. "Time to make those freaks lose their powers."
They approached the tabernacle, its glowing seven-colored gemstone pulsing atop a sacred pedestal. Philip rushed forward to grab it—but was instantly struck by a blast of nature magic.
"Well, well, well," came a sinister voice. "You're doing great, my love."
It was Den.
"Nice to see you again, Philip," he said, stepping out of the shadows. "I admire your courage—but I didn't know you were so eager to die."
Turning to Cynthia, he sneered, "My dear niece, I'm sure if your parents were alive, they would've stopped you from this foolishness. But now, you'll die before they do. Pity—I always hoped you'd join me."
"Don't worry, Uncle," Cynthia replied boldly. "Just make sure you don't get hurt. Because I won't. And thank you… you've given me something I lacked: a reason to fight."
With that, she launched a magical strike at Den—but he didn't even flinch. He laughed coldly.
"You really think that worked? When you hit me in the Nature Tribe, do you know why I fell? Not because of your strength—but because I let you. Don't overestimate yourself."
With a powerful wave, Den sent Cynthia flying across the room. She slammed into the wall and fell unconscious.
Clare quickly summoned water to revive her. Then she and Philip joined forces to attack Den, but he easily overpowered them, leaving them groaning on the floor.
"Foolish children," Den boasted, standing tall. "I alone sank the Nature Tribe. I brought others to their knees. And now, I will leave a mark so deep, Jacob will know I was the greatest even in your death."
He reached for Clare, lifting her by the throat. "When you're dead, Jacob will know I was a legend."
Cynthia stirred.
"You're right, Uncle," she said quietly. "I always listened to you. You were wise. And today, I listened again—and I learned something important… about unity and legacy."
Clare and Philip's powers surged, transferring their energy into Cynthia. The room filled with vines, trees, and thorns. The combined magic lifted Cynthia into the air. With newfound strength, she extended a thorny branch and struck the gemstone atop the tabernacle, knocking it off its pedestal.
Instantly, all the dark warriors on the battlefield lost their power.
"What have you done?!" Den screamed. "I taught you everything—and now you turn traitor?! Mixing your powers with other tribes is abomination!"
Cynthia's eyes flashed. "I recognized your voice, even back in Tryzo when you called me an abomination. But now I know who I am."
Before Den could react, she summoned a massive thorn and pierced his chest, pinning him to the wall. He gasped, coughing up blood as the last of his dark magic faded away. The moment the gem hit the ground, Clare and Philip regained their strength.
Cynthia lowered her hand, and
the trees dissolved into the air.
The Power House had fallen.