1. The Sky's Explosion
The sky above the palace turned into a celestial wound, pouring out a thick green glow. Everyone in the hall shielded their faces from the blinding light—everyone except Dan and Frank, who stood firm, one clutching the stone, the other the dagger.
A new scream rang out, not from the walls nor the fiery entity. It was a scream born from the gate itself—a sound that carried both the cry of a child and the fury of a storm.
Brand Al Frik gripped his sword but did not raise it, his eyes fixed on the light as if he already knew what would emerge:
> "It's not a creature… it's a person."
2. The Shadow Appears
From the heavenly rift descended a human-shaped figure. Neither fire nor smoke—rather, a shadow embodied. His steps did not touch the ground, and his voice echoed as though from the past:
> "Where… is my blood?"
Everyone recoiled—even the Emperor stepped back. But Frank froze, his voice barely a whisper:
> "Impossible… Ricar d?"
The name fell like a stone into a still well.
Barnila gasped:
> "Your brother… it's him."
3. The Impossible Reunion
The shadow approached, its features becoming clearer. The face of a youth no older than twenty, his eyes burning with green embers, his body half-human, half-cracked with fire. He was a distorted reflection of a younger Frank—yet his gaze carried eternal hatred.
> "Brother… you left me to the fire. Why didn't you save me?"
Frank dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face:
> "I didn't abandon you! I swear I tried! The stone was weak… I couldn't!"
But Dan laughed, his voice dripping with venom:
> "Liar. You didn't fail… you chose your own survival at his expense."
4. The Trial of Blood
The fiery entity by the gate knelt before Ricard, as if acknowledging him as master. Its voice rumbled like stone:
> "The blood has returned… the judgment begins."
The glowing wall inscribed itself once more:
> "The traitor shall be revealed by a brother's blood."
The Emperor roared:
> "What does this mean?! Who is the traitor then?!"
Ricard raised his hand, pointing directly at Frank:
> "Your blood is my key… and your confession my final seal."
5. A New Rift
Barnila rushed forward, placing herself between Frank and the shadow:
> "No! If you take his blood, the gate will fully open! This isn't justice… it's a trap!"
The shadow turned to her, his voice colder still:
> "Silence is treason… and you have been silent too long."
Barnila trembled, feeling her very skin burn. Brand Al Frik shouted:
> "Enough! If there must be a trial, then let it be for all of them… for Dan as well!"
6. The Surge of Power
Dan raised his dagger, his smile widening:
> "At last… the true bloodshed begins."
He lunged toward Frank, but the stone suddenly blazed with light despite its weakness. Green radiance burst from Frank's hand, clashing against the dagger, while Ricard's scream thundered:
> "Return my blood!"
The entire palace quaked violently. Columns split apart, glass shattered into falling stars.
---
7. The Cliffhanger
Amid the chaos, the Emperor lifted his sword with all his might and roared:
> "If there is no way to seal the gate… then I shall seal it with my throne itself!"
He charged toward Ricard, his blade gleaming amidst the storm of green light and fire.
But before he could strike, everything stopped.
Time itself froze. The flames hung motionless in the air, dust suspended, even breath silenced.
And then—a strange voice pierced the stillness, a deep, feminine voice:
> "Stop… the time has not yet come."
From the heavenly rift, a white hand emerged. Unlike fire or shadow, it was woven from pure light.
Curtain Fall – End of Chapter Thirteen
The lost brother has returned as a wrathful shadow, the gate widens, and a mysterious hand of light descends from the heavens. Who does it belong to? Salvation… or a new curse?