Volume 9: The Fractured Crown
The skies above the battlefield were torn open, streaked with black lightning from the Void Sovereign's awakening. Its monstrous silhouette towered between the human and demon armies, a being born of nothingness, older than both realms combined.
Azeryn stood in front of Elias, dark fire swirling around her. "Stay close. The Sovereign feeds on fear."
Elias nodded, though his body trembled. The Void Sovereign's presence felt like a cold hand closing around his heart.
Across the field, humans and demons both fell into uneasy silence.
For the first time in centuries, neither side raised a weapon.
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The Sovereign's Whisper
The Void Sovereign's voice slid through their minds like a blade wrapped in silk.
"Two realms… fighting over lies and pride. Yet both kneel before me in the end."
Shadows erupted from its body, lashing across the field. Some soldiers were swallowed instantly—others froze in terror.
Elias gritted his teeth. "We need the humans and demons to work together."
Azeryn shook her head. "Working together is impossible. They barely tolerate each other."
"Then I'll make them listen."
He raised his voice, louder than he thought possible. "Humans! Demons! If we fight each other now, we lose everything! The Void Sovereign will erase both realms!"
Rydell, the human commander, snarled. "Why should we believe a man bewitched by demons?"
Azeryn's aura surged dangerously. "I could destroy you myself, human. Yet I haven't. Ask yourself why."
Rydell hesitated—long enough.
Another shadow lash struck, nearly consuming him. Elias slammed his palm against the ground, his marks blazing, creating a barrier around Rydell and his soldiers.
Stunned, Rydell stared at him. "…You saved us."
"Because I'm not your enemy!" Elias shouted.
The battlefield shifted.
Humans and demons slowly began to regroup—not attacking each other, but forming a crude circle around the Void Sovereign.
Azeryn's eyes widened. "Elias… you're uniting them. Your marks… they're resonating with both sides."
He felt it too—energy surging through him, stronger, heavier, but pure.
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The Fractured Crown
A crown of light flickered above Elias for a split second—made of half shadow, half flame.
Azeryn whispered, awe and fear mixed, "This is impossible… You're awakening the Crown of Realms."
The Sovereign hissed.
"A king of both worlds? I will break you first."
Shadows lunged toward Elias—
Azeryn leapt in front of him.
"Over my dead body."
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