Chapter 18 Blood oath and Departure
437 Words
Queen Syreena's fury had not cooled with the passing of days. If anything, it grew into a storm.
She stormed the council hall, silver robes flaring behind her like wings of vengeance, her eyes burning with fire no mage could contain.
“I will not stand idle while shadows creep toward my grandsons,” she snarled. “If the gods think to take them, they will have to go through me. Let them kill me—I will rise again, so long as they live.”
Not a soul dared challenge her.
Even King Theron only watched her with the pain of a father who knew too well the cost of bloodshed.
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The ritual chamber pulsed with heat and ancient memory.
Vaelen stood shirtless, the ceremonial dagger gleaming in his hand. Without hesitation, he dragged the blade across his palm.
Crimson poured from the wound—not dripping, but gushing—as though his very soul flowed out.
Two blackened iron bowls were placed before him by Mira, their interiors lined with glyphs that shimmered as the blood touched them.
When both were filled to the brim, Mira stepped back and spoke softly, “This is no simple rite. This is a farewell. Their ties to the land, the court, their youth—it ends here.”
Araya stood at the edge of the circle, her heart pounding.
Kaelen and Lioren stepped forward.
They no longer looked like children.
The glyphs branded on their skin during the last ritual glowed faintly, responding to the blood.
Vaelen knelt before them, his voice deep and steady.
“You will not return to this kingdom until you are ready to lead it. Drink this, and you are bound not only to your legacy—but to your survival. You carry my strength now.”
They each lifted a bowl.
The scent of iron and magic filled their nostrils.
They drank.
As the last drops vanished, a hum trembled through the floor—low, ancient, endless.
Outside, the veil around the kingdom thickened like thunderclouds brewing.
Araya clutched Syreena’s arm, whispering, “Where will they go?”
Syreena, still burning with fierce light, replied, “Somewhere the shadows cannot follow. Not yet.”
Mira raised her arms.
A portal began to form—a swirling gate of wind and runes.
Kaelen turned to his mother and father.
“I’ll come back stronger.”
Lioren grinned. “And I’ll come back on fire.”
Vaelen embraced them both.
Then the portal opened wide.
And the heirs of Nytherra vanished into it.
The kingdom, behind them, sealed.
For now.
But not forever.
- Writer
