Chapter 28: The Breaking of Chains
896 Words
The cavern beneath the northern mountains trembled as the ancient ritual reached its peak.
Cracks spread across the glowing runes carved into the massive chains. The symbols that had held the creature captive for centuries flickered violently, their pale light fading with every passing second.
Around the iron cage, Magnus’ soldiers retreated, unease written across their faces. The power in the chamber had grown so dense that even breathing felt like a struggle.
The air pulsed with something dark.
Something ancient.
At the center stood Dravoryx.
Even bound, he towered over them all. His massive wings shifted slowly behind him, scraping against the stone walls. Golden fire burned in his eyes as he watched the ritual unfold.
One of the wolves trembled as he continued chanting from the forbidden scroll.
“My Alpha… the seal is weakening too quickly.”
Magnus did not look concerned.
Instead, a faint smile touched his lips.
“Good,” he said.
“That means it’s working.”
A deafening crack split the air.
One of the chains shattered, crashing to the ground with a thunderous clang.
Dravoryx inhaled deeply.
For the first time in centuries, power flowed freely through him.
“Ahhh…” he rumbled. “Freedom… I can almost taste it.”
Magnus folded his arms, watching the remaining chains tremble.
“You’ll have it soon.”
Dravoryx lowered his head, studying him.
“You stand very close to something that could erase your entire army.”
Magnus met his gaze without hesitation.
“I didn’t come here for safety.”
He stepped forward.
“I came for victory.”
A low, pleased rumble escaped the beast.
“Yes… I believe you did.”
Another chain snapped.
The runes dimmed further.
Only two remained.
The wolves backed away, fear now impossible to hide.
“My Alpha…” one whispered. “If we free him… how do we control him?”
Magnus didn’t turn.
“We won’t.”
Silence followed.
His voice remained calm.
“Creatures like him aren’t meant to be controlled.”
His eyes gleamed coldly.
“They’re meant to be unleashed.”
Dravoryx laughed—a deep, ancient sound that shook the cavern.
“I like you, little Alpha.”
---
Far away, in the Lycan kingdom—
The palace was restless.
Warriors moved quickly through the halls, armor clinking as preparations began.
At the center of the courtyard stood Kael, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains.
The wind carried something unnatural tonight.
Something wrong.
Behind him, Alina stepped forward slowly.
Her silver hair shifted in the breeze, her eyes faintly glowing.
“Kael,” she said softly.
He turned.
“You should be resting.”
Alina shook her head.
“I can’t.”
She pressed a hand to her chest.
“The power inside me… it keeps reacting.”
Kael frowned.
“To what?”
Alina looked toward the mountains.
“It feels like something is waking up.”
Her voice dropped.
“Something that shouldn’t exist anymore.”
Kael’s expression darkened.
He had felt it too—but hearing her confirm it made the danger real.
“What if Magnus found something there?” she asked.
“That land was sealed for a reason,” Kael replied.
Alina’s eyes narrowed.
“Sealed doesn’t mean safe.”
Before he could respond—
A shockwave rippled through the air.
The ground trembled.
Torches flickered violently.
Several warriors staggered.
Alina gasped, gripping the stone railing.
“It happened…”
---
Deep beneath the mountain—
The final chain snapped.
The sound exploded through the cavern.
Then—
Silence.
Dravoryx rose slowly to his full height.
Unbound.
Unstoppable.
His wings spread wide, casting an enormous shadow across the chamber. Broken chains fell from his body, crashing against the ground.
For the first time in centuries…
He was free.
The wolves stumbled back in fear.
Magnus stood his ground.
Dravoryx lowered his massive head, his golden eyes blazing.
“Freedom.”
Magnus spoke evenly.
“Our agreement still stands.”
The creature studied him.
Then smiled.
“Oh, it does.”
His gaze shifted toward the cavern’s exit, where a sliver of night sky was visible.
“I can smell them.”
Magnus tilted his head.
“The Lycans?”
Dravoryx nodded.
“The bloodline that betrayed me.”
Magnus stepped beside him.
“Then help me destroy them.”
Dravoryx’s wings folded slowly.
“Oh, I will.”
He took a step forward. The ground shook beneath his weight.
“But first…”
His eyes gleamed with cruel anticipation.
“I want the world to remember fear.”
Magnus watched him carefully.
“And how will you do that?”
Dravoryx’s grin widened.
“By starting a war so devastating…”
He looked toward the distant kingdom beyond the mountains.
“…that even the moon will tremble.”
---
Far away—
Alina suddenly collapsed to her knees.
A surge of power burst through her body.
Silver light flared from her hands.
“Alina!” Kael rushed forward, catching her.
She struggled to breathe as visions tore through her mind—
A massive shadow.
Burning golden eyes.
Wings covering the sky.
Fire.
Destruction.
And a voice… ancient and merciless.
The Devourer of Kingdoms has returned.
Alina looked up at Kael, fear etched into her face.
“It’s free…”
Kael’s expression hardened.
Then the war had truly begun.
- Writer
