Chapter 13: The King Who Chose Darkness
1040 Words
The air inside the mountain was cold.
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Not the natural kind of cold.
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This was different.
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Heavy.
Ancient.
Wrong.
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Each step echoed through the narrow stone passage as Alpha Magnus walked deeper into the darkness.
Behind him, a handful of his strongest warriors followed—silent, tense, uneasy.
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None of them liked this place.
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And they had every reason not to.
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“My Alpha…” one of them finally spoke, his voice low, uncertain.
“We shouldn’t be here.”
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Magnus didn’t stop.
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“That makes it the perfect place,” he replied calmly.
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The warrior hesitated.
“This mountain is forbidden for a reason.”
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Magnus smiled faintly.
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“Exactly.”
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The deeper they went, the colder it became.
Torches flickered violently against the stone walls.
Shadows stretched unnaturally, twisting with every movement.
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Then—
They reached it.
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A massive stone chamber.
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The ceiling stretched high into darkness.
Ancient symbols were carved into every surface—
glowing faintly.
Pulsing.
Alive.
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At the center of the chamber stood something enormous.
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A cage.
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Forged from black stone and wrapped in thick, ancient chains.
Symbols burned across its surface like fire frozen in place.
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And inside it—
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Something moved.
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The warriors froze instantly.
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“My Alpha…” one whispered, fear creeping into his voice.
“What is that?”
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Magnus stepped forward.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
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His eyes gleamed with interest.
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“That,” he said softly,
“…is our victory.”
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A deep sound echoed from within the cage.
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Not a growl.
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Not a roar.
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Something worse.
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A laugh.
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Low.
Slow.
Ancient.
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The chains rattled.
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The shadows inside shifted.
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Then—
Two eyes opened.
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Glowing.
Not red.
Not gold.
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Something darker.
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Something unnatural.
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“Who dares…” the voice echoed,
“…disturb my slumber?”
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The warriors stumbled back.
Several nearly dropped their weapons.
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But Magnus didn’t move.
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Didn’t flinch.
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“I do.”
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Silence followed.
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Heavy.
Oppressive.
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The creature inside the cage shifted.
Massive.
Powerful.
Barely contained.
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“You…” it said slowly.
“You are not one of them.”
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Magnus smirked.
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“No.”
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The creature’s eyes narrowed.
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“But you carry their blood.”
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Magnus’ smile didn’t fade.
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“Only the part that matters.”
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A pause.
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Then—
The creature laughed again.
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“You come seeking power.”
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It wasn’t a question.
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Magnus stopped directly in front of the cage.
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“I come seeking a weapon.”
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The chains rattled violently.
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“I am no one’s weapon.”
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Magnus leaned slightly closer.
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“No,” he said quietly.
“You are something far more useful.”
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Silence.
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Then—
The creature spoke again.
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“What do you offer me?”
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Magnus’ eyes gleamed.
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“Freedom.”
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The word echoed through the chamber.
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The air itself seemed to shift.
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Hungry.
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Interested.
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The creature moved closer to the edge of the cage.
Its massive form still hidden in shadow.
But its presence—
Overwhelming.
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“And in return?” it asked.
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Magnus’ smile widened.
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“I give you a kingdom.”
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A pause.
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Then—
A low, dark chuckle.
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“You wish for me to destroy your enemies.”
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“Yes.”
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“And who are your enemies?”
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Magnus’ expression darkened slightly.
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“A king…”
he said.
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“And a girl.”
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The creature stilled.
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“…a girl?”
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Magnus nodded.
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“Human.”
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Silence.
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Then—
The creature’s eyes flared brighter.
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“Human…”
it repeated.
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But something in its tone changed.
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Interest.
Recognition.
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Magnus noticed.
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“What is it?” he asked.
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The creature leaned closer.
Chains tightening around its body.
Symbols glowing brighter.
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“That human…”
it said slowly,
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“…does she carry the moon?”
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Magnus’ smile turned sharp.
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“She carries something.”
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A pause.
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Then—
The creature laughed.
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Louder this time.
Wilder.
Almost excited.
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“After all these centuries…”
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The chains shook violently.
Cracks forming along the stone.
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“It awakens again.”
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Magnus frowned slightly.
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“What are you talking about?”
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The creature ignored him.
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Instead, its voice dropped—
Low.
Hungry.
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“If what you say is true…”
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Its glowing eyes burned through the darkness.
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“Then your war means nothing.”
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Magnus’ expression hardened.
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“I didn’t come here for riddles.”
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The creature laughed again.
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“You came here for power.”
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A pause.
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“And I will give it to you.”
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The chamber trembled.
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“But understand this, little king…”
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Its voice deepened.
Darkened.
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“You are not awakening a weapon.”
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The chains strained.
Cracking further.
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“You are awakening something far worse.”
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Magnus didn’t step back.
Didn’t hesitate.
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“Good.”
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His voice was calm.
Certain.
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“That’s exactly what I need.”
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The creature smiled in the darkness.
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And for the first time—
Even the mountain seemed to tremble in fear.
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Far above—
At the palace—
Alina suddenly gasped.
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The mark on her neck burned.
Violently.
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Her knees nearly gave out.
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Kael caught her instantly.
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“What is it?”
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Her eyes were wide.
Filled with something new.
Something terrifying.
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“It knows…” she whispered.
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Kael’s grip tightened.
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“What knows?”
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Her voice shook.
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“Whatever is in that mountain…”
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A pause.
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“…it knows about me.”
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Silence fell between them.
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And this time—
Even the Lycan King had no answer.
- Writer
