Chapter 26: The Beast of the Abyss
608 Words
The tremor did not remain confined to the mountain.
Far beyond the northern range, the earth beneath the Lycan kingdom shuddered faintly—as if something deep beneath the world had stirred in its sleep.
In the palace courtyard, Alina froze.
Her breath caught.
The Moon-Bound power inside her surged violently, no longer a gentle glow—but a warning.
She clutched her chest.
“It’s happening…”
Kael tightened his grip on her shoulders.
“What is?”
Before she could answer, the Shadow Beast released a deafening roar.
Not of anger.
But of recognition.
Its massive body tensed, wings twitching as its glowing red eyes locked onto the distant mountains.
Alina felt it too now—clearer than ever.
Something had awakened.
Something ancient.
And it was aware.
---
Deep within the mountain…
The chains shattered.
One by one.
Each break echoed like thunder through the cavern, ancient magic splintering under a force too powerful to contain.
Magnus stood his ground as his soldiers fled in panic.
The creature inside the cage began to rise.
Massive.
Unnatural.
Its form was still partially concealed in darkness, but its presence alone suffocated the air.
“You have freed me…” the voice rumbled.
Magnus didn’t flinch.
“I’ve given you purpose.”
A pause.
Then—
The creature leaned forward.
“You reek of ambition… and desperation.”
Magnus smiled faintly.
“And you reek of destruction. We will get along just fine.”
The creature’s glowing eyes narrowed.
“You would bargain with me?”
“I would unleash you,” Magnus corrected. “In exchange for one thing.”
Silence stretched.
Then the creature spoke again, slower this time.
“…Say it.”
Magnus’ voice dropped.
“The Lycan throne.”
For a moment, nothing moved.
Then—
The creature laughed.
Low.
Ancient.
Terrifying.
“The throne will burn… along with everything else.”
Magnus’ smile didn’t fade.
“That’s acceptable.”
---
Back at the palace—
Alina staggered again as a sharp wave of energy hit her.
This time, it wasn’t a vision.
It was a connection.
A presence.
Cold.
Immense.
Hungry.
Her eyes widened.
“It knows…”
Kael frowned.
“What knows?”
Alina looked straight toward the mountains, fear creeping into her voice.
“That I exist.”
The Shadow Beast moved in front of her instantly, placing its massive body between Alina and the horizon as if shielding her from something unseen.
Kael’s expression hardened.
“Then we don’t wait anymore.”
Alina turned to him.
“What are you saying?”
“We march,” he said firmly. “Before whatever Magnus released reaches us first.”
Alina hesitated.
The memory of the vision still burned in her mind.
“That thing… Kael, it’s not just a weapon. It’s worse than the Shadow Beast ever was.”
Kael didn’t deny it.
“I know.”
His voice was calm—but resolute.
“But if we do nothing, we lose everything.”
Silence lingered between them.
Then slowly…
Alina nodded.
“Then we don’t fight it blindly.”
Her eyes began to glow faintly with silver light.
“We learn how to stop it.”
The Shadow Beast lowered its head beside her, as if in agreement.
Kael exhaled.
“Then we prepare.”
He turned toward the palace guards.
“Send word across the kingdom. Every warrior, every ally—we move before dawn.”
The torches flickered violently as another distant tremor rolled across the land.
Far away—
A second roar echoed from the mountain.
Not the Shadow Beast’s.
Something deeper.
Older.
And far more dangerous.
- Writer
