Chapter 111: The Blood King's Challenge
712 Words
The silver light surrounding Aria slowly faded as her feet touched the temple floor again.
The glowing runes beneath her dimmed slightly, but the power in the room remained intense.
Kael immediately rushed forward.
“Aria.”
He grabbed her shoulders, searching her face.
“Are you alright?”
Aria blinked a few times, trying to steady her breathing.
“I think so.”
Her voice was still shaky.
“I saw things… memories… and possible futures.”
Kael frowned.
“What kind of futures?”
Aria hesitated before answering.
“One where my power destroys everything.”
A heavy silence followed.
Before Kael could respond—
Slow clapping echoed through the temple.
Everyone turned.
The Blood King stood near the throne, applauding slowly with a faint smile.
“Impressive.”
His crimson eyes gleamed with interest.
“Most people fail the first trial.”
Darius crossed his arms.
“Well, she’s not most people.”
The Blood King’s gaze shifted toward him briefly.
Then back to Aria.
“The Moon still recognizes its daughter.”
He stepped forward slowly, descending the dark steps of the throne.
“But passing the first trial means nothing.”
Kael stepped in front of Aria again.
“You’ve seen enough.”
His golden aura flared brighter.
“We’re leaving.”
The Blood King laughed softly.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
The moment he said those words—
The temple doors slammed shut again with a thunderous crash.
Dark energy spread across the walls like creeping shadows.
Roran cursed under his breath.
“I really hate this place.”
The Blood King raised one hand.
Crimson power erupted around him like a storm.
“This temple once belonged to the Moon.”
His voice echoed across the chamber.
“But now…”
His crimson aura spread across the floor.
“…it answers to the Blood.”
The ancient runes flickered between silver and red.
The temple itself seemed to struggle between two forces.
Moon power.
And Blood power.
Aria felt the energy pulling at her again.
The silver mark on her arm glowed fiercely.
The Blood King watched her reaction carefully.
“You feel it, don’t you?”
Aria looked at him cautiously.
“Feel what?”
“The connection.”
His voice dropped slightly.
“You and I are not so different.”
Kael’s claws extended instantly.
“Enough.”
His voice was dangerously low.
“You will not fill her head with lies.”
But the Blood King ignored him.
His gaze remained fixed on Aria.
“The Moon chose you.”
He placed a hand over his chest.
“The Blood chose me.”
He smiled slowly.
“Together… we could rule everything.”
Darius groaned.
“Oh great. Another villain speech.”
Roran stepped forward beside Kael.
“We’re done listening.”
But the Blood King raised his hand again.
And suddenly—
The floor cracked open.
Dark energy burst from the ground like flames.
From the shadows, massive creatures emerged.
The same ancient monsters that had attacked the kingdom.
But these ones looked different.
Their bodies were twisted with dark crimson veins.
Their eyes burned with violent hunger.
Roran tightened his grip on his sword.
“How many are there?!”
At least twenty creatures surrounded the chamber.
The Blood King’s smile widened.
“Welcome to the second trial.”
Aria frowned.
“This isn’t a trial.”
“Oh, but it is,” the Blood King replied calmly.
“The Moon tests your heart.”
His crimson eyes glowed brighter.
“But the Blood…”
He raised his hand.
“…tests your strength.”
The creatures roared and charged forward.
Kael’s golden aura exploded around him as he leapt into battle.
Roran and Darius rushed forward beside him.
Steel clashed against claws.
Roars echoed through the massive chamber.
The temple shook with the force of the fight.
Aria stood at the center of the platform.
Her silver aura growing stronger by the second.
The Blood King watched her closely.
“Show me, Moon’s Daughter.”
His voice dropped into a whisper.
“Show me what kind of queen you truly are.”
The creatures lunged toward her.
And Aria raised her glowing hand.
The real battle had begun.
- Writer
