Chapter 60: The Awakening
775 Words
The deep roar still echoed through the night.
For several long seconds, no one inside the throne room spoke.
The castle walls had trembled from the sound, and even the torches along the stone pillars flickered as if afraid of the power behind it.
Aria felt a chill run down her spine.
“That roar…” she whispered.
Kael stood near the large window overlooking the forest. His golden eyes were fixed on the dark horizon.
“That wasn’t a beast,” he said quietly.
Commander Roran frowned.
“Then what was it?”
Kael turned slowly.
“It was a warning.”
The room grew tense.
Aria stepped closer to him.
“You think it was… him?”
Kael didn’t answer immediately.
But the look in his eyes was enough.
“Yes.”
The name didn’t need to be spoken.
Dravoryx.
The Devourer.
He was waking.
Roran ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
“We need to alert the entire kingdom.”
Kael nodded.
“Sound the war horns.”
Roran blinked.
“Tonight?”
“Yes,” Kael replied firmly. “If Dravoryx is awakening, we cannot wait.”
Without another word, Roran rushed out of the throne room.
Moments later—
The deep call of the war horn echoed across the kingdom.
HOOOOOOORN!
Lights began appearing in the castle towers.
Warriors rushed into the courtyards.
The kingdom was waking for war.
Aria watched the sudden activity through the window.
“Everything is happening so fast.”
Kael stepped beside her.
“It was always going to.”
Aria looked down at her glowing wrist.
The crescent mark shone faintly under the moonlight.
“What if I’m not strong enough?”
Kael turned toward her.
“You fought monsters twice your size.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
“Those were just servants,” she said quietly.
Her voice lowered even more.
“What happens when the real monster arrives?”
Kael studied her for a moment.
Then he gently lifted her wrist.
The silver mark glowed brighter under his touch.
“You won’t face him alone.”
Aria felt her heart steady slightly.
“But the kingdom will,” she replied.
Kael didn’t deny it.
Outside, warriors were already gathering in the courtyard below.
Armor clanged.
Orders were shouted.
The entire castle was preparing for something terrible.
Aria suddenly remembered something.
“Kael… there’s something else.”
His gaze sharpened.
“What?”
“When I saw Darius in the forest… he didn’t look worried.”
Kael’s expression hardened.
“He wouldn’t.”
Aria frowned.
“Why?”
Kael looked toward the throne room doors.
Because at that exact moment—
Those doors slowly opened.
Darius stepped inside.
As if he had been summoned by the conversation.
“Well,” he said calmly, glancing around the room.
“I see the kingdom is finally panicking.”
Kael’s voice turned cold.
“You were in the forest tonight.”
Darius didn’t even pretend to deny it.
“Yes.”
Rage flickered in Kael’s golden eyes.
“You’re working with the Devourer.”
Darius chuckled softly.
“Such dramatic words.”
Aria stepped forward angrily.
“We heard you talking with the hooded mage!”
Darius looked at her with mild amusement.
“And you survived the encounter.”
His smile widened slightly.
“Impressive.”
Kael moved closer to his brother.
“If you’re betraying this kingdom—”
“Oh, I’m not betraying it,” Darius interrupted.
His voice suddenly grew darker.
“I’m saving it.”
Aria frowned.
“By helping Dravoryx destroy everything?”
Darius shook his head slowly.
“You still don’t understand.”
He walked toward the window, looking out at the gathering warriors below.
“The world is about to change.”
His voice became quieter.
“Dravoryx is not just a destroyer.”
Kael’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword.
“Explain.”
Darius turned back toward them.
His blue eyes gleamed with strange excitement.
“He’s evolution.”
Aria felt a cold wave of fear spread through her chest.
“You’re insane.”
Darius simply smiled.
“No.”
He looked directly at her glowing crescent mark.
“I’m prepared.”
Outside the castle walls, the forest suddenly trembled again.
Another deep roar echoed across the valley.
Closer this time.
Much closer.
Kael’s expression turned deadly serious.
“Whatever game you’re playing, Darius…”
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
it ends now.”
But Darius only laughed softly.
Because far beyond the forest…
Something ancient was rising.
And the war for the Lycan kingdom had finally begun.
- Writer
