Chapter 61: The Devourer Rises
656 Words
The war horns continued echoing across the kingdom.
From the highest towers of the castle to the smallest homes near the outer walls, the sound spread like thunder in the night.
Warriors rushed into the courtyard, pulling on armor and grabbing weapons.
The Lycan kingdom was preparing for war.
Inside the throne room, the tension was thick enough to cut with a blade.
Kael stood facing his brother.
Darius leaned casually against one of the stone pillars, completely calm despite the chaos outside.
Aria watched the two brothers carefully.
She could feel something terrible building in the air.
Then suddenly—
The ground trembled.
A deep rumble rolled through the castle walls.
The torches flickered wildly.
Everyone froze.
Another roar echoed across the valley.
But this time it was closer.
Much closer.
Commander Roran burst into the throne room.
“Your Majesty!”
Kael turned sharply.
“What is it?”
Roran was breathing heavily.
“The forest…”
“What about it?”
“It’s moving.”
Aria frowned.
“What do you mean moving?”
Roran swallowed.
“The trees are being crushed… like something massive is walking through them.”
Silence filled the room.
Kael moved quickly to the window.
Aria followed him.
Far beyond the kingdom walls, the dark forest was shaking.
Trees were snapping like small sticks.
Something enormous was forcing its way through the woods.
Then the creature stepped into the open.
Aria gasped.
It was huge.
Even from the distance, its shadow towered above the tallest trees.
Its body was covered in black scales that shimmered like armor under the moonlight.
Massive wings slowly unfolded behind its back.
The ground shook with each step it took.
Two glowing red eyes burned in the darkness.
Commander Roran whispered in horror.
“That can’t be real.”
Aria’s heart pounded violently.
“That’s him.”
The Devourer.
Dravoryx.
The monster lifted its massive head and looked directly toward the kingdom.
Then it roared.
ROOOOOOOAR!
The sound was so powerful that the castle windows shook.
Some of the younger guards in the courtyard stumbled backward in fear.
Kael’s expression hardened.
“So it begins.”
Behind them, Darius slowly stepped closer to the window.
His eyes gleamed with fascination as he stared at the massive creature.
“Magnificent,” he whispered.
Aria turned toward him angrily.
“You’re admiring it?!”
Darius didn’t look away from the creature.
“History is being written tonight.”
Kael’s voice became dangerously cold.
“You’re not part of this war anymore.”
Darius raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
Kael stepped forward.
“You’re under guard until I decide what to do with you.”
Roran immediately signaled two warriors.
They moved toward Darius cautiously.
But Darius simply laughed.
“You really think you can imprison me?”
His blue eyes suddenly flashed with strange energy.
Aria felt a sudden wave of dark magic ripple through the room.
“Kael!” she warned.
But it was too late.
A shadow spread across the floor beneath Darius’s feet.
The torches flickered violently.
Then—
Darius vanished.
The two warriors stopped in confusion.
“He’s gone!”
Kael clenched his fists.
“Find him.”
Outside the castle walls, Dravoryx spread his massive wings.
The wind from the movement shook the entire valley.
Aria stared at the monstrous figure in the distance.
“He’s coming here.”
Kael looked toward the gathering warriors in the courtyard.
Then he turned back to Aria.
His voice was calm but filled with determination.
“Then we’ll meet him on the battlefield.”
Aria looked down at the glowing crescent mark on her wrist.
Silver light slowly spread across her hand.
For the first time since this war began…
She felt ready.
But deep inside the forest, hidden among the shadows…
Darius stood watching the kingdom.
And far above him, Dravoryx’s glowing eyes burned like fire.
The final battle was approaching.
- Writer
