Chapter 7: The Guardian's Judgment
962 Words
The Guardian rose from the abyss with a roar that shook every stone in the ancient chamber.
Leila could not move.
She stared as an enormous creature emerged from the darkness beneath the throne. Its body was covered in black scales that reflected the dim light like polished obsidian. Massive wings unfolded slowly behind it, scraping against the walls. Its eyes burned with a crimson glow that seemed capable of seeing through flesh and into the soul.
Every breath it released filled the chamber with a freezing wind.
The Black Covenant instinctively stepped back.
Even Cassandra lowered her head.
No one dared to speak.
The creature's gaze swept across the room until it rested on Leila.
Its eyes narrowed.
For several long seconds, neither of them moved.
Leila felt an invisible force wrapping around her. It was neither painful nor comforting. It was simply overwhelming.
The voice inside her whispered.
"It is judging you."
Her throat tightened.
"Judging me for what?"
The voice fell silent.
The Guardian took one heavy step forward.
The chamber trembled beneath its weight.
Damien moved in front of Leila.
"No."
The creature stopped.
Its burning eyes shifted toward him.
A deep voice echoed through the chamber, sounding like thunder rolling across mountains.
"You stand before the Blood Throne."
Every person present dropped to one knee except Damien and Leila.
"You do not kneel."
Damien's expression remained calm despite the fear in his eyes.
"I kneel to no one who demands it."
The Guardian's eyes glowed brighter.
"You carry the scent of betrayal."
Cassandra looked horrified.
"Guardian, he protected the heir."
"It changes nothing."
The creature raised one enormous claw.
Golden flames gathered around its talons.
Leila instinctively reached for Damien.
"Move."
Damien refused.
Instead, he looked directly at the Guardian.
"If my life satisfies your judgment, take it."
Leila stared at him.
"What are you doing?"
He did not answer.
The Guardian's claw descended.
Everything happened in an instant.
Leila threw herself in front of Damien.
The golden flames stopped less than an inch from her face.
The heat was unbearable.
The Guardian looked at her with silent curiosity.
"You protect the traitor."
Leila's voice trembled, but she refused to step aside.
"He protected me."
"He once served those who murdered your family."
Leila's breathing became uneven.
She slowly turned toward Damien.
"Is that true?"
His silence lasted only a moment.
"Yes."
The answer struck her harder than any weapon.
"You knew the people who killed my mother?"
"I did."
"You fought beside them?"
"I did."
Pain spread across her face.
"Then why save me?"
Damien lowered his head.
"Because I could not save her."
The words echoed through the chamber.
Leila blinked.
"What?"
He finally looked into her eyes.
"I failed your mother."
The confession left the room in complete silence.
Cassandra closed her eyes.
"I told you she deserved the truth."
Damien ignored her.
His attention remained fixed on Leila.
"Your mother trusted me."
Leila's heartbeat quickened.
"I was supposed to protect the royal family that night."
His voice became quieter.
"I failed."
Another memory flashed inside Leila's mind.
She saw a younger Damien standing beside a beautiful woman wearing a silver crown.
He was smiling.
The woman placed her hand on his shoulder.
"You have my trust."
The vision vanished.
Leila gasped.
"I saw you."
Damien froze.
"You remembered?"
"It was only for a second."
The Guardian watched them in silence.
Then it spoke again.
"The memories return."
The voice inside Leila whispered softly.
"They cannot be stopped now."
The Guardian lowered its massive head until its glowing eyes were level with Leila.
"Answer me, Blood Heir."
Leila swallowed.
"What?"
"Do you seek revenge?"
The question pierced straight into her heart.
She thought of the lies.
The hunters.
The missing years of her childhood.
Her mother's death.
The betrayal.
Every painful revelation.
Part of her wanted revenge.
Another part feared what revenge would turn her into.
She slowly shook her head.
"I want the truth."
The Guardian remained silent.
"I want to know why my family died."
Its crimson eyes searched her face.
"I want to know who I really am."
The creature closed its eyes.
When it opened them again, the crimson glow had softened into deep gold.
"The throne has chosen well."
A sigh of relief escaped Cassandra.
The Guardian turned toward the members of the Black Covenant.
"You will not command her."
Then it looked at Damien.
"You will not deceive her again."
Finally, its gaze settled on Leila.
"But know this, Child of Desire."
"The moment you choose hatred over compassion..."
"The throne will become your prison."
The Guardian slowly stepped aside.
Behind it, hidden within the darkness of the chamber, an enormous stone door began to open.
Ancient gears groaned as centuries of dust fell to the ground.
A brilliant white light poured through the widening entrance.
Everyone stared.
Beyond the doorway lay an immense underground city.
Golden towers stretched toward a ceiling that resembled the night sky.
Crystal rivers flowed between magnificent buildings.
Thousands of statues lined wide streets that had remained untouched for generations.
Leila stood speechless.
"It... it still exists."
Cassandra smiled through tears.
"The Lost Kingdom."
Damien's face showed complete disbelief.
"I thought it was destroyed."
"So did everyone else."
The mysterious city shimmered beneath the ancient light.
It was breathtaking.
It was impossible.
And somewhere deep inside those forgotten streets, a single bell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then a hundred more answered together.
The sound echoed through the hidden kingdom.
The Guardian lifted its head.
"They know she has returned."
Far within the glowing city, countless lights suddenly appeared one after another.
It was as though an entire civilization had just awakened from a centuries long sleep.
And none of them had forgotten their queen.
- Writer
