The Immortal Kings Messenger
914 Words
Chapter 9: The Immortal King's Messenger
The valley fell into complete silence.
Not even the wind dared to move.
Lucien tightened his grip on his silver blade as he scanned the darkening sky. The flock of ravens circled above them, their cries growing louder with every passing second.
The Oracle closed her eyes.
"He's here."
Dante frowned.
"I don't see anyone."
"You won't," the Oracle replied softly. "Not until he wants to be seen."
A sudden gust of icy wind swept across the valley.
The temperature dropped instantly.
The crystal windows of the cottage shattered all at once.
Seraphina instinctively stepped closer to Lucien.
Before anyone could react, a figure appeared in the middle of the valley.
No one saw him arrive.
One moment, the valley was empty.
The next, a tall man dressed in a black cloak stood before them.
His face was hidden beneath a silver mask, but his glowing emerald eyes revealed no emotion.
He held a long obsidian spear.
Behind him stood twelve armored warriors, each wearing identical masks.
The Oracle whispered, "The King's Elite..."
The masked man bowed slightly toward Seraphina.
"My Queen."
"I am not your queen," Seraphina replied firmly.
He smiled beneath his mask.
"You will be."
Lucien stepped forward.
"State your business."
The messenger turned toward him.
"So..."
"The Wolf King still breathes."
"I asked you a question."
The messenger ignored him.
"The Immortal King sends his greetings."
"He also offers peace."
Scarlett laughed bitterly.
"The Immortal King doesn't believe in peace."
"He believes in victory."
The messenger nodded.
"Exactly."
He reached into his cloak and removed an ancient scroll tied with a crimson ribbon.
"This is an invitation."
"No," Lucien said immediately.
"We're not interested."
The messenger looked at Seraphina instead.
"The invitation is not for you."
"It is for her."
He extended the scroll.
"If the Crimson Queen willingly enters the Black Citadel before the next Blood Moon..."
"...no more innocent blood will be spilled."
Silence followed.
Seraphina stared at the scroll.
"And if I refuse?"
The messenger's voice remained calm.
"Then every city under the De Luca family's protection will burn."
Dante's face hardened.
"You're threatening millions of innocent people."
"I'm delivering a message."
Lucien took one step forward.
"My answer is no."
The messenger sighed.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Without warning, he snapped his fingers.
The ground beneath the valley exploded.
Dozens of shadow creatures burst from the earth, surrounding the cottage from every direction.
"Protect the Queen!" Dante shouted.
Gunfire erupted as the guards opened fire.
Silver bullets tore through several creatures, but more continued to emerge.
Lucien charged straight at the messenger.
Their weapons collided with tremendous force.
The impact sent a shockwave across the valley.
"So this is the famous Mafia Lord," the messenger said.
"You disappoint me."
Lucien answered with another strike.
"I haven't started."
Their battle became a blur of speed and steel.
Meanwhile, Seraphina summoned golden flames into her hands.
She released a wave of radiant energy that swept across the battlefield.
Several shadow creatures dissolved instantly.
The Oracle smiled faintly.
"She's learning."
Scarlett fought beside Dante, casting crimson spells that trapped the creatures in burning circles.
"We can't keep this up forever!" Dante shouted.
The Oracle raised her staff toward the sky.
Ancient runes appeared beneath everyone's feet.
"For a few moments..."
"...I can hold them back."
A dome of golden light surrounded the valley.
The advancing creatures hissed as they struck the barrier.
Lucien and the messenger continued exchanging powerful blows.
Finally, Lucien's blade cut through the messenger's cloak, revealing a strange black symbol carved into his chest.
The Oracle gasped.
"The Mark of Eternity..."
Lucien stepped back.
"You're already dead."
The messenger chuckled.
"I died centuries ago."
"What?"
"The Immortal King gave me eternal life."
Seraphina's heart sank.
"Then how do we stop you?"
"You don't."
The messenger suddenly looked directly into her eyes.
"You join us."
Golden energy erupted around Seraphina.
"I would rather die."
"Perhaps."
The messenger smiled.
"But what about him?"
He pointed his spear toward Lucien.
"In every future..."
"...the Wolf King dies protecting you."
Seraphina froze.
The words echoed inside her mind.
They were almost identical to the vision shown by the First Shadow.
Lucien noticed her hesitation.
"Don't listen to him."
"He lies."
The messenger slowly lowered his weapon.
"No."
"I simply know the future."
The Oracle interrupted.
"The future is never fixed."
The messenger looked at her with pity.
"Not for ordinary people."
"But for soulmates bound by prophecy..."
"...their ending has already been written."
The valley trembled once more.
The golden barrier began to c***k.
The Oracle fell to one knee, blood trickling from her lips.
"I can't hold it much longer."
The messenger stepped backward.
"I have delivered my King's message."
"The next time we meet..."
"...it won't be as enemies."
He looked at Seraphina one final time.
"It will be at your coronation."
With that, he and his twelve warriors dissolved into black mist.
At the same moment, every shadow creature disappeared.
Silence returned to the valley.
Lucien sheathed his blade and walked toward Seraphina.
He gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Whatever happens..."
"...I won't let anyone take you."
Before she could answer, the invitation scroll lying on the ground suddenly unrolled by itself.
A line of glowing words appeared that hadn't been there before.
"The Queen already carries the King's mark."
Everyone stared at Seraphina in confusion.
Slowly...
The crescent-shaped mark on her shoulder began to turn black.
- Writer
