At the heart of the Dark Blood Kingdom's capital, inside a vast hall illuminated by a ceiling that shimred like a star-filled sky, the War Council was taking place.
Despite being large enough to host more than a hundred people, only six Royal Blutliline were present. They sat around a massive circular table carved from dark crystal, its surface smooth as a mirror.
Although the table had no head, none of those present entertained any illusion of equality. The balance of power in the room was clear, and one group held far more weight than the others.
On the southern side were three seats.
One of them was occupied by a man with a scarred face whose presence felt like an endless ocean-deep, heavy, and suffocating. The Heartcram King sat silently, his posture rigid, his aura steady and oppressive.
Opposite to him sat a woman whose skin was so pale that it seed almost devoid of color. She was not particularly tall and even appeared fragile at first glance, but the power radiating from her body was imnse and chilling, like the quiet cold of eternal night.
Between the two sat a young man with flaming scarlet eyes. Each breath he took seed subtly synchronized with the world around him, as if the laws of reality themselves were moving in rhythm with his existence.
Cain glanced briefly at the Heartcram King, but the man did not return the look. His attention soon shifted to the pale woman, and a thoughtful, aningful light appeared in his eyes.
"So she is the last of the five kings who ruled the Dark Blood Realm before my arrival...
Alucar, ruler of the Evernight Kingdom.
She might even be stronger than the Heartcram King"
The woman noticed Cain's gaze. She looked at him for a brief mont, her eyes calm and unreadable, before turning forward again.
The Scarlet King did the sa.
Opposite the trio stood the Dark Blood King. At his sides were two imposing Royal Blutlinie.
One of them was soone Cain knew very well.
High Lord Averus-the man who had once attempted to assassinate him and had ultimately been forced to retreat in defeat.
The other figure was far more unusual.
Calling him bulky would be an understatent. His massive body was hunched, and dark scales covered most of his skin. Large wings extended from his back, and a thick tail erged from the base of his spine, while obsidian horns erged from his head. Though his appearance was strange, almost monstrous, what truly drew everyone's attention was his power.
His aura was even denser and heavier than that of Averus.
The Dark Blood King displayed a broad smile. After giving everyone a mont to silently observe one another, he finally spoke.
"First of all, allow to express my gratitude to the Heartcram King, the Evernight Queen, and the Scarlet King for accepting my invitation and becoming Generals of the Dark Blood Kingdom!"
The eyes of the trio twitched slightly.
They had not truly been given a choice.
Still, none of them dared contradict the Dark Blood King. They simply nodded.
"These are my right and left hands," he continued. "General Averus and General Fausto. They are among the strongest warriors of my kingdom and, without question, the brightest military minds I
possess."
After the introductions, the Dark Blood King's smile slowly faded. A serious and somber expression replaced it as his gaze settled on the three rulers.
"I am sure you have many questions," he said calmly. "So allow to explain the situation."
He paused briefly.
"First of all, the reason for the war between our realm and the Seventh and Eighth Realms is very simple."
His eyes sharpened.
"The Ancestor Tomb has appeared in the First Realm."
Shock and horror instantly appeared in the eyes of the Heartcram
King and the Evernight Queen. Their bodies stiffened, nearly rising
from their seats.
Cain, on the other hand, only frowned slightly.
His eyes were filled with confusion.
The Ancestor was said to be the life form that gave birth to the first generation of Royal Blutlinie. Every descendant carried a drop of that ancient being's blood within their bodies.
The idea of visiting the tomb of such a figure was certainly intriguing.
But it should not have been enough to make two kings nearly lose their composure.
Noticing the confusion in Cain's eyes, the Dark Blood King showed a faint smile.
"It seems our young friend is not aware of the significance of the Ancestor Tomb."
Averus imdiately sneered, while the Heartcram King cast Cain a cold, disdainful glance.
Cain ignored them both and simply nodded.
"Then allow to explain," the Dark Blood King continued.
"The Ancestor Tomb is the most sacred and extraordinary realm that exists in Paradise. Its origins date back more than three billion years."
His voice grew heavier.
"It is said that the Ancestor once lured the ruling race of Paradise into that tomb... and devoured them all."
Silence fell across the chamber.
"After assimilating every ounce of their power, his body beca the
land, his soul forged the sky, and his blood spread across the Nine Realms-giving birth to the Royal Blutliline."
Cain gave a small nod, showing interest and a hint of surprise. But
deep within his mind, there was overwhelming shock. This was the first ti he had heard that the Ancestor had slaughtered the ancient rulers of Paradise and used their power to
create a new race.
And yet, instead of disbelief, the revelation only confird his
suspicions.
"If this is truly the place from which the Demon King ca... then the ancient rulers of Paradise were the Depravita Race.
And the Ancestor devoured every one of them to create the Royal
Blutlinie."
That conclusion was staggering.
It confird what Cain had long suspected-that Paradise was the
universe that had attacked the Tenth Empyrean Suns Universe and the Crimson World billions of years ago, during the cataclysm known
as the Great War.
After their failure, the Ancestor chose to erase the Depravitas... and create sothing new.
A race born for bloodshed and destruction-one whose talent and potential surpassed even that of the Depravita Race.
As those thoughts crossed Cain's mind, a rare emotion surfaced
within his heart.
A flicker of dread as he truly grasped how cold, ruthless, and terrifying the being known as the Ancestor must have been.
User Comments
0 comments from readers