Chapter 2511: Story 2512: The Voice Beneath the Earth

The battlefield fell into complete silence.

The shattered chains of the Gatebreaker lay scattered across the ground, still glowing with faint traces of golden light. The monstrous creature knelt before Victoria Kane, its enormous body trembling as cracks spread across its stitched flesh.

Then the ancient voice spoke again.

"You carry his sword..."

Dark clouds churned above Blackstone Ridge, twisting into a massive spiral over the battlefield.

"...and yet you know nothing of the war you have inherited."

Victoria tightened her grip on the Marshal’s sword.

"Show yourself!"

Her voice echoed across the valley.

The answer came as a deep, chilling laugh.

"You are not yet worthy to look upon me."

The storm erupted with crimson lightning.

Every zombie on the battlefield dropped to one knee.

The Hollow Guard lowered their banners.

Even the Crimson Rider bowed his head toward the dark sky.

Father Gabriel Ward slowly removed his hat.

"The Hollow King..."

Cole Mercer looked around in disbelief.

"He’s still imprisoned."

"How can he speak to us?"

Gideon Black’s face grew grim.

"His prison weakens every time one of the ancient seals is broken."

"He cannot leave."

"But his voice can."

Suddenly the wounded Gatebreaker roared in agony.

Its massive body began glowing with crimson veins.

Victoria stepped backward.

"It’s changing!"

The creature’s broken chains dissolved into black ash.

New chains emerged from beneath its flesh, each one engraved with ancient runes that pulsed with crimson fire.

Dr. Evelyn Brooks stared in horror.

"The Hollow King is rebuilding it."

Before anyone could react, the Gatebreaker rose to its full height once again.

This time its empty eye sockets burned like molten fire.

Its roar shook the fortress walls.

Victoria raised the Marshal’s sword.

Golden light answered the crimson glow.

The two powers collided in the air, sending violent waves of energy across the battlefield.

Every defender struggled to remain standing.

Every zombie froze where it stood.

For one brief moment, time itself seemed to stop.

Then a second voice echoed across the valley.

Quiet.

Calm.

Filled with sorrow.

"Elias..."

The Crimson Rider slowly lifted his head.

His silver mask reflected the golden light surrounding Victoria.

He looked toward the storm above.

"My King."

The Hollow King’s voice thundered once more.

"Kill the bearer."

"Bring me the sword."

The Crimson Rider remained perfectly still.

Several long moments passed.

Finally, he answered.

"No."

The battlefield fell silent again.

Every Hollow Guard turned toward their commander.

The storm itself seemed to hesitate.

The Hollow King’s voice became colder than winter.

"You defy me?"

The Crimson Rider lowered his sword.

"The sword belongs to the Marshal."

"It must be earned."

Victoria watched him in astonishment.

He was refusing a direct command.

The Hollow King’s furious roar shook the heavens.

"So be it."

A bolt of crimson lightning struck the Crimson Rider.

He cried out in pain as dark energy wrapped around his armor like living chains.

His horse reared violently.

The silver mask cracked, revealing part of his scarred face.

Gideon Black lowered his head.

"Elias is paying the price for his humanity."

The Crimson Rider managed to steady himself before turning toward Victoria.

Though separated by the battlefield, their eyes met.

For the first time, Victoria saw hope instead of despair in his gaze.

Without another word, he ordered the undead army to retreat.

War horns echoed across the valley.

The endless ranks of zombies slowly withdrew into the gathering darkness, carrying the wounded Gatebreaker with them.

The first assault on Blackstone Ridge was over.

Yet no one celebrated.

As night fell over the fortress, Gideon led the survivors to the highest tower.

Far beyond the western mountains, a massive crimson crack split the horizon.

Father Gabriel stared at it in silence.

"The prison is breaking."

Dr. Evelyn clutched her research journals tightly.

"If another seal falls..."

Gideon finished the sentence.

"...the Hollow King will no longer need a voice."

"He will walk the earth again."

High above the fortress, hidden within the storm clouds, two enormous crimson eyes slowly opened, watching Blackstone Ridge without blinking.

The true war had only just begun.