Chapter 2712: Story 2713: The Blood of the First Son

The darkness beneath the throne moved.

Stone cracked.

A massive hand emerged from the black pit.

Ronan stepped backward, sword raised.

His father shouted, “RONAN! MOVE!”

The creature pulled itself upward.

It was enormous.

Black flesh covered its body like armor, stretched over twisted bones. Long claws scraped against the stone floor. Its head remained hidden beneath the throne, but its red eyes burned through the darkness.

Elias stared at it.

For the first time, fear completely erased his smile.

“It found him,” he whispered.

Ronan looked at his brother.

“What did you do?”

Elias shook his head.

“I didn’t bring it here.”

The creature roared.

The entire chamber shook.

Ronan’s father grabbed his shoulder.

“Listen to me. You cannot fight it.”

Ronan looked at him.

“Then what am I supposed to do?”

“Run.”

The creature suddenly lunged.

Ronan raised his shield.

BOOM!

The impact sent him sliding across the stone.

His shield cracked.

His sword flew from his hand.

The creature crawled fully from beneath the throne.

It stood taller than the chamber itself, forcing its back against the ceiling. Its mouth opened unnaturally wide, revealing rows of black teeth.

Then it spoke.

Not with one voice.

Hundreds of voices spoke together.

“FIRST SON.”

Ronan froze.

The red mark on his forehead burned.

The creature lowered its head.

“YOUR BLOOD.”

Ronan’s father stepped between them.

“No.”

The Beast turned toward him.

“You protected him.”

The old man raised a broken chain like a weapon.

“I will protect him again.”

The Beast struck.

Ronan’s father was thrown against the stone wall.

“Father!”

Ronan charged.

His sword suddenly appeared in his hand.

Red fire exploded along its blade.

Ronan swung.

The blade cut across the Beast’s arm.

Black blood poured onto the floor.

The creature screamed.

But instead of attacking, it stared at Ronan.

Then it smiled.

“You carry it.”

Ronan tightened his grip.

“Carry what?”

“The First King’s blood.”

Elias stepped forward.

“No...”

The Beast turned toward him.

“And the second son carries the curse.”

Elias’s black veins suddenly erupted across his neck.

He dropped to one knee.

Ronan stared at him.

“What curse?”

Elias screamed.

His eyes turned completely red.

The Beast whispered:

“The First Kingdom needs both sons.”

Ronan’s father struggled to stand.

“Ronan, you must leave this place.”

“But you’re coming with me.”

His father looked at him sadly.

“I cannot.”

Behind them, the stone floor began collapsing.

The Beast raised one enormous hand.

The entire chamber filled with red light.

Ronan’s sword vibrated violently.

Then a voice echoed from far above.

Kael.

“RONAN!”

Lyra’s voice followed.

“RONAN, ANSWER ME!”

Ronan looked toward the ceiling.

They were alive.

The Beast suddenly reached for him.

Ronan raised his shield.

But the creature stopped inches away.

Its claws trembled.

Then it whispered:

“Your blood can free me.”

Ronan’s eyes narrowed.

“And what happens if I refuse?”

The Beast smiled.

“Then I will take it.”

The chamber exploded into darkness.

And somewhere above them, every corpse in the First Kingdom opened its eyes.