Chapter 2757: Story 2758: The Father Beyond the Gate

The voice rolled through the mountain, shaking dust from the ancient ceiling.

“MY CHILDREN, YOUR CREATION ENDS TONIGHT.”

The little boy dropped the broken crown.

Ronan stepped between him and the gate, raising his black sword. “Who are you?”

The boy stared at him with familiar red eyes. “The one who made us.”

His mother covered her mouth. For the first time, Ronan saw genuine terror in her face.

“Children,” she whispered, “whatever happens, do not let him touch your blood.”

The gate exploded inward.

Chains thicker than trees tore through the chamber. Behind them emerged a colossal figure wearing armor made from bones and shattered crowns. Its face was hidden beneath a featureless silver mask, but beneath the metal, six burning eyes opened.

The gigantic creature beyond the gate threw itself against the ground.

“CREATOR,” it roared. “FORGIVE YOUR SERVANT!”

The newcomer ignored it.

His attention settled on Ronan, Elias, Aren, Darian, and Cael. Then he looked at the child.

“Five fragments,” he murmured. “Still breathing after all this time.”

Kael lifted his ancient weapon. “You will not take them.”

The masked figure turned slightly.

Kael’s weapon crumbled into ash.

Before anyone could react, invisible force hurled the old warrior across the chamber. Lyra caught his hand, but the impact dragged them both to their knees.

“Kael!” Ronan shouted.

“I’m alive,” Kael gasped. “For now.”

Elias summoned black chains. Aren formed silver barriers, while Darian surrounded the child with violet fire. Their powers struck the masked figure together.

The flames vanished. The chains dissolved. The barriers shattered.

The figure continued walking.

“Your crowns were restraints,” he explained. “Your blood was a lock. Your lives were merely the time required for the lock to weaken.”

Ronan’s grip tightened around his sword.

“Then why create us?”

“To correct my first mistake.”

The child trembled behind Darian.

“What mistake?”

The masked figure stopped.

“You.”

The word struck harder than any weapon.

The child backed away, shaking his head. “Mother said I was born from the first blood.”

“She lied to protect your brothers.” The figure extended one armored hand. “You were not born. You were the first hunger given a name.”

Ronan felt something stir inside his chest.

The black veins returned, spreading toward his heart.

His mother rushed forward. “Do not believe him! He wants the child because—”

The masked figure closed his fist.

She froze, suspended above the floor.

“Because she stole my heart,” he finished.

Ronan stared at the child.

Then the boy’s chest split with a thin line of red light.

Inside him beat a second heart, identical to the darkness buried within Ronan.

The masked figure removed his silver mask.

Beneath it was Ronan’s face, ancient and emotionless.

“I am your father,” he declared. “And one of you must die before I can become whole again.”