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THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 101
Victor, Elena, and Lucian trudged forward, their footsteps crunching over the gravel-strewn path as they entered the outskirts of the city. The night air was dense with silence, and the towering skyscrapers loomed like ancient sentinels, their lights flickering against the velvet sky. The city seemed deceptively calm, but Victor knew better—the calm always came before a storm.Lucian leaned heavily on Elena, his wounds slowing him down. He grinned weakly. "Do you think we'll ever have one peaceful night?"Elena shot him a playful glare. "Not with you around."Victor, walking ahead of them, turned his head slightly. “Stay focused. Something’s off.”Lucian straightened, his playful demeanor vanishing. “What do you mean?”Victor scanned the streets ahead, his heightened senses tingling. "The Council has eyes everywhere. I can feel it."They quickened their pace, weaving through dim alleys and narrow streets, each shadow a potential threat. Just as they reached the entrance to a safehouse
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 102
Victor’s heartbeat drummed in sync with the ticking clock in his mind. Time was slipping through his fingers, and the scent of looming war was thick in the air. The first crack of sunlight had barely touched the rooftops when he gathered the others.“Ready?” he asked, his tone sharp but calm.Lucian, now armed and bandaged, smirked. “Ready to run, fight, or die. Preferably the first two.”Elena pulled her cloak tight over her shoulders, her face hard with determination. “Don’t you dare die on me, Victor.”Victor gave her a rare smile. “I won’t. Not before I burn that council hall to the ground.”They moved swiftly through the back alleys, using the city's shadows as cover. The streets were still quiet, but Victor knew it wouldn’t last. Every corner they turned brought them closer to danger—and to the heart of the Council’s web.As planned, Elena and Lucian would head toward the central square to create a distraction. Victor, meanwhile, would infiltrate the Council’s inner sanctum—a cr
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 103
Victor stepped into the sunlight, its warmth unfamiliar against his cold skin. The cathedral doors groaned shut behind him as the tolling bells echoed across the city. Chaos was already unfurling—smoke billowed from distant quarters where Lucian and Elena had set their traps, and the shouts of soldiers filled the air.He inhaled deeply, tasting the scent of fire and freedom, but he knew the hardest part was still ahead. A city freed from the Council’s grip was not a city yet at peace. Factions, power-hungry remnants of the old regime, would rise like weeds. He would need to act quickly to cement his rule—or everything would crumble again.Elena and Lucian appeared through the haze, panting and disheveled.Lucian grinned, wiping soot from his face. “We lit quite the bonfire, eh, Prince?”Elena’s sharp gaze scanned Victor, checking for injuries. “It’s done?”Victor gave a single nod. “The Council is no more.”Elena exhaled, relief mixed with tension. “Good. But the soldiers will regroup
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 104
The dust settled over the ruined barricades as the remnants of the battle dispersed, leaving behind a sense of relief but also exhaustion. Victor stood in the square, the faces of those around him illuminated by the flickering torchlight. The citizens were victorious, but their victory was fragile.Elena leaned in toward Victor, her voice low. “You know they’ll come again, right? The Council won’t just let this loss go unanswered.”Victor nodded grimly. “We bought time. That’s all.” He looked at the weary crowd. “We’ll need to prepare. And fast.”Lucian ran a hand through his ash-streaked hair. “Guess that means no celebratory drinks, huh?”Victor gave him a wry smile. “Not yet, Lucian.”By nightfall, the injured were being tended to, and volunteers were working to clear debris from the streets. Fires burned in the city’s central square, where families gathered, clinging to one another for comfort. It was the first night in a long time that many of them felt free—but freedom came at a
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 105
The inn was alive with laughter, clinking tankards, and the low hum of conversations in multiple dialects. A roaring fire crackled at the hearth, casting long shadows across the wooden walls. As Victor, Elena, and Lucian stepped inside, heads briefly turned their way, some wary, others indifferent.Victor moved to the bar, signaling the innkeeper with a nod. “Three ales. And any news worth hearing,” he said, slipping a silver coin across the counter.The innkeeper, a burly man with a scar running across his brow, eyed Victor with the sharp gaze of someone who knew trouble when he saw it. He pocketed the coin with a practiced grin. “Depends what you want to hear, stranger. Word spreads fast down south, but so do lies.”Victor leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “I hear the southern factions are restless. We need to know who leads them now.”The innkeeper's grin faltered for a moment. “That’s dangerous knowledge. You don’t look like the sort that should meddle in those affairs.”Bef
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 106
The tension in the air snapped as Elara signaled her guards to attack. The courtyard erupted into chaos. Victor’s instincts kicked in; he spun around just in time to dodge a swinging blade aimed at his neck. The guard, a burly vampire with a scarred face, lunged again, but Victor sidestepped, grabbing the guard’s wrist and twisting it until the sword clattered to the ground.“Stay close!” Victor shouted to Lucian and Elena, who were already engaged in their own battles.Lucian had been cornered by two wolves, their teeth bared, snarling with hungry ferocity. “Really? This is how you greet guests?” he yelled, dodging a snap from one of the beasts. He swung his sword, slicing the air just inches away from the nearest wolf, which yelped and fell back.“Watch your left!” Elena shouted, her dagger flashing as she plunged it into the side of another guard. She had a fierce look of determination in her eyes as she pivoted to Victor's side, her movements fluid and practiced.“Victor!” she cri
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 107
The tavern erupted into chaos as Elara's minions surged forward, a wave of shadows threatening to engulf everything in their path. Victor’s heart raced as he drew upon his own magic, feeling the familiar power thrumming within him. He stood firm, placing himself between Elara and Thorne, who was already preparing to fight.“Get back!” Victor shouted to the patrons, pushing them toward the exits. “We can’t let them use this place as a battleground!”Elara laughed, a chilling sound that cut through the chaos. “Oh, Victor, always the noble one. But this time, I won’t allow you to escape. You’re going to face the consequences of your defiance.”With a flick of her wrist, dark tendrils surged forward, aiming to ensnare Victor. He quickly countered, summoning a barrier of shimmering light that pushed against the shadows. The two forces collided with a resounding crack, the air thick with magic.“Thorne!” Victor yelled, his eyes locked on Elara as he held the barrier. “We need to fight back!
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 108
The air was crisp as Victor, Elena, Thorne, and Lucian made their way through the quiet streets of the town. The tavern’s chaos had settled, but the lingering tension in the air hinted at the uncertainty ahead. The moon illuminated their path, and for a brief moment, they felt a sense of peace before the storm.“Where do we start?” Elena asked, glancing at Victor, who was deep in thought. “Elara won’t give up easily. We need a plan.”“We need to gather more allies,” Victor replied, his voice steady. “If Elara has an army of minions, we need to counter that. There are others like us who might be willing to fight back.”Thorne nodded, his expression serious. “There are whispers of other vampires who’ve gone into hiding. We need to find them. If they’re as strong as Elara’s followers, we might stand a chance.”Lucian stepped forward, his brow furrowing. “I have contacts in the underground circles. We might be able to reach out to them. Some owe me favors, and they could help us.”“Good,”
Latest Chapter
chapter 140
The days following Elara's defeat were filled with uncertainty and tension. The land, once marred by war and strife, began to heal slowly but surely. The earth that had once been tainted with blood and sorrow was now beginning to bear the fruits of the future, as farmers returned to their fields, craftsmen resumed their work, and families reunited in the warmth of their homes.Victor stood on the high balcony of the newly rebuilt stronghold, gazing out over the expansive valley that stretched out before him. It had taken weeks to fortify the village and rebuild the clan territories, but every stone laid, every piece of timber nailed into place, was a symbol of their progress. The war was over. Elara was gone. And yet, Victor knew that the hardest part was only just beginning."Are you ready?" Elena's voice broke through his thoughts.Victor turned to find her standing beside him, her eyes as determined as his. Behind her, Thorne and the rest of their companions stood, all of them shar
chapter 139
As the last remnants of Elara’s dark magic dissolved into the ether, the oppressive atmosphere that had hung over the stronghold for so long seemed to lift. The air felt fresh, the stifling weight of fear and uncertainty replaced by the promise of a new dawn.Victor, Elena, and Thorne stood in the aftermath, their bodies bruised and battered, but their spirits unbroken. The battle had been grueling, and they had come so close to losing, but they had triumphed. The shadows that had once threatened to consume everything were gone, and for the first time in a long while, there was peace.“We did it,” Elena whispered, her voice still shaking with adrenaline. She looked at Victor, her eyes filled with awe and gratitude. “We actually did it.”Victor smiled faintly, his exhaustion beginning to catch up with him. "It was never just me. It was all of us. We fought together."Thorne let out a heavy breath, lowering his axe to the ground. "Never thought I’d see the day we beat Elara. Thought we
chapter 138
The clash of metal against metal rang through the air as Victor and his warriors fought with relentless determination. The monsters Elara had summoned were unlike anything they had faced before—twisted, shadowy creatures with jagged claws and glowing eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness. The air around them crackled with magic, an oppressive force that seemed to drain the very life from the land.Victor’s sword moved with a fluid grace, cutting through the creatures as if they were made of paper. But even with his strength and the skills of his warriors, it was clear that they were outnumbered. The monsters kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless.“Thorne, take the left flank!” Victor shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos. “We need to break through and reach the heart of the stronghold!”Thorne nodded, his eyes flashing with resolve. He and a handful of warriors moved swiftly to the left, cutting down enemies as they went. Meanwhile, Victor, Elena, and the r
chapter 137
As the plans took shape, the room began to fill with a sense of urgency. Each leader and their followers took on roles, organizing supplies, preparing weapons, and making sure every detail was accounted for. There was no time to waste. The final battle was approaching, and everyone knew it.Victor, Elena, and Thorne moved to a quieter corner of the tavern, their conversation a low murmur amidst the growing activity."Elara's not going to give up easily," Thorne said, his brow furrowed as he studied the map. "She's smart, and she knows how to manipulate the shadows. We have to be prepared for anything."Victor leaned back in his chair, his hand resting on the gemstone. "We’ll outsmart her. The power of the gemstone is more than just a weapon. It’s a symbol of unity, of hope. If we show the clans that we stand together, they won’t back down."Elena nodded, her sharp eyes calculating. "But that unity has to be real. We can't afford to have any dissent within our ranks. If even one clan b
chapter 136
Victor stood tall, his resolve solidifying with each passing second. The Shadowkin’s pledge was both a responsibility and a source of strength. He looked at the warriors kneeling before him, each one a symbol of the balance between light and darkness.“Thank you,” he said, his voice steady. “But this isn’t just my fight—it’s ours. Together, we’ll prove that unity is stronger than division.”The leader nodded, their expression solemn. “We will follow you, Victor. But to unite the clans, you must return to your allies and present the gemstone. Only then will the path to true unification begin.”Victor glanced down at the gemstone, its radiant glow a mixture of warm amber and deep violet, as though it held both sunlight and shadows within. It pulsed faintly in his hand, a reminder of its immense power—and the danger it represented if it fell into the wrong hands.“Elara won’t sit idly by,” Victor said, his thoughts turning to their relentless foe. “She’ll strike before we have a chance t
chapter 135
The chamber plunged into an almost oppressive darkness as the Shadowkin leader raised a hand, their voice reverberating through the cavern.“Your first trial begins now. Face the Warden of Shadows.”From the ground rose a massive figure, its form comprised entirely of swirling shadows. Its eyes glowed like embers, and its limbs were jagged extensions of raw darkness. The air grew colder, and Victor felt the weight of the creature’s presence pressing down on him.The Warden let out a guttural roar and lunged forward, its movements unnervingly fluid for something so massive. Victor dodged the initial attack, the shard embedded in his sword flaring with light. The contrast of light against shadow filled the chamber, but the Warden only seemed to grow stronger, feeding on the encroaching darkness.“Stay focused!” Victor muttered to himself, gripping his sword tightly. He needed a plan; brute force wouldn’t be enough to take down this foe.The Warden struck again, its arm transforming into
chapter 134
Victor and his allies began the arduous process of regrouping. The wounded were tended to, and the fallen were honored with solemn prayers. The once-chaotic battlefield was now eerily quiet, the remnants of the battle a stark reminder of the cost of their resistance. Yet amidst the sorrow, a flicker of hope burned brightly in their hearts.Elena approached Victor, her face a mixture of concern and admiration. “You were incredible out there,” she said softly. “That energy—was it the shard?”Victor nodded, gripping the hilt of his sword. “It felt... alive, like it was guiding me. But it took a toll. I can’t rely on it too much.”Thorne joined them, his usual stern demeanor softened by exhaustion. “Elara’s retreat means she’s recalibrating. That gives us time, but not much. We need to solidify our defenses and gather every ally we can find.”Brynn chimed in, his voice carrying the weight of command. “The clans will rally to us when they hear of this victory. They’ve been waiting for a si
chapter 133
Victor saddled his horse, the animal stamping impatiently as if it sensed the urgency in the air. The village around him buzzed with activity—blacksmiths hammering weapons, farmers handing out supplies, and healers preparing salves and bandages. Everyone had a role to play in the coming struggle.Elena appeared by his side, her brow furrowed. She held out a small leather pouch. “Here. Herbs for pain and a bit of concentrated energy potion. It’s not much, but it might make a difference.”Victor took the pouch with a grateful nod. “Thank you, Elena. Keep things steady here. I’ll send word as soon as I can.”She hesitated, then said softly, “You don’t always have to carry this burden alone, you know.”Victor met her gaze, his voice steady. “I’m not alone. I have all of you. That’s what keeps me going.”With a firm nod, he mounted his horse and urged it forward, leaving the village behind. The southern border was half a day’s ride away, and every minute counted. The cool evening wind bit
chapter 132
As dawn painted the forest in hues of gold, the group stood amidst the fading remnants of the shadow creatures. The tree, now a lifeless husk, crumbled to ash, leaving behind a faint hum of residual energy.Elena wiped sweat from her brow, her magic still faintly crackling at her fingertips. “That was unlike anything I’ve ever faced. The tree wasn’t just a source of power—it felt like it was alive, feeding on the shadows.”Victor nodded, sheathing his sword. “And whoever planted it knows we’re onto them. This won’t be the last time we encounter this darkness.”Kael crouched by the ashes, his sharp eyes scanning the remains. He picked up a small shard of black crystal embedded in the dirt. It pulsed faintly, as though it still retained a fragment of the tree’s malevolent energy. “Look at this,” he said, holding it up. “This isn’t natural. Someone crafted this.”Thorne examined it with a grim expression. “A dark mage, perhaps. Or worse, a faction aligned with Elara. Whoever it is, they’
