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THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 52
Victor's resolve solidified as the night's events replayed in his mind. The realization that the darkness he had fought so hard to suppress had manifested in such a tangible form was both unnerving and enlightening. He understood now that his battle was not just against external forces but against the shadows within himself.As the team regrouped in their hidden sanctuary, deep beneath the city, Victor addressed them with a calm but determined demeanor. The room was filled with a mixture of exhaustion and anticipation; the victory had been hard-won, but its implications were far-reaching."We’ve managed to stop the ritual," Victor began, his voice steady, "but what we faced tonight is only a fraction of the power that exists in the world. The cult’s leader was a manifestation of something that resides within me—within all of us, perhaps. This isn’t just a battle against external threats; it’s a battle within."Selene, her brow furrowed with concern, stepped forward. "Victor, what does
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 53
As the first light of dawn spread across the horizon, Victor felt a strange sense of calm settle over him, though the looming shadow of darkness still lingered within. He and Selene stood on the rooftop for a few more moments, each lost in their thoughts.Selene finally broke the silence. "We need to move quickly if we're going to stay ahead of whatever’s coming next. The cult may be down, but I don’t believe for a second they’re gone."Victor sighed softly. "They aren't. And it’s not just them anymore. That ritual — the one we stopped — it was only a piece of a much larger puzzle. There are others out there, searching for the same ancient relics. If they succeed where we’ve failed, it could unravel everything."Selene raised an eyebrow. "And the Keeper of Balance stands in the middle of it all. How poetic."Victor smirked faintly but didn’t reply. Instead, his gaze shifted to the rising sun, as if it would offer him some sort of clarity. "This won’t be easy. There are powers at work
THE HIDDEN CROWN chapter 54
In the days following the mysterious visitor’s appearance, Victor’s mind buzzed with uncertainty. His thoughts constantly returned to the prophecy, its ominous weight hanging over him like a storm cloud. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the choice he would eventually have to make would tear him apart.Selene noticed the change in him. They continued their search for the ancient artifacts, but Victor’s focus seemed to drift. She tried to approach him one evening as they were studying a map in their lair."Victor, you've been distant since the man appeared. What’s going on?" Her voice was soft, concerned.Victor didn’t look up from the map, but his grip on the table tightened. "I’m just trying to understand what all of this means, Selene. The prophecy, my role in it, how it ties into everything we've been through.""Do you really think you're going to have to make this impossible choice?"Victor finally met her eyes, and for the first time in a long while, Selene saw doubt flicker in
THE HIDDEN CROWN chapter 55
The aftermath of the battle left the trio in a tense silence. The chilling echoes of the leader’s parting words continued to haunt Victor’s mind as they stood in the clearing near the temple.Julian was the first to break the silence. "We need to move fast. If they know about the prophecy and the artifacts, they won’t stop coming."Victor nodded, the sense of urgency hitting him harder now. "You’re right. Let’s not waste time."The entrance to the ancient temple loomed ahead, partially hidden by overgrown vines and trees. It had clearly been abandoned for centuries, but something about the air around it felt alive, pulsating with ancient power. As they approached, Victor felt a strange pull, like the very walls of the temple were whispering to him, urging him forward.Selene stepped beside him. "Do you feel that?"Victor nodded. "The artifact is here. I can sense it."They cautiously entered the temple, their footsteps echoing in the hollow space. The inside was dimly lit, with shafts
THE HIDDEN CROWN chapter 56
Lucius motioned for them to follow, leading them down the dimly lit hallway. The walls were lined with old portraits and dusty relics, evidence of centuries spent in isolation. They reached a heavy, ornate door, which Lucius unlocked with a practiced hand. As it creaked open, they stepped into a room filled with ancient scrolls, old maps, and artifacts that seemed to hum with an eerie energy.Lucius gestured for them to sit. "Welcome to my sanctuary. Here, I keep what little knowledge remains of our kind's forgotten history."Victor surveyed the room with a mix of unease and curiosity. "We need information about the Harbinger and the remaining artifacts. You must know something."Lucius leaned against a cluttered desk, his gaze piercing. "The Harbinger is a figure of legend, wrapped in mystery. Few know the truth, and even fewer survive to tell it. The prophecy speaks of a time of great upheaval, and the artifacts are key to understanding it."Selene crossed her arms. "And what’s your
THE HIDDEN CROWN chapter 57
The city loomed ahead, its skyline a mix of modernity and history. As they moved deeper into the labyrinth of streets, Victor’s thoughts drifted back to Lucius, the ancient vampire lord who had taught him much, only to disappear without a trace centuries ago. Lucius was more than just a mentor—he was an enigma, a being of immense power who held secrets that could unravel the very fabric of vampire society.Selene kept pace beside Victor, her gaze sharp as she scanned the surroundings. “You’re sure Lucius is still alive?”Victor nodded, his jaw set. “Lucius doesn’t die. He hides. He’s waiting, watching. And he’s always ahead of us. That’s how he’s survived for so long.”Julian fell in step behind them, still processing what they were about to face. “And what if he doesn’t want to be found?”“He’ll want to see me,” Victor said, his voice steady. “We have unfinished business.”They turned a corner, entering a quieter part of the city. The buildings here were older, the streets narrower, a
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 58
Victor gripped the edge of the altar as the ground beneath him trembled, the ancient energy swelling around him, making the air thick with power. His vision blurred, the weight of the centuries pressing down on him, the bloodline of the Harbinger stirring within his veins."Victor, stop!" Selene shouted, her voice barely audible over the growing rumble. She reached for him, but an invisible force kept her at bay."This is the only way!" Victor called back, his voice strained. He could feel the Harbinger’s presence growing stronger with every passing second, pushing against his will. He needed to act fast before it fully awakened.Julian watched in horror, standing frozen as the cathedral seemed to come alive with the dark magic they had stirred. Shadows twisted along the walls, shapes and figures appearing and disappearing in the periphery of his vision. "Victor, we need you alive, man. There’s got to be another way!"Victor closed his eyes, centering himself. The ritual was dangerous
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 59
As the trio ventured deeper into the city’s shadowed districts, the night seemed to close in around them. The ancient map they found in Victor’s vault was the key to uncovering the remaining bloodlines, but it was also a curse in its own right—a guide to places long forgotten, where danger lurked at every corner.Selene kept her eyes trained on the path ahead, the eerie silence of the city unsettling. "I can't shake the feeling that something's watching us," she muttered.Victor, walking slightly ahead, glanced over his shoulder. "The Harbinger's influence is still strong. It knows we're closing in. We have to be ready for anything."Julian, nervously clutching a silver dagger he had insisted on carrying, added, "I hope 'anything' doesn’t mean more of those nightmarish visions."Victor’s expression hardened. "If we're lucky, that's all it will be."As they approached the first marked location from the map—a dilapidated mansion on the outskirts of the city—Victor felt a familiar chill