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THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 85
Victor’s hand remained on the door handle as he stared at Lucian. His presence after all these centuries was too much of a coincidence. Lucian had disappeared before Caius’s rise to power—at a time when they had all been part of the same council that governed the vampire clans. He had been a brother-in-arms, a strategist who had once helped Victor control the balance of power. Now, his sudden return felt like a warning.Victor’s voice was cautious. "Lucian, where have you been? Why come back now?"Lucian’s smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. “I’ve been watching, Victor. Waiting. Caius has grown too powerful, too reckless. He’s preparing to destroy everything we built together. You need me.”Victor’s eyes narrowed. “Do I? You vanished when the council needed you the most. We were forced to pick up the pieces after you left.”Lucian stepped forward, his eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. “I didn’t vanish. I went underground to gather information, to ensure that
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 86
As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Victor stood at the edge of the encampment, looking out at the city’s skyline. The once-majestic towers, now broken and crumbling from centuries of conflict, were a constant reminder of how much had been lost. Yet beneath the streets lay a hidden world, one that could either be their salvation or their undoing.Lucian approached from behind, his footfalls silent as he moved. “Ready?”Victor didn’t turn. “Are you sure about this? These tunnels haven’t been used in centuries. The city’s changed.”Lucian shrugged nonchalantly. “I’ve kept my ear to the ground. The city might have changed, but some things stay the same. The tunnels were built to withstand far worse than what we’re facing.”Victor shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing. “You’ve been keeping your ear to the ground, yet no one knew where you were for centuries. What else are you hiding, Lucian?”Lucian chuckled, his dark eyes glinting with something Victor couldn’t quite place.
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 87
The narrow passage they had entered seemed to stretch endlessly, the air growing colder and more oppressive the deeper they ventured. Victor could feel the weight of the city above them, a constant reminder of how isolated they were from the world they knew. Every sound was magnified—the soft shuffle of feet, the dripping of water from cracks in the stone, the occasional scrape of weapons against armor.Victor’s thoughts raced, filled with questions about Lucian’s true intentions. The revelation that Lucian had helped design these tunnels still gnawed at him. Why hadn’t he mentioned it before? And if Caius had known about the tunnels, was it possible that Lucian had led them into a trap?Victor clenched his jaw, casting a quick glance toward Lucian, who walked a few paces ahead, his expression unreadable. Elena, beside Victor, seemed equally on edge, her fingers brushing the hilt of her sword as if ready to strike at any moment."We're getting close," Lucian said quietly, his voice cu
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter88
Victor’s heart raced as Caius’s voice reverberated through the vast cathedral. The rows of silent vampires standing like statues only heightened the tension in the air. Victor stepped forward, his eyes locked on Caius, but his thoughts were swirling."You knew we were coming," Victor said coldly, gripping his sword tightly.Caius smirked, a dark glint in his eyes. "Of course. You didn’t think you could sneak through my city without me noticing, did you?" He glanced over the group, his gaze lingering on Lucian. "And with an old traitor leading the way… how poetic."Lucian’s expression didn’t change, but Victor could feel the tension radiating off him. "I never expected you to understand loyalty, Caius."Caius’s laughter echoed through the chamber. "Loyalty? Oh, Lucian, you’ve always been so deluded. You still think there’s some higher cause, don’t you? Some noble reason to fight."Elena stepped forward, her voice sharp. "You’ve manipulated this city for centuries, Caius. Your reign is
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 89
The cathedral groaned and trembled, massive stones crashing from the ceiling as Victor charged toward Caius. The cacophony of collapsing walls and dust clouded the air, but Victor’s vision was singular—he had to end this now. His sword gleamed in the flickering torchlight as he raised it high, ready to strike the final blow.Caius stood in the center of the collapsing structure, laughing through the chaos. "Come on, brother. Show me the strength you think you possess."Victor closed the distance, leaping over the debris with lightning speed. Caius flicked his wrist, summoning a wave of dark energy that exploded toward Victor. But Victor was faster now, his movements sharpened by his resolve. He dodged the attack with mere inches to spare, landing directly in front of Caius.Their swords clashed in a violent spark of steel, but this time, Victor had the upper hand. Caius was powerful, but he was also reckless—driven by a madness that had begun to unravel him. Victor pressed the advanta
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 90
The narrow staircase spiraled down into the heart of the catacombs, each step taking them deeper into the ancient underworld beneath the city. The walls, slick with moisture, seemed to close in around them, the only light coming from the faint, eerie glow of the amulet Victor clutched tightly. The air was thick with the weight of centuries, a heavy, oppressive silence that pressed down on them as they descended.Elena’s breath came in shallow gasps as she tried to push away the overwhelming sense of dread. "Victor, how much farther does this go?" Her voice echoed faintly in the dimness.Victor’s eyes stayed fixed ahead, his jaw clenched. "Not much farther," he said, though the truth was he wasn’t entirely sure. He had never ventured this deep before. These tunnels were ancient, older than the city itself, and whatever lay at the bottom had been sealed off for a reason.Lucian, ever the pragmatist, cast a wary glance over his shoulder. "The tremors are getting stronger," he muttered, h
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 91
Victor, Elena, and Lucian rushed through the collapsing tunnels, their footsteps echoing in the chaos. Dust and debris rained down as the ancient catacombs, destabilized by the dark magic, began to crumble. The ground beneath them shook violently, threatening to swallow them whole.“Elena, take the left tunnel!” Victor shouted over the roaring tremors. He stumbled, his body still weak from the exertion of reforging the amulet. Every step felt heavier, but he couldn’t stop. Not now.“What about you?” Elena called back, panic flashing across her face as she hesitated.“I’ll be right behind you! Go!” Victor urged, his voice strained with urgency. He could feel the walls closing in, the magic that had held the ancient ruins together disintegrating.Elena reluctantly nodded and darted into the tunnel, with Lucian close behind her. Victor followed, his senses alert to the ever-increasing danger. Each second counted, and the city above them was hanging in the balance.Suddenly, a sharp crack
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 92
As the sun continued its slow rise, casting golden rays over the rooftops of the city, Victor felt a sense of fleeting calm. The shadows were receding, but the battle within him lingered. His eyes wandered over the waking city, taking in the skyscrapers that gleamed in the morning light. The sight of it grounded him, a reminder of the world he had sworn to protect—both from the dangers of the past and the threats of the future.Elena leaned against the railing beside him, her face serene but her mind clearly restless. “Victor, I’ve been thinking…” Her voice trailed off, leaving the unspoken thought hanging between them.“What is it?” Victor asked, turning to face her, his sharp eyes catching the glimmer of concern in hers.“This fight, this life we’ve chosen—it’s wearing on us, isn’t it? Even on you.”Victor nodded, acknowledging the truth in her words. “I’ve lived through centuries of conflict, Elena. I’ve seen empires rise and fall. But this... this is different. The ancient forces
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- THE HIDDEN CROWN
Chapter 110
The air grew colder as Victor, Thorne, Elena, and Lucian entered the mine, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Flickering torches illuminated the narrow passageways, casting eerie shadows that danced along the rough-hewn rock. The scent of damp earth mingled with something metallic, an indication of the danger that lay deeper within.“Stay close,” Victor instructed, his voice steady yet low. “We don’t know what we might encounter in here.”Lucian led the way, his senses heightened. “I can feel something,” he murmured, glancing back at the others. “There’s an energy that’s different… almost ancient.”“Let’s hope it’s just the minerals,” Thorne replied, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. “We don’t need any unwelcome surprises.”They ventured further into the mine, navigating through twisting passages and narrow alcoves. Occasionally, they paused to examine the shimmering walls, streaked with veins of precious gemstones glinting in the torchlight.Elena pic
- THE HIDDEN CROWN
Chapter 109
The sun was barely above the horizon when Victor, Thorne, Elena, and Lucian began mobilizing their forces. The air was charged with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Each member understood the stakes, knowing that the fate of their world rested on their shoulders.“Let’s divide the tasks,” Victor suggested, gathering everyone in a huddle. “Thorne and I will head to the Nightshade Clan’s hideout to finalize their commitment. Elena and Lucian, you two focus on reaching out to the names Rhea provided. We need to make sure everyone knows what they’re fighting for.”Thorne nodded, his expression serious. “I’ll make sure Eldrin knows how urgent this is. We can’t afford to waste time.”Elena glanced at Lucian, determination etched on her face. “We’ll spread the word. If we can rally enough support, we might stand a chance against Elara’s forces.”“Stay vigilant,” Victor cautioned. “Elara’s spies are everywhere. We can’t risk being compromised.”With that, they split up, the weight of their
- 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,”
- 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 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 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 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 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 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
