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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
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 93
Victor's heart raced, though his face remained impassive. Kael’s voice was unmistakable—cold, sharp, and filled with the echoes of ancient malice. The massive gates swung open, revealing a dimly lit courtyard cloaked in mist. As Victor stepped forward, Lucian and Elena exchanged uneasy glances but followed closely behind.From the shadows, Kael emerged, his presence commanding and regal, but there was something otherworldly about him. His eyes glowed with an eerie blue light, and his pale skin seemed to almost shimmer in the darkness. He was a figure from another time, untouched by the world they had come from.“Victor,” Kael’s lips curled into a sly smile. “I never expected to see you here again. Especially not after our last... encounter.”Victor clenched his jaw, his voice steady. “I didn’t come for pleasantries, Kael. We need your help.”Kael’s laugh echoed through the courtyard, cold and mocking. “Of course you do. Why else would you be here?” He slowly descended the stone steps,
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’
