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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,
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 94
Victor, Elena, and Lucian exited Kael’s fortress in silence, the chill of the deal settling into their bones. As they walked through the mist-filled courtyard, Elena broke the quiet, her voice laced with tension."Victor, are you really going to give Kael the city? You can’t trust him. He’ll turn it into his personal kingdom.”Victor didn’t respond immediately, his gaze locked on the horizon. "I know. But we had no choice. Without his help, the Obsidian Legion would wipe us out before we had a chance to stop them."Lucian shook his head in disbelief. "And after we stop them? Kael will take the city. We’d be trading one monster for another."Victor stopped, turning to face his companions. “Kael is dangerous, but he’s predictable. The Legion isn’t. If we don’t stop them now, none of this will matter. Not the city, not us.”Elena folded her arms, her frustration barely contained. “There has to be another way.”Victor’s eyes softened, but his voice was firm. “If there was, I would have ta
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 95
The air in the underground chamber seemed to shift, as if the weight of the decision made by Selene hung heavily in the room. The Rogue Clan leader, now allied with Victor, looked to her people, signaling that they had a new cause to fight for. The murmurs of the Rogues quieted, and a fierce determination replaced the previous wariness. But the unease still simmered between Victor, Elena, and Lucian as they prepared to leave the Rogues’ den.Selene’s voice, sharp and playful, interrupted their silence. “Oh, don’t think you’ll get away that easily, Prince. You’ve given us a seat at your table, but there’s still the matter of trust, isn’t there?”Victor narrowed his eyes. “What are you suggesting?”She stepped forward, her presence intense as always. “You can’t expect us to simply fall in line because of a promise. A show of good faith is required. I’ll send one of mine with you, as a… liaison.” Her eyes flicked toward a young man standing by the wall, shadowed by the dim lighting. “Zio