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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
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 60
Victor stepped into the chamber, feeling the weight of centuries-old tension in the air. The hidden lair, long forgotten by most, was a place where ancient pacts and alliances had been formed, but also where countless betrayals had occurred. The flickering torches on the walls cast long shadows, revealing more figures lurking in the dark corners. These were not ordinary people—they were the remnants of a secret society that had once fought alongside and against vampires, witches, and hunters alike.The woman who had spoken earlier, still observing Victor with cold intensity, gestured to a large stone table at the center of the room. "Sit. We’ll hear your plea, Victor, but don’t expect our loyalty to come cheap."Selene and Julian exchanged a glance but followed Victor’s lead as he approached the table. Victor’s voice was calm, but there was an undeniable edge to it as he addressed the group. "The Harbinger is awakening. You all know what that means. The curse that has lingered in the
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 61
Julian stared up at the crumbling structure. "Of course it’s a creepy, old cathedral. Why is it always something like this?"Victor ignored him and turned to Selene. "Are you ready?"She gave him a firm nod. "Let’s do this."The three of them entered the cathedral. Inside, the air was thick with dust and the smell of decay. Broken pews lined the nave, and stained glass windows were cracked and dirty, casting distorted patterns of light across the stone floor. Victor led them to the center of the room, where an old altar stood. He ran his hand over the carvings, searching for the hidden mechanism he knew was there."This place was a sanctuary for my kind centuries ago," Victor explained as his fingers traced a worn symbol etched into the stone. "It also became a prison for the Harbinger’s relics. There’s a crypt beneath this altar where the first bindings were made."Selene stepped closer, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. "And how do we get down there?"Victor presse
THE HIDDEN CROWN Chapter 62
The night hung heavily over the city, as though the very air carried the weight of the coming battle. Victor stood silently in the alley beside the clock tower, his senses heightened. Every shadow seemed to shift, every gust of wind felt like a whisper of danger. His mind raced, knowing that the Harbinger’s influence was spreading, corrupting the city faster than he had anticipated.Julian leaned against the stone wall, nervously tapping his foot. “You know, I was hoping for a quiet night. Maybe some coffee, a good book. Instead, we’re heading into ancient crypts to face a nightmare.”Victor shot him a sharp glance. “This isn’t a game, Julian. The Harbinger will destroy everything if we fail.”Julian raised his hands in surrender. “I know, I know. I’m just saying, it’d be nice if ancient curses came with a user manual.”Selene, standing between them, cut in with a calm voice. “We’ve faced worse before. We can do this.”Victor appreciated her steadiness. She had always been the anchor