Chapter 29
The chamber grew quiet again.
The golden lines across the floor glowed softly, lighting the ancient sanctuary with a warm and steady light. The massive dragon statues stood silently around the chamber like ancient guardians watching over the throne.
But the peaceful moment didn't last long.
Ariana could still feel it.
The pressure outside the mountain.
The war was still happening.
Even deep inside the sanctuary, faint sounds reached them.
Distant roars.
Claws striking stone.
The shrieks of Abyss beasts echoing through the sky.
Ariana wrapped her arms around herself.
"They're still fighting up there."
Kael stood near the entrance of the tunnel, his sharp eyes focused on the darkness beyond it.
"Yeah."
His voice was quiet but steady.
"They are."
Ariana looked down at the glowing floor.
"We should help them."
Kael didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he walked back toward her slowly.
"You will," he said.
"But not yet."
Ariana frowned slightly.
"That's easy for you to say."
Kael stopped in front of her.
His golden eyes softened just a little.
"If you go up there right now," he said calmly, "you'll die."
Ariana opened her mouth to argue.
Then she stopped.
Because she knew he was right.
She had barely learned how to create the shield.
She still didn't understand half of the power inside her.
Kael continued.
"And if you die, the war is over."
Ariana exhaled slowly.
"I hate when you make sense."
Kael smirked slightly.
"I know."
Behind them, the enormous bronze dragon shifted its wings slowly.
The sound echoed through the chamber like distant thunder.
Vormerion watched them quietly.
Ariana turned toward him.
"You said the Sovereign was meant to protect the bloodlines."
Yes.
"But the council tried to erase us."
The dragon's glowing eyes dimmed slightly.
Fear makes powerful people do foolish things.
Kael folded his arms.
"Sounds about right."
Ariana looked at the throne again.
"So the Sovereigns ruled everything?"
The dragon shook his head slowly.
No.
They guided the balance.
Images flickered faintly across Ariana's mind again.
Dragons flying beside wolves.
Witches standing beside ancient trees.
Different creatures working together.
Not fighting.
Not hunting each other.
But protecting the same world.
The vision faded.
Ariana whispered quietly.
"The world used to be different."
Yes.
The dragon's voice carried a deep sadness.
Very different.
For a moment, the chamber fell silent again.
Kael leaned casually against one of the massive stone pillars.
"So how does she fix all that?"
The dragon turned his glowing gaze toward Ariana.
One step at a time.
Ariana looked down at her hands again.
The faint golden light beneath her skin flickered softly.
"Then what's the next step?"
Before the dragon could answer,
Kael suddenly stiffened.
Ariana noticed immediately.
"What?"
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I feel something."
The dragon lifted his head as well.
His ancient eyes turned toward the tunnel entrance.
Yes.
They are closer now.
Ariana's heart began to race.
"The Abyss?"
The dragon nodded slowly.
Their hunters search the mountain.
Kael pushed himself away from the pillar.
His posture changed immediately.
Calm.
Focused.
Predatory.
"Well," he said quietly.
"That didn't take long."
Ariana stepped closer to him.
"How many?"
Kael closed his eyes briefly, listening to his instincts.
Then he opened them again.
"Five."
Ariana blinked.
"Only five?"
Kael shook his head.
"Five that are stupid enough to walk into this place."
The dragon's voice echoed across the chamber.
The sanctuary hides you from most enemies.
But not from the Abyss.
Ariana swallowed.
"They know I'm here."
Kael cracked his neck slowly.
"Looks like it."
Ariana looked up at him.
"You're smiling."
Kael shrugged casually.
"I like small fights."
The dragon's eyes narrowed slightly.
Do not underestimate them.
Kael nodded.
"I never do."
Then he glanced toward Ariana.
"Stay behind the throne."
"I'm not hiding."
"Yes you are."
Ariana crossed her arms.
"I just created a magical shield."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"And you've used it once."
"That still counts."
Kael sighed.
"You're impossible."
Ariana gave him a small smile.
"You're the one who said I was royalty."
Kael shook his head slightly.
"I'm already regretting that."
The dragon's deep voice interrupted them.
They have entered the tunnel.
Kael turned toward the darkness.
His golden eyes glowed faintly.
"How long?"
Moments.
The tension inside the chamber tightened.
The golden lights across the floor dimmed slightly, as if the sanctuary itself was preparing for battle.
Ariana felt her heart beating faster.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Kael noticed.
He stepped closer to her.
"Hey."
His voice was quieter now.
"You're fine."
Ariana forced a small breath.
"I'm not scared."
Kael smirked.
"That's not the part I'm worried about."
Ariana blinked.
"What?"
"You're about to try something reckless."
She hesitated.
"maybe..."
Kael sighed.
"I knew it."
He leaned slightly closer to her.
"If things go bad, you run."
"I'm not leaving you."
"You are if I say so."
Ariana glared at him.
"You're not my Alpha."
Kael smiled faintly.
"No."
His voice softened.
"I'm something worse."
The bond between them pulsed suddenly.
Warm.
Bright.
Ariana felt it clearly now.
The connection between them.
It made her chest tighten.
Kael felt it too.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then,
a sound echoed from the tunnel.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Careful.
Something was moving through the darkness.
Ariana turned toward the entrance.
The golden light beneath her skin flickered again.
Kael stepped slightly in front of her.
His wolf instincts surged forward.
Protective.
Deadly.
Then a voice echoed from the tunnel.
Cold.
Calm.
Almost amused.
"Well."
Footsteps stopped at the edge of the chamber.
A tall figure stepped into the golden light.
His skin was pale.
His eyes glowed silver.
Black armor covered his body like living shadows.
"Looks like we found the Sovereign."
Kael's wolf growled low in his chest.
Ariana whispered quietly.
"Abyss hunter."
More figures appeared behind the first one.
Dark shapes moving through the tunnel.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"Five."
He glanced at Ariana.
"I told you."
The first hunter smiled faintly.
"You should have stayed hidden."
His silver eyes locked onto Ariana.
"The Abyss Lord sends his greetings."
Kael stepped forward.
His golden eyes burned brightly now.
"Tell him we're busy."
The hunter chuckled softly.
"I'm afraid he insisted."
The hunters began walking into the chamber.
Dark energy filled the air.
The sanctuary lights flickered.
The dragon's deep voice echoed through the room.
Sovereign.
This is your next lesson.
Ariana swallowed.
"What lesson?"
The dragon's ancient voice rumbled.
Protection.
Kael cracked his knuckles slowly.
"Perfect."
His eyes glowed gold.
"I was getting bored."
And the fight began.