The air within Demonstone Castle was heavy with the weight of unspoken histories as Rowena, Asher, and Naida crossed the threshold into a room shrouded in shadows and silence.
In this hidden floor of the castle, there was not another soul in sight. No guards or servants would dare enter this floor even if they knew of its existence.
The door's loud creak broke the stillness, a sound that seemed to echo across centuries, revealing a space untouched by time or demon presence.
Asher, with a heavy heart, recalled the stories that whispered of the Devourer's decree: this sanctum was to remain sealed, its secrets undisturbed, save for a moment of dire need for the kingdom.
He knew this was why no king had disturbed this room ever since the Devourer was gone. They all respected his wish and stuck to it no matter what.
Rowena was also feeling regretful that she had to be the first to disturb this place and for a dire situation like this.
"Are you sure this is the best place to place this key?" Rowena asked Naida, her voice a blend of doubt and hesitation.
Naida's response was firm, her nod conveying her certainty, "The Supreme One told His Majesty that the key should be placed in the heart of the kingdom. From what we came to know, this room we are standing in was the very place the Devourer buried his people…" Her words trailed off as certain memories flashed in her mind.
Asher, gazing down at the ground beneath their feet, was consumed by the gravity of their actions. The foundation of their kingdom, he realized, was built not just on Raziel's aspirations but literally atop the blood and bones of his loved ones.
He knew Raziel did it because it was the only way he knew to be always close to them and never forget them.
Despite this being related to some other person, he felt it deeply.
"Then let's begin," With a resolute breath, Rowena initiated the ritual, her hand weaving through the air.
A cascade of mystical objects—stones, amulets, weapons—each imbued with a dark, mystical essence, clattered to the floor. Their glow, a dance of dark light, illuminated the room with an otherworldly aura.
Asher, witnessing the gathering of so many Deviars, felt a twinge of unease. The noble Houses had relinquished these divine artifacts with reluctance, uncertain of their return. Yet, the need of the hour compelled them to part with these cherished items, a sacrifice for the greater good.
He knew no House would have parted away with their Deviars this easily if not for the survival of their kingdom.
But he let Rowena use his Deviar, and he also knew she would have included hers if not for the fact that her Deviar was most vital for the kingdom.
He could only hope this key wouldn't be too hungry and devour every Deviar they were going to feed it. Otherwise, he had no doubt Rowena would use her Deviar in the worst case.
"You can take it out now," Rowena prompted, her gaze fixed on Asher. With a solemn nod, he reached into his robe and drew forth the crimson hilt. With a flex of his hand, the blade extended, a crimson counterpart to his stature, its presence commanding and ominous.
The blade's glow, subtle yet pervasive, cast a glow that was both menacing and magnificent.
Even Rowena and Naida momentarily held their breath under the ominous light and aura emanating from it.
They couldn't even sense such an aura from it until Asher revealed it.
Asher wished he could learn more about this key named Void Reaver. Was it really just meant to be a key or something more. Why didn't Drakaris even remotely mention any other uses of this key? Was he worried that he might misuse it? He felt troubled when he remembered the conversation between the Moon Guardian and that woman named Luna, who was supposed to be Ceti.
"You can now embed it in the center of the array," Rowena said after making sure the array was working as expected. It was something prepared by at least a hundred experts before it was handed over to her.
Asher, surrounded by the eerie glow of the Deviars, each radiating with a dark, chilling light interconnected by strands of ethereal energy and encased within a circle of crimson runes, felt the weight of duty upon his shoulders. He raised the sword, its crimson hue a stark contrast against the darkness, and whispered in a solemn voice, "Protect our kingdom as long as you can," With those words, he plunged the sword into the heart of the glowing array.
The immediate reaction was visceral, a surge of power that rippled through the very foundation of the castle. The Void Reaver, now embedded in the array, became the epicenter of a force so potent it caused the ground to tremble, its dark radiance spreading in all directions, painting the room in a wash of crimson light, making all three stumble back.
The three could only watch with widened eyes as the sword acted as a conduit, drawing energy from the surrounding Deviars. The air was charged with anticipation, the very castle itself seeming to hold its breath as the array and the sword became one.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the tremors ceased. From the sword burst forth a semi-transparent crimson sphere, its expansion swift and relentless. It grew beyond the confines of the room, its boundary-pushing past the castle walls, enveloping the kingdom in its embrace.
Rowena, her eyes closed in concentration, utilized the sight afforded to her by the castle's eyes.
She watched, her heart racing, as the sphere extended over dozens of kilometers, a protective dome that shrouded their kingdom.
And then, just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished, leaving behind a charged silence and a kingdom shielded by a mystical force.
Outside, the people of the kingdom, their daily lives interrupted by the sudden manifestation, stood in collective astonishment.
The sight of the crimson sphere, a phenomenon both beautiful and bewildering, sparked a flurry of questions and speculation. What magic was at work? Did it have anything to do with the protection of their kingdom?
They had already heard rumors that their king had returned with the means to protect their kingdom from the draconians. It was the only rumor that settled down most of their fears.
Back within the castle, relief washed over Asher and Naida as Rowena said, "It worked. We will be alright…for now."
Yet, amidst the triumph, Asher's voice carried a note of concern, a reflection of the responsibility he felt, "How long do you think all these Deviars would last?" Rowena's expression was a mirror to the gravity of their situation, "I had not foreseen such a malevolent thirst in the key, a danger too great for us to withstand for long," she admitted, her gaze locked on the array that pulsed with a foreboding light, "In the realm of possibility, we stand to wield this power for three to four years. But the future is unpredictable, and the decay of the Deviars could erode our window swiftly."
Asher's face hardened at her words, the reality of their precarious future settling in, "Then it means we have to somehow become stronger than Draconis Kingdom within this short time. No...not only the draconians but also the werewolves, especially the Moonbinder Clan now that their guardian is back from the dead. There is no telling when they might attack our kingdom. We can't trust an enemy to honor a pact their ancestor made."
As he spoke, Asher's mind raced with plans and possibilities. Not only should he somehow strengthen his kingdom but also make himself stronger as well. At least strong enough to take down Lupus, who was the strongest of all demons. Once he has absolute power in this realm, so many things will become easier.
Naida's agreement was swift, "You are right, my king. In the meantime, we would need all the allies we can get. I will let Vernon know how important this is, and then my House will do everything we can to prepare for the worst." Rowena nodded, her brows furrowed as she voiced her concerns, "Even if we prepare for the worst, we will be left vulnerable once this key devours all the Deviars of our kingdom. So we have to be prepared before this key leaves us weaker than ever in the history of our kingdom."
Asher, sensing the weight of responsibility on their shoulders, offered a moment of reassurance, placing his hand on Rowena's shoulder, "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to our kingdom. I already have some plans."
His thoughts drifted to the necessity of continuing his Reaping activities, venturing into Earth to sow the seeds of his cult that would indirectly serve as both shield and sword for his kingdom.
Rowena's expression softened as his words made her heart less heavy, "I know you will. Even now, we wouldn't have been able to protect our kingdom if you had not earned this key. Our people couldn't be more proud to have you as their king." Naida's soft chuckle echoed as she said with a smile, "Then doesn't this deserve a celebration? Our people's spirits will be lifted, and we can let everyone know they can rest at ease. It's not always that we get a chance like this. Isn't that right, my king?"
Asher looked at Naida and saw the look in her eyes, knowing she was talking about the celebration Raziel never got to have with Selene and his people.
Rowena narrowed her eyes as she noticed the atmosphere between the two becoming a bit strange before she said, her voice reverting the mood back to normal, "Then we shall do just that."
