Chapter 2628: Story 2629: The Queen of the Second Kingdom

Lena fell to her knees.

Black veins spread across her neck like dark roots, pulsing with crimson light. The entire chamber trembled as the red beam above the kingdom grew brighter.

“Lena!” Kael shouted.

He rushed toward her, but an enormous claw blocked his path.

The First Origin stood between them.

Its countless eyes burned like fire.

“THE QUEEN HAS BEEN CHOSEN.”

Kael raised his glowing sword.

“She chooses her own fate.”

The creature answered with a roar that shook the foundations of the palace.

Above them, Veyr smiled.

“You still don’t understand, Kael.”

His transformed soldiers descended into the chamber.

Black armor covered their bodies, and red light burned beneath their skin.

“They are no longer human,” Adrian whispered.

Elias stepped forward.

“Neither am I.”

He charged first.

His blade cut through one soldier, then another. Mara and Ethan fired from the passage while Isabella led several members of the Last March into the battle.

Steel and gunfire echoed through the chamber.

But Kael saw only Lena.

She remained kneeling before the throne.

Red energy surrounded her body.

The black stone beneath her feet began changing, forming ancient symbols that spread across the floor.

Adrian looked at them in horror.

“The throne is bonding with her.”

“How long do we have?” Kael asked.

Adrian swallowed.

“Minutes.”

Veyr laughed.

“When the bond is complete, the Second Kingdom will obey its queen.”

Lena slowly raised her head.

Her eyes glowed crimson.

Kael stepped toward her.

“Lena.”

She looked at him.

For a moment, he saw fear in her eyes.

Then another voice spoke through her lips.

“THE KINGDOM MUST RISE.”

Kael froze.

“No.”

The First Origin moved closer to the throne.

Its massive body trembled as though answering an ancient call.

Elias looked toward Kael.

“If it reaches her, everything ends.”

Kael nodded.

Together, the brothers attacked.

Kael struck the creature’s chest while Elias slashed across its side.

The First Origin roared.

Red blood spilled onto the stone floor.

For the first time, the creature staggered backward.

Veyr’s expression darkened.

“You cannot stop destiny.”

Kael turned toward him.

“Watch us.”

He raised his sword.

The blade burned brighter than ever before.

A memory suddenly flashed through his mind.

His father.

The Sleeping King.

Standing before the First Origin long ago.

Then Kael heard the king’s voice.

“Blood does not command fate. Choice does.”

Kael looked at Lena.

He understood.

He lowered his sword.

“Lena!”

Her glowing eyes met his.

“You are not their queen.”

The chamber shook violently.

“You are Lena.”

The red light around her flickered.

Veyr stepped forward.

“Do not listen!”

Kael ignored him.

“You chose your own path long before this kingdom awakened.”

Lena trembled.

The black veins stopped spreading.

“I...”

Tears appeared in her eyes.

“I remember.”

The red energy exploded outward.

The throne cracked.

Veyr’s smile vanished.

“No!”

The First Origin roared in fury.

Lena slowly stood.

The queen’s symbol on her palm shone like a star.

She looked toward the ancient creature.

And for the first time, her voice carried the power of the old kingdom.

“Kneel.”

The First Origin stopped.

Its countless eyes widened.

Then the ancient monster lowered itself before the Heir.

Silence filled the chamber.

Even Veyr stepped backward.

Lena looked at Kael.

But her expression was troubled.

“Kael...”

He stepped closer.

“What is it?”

Lena stared toward the red beam rising into the sky.

“The throne has stopped.”

She looked into the darkness beyond the chamber.

“But something else has awakened.”

Far beyond the First Kingdom, beneath the endless mountains, an ancient city of black stone opened its gates.

And millions more dead began to march.