Chapter 2702: Story 2703: The Throne of Bones

Ronan stared at the black throne beyond the castle gates.

For several seconds, nobody moved.

Thousands of zombies stood silently across the courtyard, their dead eyes fixed on him.

Then Ronan slowly rose from the snow.

“What is that thing?”

Kael did not answer.

His hand remained on the hilt of his ancient sword.

Lyra stepped closer to Ronan.

“Kael?”

The old warrior finally spoke.

“The Hollow King.”

A cold wind swept through the ruined castle.

The figure sitting upon the throne slowly lifted its head.

Ronan could not see its face clearly beneath the dark iron crown.

But he could feel its eyes.

They were watching him.

The red symbol on Ronan’s sword pulsed again.

Once.

Twice.

Then the sword suddenly pulled itself from his hand.

It flew through the air and landed several feet away.

Ronan froze.

Lyra raised her bow.

“Ronan!”

The blade stood upright in the snow.

Red light spread from it across the ground like veins.

The zombies began moving.

Not toward Ronan.

Toward the sword.

Hundreds of corpses slowly lowered themselves to their knees.

Then thousands followed.

A terrible silence covered the valley.

Kael stared in disbelief.

“They’re bowing.”

Ronan looked at the kneeling dead.

“To the sword?”

Kael shook his head.

“No.”

He looked directly at Ronan.

“To you.”

Ronan’s expression hardened.

“I’ve never seen these creatures before.”

Kael stepped toward him.

“Perhaps you don’t remember.”

“What don’t I remember?”

Before Kael could answer, the Hollow King stood.

Every zombie in the courtyard immediately rose.

The King lifted one hand.

A massive iron door behind the throne opened.

Darkness filled the doorway.

Then a figure walked out.

A woman.

She wore a torn white dress covered in dried blood.

Her skin was pale.

Her eyes were completely black.

Lyra drew an arrow.

“Another one?”

Kael’s face changed.

“No.”

The woman stopped beside the throne.

Kael whispered her name.

“Seraphine.”

Ronan looked at him.

“Who is she?”

“My daughter.”

Lyra stared at the woman.

“She’s infected.”

Kael’s voice broke.

“She died eighteen years ago.”

Seraphine slowly turned toward Kael.

For the first time, her black eyes seemed to recognize him.

“Father...”

Kael stepped backward.

The sound of her voice shook him.

“Seraphine?”

The Hollow King raised his hand.

Seraphine suddenly screamed.

Every zombie in the courtyard began screaming with her.

The sound echoed through the mountains.

Ronan covered his ears.

Then the red mark on his sword exploded with light.

A wave of energy rushed across the courtyard.

The zombies stopped.

Seraphine collapsed.

The Hollow King turned toward Ronan.

And finally spoke.

His voice sounded like hundreds of dead men speaking together.

“Blood of the First Warrior.”

Ronan’s heart stopped.

“What did you call me?”

The King stepped down from the throne.

“Your blood remembers.”

Ronan looked at Kael.

The old warrior’s face had gone pale.

“You knew,” Ronan said.

Kael remained silent.

“You knew what I was.”

“I knew what your blood could become.”

Ronan’s anger rose.

“Then tell me the truth!”

Suddenly, the castle walls began to shake.

Stone cracked beneath their feet.

From deep beneath the fortress came a gigantic heartbeat.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

The Hollow King smiled beneath his crown.

“The awakening has begun.”

Ronan picked up his sword.

Lyra moved beside him.

Kael drew his ancient blade.

The three stood together as the castle trembled.

Then the ground split open.

From beneath the throne room came a horrifying roar.

Something ancient was rising.

And the Hollow King whispered:

“Your brother is coming.”