Chapter 2724: Story 2725: The Prisoner Awakens

Aren’s body trembled.

Black veins spread across his face like cracks through stone.

His red eyes remained fixed on Ronan.

“The First Kingdom belongs to me.”

The voice was no longer Aren’s.

Ronan raised his sword.

“Aren is still in there.”

The First King stepped forward.

“Perhaps.”

Ronan looked at him.

“Then help me save him.”

The First King shook his head.

“You cannot save a prison from what it was built to contain.”

Aren suddenly screamed.

The chamber walls cracked.

A shockwave exploded from his body, throwing everyone backward.

Lyra caught the edge of the balcony.

Kael crashed against a pillar.

Ronan’s father fell to one knee.

Elias rolled across the stone floor.

Ronan remained standing.

His sword burned red.

“Aren!”

Aren looked at him.

For a brief moment, the red vanished from his eyes.

“Ronan...”

His voice was weak.

“Kill me.”

Ronan froze.

“No.”

Aren’s face twisted in pain.

“Please.”

The Bloodfather’s voice returned.

“HE BELONGS TO ME.”

Aren’s body lifted from the ground.

Black energy surrounded him.

Ronan charged.

The First King blocked his path.

“Move!”

“You will kill him.”

“I don’t care.”

The First King stared at him.

“You should.”

Ronan swung his sword.

The First King caught the blade with one armored hand.

Red sparks exploded between them.

“You still don’t understand your blood.”

Ronan pushed harder.

“I understand enough.”

He headbutted the First King.

The ancient ruler staggered.

Ronan ran toward Aren.

But the floor opened.

Hundreds of dead hands burst from beneath the stones.

They grabbed Ronan’s legs.

Lyra fired arrow after arrow.

Each arrow pierced a corpse’s skull.

“Ronan!”

Kael charged beside her.

His broken sword was gone, but he carried a dead warrior’s axe.

He hacked through the hands.

“Get to the boy!”

Ronan broke free.

He reached Aren.

The Bloodfather appeared behind him as a giant shadow.

Its mouth opened.

“FIRST SON.”

Ronan turned.

The shadow struck.

His shield shattered completely.

He was thrown across the chamber.

His sword flew from his hand.

The Bloodfather moved toward him.

Elias suddenly stood.

His black veins were fading.

He grabbed the sword.

“Not him.”

The Bloodfather stopped.

Elias held the red sword against his chest.

“You want the First Son?”

He smiled bitterly.

“Take me instead.”

Ronan stared at his brother.

“Elias, no!”

The Bloodfather’s shadow surrounded Elias.

“SECOND SON.”

Elias closed his eyes.

“Run, Ronan.”

The creature entered him.

Elias screamed.

Black smoke erupted from his body.

Aren dropped to the ground.

His red eyes slowly returned to normal.

Ronan rushed toward him.

“Aren!”

Aren opened his eyes.

The Bloodfather’s voice had vanished.

For a moment, everything was silent.

Then Elias laughed.

Ronan stopped.

Elias lifted his head.

His eyes were now completely black.

But something else was moving beneath his skin.

The First King looked horrified.

“No...”

Kael stared at Elias.

“What happened?”

The First King whispered:

“The Bloodfather did not enter Elias.”

Ronan’s blood turned cold.

“Then what did?”

Elias smiled.

A second voice spoke through him.

“THE FIRST KING LIED.”

The entire kingdom shook.

Above them, every corpse suddenly turned toward the palace.

Then thousands of dead voices spoke together:

“THE SECOND KING HAS RISEN.”