Chapter 2727: Story 2728: The Return of the Second King

The voice echoed through the First Kingdom.

“I’M COMING, BROTHER.”

Ronan froze.

Elias.

He was alive.

Aren stared into the darkness.

“That’s not possible.”

Ronan raised his sword.

“Elias!”

A deep laugh answered.

The dead army suddenly stepped aside.

Something walked through the sea of corpses.

Black armor.

Long dark hair.

Red eyes.

Elias emerged from the darkness.

But he was different.

The black crown was no longer on his head.

It had become part of his armor, spreading across his shoulders like living metal.

Ronan slowly lowered his sword.

“Elias?”

Elias smiled.

“Did you miss me?”

Ronan moved toward him.

Aren grabbed his arm.

“Wait.”

Ronan looked at him.

“What?”

Aren’s silver eyes narrowed.

“That isn’t completely Elias.”

Elias laughed.

“Still clever, little brother.”

He raised one hand.

Every dead warrior in the chamber bowed.

The First King stepped backward.

For the first time, Ronan saw genuine fear in his ancient eyes.

“You were not supposed to return.”

Elias turned toward him.

“You should have known better.”

Black energy surrounded Elias.

“I am the Second King now.”

The First King raised his sword.

“You are nothing but a vessel.”

Elias smiled.

“No.”

He pointed toward his own chest.

“I am the one who controls the vessel.”

The First King suddenly attacked.

His ancient blade struck Elias.

Elias caught it with one hand.

The impact shattered the floor beneath them.

The First King’s eyes widened.

Elias threw him across the chamber.

He crashed against the wall.

Ronan stared.

The First King rose slowly.

Blood ran from his mouth.

Elias had wounded him.

Lyra lowered her bow.

“What happened to him?”

Kael answered quietly.

“The Second King has awakened completely.”

Ronan looked at Kael.

“Can he be saved?”

Kael hesitated.

“I don’t know.”

Elias turned toward Ronan.

“Come with me.”

Ronan raised his sword.

“Where?”

“To the surface.”

Ronan frowned.

“Why?”

Elias pointed upward.

“Because the dead are already rising there.”

A distant rumble shook the kingdom.

Then came screams.

Not from below.

From above.

Lyra looked toward the ceiling.

“People.”

Ronan’s face hardened.

“How many?”

Elias smiled.

“Everyone.”

Ronan stepped forward.

“You’re going to unleash the dead on the surface.”

“I already did.”

The chamber fell silent.

Elias continued.

“Every grave. Every battlefield. Every forgotten corpse.”

His red eyes burned.

“They are waking.”

Ronan looked at Aren.

Aren’s silver eyes suddenly turned toward the ceiling.

“I can hear them.”

Ronan gripped his shoulder.

“How many?”

Aren whispered:

“Too many.”

The First King suddenly laughed.

Everyone turned toward him.

Ronan raised his sword.

“What are you laughing at?”

The First King looked at the three brothers.

“Three kings.”

He smiled.

“And yet none of you understand the throne.”

The black throne began rebuilding itself behind them.

Bones returned.

Chains reformed.

A dark crown appeared above it.

The First King pointed toward the throne.

“The kingdom does not need three kings.”

Ronan stared.

“Then what does it need?”

The First King answered:

“A sacrifice.”

The throne suddenly opened.

A deep voice emerged from beneath it.

“ONE BROTHER MUST SIT.”

Aren stepped backward.

Elias smiled.

Ronan raised his sword.

“No.”

The voice thundered again.

“ONE BROTHER MUST DIE.”

Then the entire First Kingdom erupted into war.