Chapter 2748: Story 2749: The Brother Who Never Was

Ronan stared at the stranger wearing his face.

The creature’s red eyes reflected the burning symbol on his sword.

“Why do you look like me?” Ronan demanded.

The stranger tilted his head.

“Because your mother gave you what belonged to me.”

Ronan charged.

Their swords collided, releasing a shockwave that shattered the surrounding pillars. The stranger barely moved. With a single strike, he hurled Ronan across the chamber.

“Ronan!” Lyra shouted.

She released three arrows in rapid succession.

The stranger raised his hand.

Every arrow stopped inches from his face before turning to ash.

He glanced at Lyra.

“Still protecting him? How predictable.”

Lyra drew another arrow, refusing to lower her bow.

“Come closer and find out.”

A faint smile crossed his face.

Then Elias attacked from behind, unleashing a wave of black energy. Aren followed, binding the stranger’s legs with silver chains.

For one moment, their combined powers held him.

Darian raised both hands.

Violet fire erupted beneath the stranger’s feet.

“Now, Ronan!”

Ronan rose and drove his sword toward the stranger’s chest.

The blade struck.

A deafening scream filled the chamber.

But instead of blood, black smoke poured from the wound. The stranger seized Ronan’s wrist and leaned close.

“You still believe that sword was made to kill me?”

He twisted the blade.

The black symbol flashed red.

Ronan suddenly felt something tearing through his veins. His memories began disappearing—his first battle, the snowy mountains, Lyra’s face.

“No!” Lyra screamed.

She abandoned her bow and struck the stranger with her knife.

He released Ronan and threw her aside.

Kael rushed forward, swinging his ancient weapon. The stranger caught it effortlessly.

“Old man,” he murmured. “You should have stayed buried with the others.”

Kael stared at him.

“I know what you are.”

The stranger’s smile vanished.

Kael continued, his voice shaking.

“You are not the fifth blood. You are the prison built to contain it.”

Silence swept across the chamber.

Cael slowly lifted his head.

“Kael, don’t.”

But the old warrior stepped forward.

“The child in the fifth cradle was real. The thing wearing Ronan’s face is what remained after the child was destroyed.”

The stranger’s expression twisted with fury.

“LIAR!”

Black chains burst from his armor, wrapping around Kael’s body. He slammed the old warrior against the wall.

Darian screamed as violet energy exploded from his crown.

The chains shattered.

For the first time, the stranger staggered.

Darian approached him, eyes glowing.

“You hurt my family.”

The stranger looked at the boy and began laughing.

“Your family?”

He pointed toward Ronan.

“Ask your eldest brother what happened before you were born.”

Ronan struggled to stand.

“What are you talking about?”

The stranger touched his own chest.

A fifth symbol appeared beneath his armor.

Then Ronan’s sword answered with the same mark.

Cael whispered in horror.

“The fifth blood isn’t missing.”

The stranger smiled at Ronan.

“It has always lived inside you.”

Ronan looked down.

Black veins crawled across his hand.

And something inside his heart began to laugh.