Chapter 2759: Story 2760: The Hunger Wearing a Child’s Face

The six burning eyes stared at Ronan.

“He is inside me now.”

The child’s voice deepened, becoming layered with another voice that shook the ancient chamber. Black cracks spread across his small body, leaking darkness that crawled over the floor like living smoke.

Ronan pulled his sword from the stone.

“Fight him,” he pleaded. “You’re stronger than you think.”

The boy smiled sadly. “You still don’t understand, brother. He isn’t possessing me.”

The darkness surged.

“I am his heart.”

The child’s body lifted from the ground. His limbs stretched unnaturally as black armor formed around him, covering his chest and shoulders. Six burning eyes appeared across his forehead, while a crown of twisted bones grew above his head.

Their father staggered backward.

For the first time, the ancient being looked afraid.

“No,” he whispered. “That power belongs to me.”

The transformed child turned toward him.

“You abandoned me before time had a name. You tore your heart from creation and expected it to wait patiently in darkness.”

His voice became a thunderous roar.

“NOW I WILL MAKE YOU FEEL EVERY MOMENT.”

A wave of black energy erupted from his body.

Their father raised his arms, summoning chains from the depths, but the darkness swallowed them instantly. He crashed against the gate, cracking its enormous stone surface.

“Ronan!” Lyra shouted. “Get away from the child!”

Ronan barely heard her. He could feel the darkness inside his own chest answering the child, beating in rhythm with the ancient power.

His black veins spread across his arms.

The sword began to melt in his hands.

“Ronan, look at me!” Lyra rushed toward him, dodging falling stones. “You promised you would remember my voice!”

He turned toward her. For a moment, his eyes returned to their natural color.

Then the child screamed.

Every grave in the chamber burst open.

Dead warriors rose, but they no longer bowed to Ronan or their father. They turned toward the child, their empty mouths opening in a single chant.

“THE HEART RETURNS. THE CREATOR FALLS.”

Elias wrapped black chains around the rising corpses. Aren erected silver barriers around Lyra and Kael, while Darian unleashed violet flames against the darkness spreading beneath their feet.

Cael stood motionless.

“What is it?” Kael demanded.

Cael’s face had turned deathly pale.

“That child was never meant to contain the heart forever. The coffin was a temporary prison.”

“Then what happens when it opens completely?”

Cael looked at Ronan.

“The heart chooses a living body.”

Their father struggled to rise. “Ronan! Kill him before he chooses you!”

The child slowly turned his six eyes toward Ronan.

“Father always feared you,” he whispered. “Not because you were stronger.”

He extended one small hand.

“But because you were born with the door already open.”

Ronan felt something tear inside his chest.

A second heartbeat answered.

Then the child smiled.

“Now, brother, let me come home.”