Chapter 348: _She’s Here

Elian’s POV

*****

"Even if she’s somehow draining this pool," Aurora broke the silence. "How? There aren’t any entry points and the palace wards prevent teleportation within its walls, right?"

"Garrick has control over the wards." Kyren heaved. "Let’s not forget that."

"Even if he does," Elowen shot, "the wards protecting this chamber are separate from the ones around the rest of the palace. He can’t possibly break or manipulate them."

As they continued bickering and bringing up possibilities, Elian crouched. His head tilted slowly as he reached out a hand toward the silver water.

He couldn’t risk directly touching any form of divinity linked to the goddess—so he stuck to hovering a palm just a few centimetres away from its surface.

’Pull up a scan of the chamber wards.’

[Running scan...]

Within a couple of seconds, the system generated a detailed map showing him the layout of every ward in the chamber, as well as the purpose of each connection of runes making up the wards.

Elian skimmed through the holographic screen, zooming out until he got a complete view of the chamber.

Indeed, the palace wards were disconnected from the chamber wards.

But he noticed something.

’Scan the palace wards too.’

The system pulled up a map of the palace wards right next to the one with the chamber’s.

And there it was.

Some palace wards had begun shifting. Stretching unnaturally until they made contact with some of the wards in the chamber.

’The corruption must’ve spread out to every other ward,’ he mused mentally as he rose to his feet. "I think Garrick got control of the chamber wards."

That immediately made everyone snap their necks to him.

Then he added, "Not ’think’. I know it," his gaze flitted to Lucian. "Can you tell the palace security team to give you a scan of the palace wards? Check for any irregular shifts reaching for the underground sections."

Lucian didn’t waste a second.

He lifted his communication bracelet and activated it, the silver runes around its surface glowing to life.

"Head Warden," he called. "I need a complete scan of the palace wards immediately. Prioritise any irregular movements around the underground sectors."

The response came almost instantly. "Yes, Alpha King."

Silence settled over the chamber.

The sacred pool continued glowing softly in the darkness, its silver waters reflecting across the cave walls.

For some reason, Elian hated how peaceful it looked.

As if the world wasn’t currently threatening to fall apart.

Several tense minutes later, Lucian’s bracelet lit up again.

"Report."

There was hesitation on the other side.

A bad sign.

"Alpha King..." the head warden swallowed audibly. "We’ve completed the scan."

Lucian’s jaw tightened. "And?"

"The palace wards are shifting."

Every muscle in Elian’s body stiffened.

"The corruption appears to have spread through nearly thirty per cent of the network. Multiple ward lines are actively extending toward restricted underground sectors."

Lucian’s expression darkened considerably. "Can you isolate them?"

"We’re trying. But the changes appear deliberate. Almost as if they’re searching for something."

The line went silent.

Lucian slowly lowered his arm.

Nobody needed to say it. They all knew exactly what the wards were searching for.

The sacred pool.

Aurora suddenly snapped her fingers. "Wait."

Everyone looked toward her.

"If we’re assuming this has something to do with the Divine Crystal, then why are we standing here guessing?"

Kyren narrowed his eyes. "What are you suggesting?"

"Call someone." Aurora crossed her arms. "Someone in the Dark Lands."

Realisation dawned on several faces.

"The excavation zone." Elian breathed.

"Exactly." Aurora nodded. "If something is happening to the crystal itself then somebody should’ve noticed by now."

Kyren was already reaching for his communication bracelet.

"Farrell."

The call connected after only two rings.

A familiar voice answered. "My King."

Elian immediately relaxed.

Farrell sounded... pretty normal and calm. Which had to be a good sign.

"Give me a report," Kyren ordered.

A pause.

"My Lord?"

"On the Divine Crystal excavation zone."

Farrell answered almost immediately. "Oh, it’s untouched, my lord."

Everyone visibly relaxed.

Even Elian felt tension leave his shoulders.

Farrell continued. "The guards reported no breaches. No abnormal activity. The crystal remains sealed beneath the capital."

Aurora exhaled while Elowen looked ready to cry from relief.

For one brief moment, Elian thought maybe they were overreacting.

Maybe Aurora’s vision wasn’t happening yet.

Maybe—

"My Lord." Farrell’s voice suddenly changed.

Kyren immediately noticed. "What is it?"

"I’ve just received a report from the northern ward stations."

The Rogue King’s eyes narrowed. "Go on."

"There have been fluctuations in the barrier network surrounding the capital. At first we assumed it was a malfunction."

Another pause.

"Then an earthquake struck approximately a minute ago."

Elian’s heart skipped. "What?"

The response came slower this time. More uncertain.

"The barrier anchors are becoming unstable."

Kyren took a few steps away from the others. "Farrell."

There was no answer. Only distant voices alongside shouting.

The sounds became louder as Farrell returned. "My Lord, I think—"

An explosion thundered through the communication bracelet.

Everyone flinched.

"What was that?" Lucian barked.

Another explosion came far closer this time.

People screamed.

Metal groaned.

Then Farrell’s voice returned, filled with utter terror. "My Lord..."

"Farrell!" Kyren roared. "Talk to me, damn it!"

"The barriers are failing!"

The words slammed into the chamber.

Elian felt his blood run cold.

Farrell continued shouting orders to someone as more explosions followed.

Then another voice yelled in the distance. "THE EASTERN WALL HAS COLLAPSED!"

A second voice screamed something unintelligible.

Kyren’s expression transformed completely. "Farrell!"

Static crackled violently.

Then came the final words.

Three words that drained every bit of colour from Kyren’s face.

"She’s here."

The connection died soon after.

Kyren didn’t waste a moment. Dark energy exploded around him as a massive portal began tearing open behind his back.

"Elian."

The Omega looked up.

For a brief moment, the Rogue King’s composure cracked slightly—enough for Elian to see the concern underneath.

Kyren reached forward and grabbed the ruby necklace hanging around Elian’s neck.

The same necklace he’d gifted him weeks ago.

His fingers lingered there.

"If anything happens..." his voice lowered. "Anything at all."

The ruby pulsed faintly.

"Use this."

Elian swallowed.

Kyren squeezed the gemstone gently. "I don’t care where I am." His crimson eyes locked onto Elian’s. "I don’t care what battle I’m fighting."

The portal behind him widened.

"If you call me through this necklace, I will come."

Something tightened painfully in Elian’s chest. Before he could reply, Kyren stepped backwards.

The portal swallowed him whole.

And just like that—the Rogue King was gone.