Chapter 7: The Bloodstone Trial
The fire had died by dawn.
Thalaria still sat watch, sharpening her blade with slow, practiced strokes. She didn't turn when Kael emerged from the ruined altar, cloak loose around his shoulders, the lingering scent of Selene still clinging to him.
Selene followed—barefoot, eyes half-lidded, her body aglow with ritual aftershocks.
"So," Thalaria said without looking, "the assassin got her dance."
Kael paused, then smirked.
"She earned it."
"I'm not jealous," Thalaria muttered. "Just next."
Kael chuckled.
"Then walk with me. There's something ahead. The Crown's been whispering about it since nightfall."
---
They broke camp as the sun split the clouded sky, following a path that had long since faded from mortal maps. The Ashroad sloped into a valley of bones—old stone temples cracked by time, forests dead from forgotten flame.
The Crown of Sin pulsed more aggressively with each step Kael took.
"There," Selene pointed from a ridge.
"That's no ruin. That's a shrine."
And at its heart: a red mist rising like steam from black glass.
---
Before they reached the shrine, the wind shifted. The trees grew still.
Kael drew his blade instinctively.
Then it stepped forward.
A creature both magnificent and monstrous—a Qilin, horned and burning with divine aura twisted by age. Its hooves seared the ground. Its eyes bore no hatred, only ancient judgment.
"You are unclean," it spoke. "You carry sin."
Kael stepped ahead of the women.
"And I wear it as a crown."
The beast bowed its head once in grim acknowledgment.
Then it charged.
---
The first clash shook the valley.
Kael met the Qilin mid-leap, but the beast twisted—striking with an antler that flung him across the clearing. His body crashed through stone, blood spattering the grass.
Selene and Thalaria both moved to intervene, but Kael raised a hand.
"No," he growled. "Mine."
His core burned. The Crown of Sin howled.
[Combat Sync Triggered]
[Rage Threshold Approaching – Sovereign Instinct Available]
The Qilin came again, horn lowered like a lance.
Kael unleashed a wall of Shadowflame—blinding and raw. The beast stumbled. Kael surged forward, driving his blade up under the creature's neck.
It screamed—a sound that shook the shrine—and collapsed to one knee.
Still alive.
Still proud.
But beaten.
"Worthy…" it said, fading into golden mist.
"Claim your altar, Sovereign."
---
[Status Updated]
Crown Level: 5
Title: Lord of the Marked
New Trait: Sovereign Instinct — Unlocks power surge near death
Bond Evolution: Selene → Moonmarked Assassin
Dominion Influence: Ashroad now whispers of your name
---
Kael stood panting, body slick with sweat and blood.
And then he saw her.
A woman stepped from the edge of the shrine—draped in crimson, her skin pale and glowing faintly with holy magic. Her wrists were bound in silver chains.
Her golden eyes burned with curiosity—and fear.
"You defeated the guardian," she said softly. "No one has in over a thousand years."
Kael stepped closer, Shadowflame still dancing around his hands.
"And I'm not done."
---
End of Chapter 7