Chapter 6 - The Awakening of the Crest
In the damp darkness of the dungeons, the heavy iron door of Julian's cell was blasted inward with a deafening crash.
It wasn't the executioners. It was Queen Eleanor, flanked by loyal palace guards who had secretly sworn allegiance to her rather than the tyrant king.
"Rise, my son," Eleanor commanded, rushing forward to break his chains with a heavy iron mallet.
As the shackles fell away, Julian stood up. The mark on his shoulder erupted into blinding brilliance, casting golden light across the stone walls. The ancient energy coursing through his veins wasn't just a physical scar; it was the ancestral awakening of the realm's true magic, long suppressed by Valen’s usurping bloodline.
Outside in the corridor, the cursed beast stood tall, letting out a resonant, melodic rumble that sounded almost like a greeting. The glowing light from Julian's shoulder connected with the beast's amber eyes, establishing a telepathic bond that bridged man and monster.
May you like
"The execution is still scheduled," Eleanor said urgently, gripping Julian's shoulders. "The entire city is gathered in the grand plaza. Valen's loyalists expect a public spectacle. We must give them one."
Julian looked down at his hands, feeling the limitless power surging through his frame. "Let's go," he said quietly. "It's time to reclaim our home."
