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Echoes of the Celestial Throne: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of House Veyne / Chapter 16 / 20

Chapter 16 - The Forgotten Weapon

Inside the strategy chamber of the Northern Citadel, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense. The global shipping lines were destroyed, communications across the three states were dark, and the capital was completely under the control of the Void Matriarch.

"The Void Matriarch cannot be killed by normal light," Eleanor said, tracing her finger over a map of the realm. "Her heart is tethered to the primordial abyss beneath the capital."

"Then we strike her heart," Adrian proposed firmly.

"It's not that simple," Julian countered, pulling out old blueprints of the citadel. "To reach the abyss, someone must open the Gate of Tears from inside the capital. And that gate requires the blood of a royal who has touched the Void."

The room went completely silent.

Everyone turned to look at Adrian.

Adrian had worn the corrupted crown. He had let the dark energy flow through his mind and body during his brief reign. He was the only one whose blood could open the gate.

"No," Torren said immediately. "If Adrian goes back into the capital alone, she will turn him back into a puppet!"

"I won't be alone," Adrian said calmly, stepping forward and looking at his brother with unyielding determination. "I will go as a distraction. While I draw her attention and open the gate, Mother, Torren, and Julian will launch a direct strike on her true form."

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My husband sl3pped me across the face in front of his entire family and shouted, “Get out of my house! You don't belong here anymore!” Behind him, my mother-in-law smiled with satisfaction, certain she had finally succeeded in driving me away. What neither of them knew was that I secretly owned the mansion they were standing in—and the $10,000 my mother-in-law spent every month on designer clothes, luxury holidays, and personal comforts came straight from my bank account. They thought they were throwing out a helpless woman. They had no idea they were about to lose everything…

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"It's a suicide mission, Adrian," Julian whispered.

Adrian smiled gently, touching his brother's shoulder. "It is my redemption."

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Chapter 17 - Into the Serpent’s Lair
Chapter 18 - The Battle of the Abyss
Chapter 19 - The Ultimate Sacrifice
Chapter 20 - A Legacy reborn (Happy Ending)

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