Chapter 6 - A Mother’s Sacrifice
The Shadow Sovereign let out a dark, resonant roar that shook the very foundations of the earth. The red runes on the cavern floor flared with blinding intensity. The glowing energy bursting from the chests of Torren, Julian, and Adrian began to thicken, forming fiery tethers that fed directly into the dark entity above them.
Torren screamed in agony as his life force was violently ripped from his body. Julian collapsed forward, his hands digging into the cracked earth as his breath grew shallow.
Eleanor knew she had only seconds before her sons were completely consumed.
She looked down at her dragon-bone staff—the ancient artifact that held the remaining reserve of her celestial life force. If she used it to defend herself, she might survive the encounter and escape. But her sons would die, their souls forever erased.
She didn't hesitate.
"Hold on to me," Eleanor whispered softly.
With a final, desperate surge of love, Queen Eleanor drove the base of her dragon-bone staff violently into the center of the ritual circle.
Instead of unleashing an attack against the monster, she channeled every ounce of her ancient, pure celestial light into the ground, routing it directly into her sons' chest seals.
A wave of brilliant, golden sunlight exploded across the subterranean chamber. The pure light surged into Torren, Julian, and Adrian, instantly burning away the black corruption that had infested their crests.
The dark tethers connecting them to the Sovereign snapped like brittle glass.
Torren gasped, drawing in a sharp breath as the agonizing pressure in his chest vanished. Julian lifted his head, his eyes clearing as the dark thrall broke.
The Shadow Sovereign shrieked in furious rage, recoiling from the sudden blast of holy light. Its dark form flickered violently as the golden sunfire scorched its shadowy mantle.
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Eleanor fell to her knees, completely exhausted. Her white wings drooped, her hair turning completely snow-white as her divine reserves emptied. Her staff dropped from her weak grip, its core now dark.
"Mother!" Torren roared, breaking free of his shattered restraints.
