Morning sunlight broke gently over the Clover Kingdom, but a quiet unease lingered in the air. Inside the royal palace, Sion sat alone in the garden courtyard. Though his body had physically healed, thanks to Raphael's divine magic and his own internal divine energy, he knew something still felt... off.
He slowly stretched his right arm, channeling magic through his fingers. The flow was smooth, but when he conjured a flicker of divine flame, it pulsed with a faint irregularity. Raphael's voice whispered beside him, unseen to others. "The energy used by those cultists was not ordinary demonic magic... It bore traces of a different origin, something deeper."
"I felt that too," Sion murmured. "They've changed."
---
In the palace's war chamber, a small, urgent council was underway. Katherine sat at the head, flanked by Lucien and Rebecca. Sion entered last, his presence drawing the room to silence.
"The message left by the cultist... 'The First Born must bleed.' We need to understand what it means," Katherine said.
Lucien frowned. "First Born of what? Royalty? Magic? Bloodlines?"
Sion leaned forward. "It could be prophecy. Raphael said even divine beings are not clear on its full meaning. But we don't wait to find out. We act."
---
That evening, at the southern gates of the capital, rows of silver-clad magical drones hovered in precision. Newer, sleeker than past models, these units bore the sigil of the Ragnar family. Alongside them, enhanced magical tanks rumbled to life, their cores glowing with stabilized divine reactors.
"Deploy them to the southern region," Sion ordered. "We've lost contact with House Vallien. If a sleeper cell exists, I want proof before we move men."
---
Sara returned from the refugee districts, her robes stained from long hours of healing. She entered the council chamber and laid a wrapped bundle before Sion.
"I found this embedded in a tree near the crater. Survivors saw winged shadows. This stone... it reacted when I touched it."
Sion reached out. The moment his fingers brushed it, the rune lit up faintly. Raphael gasped. "This... is part demonic. But also something else. Possibly celestial-tainted."
"We'll analyze it later," Sion said, carefully wrapping it again.
---
By nightfall, a scroll arrived from Rebecca's elven scouts. Katherine read it aloud:
> "The crater in Hallow Vale is a dormant ritual site. Not a weapon strike. A summoning attempt. And it's still active."
Lucien scowled. "That means they're not done."
"Exactly," Sion said. "And we need to either purify it or prepare for what's coming."
---
Later that night, Rebecca knocked on Sion's chamber door. He was seated at his desk, reviewing reports. She stepped in quietly, holding a small crystal.
"You're pushing yourself again," she said gently.
"No rest for the stubborn," Sion smiled faintly.
She sat across from him. "Back in Sidom, you were always the one to shield others. Even now, even broken, you lead."
There was a pause. Rebecca held out the crystal. "This is a Sidomian ward crystal. Enchanted by high elves. It will protect your soul if you're marked."
Their hands brushed briefly. For a moment, she almost said something — her eyes softened — but instead, she stood.
"Take care, Sion."
He nodded. "You too, Rebecca."
---
Far beneath the waves of the Klara Ocean, in a temple carved from obsidian and bone, the demonic cult stirred. Malek-Thanor stood in a crimson-lit chamber, robes flowing like oil.
"Twenty-one days remain," he proclaimed, his voice echoing off the cavern walls. "We have found the mark. The First Born is among them. Prepare the circles. Activate the sleeper cells within the noble families. The master's will shall not be denied."
On the ritual map before him, three glowing glyphs pulsed ominously: the southern region, Hallow Vale, and a shadow near the capital.
---
Back in the capital, Sion stood by the balcony of Katherine's chamber. The stars above shimmered quietly, unaware of the silent war brewing beneath.
Raphael's voice came once more. "It has begun."
Sion's eyes narrowed. "Then let them come. I'll be ready."
To be continued...