Crown of Souls

Chapters 8-9

Chapter 8

We all arrived outside of the capital of the Kingdom of Vampires, the sky seeming darker than usual as clouds began circling the top of the Ebony Palace.

"It certainly seems more ominous here than it has in the past," Percy said.

"I think him controlling the Demons has something to do with it," Seryn replied, "There's an almost sickly feel to the air, almost like the very air is full of death and sorrow."

I sensed the same thing Seryn had, and I wasn't liking it one bit. Aurora, though she once called this place her home, looked more determined than ever to undermine anything Elanis Summerset had planned.

"Alright, once we're in the city, we'll have to keep to the Shadows," I said, "Those Vampires will almost certainly smell us if not see us if we're not careful. Don't touch anything with your skin that you don't have to."

Each of us climbed the wall to the city, dropping down into the ring-like gap between the buildings and the wall as we began making our way toward the Ebony Palace.

Once we were around the back of the palace, we went over the plan one last time.

"Alright, Percy, this is a simple task," I said, "In, get Elizabeth, out."

"You got it," he replied, beginning his approach through the gardens behind the palace to make his way to the back door.

Suddenly, however, Summerset appeared at the back door, walking very ominously in the same war attire he'd had on when he attacked the capital.

Percy hid behind a structure in the garden that looked like a building, though its purpose was unknown to me.

However, that wasn't enough.

Summerset held his left hand out from underneath his war cloak and used magic to drag Percy out from behind the building, and then he held out his right as the shrubbery that Jaxis, Seryn, Aurora, and I were hiding behind disintegrated.

Elanis grinned.

"How did I know that you would stage a pathetic excuse of a rescue?" Summerset asked.

"Because you know we're willing to do what's right, no matter the cost," I said.

"Doing what's right, eh?" Elanis asked, "Tell me, Tyris, would you call taking Aurora from me right?"

"I didn't take her from you," I said, "She left you of her own free will, and rightfully so, as you're a monster undeserving of love."

"Is that so?" Elanis asked, his grin widening to a sickening angle, "Well, then I suppose a monster was also the one who killed your dearest friend while you fought a mere illusion?"

My blood began to boil as my brow furrowed further, my anger evident to all as my teeth became bared.

"You see, Tyris, this has been a part of my plan from the beginning," Elanis said, "and you fell right for it! The Kingdom of Humans is destined to fall at my hand, and then power beyond measure will be mine to control! Once I conquer this pathetic continent, the Crown of Souls will be mine, and then the rest of Terris will follow!"

"You won't be conquering anything!" Percy exclaimed as he ran and jumped with his sword ready to impale Elanis, but Elanis simply waved his hand and sent Percy flying into the wall.

"If this is the kind of person you associate with, Tyris, then I'm afraid he's wrong, and so are you," Elanis said, "However, before I kill you, I want to see you suffer, and so I shall!"