Tainted Bloodline...🩸

36.

Nimue coughed to life, her ragged breathing a stark contrast to the warmth of Queen Zephyrine's tight hug. "Nimue!!" the queen exclaimed, relief etched on her face. King Finnan's voice trembled with gratitude. "Thank the heavens you're alright, my child."

Nimue's eyes fluttered open, struggling to stay awake.

"A-asher...w-where is Asher?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Queen Zephyrine's expression darkened.

"Even in your state, you're still asking after that monster?! He got you into this mess, Nimue!" Her voice thundered, a mix of anger and concern.

Meanwhile, the fight between Xoray and Forsythe intensified, drawing everyone's attention. Forsythe's voice dripped with sarcasm as he smirked.

"Long time no see, Lord Xoray."

Xoray summoned a black wind that caught up with Forsythe, its dark tendrils wrapping around him.

"Why did you do it?" Xoray demanded, his grip on Forsythe's neck tightening.

Forsythe coughed, his laughter laced with defiance.

"Do what?...Help the lad reach his potential?"

Xoray's grip constricted, dark trails spreading across Forsythe's skin like veins, stifling his magic and preventing his escape.

"It was bound to happen anyway!" Forsythe yelled, his voice strangled by Xoray's tightening grip.

Queen Lyrebird stepped forward, her approach halted by the intense magic emanating from Xoray. She recoiled, her eyes flashing with concern.

"Xoray, stop..." she muttered, her voice laced with urgency. "I need answers from him."

As time ticked by, Forsythe's strength waned under Xoray's relentless grip. His face pale, his eyes sunken.

Just as Forsythe's life force began to ebb, Xoray released him, and he slumped to the ground, gasping for air.

"Father..." Xavier intervened, his hand on Xoray's shoulder, his voice calm and soothing.

Queen Lyrebird breathed a sigh of relief, her fear evident in her eyes. "Thank you, Xoray."

She crouched beside Forsythe, her gaze scanning his weakened form.

"I heard your story centuries back, Forsythe... You had two daughters, didn't you?" Her voice was laced with curiosity, her head tilted in inquiry.

"That they both died with your wife at some unknown cause..." Her voice dropped a whisper

Forsythe's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes burning with a mix of defiance and desperation. Drained of his magic by Xoray's grip, he was at her mercy..

"What really happened to them?" Queen Lyrebird asked, her voice low and urgent, her eyes piercing Forsythe's defenses.

Forsythe struggled to rise, wiping the trickle of blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. Their eyes locked in a silent challenge, his gaze burning with defiance, hers with unwavering intent.

"You want to know?" Forsythe spat, taking a deliberate step closer, his eyes narrowing.

"I do...it might be connected to our current crisis," Queen Lyrebird replied, matching his step, her words dripping with conviction.

Their faces were inches apart, the air thick with unspoken threats and ancient power. As two formidable magic bearers, they wielded equal force, a clash between them potentially catastrophic.

Queen Lyrebird read Forsythe's expression, her gaze probing for hidden truths.

"What did you do... Forsythe?" she asked again, her tone heavy with accusation.

Forsythe's face contorted, a mask of pain and secrecy. His eyes darted, searching for escape.

"Speak!" Queen Lyrebird commanded, her voice thundering through the silence.

With a swift motion, she unleashed a burst of energy that sent Forsythe crashing into a tree. Her outstretched hand held him aloft, her eyes blazing blue as she summoned the ancient magic within.

Just as Forsythe thought the torment couldn't worsen, King Thois emerged from the shadows,

"He's surprisingly resilient...makes this more entertaining," he drawled.

Lord Valios's voice dripped with sadistic pleasure, his crimson eyes gleaming like polished rubies.

"The fact that he won't die easily makes this fun."

With swift, merciless blows, Valios and Thois assaulted Forsythe midair, their punches and scratches tearing at his flesh.

Forsythe's screams echoed through the air, mingling with Queen Lyrebird's intense magic.

"Will you talk?" she demanded.

"There's nothing to say, Lyrebird!" Forsythe yelled, his voice cracking.

"What were their names?" Queen Lyrebird thundered, her magic searing Forsythe's skin like branding irons.

Forsythe's anguished hiss filled the air, his body convulsing.

"Speak!" Queen Lyrebird demanded.

"Luciana and Imara!" Forsythe exclaimed, his voice shattered.

Queen Lyrebird's gasp was audible, her grip on Forsythe faltering. She took a step back, her eyes wide with shock, and Forsythe dropped to the ground, his body limp...

"No.." Queen Lyrebird muttered under her breath

To be continued...