MY GOLDEN BLOOD - JossGawin FanFiction

CHAPTER 42: COFFIN OF CHOICES

The trio arrived at the hidden vault beneath the ruins of an ancient cathedral, the air thick with dust and the echoes of a forgotten past. 

Lyra led the way, her sword drawn and her senses on high alert. Tong and Mark followed closely, their footsteps muffled by the worn stone floor.

"This is it," Lyra said, pointing to a massive stone door engraved with angelic sigils. The symbols glowed faintly, as if reacting to their presence. "The coffin you're looking for should be behind here."

Tong stepped forward, his face resolute. "We have to move fast. Kael's not far behind."

The room beyond the door was vast, filled with relics and remnants of a long-lost age. Stone pillars stretched high, their surfaces etched with celestial and demonic imagery, locked in eternal battle. 

In the center of the room stood a grand pedestal, and atop it rested the coffin.

Tong approached cautiously, his heart pounding as he studied the intricate carvings on the coffin. The angelic sigil on its lid radiated a faint, warm light. "This is it," he whispered. "This is the seal."

Mark grabbed Tong's arm, spinning him around. His crimson eyes glinted with anger and desperation. "Tong, stop this madness. You don't have to do this."

Tong placed his hand over Mark's. "If I don't, Kael will use you. He'll turn you into the very thing you fear most. I can't let that happen."

Mark's voice cracked with frustration. "And what about you? What happens to you if you go through with this?"

"I'll still be here," Tong said, his voice steady. "With you. That's all that matters."

Before Mark could reply, the sound of heavy footsteps and the clinking of weapons echoed through the vault. Lyra spun around, her sword raised. "They're here."

Kael's forces emerged from the shadows, their leader at the forefront. Kael's cold, calculating eyes swept across the room, locking onto the coffin. "Ah, the famous Ventore heir and his loyal angel. Such a touching reunion," he sneered.

Mark stepped in front of Tong, baring his fangs. "Stay away, Kael. You don't know what you're dealing with."

Kael laughed darkly, his voice echoing off the ancient walls. "Oh, but I do, Mark. You're the last piece of the puzzle. The perfect vessel to free us from the demon's curse. But first..." His gaze shifted to Tong. "The angel must bleed."

Kael raised his hand, signaling his clan to attack. The room erupted into chaos as vampires surged forward, their claws glinting in the dim light. Lyra met them head-on, her blade flashing as she cut through their ranks with ruthless efficiency.

Mark lunged at Kael, their clash sending shockwaves through the air. Their movements were a blur of speed and power, the echoes of their strikes reverberating through the chamber. 

Mark's fury was palpable, each blow fueled by his determination to protect Tong.

Tong, meanwhile, knelt by the coffin, tracing the angelic sigil with trembling fingers. He could feel its power resonating with Aeon's essence within him. "I just need a little more time," he murmured, his voice barely audible amidst the chaos.

Kael noticed Tong's actions and snarled. "You won't seal him away, angel!" He broke free from Mark's grasp and charged toward Tong.

Mark intercepted Kael mid-strike, their collision sending both tumbling across the floor. Lyra, bloodied but unyielding, stood over Tong, defending him against the advancing vampires.

"Whatever you're doing, Tong, do it faster!" she shouted, her blade slicing through another foe.

Tong closed his eyes, focusing on the sigil. Aeon's memories guided him, whispering ancient words that seemed to resonate with the coffin. The sigil began to glow brighter, its light filling the chamber.

Kael's eyes widened in realization. "No!" He unleashed a powerful strike, sending Mark crashing into a nearby pillar.

Tong flinched but didn't stop. "Just a little more..."

As the sigil's light reached its peak, the coffin began to hum, its lid trembling as if reacting to Tong's presence. 

Mark, battered but still standing, staggered toward Tong. "Tong, don't do this!" he pleaded.

Tong turned to him, his eyes glowing with Aeon's light. "Mark, trust me. This is the only way."

Kael, seething with rage, made one last attempt to stop Tong. But Lyra, with a final burst of strength, drove her sword through Kael's shoulder, pinning him to the ground. "You're not going anywhere," she growled.

The coffin's lid slowly opened, revealing an intricate crystal mechanism within. Tong placed his hand on the crystal, feeling its power surge through him. The sigil's light enveloped the room, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.

When the light subsided, the room fell silent. Kael lay immobilized, his strength sapped by the coffin's power. Lyra collapsed to one knee, her breaths ragged. Mark stared at Tong, his expression a mix of fear, awe, and heartbreak.

Tong stood before the coffin, his hand still on the crystal. He turned to Mark, a faint smile on his lips. "It's done. The seal is ready."

Mark approached him slowly, his voice trembling. "Tong... what have you done?"

Tong reached out, his hand brushing Mark's cheek. "I've given us a chance. But we're not finished yet. The battle isn't over."

As Kael struggled to rise, his voice dripped with venom. "You think you've won? This is far from over."

Tong glanced at Lyra and Mark, his resolve stronger than ever. "Then let's end it."