Chapter Three: Bloodlines and Betrayal

The news spread quickly.

A village had risen in defiance of the king. His tax collectors were dead. His men, slaughtered. And the one responsible was a woman thought long dead—a warlock wreathed in shadow, her name whispered in fear.

The king did not hesitate.

He sent a regiment to reclaim Black Hollow. At its head rode Lord Edwin Eldrin, Annabelle's cousin.

Edwin sat atop his horse, staring at the village in the distance. His men were uneasy—rightfully so. Stories of the massacre had spread. Soldiers spoke of a woman who devoured souls, who commanded darkness itself.

He did not believe in monsters.

But he did believe in Annabelle.

She had always been strong. Even when the others whispered, even when they turned their backs on her, he had seen the fire in her eyes. And now, it seemed, that fire had consumed her.

A soldier approached. "My lord, shall we advance?"

Edwin closed his eyes for a brief moment.

Then, he gave the order. "Move in."

The Battle of Black Hollow

They expected resistance.

What they did not expect was the shadows.

The first wave of soldiers entered the village cautiously, swords drawn, shields raised. Then the darkness moved.

Screams rang out as clawed hands erupted from the ground, dragging men into the abyss. Figures of pure blackness, their eyes glowing with stolen souls, swarmed through the ranks, cutting them down with inhuman speed.

Annabelle stood atop the village walls, watching the slaughter unfold. The wind carried the scent of blood, and she inhaled deeply, power thrumming through her veins.

And then, she saw him.

Edwin, cutting down a shadow demon with a single clean strike. His gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, the battle faded into the background.

"Annabelle," he said, his voice unreadable.

She descended from the walls, stepping through the carnage with unhurried grace. "Cousin," she greeted, tilting her head. "Did you come to kill me?"

His grip tightened on his sword. "I came to bring you back."

She smiled. "Too late for that."

The Choice

The battle did not last long. The regiment fell one by one, their souls ripped from their bodies, fueling Annabelle's growing army of shadow demons.

Soon, only Edwin remained.

He stood before her, chest rising and falling heavily, his blade slick with ichor. He was the last of his men. The only one left standing.

Annabelle stepped forward. "I could kill you," she mused.

He met her gaze without fear. "Then do it."

Silence stretched between them.

And then she did something unexpected.

She sheathed her sword. "I have a better offer."

Edwin frowned.

"You were the only one who didn't look at me with disgust when I was born," she said. "So, I'll give you a choice. You can die here, forgotten like the rest of them. Or you can kneel and become something greater."

His jaw clenched. "You would have me betray my king?"

She smiled. "No. I would have you survive."

For a long moment, he did not move. Then, slowly, he dropped to one knee.

Annabelle's grin widened.

"Welcome home, cousin."