CHAPTER 21:Blood and Betrayal

The night air was thick with tension as Seraphina rode with Kael and her forces toward the western stronghold where Damaris awaited.

The rebellion had grown bold, and if left unchecked, it could spiral into a full-blown civil war.

But there was something far more dangerous lurking beneath the surface.

The whispers of a true heir.

If it were true—if someone with Aldric's bloodline existed and sought to claim the throne—Seraphina's rule would be tested like never before.

And she could not allow that to happen.

The Battle for the West

By dawn, they reached the fortress of Black Hollow, a towering stronghold hidden deep within the mountains. Damaris had fortified himself well.

Seraphina dismounted her horse, her gaze cold as she looked over the enemy camp. Tents stretched for miles, filled with soldiers who still clung to Aldric's rule.

Kael stood at her side. "We can end this now. Cut off the head, and the rebellion will fall."

Seraphina nodded. Damaris was the key.

And she was about to take him down.

The battle began at sunrise.

Seraphina's forces stormed the gates, arrows raining down as soldiers clashed. Magic crackled through the air as she unleashed her power, tearing through the enemy lines like a storm.

Kael fought beside her, his blade a blur of silver, cutting down those who dared to stand against them.

Then—a familiar voice rang out.

"You have no right to that throne!"

Damaris.

He stood atop the fortress walls, his black armor gleaming, his blade raised high.

Seraphina's heart pounded. This was it.

She would end him now.

With a surge of power, she leapt onto the walls, her sword clashing against his with a force that shook the stone beneath them.

Damaris was strong, but Seraphina was faster. Every strike of her blade pushed him back, her magic weaving through her attacks.

"You think you can erase Aldric's legacy?" Damaris spat, blocking a strike. "You are a false queen!"

Seraphina's eyes flashed. "No," she said. "I am the only queen."Im the only one who will rule"

With a final, powerful strike, she drove her blade through his chest.Blood gushed

Damaris staggered, gasping, blood dripping from his lips.

And then—he laughed.

"You're already too late," he whispered.

Seraphina's breath caught.

"What do you mean?"

Damaris smirked, his voice fading. "The heir… has already been found."

Then, with one final gasp—he was gone.

The rebellion had fallen.

But something far worse had just begun.

The Search for the Heir

Seraphina stood over Damaris's lifeless body, her mind racing.

If the rebels had truly found an heir…

Then her throne was in greater danger than ever.

Kael approached, wiping the blood from his blade. "What do we do now?"

Seraphina's gaze hardened.

"We find them," she said. "Before they find me."

Because if the heir was real—

Then the greatest battle was yet to come.

She was yet to face something bigger

But Seraphina was ready at least that she kept telling herself.

To Be Continued…