CHAPTER TWENTY - FOUR: THE KING'S BREATH

The red star lingered in the heavens like a cursed omen, casting a bloody hue over the stone circle. The runes pulsed with unsteady light, as if uncertain of their own strength. Emberlynn's skin crawled, and her mark—her cursed, ancient mark—burned hot beneath her shoulder like fire pressed to bone.

Malphas hadn't spoken since the last creature dissolved. He stood at the edge of the circle, staring into the mist as if waiting for something worse to come.

"Malphas," Emberlynn said softly, voice shaking. "What's coming next?"

He didn't turn. "The breath before waking."

"What does that mean?"

He finally looked at her. There was something hollow in his expression—like he was bracing for a truth even he didn't want to speak. "The seal is thinning. The King stirs. That star? It's not a star. It's the breath of his spirit leaking into this world."

Her heart thudded painfully. "So... he's waking up."

"Yes. And when he does, everything changes."

The wind twisted through the trees beyond the circle, carrying with it a scent Emberlynn didn't recognize—smoke, blood, and lilacs. The clash of something old and once-loved, now corrupted.

She turned slowly. "Then we stop him."

Malphas gave a broken laugh. "You already did. That's why the world still stands. But this time... it's not just him."

"What do you mean?"

"The Hollow Court," he said, almost like a curse. "They were part of it. Feeding the corruption. Feeding him. They never died when he was sealed. They simply… shifted. Became echoes. And now they want you."

"Why me?"

"Because you're still the Key. But also because... you once ruled them."

The silence after his words felt heavier than any scream. Emberlynn backed away from him slightly, the truth coiling in her gut.

"I was one of them?"

"You were above them," Malphas said carefully. "But when the King turned, you rebelled. You broke your oath. And they never forgave you for it."

The mist beyond the circle swirled violently, and the temperature dropped. Frost crept along the edges of the standing stones, making the runes flicker.

"You need to rest," Malphas said, stepping toward her. "The visions, the awakening—it's tearing you apart."

"I can't sleep now. Not when everything's starting to make sense."

He cupped her face gently, thumb brushing her cheek. "Exactly why you must rest. If you break now, the seal might too. Your mind is the final lock."

Emberlynn hesitated, her breath catching. "Will you stay with me?"

Malphas didn't answer right away. His hand dropped from her face, and his jaw tightened. "I swore I would."

She wanted to believe him. Wanted to fall into his arms and let him carry all the darkness away. But something about the way he said it—so restrained, so mournful—made her heart twist.

"Why does it sound like you're already leaving?" she whispered.

"Because when the King wakes," Malphas said, "you'll remember everything. Including who I really am. And I don't know if you'll still want me beside you."

Before she could answer, the runes along the ground shifted. The circle itself trembled. A deep, guttural hum filled the air, vibrating in her bones.

"What is that?" Emberlynn asked, drawing back.

Malphas's expression turned grim. "That... is the King."

A low growl echoed through the valley, more felt than heard. The mist parted—and beyond it, shadows began to rise. Not hollow creatures. Not illusions. These were something else entirely. Royal. Dark. Alive.

They walked like men but shimmered like smoke. Each bore a crown of bone and carried blades forged from star-iron. Their eyes were voids.

"The Hollow Court," Malphas hissed.

Emberlynn's hand lifted instinctively. Her palm glowed, weak and trembling, but radiant all the same.

"They can't enter," she said. "The barrier—"

"The barrier won't hold them for long."

One of the shadows stepped forward, voice curling like velvet and rot. "Lady of the Seal. Queen of Ruin. Open your heart. Let memory flood. We remember what you were."

Emberlynn flinched. "I'm not her anymore."

"You are always her. Even if you forget, the world remembers."

Behind her, Malphas raised his blade. "They'll try to break you. Whisper lies. Twist truth. Don't listen."

But the voice was already inside her mind, whispering in a thousand familiar tones. Her father's voice. Her sister's laugh. Malphas, even—telling her to give in.

She screamed and dropped to her knees, clutching her head. The mark on her shoulder lit up like a brand.

"I—I can't—"

Malphas dropped beside her, hands on her shoulders. "You're stronger than them. You sealed a god. You are the seal."

Her body trembled violently. Tears streaked her cheeks. But somewhere beneath the pain, a spark of fire rose. She wasn't just a girl anymore. She wasn't even just a key.

She was a memory waking up.

She was power long buried.

She was Emberlynn.

She stood.

The Hollow Court stepped back.

"Tell your king," she said, her voice cold as winter steel, "his breath won't reach me."

The mist shrieked.

The runes flared.

And somewhere deep below the earth, something ancient screamed in rage.