Chapter Four : Golden Blade

The moment Finn stepped through the portal—the world changed.

It felt different now. Everywhere dark and silent, the atmosphere was cold. Around Finn, stood massive stone walls covered In moss.

"Where are we?" He asked, looking around.

"This place was once a sanctuary" Eric said.

"A hidden strong hold of the witch knights. Before the Black Pact Order hunted us down."

"Are they really that strong?" Finn muttered, looking uneasy.

"Yes. We are no match for them." Eric replied, his voice low but calm.

"Come, let's go further" Eric added.

"Wait!" Finn muttered.

He saw the strange marks on the stone walls glowing faintly—He had never see anything like that before.

"Why does everything here feels alive?" He asked.

"Because it's!" Eric said.

"Magic doesn't die."

"You're still unstable" Eric added, stepping toward him.

"Your body is changing faster than it should."

Finn looked stunned.

"You read my thoughts to?"

"Have u forgotten?....I know you too well." Eric stated.

Finn drooped to one knee, his heart pounding hard.

"I don't think, I can do this any longer."

" I want to go home."

"No one ever does." Eric whispered, as he knelt down beside him and placed a hand on Finn's shoulder.

He then, placed a hand on Finn's chest. A soft blue light spread through Finn's body easing the burning inside him down.

"There" Eric muttered.

"That should slow it down for now. But you're still dangerous to others, and to yourself."

"Thanks Eric!" Finn acknowledged.

Finn stood, breath still heavy.

"What do you mean dangerous to myself?"

"You aren't just an ordinary part demon, Finn— Your special. There is something about you are yet to find out. Just learn to control yourself, it won't matter who your enemies are." Eric muttered, his gaze fixed on Finn

"you'll become the monster they say you are." he added.

Finn went silent.

He stared at the moss-covered stone, thinking of his mom… of the way her body had no head. Her blood. Everything about her.

"I miss her already," He muttered.

"I know," Eric said softly.

They stood in silence for a while. Then Eric move a little step forward.

"Come. There's something you need to know."

Finn followed. They walked deeper into the sanctuary. Eric staff glowing brightly as it serves as lights to guide them.

They stopped at what looked like the remains of an old throne room—the throne was long gone, replaced by a broken altar, its surface cracked and blackened.

Eric turned to him. "This is where your father made the choice to betray the Black Pact Order."

Finn's eyes narrowed. "Tell me everything."

Eric nodded.

"Your father… Aerin. He was once a powerful demon-blood warrior, part of the Order. Back then, they weren't as wild as they are now. They used to call themselves protectors.

"Protectors of what?" Finn asked.

"keeping rogue demons in check." Eric replied.

"But over time," Eric continued,

"They changed. They Became power-hungry Monsters, killing bloodlines. They used humans like pawns. When Aerin realized what they were becoming, he tried to escape."

"That's when he met your mother—Jezebel. A high-ranking witch–Too Cold and Dangerous. But she had a heart. She saw something in him. Something no one else did."

"Hmm..." Finn sighed.

"They ran away together. Broke all oaths. That's when Seraphine stepped in." Eric's voice dropped.

"Seraphine…" Finn whispered, clenching his fists.

"She used to serve Khazir directly. But she wanted more. Her witches hunted your parents across three cities. It wasn't until Stone City that they finally got caught."

"Who is Khazir?" Finn muttered.

"The Final Boss of the Black Pact." Eric said. "Seraphine works under him. But he… he's the one your father feared most."

Finn stayed silent, his face shifted.

"Can he be defeated?"

"Yes... But not so easily." Eric said, his voice calm.

"Your father died protecting you," Eric continued. "And your mother hid you ever since. She never told you the truth. Not because she didn't want to—but because she knew the moment you awakened, the world would come after you."

Finn looked up to him. "I don't feel ready."

"You're not" Eric replied.

"But we don't have time to wait."

Finn turned and saw strange markings pulsing at the entrance of the stone wall. He—then heads towards it.

"This symbol… it was on my wall. After she died."

Eric nodded. "The mark of Seraphine's wrath."

He placed his palm on the wall. It glowed red, then blue, then faded into gold with a deep rumble, the wall split open, revealing a stone staircase leading downward.

"Where does it lead to?" Finn asked.

Eric looked over his shoulder.

"To the truth," he said.

"And the place where your real training begins."

Finn hesitated, then took a step forward.

But, just before he could follow, Eric's face changed. His eyes looked above the sky.

"What's wrong?"Finn asked.

Eric stayed quiet. Then, whispered.

"We're not alone."

Then– he entered.

---

*Far up in the trees above the ruin, a shadow stood still for a while before it vanished.*

They moved in silence, down the ancient stone steps.The glowing walls buzzed faintly, but Finn didn't speak. Eric didn't speak either.

By the time they reached the bottom, the tunnel opened into a large underground chamber. The place felt… untouched.

Finn stepped forward, eyes wide.

"What is this place?"

"This" Eric said, walking ahead, "was your father's last hope."

He pointed toward a stone pedestal in the center of the room. On it, rested a blade— wrapped in black leather.

Eric turned back to him.

"That's a soul-bond weapon. A rare blade. It only awakens to someone who carries the blood of fire and shadow."

Finn stepped toward it. "Me?"

"Your bloodline carries both the Black Pact mark and the forbidden witch fire. This weapon knows who you are."

Finn looked at his hands, then back at the sword. "What happens if I'm not worthy?"

"It'll burn you. Maybe kill you." Eric replied.

"I'm not afraid." He clenched his fists as stepped forward.

He grabbed the blade. It burned instantly. The pain shot through his palm. But he didn't let go.

The blade lit up runes, across the steel glowed red, then dark, and finally gold. The fire in the room flared.

Eric stepped back slightly, surprised.

"It chose you…"

Finn looked at the blade in his hand. It wasn't heavy. It felt… right.

Eric walked toward the center of the arena.

"Now, it has chosen you, the war has begun."

Finn's grip tightened around the sword.Eric gaze fixed on him

"You've inherited more than just your father's power. You've inherited his enemies– The Order, the witches, vampires even Khazir Volgath himself."

Finn stepped to the center of the chamber without saying a word. His sword still glowing, his breath steady. He spun the blade once, then gripped it tightly.

He smirked.

"Now, I think i'm born for this."