Chapter 36

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THE COLD metal of the dagger pressed into my palms as I gripped it tightly, feeling its weight like a promise. I steadied my breath, then hurled the blade toward the Grand Duke with all the force I could muster. But he caught it with a swift, single-handed snatch, his eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and menace. A smirk tugged at his lips as he twirled the dagger casually.

“How futile,” he sneered, flicking the blade between his fingers as if it were a mere toy. “Did you truly think you could harm me so easily?”

I laughed softly, my gaze drifting toward the coffin. “Who said I only had one dagger?” I murmured, watching as his gaze followed mine—right to the second dagger embedded in the heart of Artemisia’s lifeless body.

The Grand Duke’s face went pale, and without a moment’s hesitation, he dashed to the coffin, yanking the dagger free from her chest with frantic hands. Panic flickered in his eyes, erasing every trace of confidence. I couldn’t help but smirk.

“What... what have you done?!” he roared, clutching the corpse protectively as if he could shield it from my reach. His fury burned into me, and in his anger, he attempted to hurl the dagger back at me.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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But the blade vanished before it left his hand, reappearing instantly in my own. Huh. This new ability was proving to be delightfully useful.

“My lady— or whoever you are. Stop this madness at once.” Sebastian’s voice, strained and desperate, cut through the tension. I turned to face him, a smirk curling my lips.

“Stop? Oh, but I haven’t even begun,” I said, gesturing to my shackled wrists and ankles. “See? I’m still restrained.”

He clenched his jaw, frustration knitting his brows as he bit down on his lower lip.

“Don’t worry,” the Grand Duke muttered, holding the corpse close as if it might slip away from him. “She’ll be gone any moment now.” His voice dripped with something twisted, and a wave of nausea rolled over me. I forced myself to keep steady, swallowing back the bile rising in my throat.

Just then, the quiet creak of a door opening froze us all. A figure stepped into the chamber, shadowed and imposing. The air grew colder, heavier, as if the room itself were holding its breath.

“She’s awake?”

The Emperor’s voice was a chilling whisper, and I felt my pulse quicken as his gaze locked onto me.

Reynald stepped fully into the room, his presence casting an ominous shadow that seemed to seep into every corner of the chamber. His gaze swept across the scene—taking in the Grand Duke clutching Artemisia’s corpse, the shackles on my wrists, the blood-streaked daggers. A faint smirk tugged at his lips, but his eyes held only cold calculation.

“We’re running out of time,” he murmured, his voice smooth yet laced with urgency. “The eclipse will end soon. We cannot afford any more delays.”

At his words, a flicker of movement caught my eye. Emerging from behind the Emperor, Zacharias entered, his expression unreadable, eyes sharp and guarded. In his hands, he held something carefully wrapped in a dark cloth, cradled close to his chest. The faint outline of the orb beneath the fabric was unmistakable, though he held it as if it could shatter with the slightest misstep.

“Your Majesty,” he said, bowing slightly as he approached, his grip firm on the hidden object. He avoided my gaze, focusing only on the Emperor, his face tense, every movement taut with restrained purpose.

The Emperor gave him a curt nod before turning back to the Grand Duke, whose hands shook as he continued to cling to the lifeless body of Artemisia. “Prepare her,” the Emperor ordered, his tone cold and unyielding. “We cannot waste a single breath.”

The Grand Duke’s face tightened as he nodded, his movements almost feverish as he laid Artemisia’s corpse down on the marble platform at the center of the chamber. I watched, bound and helpless, but I could feel my heart hammering in defiance.

Sebastian’s eyes darted nervously between the Emperor and me, and he took a half-step forward as if he might speak, but one sharp look from the Emperor stilled him. The room fell into a tense silence, broken only by the muffled tick of a clock somewhere in the hall, each second slipping away as the eclipse neared its end.

The Emperor’s gaze slid to me, a glint of satisfaction flickering there. “Do not look so eager,” he taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. “Once the ritual begins, your defiance will mean nothing.”

Zacharias’s grip tightened over the orb concealed within the cloth, his jaw set with quiet determination. A strange heaviness settled over the room, a charged anticipation that prickled at my skin as I waited, bound and breathless, while shadows seemed to deepen with every passing second.

I clenched my fists, my wrists bound tightly in shackles, and felt the cold bite of metal digging into my skin. Fury flared in my chest, but I forced myself to keep my breathing steady. Think, Arthemice. There’s a way out of this.

Four men against me, all of them ready to strike—and leading them was the Emperor himself, his eyes calculating, his presence suffocating. The pressure of his power lingered in the air, a heavy weight designed to crush any resistance.

I gritted my teeth, feeling the system’s energy surge within me, whispering temptations of power.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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I closed my eyes, letting my consciousness dip into the swirling depths of my ability. A familiar sensation wrapped around me, like a shield, as my control over the summoned dagger flickered to life. I visualized it, cold and sharp, slipping from the void into my hand.

A moment later, the dagger materialized in my grasp, a silent rebellion against my chains.

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed as he noticed the glint of steel. “How amusing,” he drawled, his voice like a hiss, pressing his power against me like an invisible hand forcing me down. I could feel his influence snaking through my thoughts, attempting to pull at my resolve, to bend my will to his.

But I fought it, pressing my focus deeper into the blade.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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I gripped the dagger with everything I had, channeling my fury through it, feeling the shadows that came with Evoke twist and curl, pushing back against the Emperor’s oppressive hold. Every ounce of strength I had fought to keep my mind clear, shielding myself from his influence.

The Grand Duke took a step forward, his gaze darkening as he readied himself to join the fight. Beside him, Zacharias unsheathed his sword, his expression cold and focused, prepared to strike at any moment.

But the Emperor’s voice cut through the room like a blade. “Stand down.” His command was sharp, absolute, his tone laced with authority that brooked no argument.

The Grand Duke hesitated, eyes flickering between me and the Emperor. “But, Your Majesty—”

“I said, stand down.” Emperor Reynald’s voice was edged with an almost manic glint as he tilted his head, never breaking his gaze from mine. “I’ll deal with her myself. This one is… personal.”

Zacharias sheathed his weapon reluctantly, though his gaze never left me, his hand still hovering over the hilt. The Grand Duke clenched his jaw, his frustration palpable, but he stepped back, bowing his head in silent deference.

Emperor Reynald turned back to me, his eyes alight with a twisted fascination. “You truly think you can challenge me, little villainess?” His power surged, pressing against my mind with renewed force. His presence filled the room, thickening the air, choking the space around me as he unleashed his full strength.

But I fought back, my grip on the dagger tightening. I felt the shadows swirling, felt the system’s power answering my call, bolstering me with a surge of defiant energy. I wouldn’t let him bend me—not now, not ever.

“You wanted a villainess, Your Majesty?” I sneered, my voice cutting through the tension. “Then you’ll get one.”

I launched myself forward, the dagger flashing as I directed every ounce of my strength into the strike. This was my stand, and I would make them regret underestimating me.

As I lunged forward, the shadows around me coiling with my intent, a sudden force intercepted my strike. Strong hands gripped my arms, yanking me back with a force that knocked the air from my lungs. I twisted, struggling to break free, only to meet the intense gaze of Sebastian, his emerald eyes hardened and unyielding.

“Enough, my lady,” he murmured, his voice low, almost apologetic but unwavering as he held me firm.

I gritted my teeth, rage simmering within me. “Let me go, Sebastian,” I hissed, yanking against his hold. I summoned my ability once more, calling the dagger back to my hand, but he tightened his grip, restraining me with a surprising strength. His stance was resolute, and the look in his eyes told me he wasn’t about to let go.

The Emperor’s amused chuckle filled the room. “Very loyal, Sebastian. I can always count on you to keep her in line.”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond, his focus entirely on holding me in place. I could feel his arm tense around me, unyielding, as though he was forcing himself to keep me restrained despite his own reluctance. His grip was firm, his expression unreadable, and I could feel his heart pounding, matching the tension coursing through me.

With my options narrowing, I called forth my power again, focusing on the dagger that still lingered, hovering just within reach. I twisted in his hold, channeling every ounce of willpower I had, the dagger flickering as I struggled against Sebastian’s hold. For a brief second, I could feel his restraint slip—but he readjusted, pinning my arms tightly to my sides.

“You’re making this harder than it has to be,” he whispered, his voice so low only I could hear. But there was something else there—a hint of regret.

“Harder?” I spat back, my voice laced with defiance. “You’re the one siding with a tyrant.”

Sebastian’s grip momentarily faltered, but he quickly recovered, his eyes flickering with an emotion I couldn’t quite read. Whatever softness had briefly surfaced in his gaze was gone as he turned me toward the Emperor, forcing me to face him.

The Emperor stepped closer, a smirk playing on his lips as he observed my struggle with cold satisfaction. “You thought you could challenge me, little villainess,” he mocked, his tone dripping with contempt. He leaned in, his voice a cruel whisper. “But even the fiercest flame can be snuffed out.”

The air grew thick with his oppressive power, pressing down on me like a vice. My breath came in shallow gasps as I fought against Sebastian’s hold and the Emperor’s suffocating aura. I could feel my strength waning, my control slipping—but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear.

“Is this… all you’ve got?” I managed to sneer, fighting to keep my voice steady despite the strain. My defiance was the only shield I had left, and I clung to it, unwilling to let him see even a hint of weakness.

The Emperor’s gaze darkened, and I could see the barely contained fury in his eyes. “You will learn your place,” he growled. He raised a hand, dark energy pooling around his fingers as he prepared to unleash his power fully.

But before he could strike, a faint tremor echoed through the chamber, a warning of the impending eclipse’s end. The Emperor hesitated, his expression hardening as he glanced toward the darkening sky visible through a small window high above.

“The time is close,” he muttered, his voice tense and edged with urgency. He turned to Zacharias, who held the cloth-wrapped orb, hidden and ready. “Prepare the ritual. She must be subdued before we begin.”

A triumphant glint flashed in his eyes as he turned back to me. The last light of the eclipse flickered, signaling the start of whatever twisted plan he had in store.

I felt Sebastian’s grip tighten as he adjusted his hold, his body stiffening. He was following orders, but there was something unspoken between us—a silent battle waging behind his expression.

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The world shifted around me as they dragged me through the dark corridors of the palace, my wrists and ankles bound tight, preventing any chance of escape. I could feel the weight of Sebastian’s hands on my shoulders, keeping me firmly restrained as they led me toward an uncertain fate. My every attempt to pull away only tightened his grip, and despite the fury sparking within me, I knew struggling would gain me nothing—at least, not yet.

Finally, we stumbled into a vast clearing, dominated by the colossal tree that towered ominously above us. Its twisted roots snaked across the earth like the withered veins of some ancient beast, coiling and spreading in sickly hues of rot and decay. The tree’s monstrous trunk, dark and gnarled, was pocked with craters that oozed a putrid, greenish sap. Thick, oppressive mist hung low, casting everything in a hazy, deathly glow, while shadowed branches stretched upward like skeletal arms, blotting out any remnants of sunlight.

Beneath this vile monument, where the roots merged into a grotesque mass, lay an altar formed by the tree’s own twisted roots, their tendrils clinging together as if strangling the life from whatever touched it. Bodies, long decayed, were half-buried in the roots, their sunken forms clutching the eggs of monstrous spawn that pulsed with a sickly, absorbing glow, as if feasting on the remains.

Upon this horrid altar, they placed the coffin—a tarnished, darkened wood casket defiled by their ritual. The sight of Arthemice’s mother’s final resting place, desecrated and used in their vile schemes, tore at my chest, igniting a fury I’d never known.

The High Priest loomed beside the altar, draped in dark robes crusted with filth and decay, his hood casting his face in shadow. His eyes gleamed with an unholy fervor, his lips twisted into a grin as he scrawled symbols in the air, summoning energies that crackled and pulsed through the clearing, making the ground shudder beneath the monstrous roots.

The Emperor stood by, his gaze fixed on the coffin with a grim sense of purpose. He turned to me, his lips curling into a mocking smile. “Welcome to your fate, little villainess,” he sneered, gesturing to the altar. “You’ll witness firsthand the power that will reshape this kingdom.”

He signaled to Sebastian, who tightened his hold on my shoulders, forcing me closer to the altar. I fought against his grip, but he leaned close, his voice a near-silent murmur. “Don’t make this harder, my lady,” he said, though his tone betrayed the barest trace of regret.

Zacharias approached next, the cloth-wrapped orb cradled in his hands. He walked with solemn purpose, his face impassive, his eyes locked on the High Priest as if steeling himself for what was to come. Without a word, he extended the orb toward the priest, who took it with a reverence bordering on worship.

The High Priest held the orb aloft, his voice echoing through the clearing as he began to chant, the words ancient and harsh, carrying a weight that seemed to pull at the very air around us. Shadows gathered, swirling at the base of the tree, stretching and twisting, wrapping themselves around the roots and curling up toward the branches as though the tree itself were responding to the power of the ritual.

I strained against Sebastian’s hold, every fiber of my being resisting, but his grip remained firm, his strength unwavering. My breaths came in shallow gasps as I felt the Emperor’s oppressive aura press down on me, his power latching onto me, binding me in place as though the earth itself had turned against me.

The High Priest’s chant grew louder, each syllable reverberating through the air, pulling on my energy, as though trying to rip something vital from within me. I felt a nauseating tug in my chest, the system’s presence flickering as if even it were vulnerable to their magic.

The Emperor’s gaze bore down on me, cold and triumphant. “Your defiance was amusing,” he sneered, a twisted satisfaction glinting in his eyes. “But it ends here. You will serve a greater purpose—whether you wish to or not.”

The branches above seemed to shift, casting an ominous shadow over us as the last slivers of light from the eclipse began to fade. The air thickened, filling with the metallic scent of magic and decay, as the tree pulsed with a sinister energy, like a heartbeat that echoed through my bones.

My vision blurred, but I forced myself to focus, reaching deep within to summon any remaining strength, the dagger reappearing in my grip despite my restraints. I tightened my hold on it, refusing to let them break me, refusing to let them control my fate.

“Think again, Your Majesty,” I spat, summoning a surge of defiance. “I’m not so easily tamed.”

The Emperor’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing with irritation. “You still believe you can resist? Foolish child. You’re nothing compared to the power at our command.”

I glanced at Sebastian, whose grip remained firm, but his expression was unreadable, his eyes refusing to meet mine. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of hesitation—a glimmer of conflict buried beneath his cold exterior. But before I could think further, the High Priest raised the orb, and a blinding light erupted from it, bathing us all in an otherworldly glow.

The ritual had begun.

The High Priest’s chanting intensified, his voice cutting through the air like a blade, as he held the glowing orb high above the altar. The arcane circle around me blazed to life, casting an eerie violet light across the ground. Symbols, ancient and filled with malevolent power, crawled to life along the edges of the circle, swirling faster and faster as the magic coursed through them.

Before I could react, an invisible force ripped me from Sebastian’s grasp. I felt myself lifted, suspended mid-air, weightless yet bound, as if held by unseen chains. My body began to float, rising above the altar, pulled by the dark magic pouring from the arcane symbols below. I struggled, my limbs thrashing, but it was no use—the force held me tight, imprisoning me in its cold, relentless grip.

Beneath me, at the center of the circle, lay the former High Priestess’ coffin. Its surface gleamed under the sinister light, each carved detail standing out sharply, like the coffin itself was alive, feeding off the energy being drawn from me.

A sudden, sharp pain lanced through me, like my very essence was being peeled away layer by layer. I gasped, watching in horror as wisps of light—fragments of my soul—began to drift from my chest, pulled toward the orb in the High Priest’s hand. I could feel it, a nauseating tug deep inside, draining me bit by bit, leaving me hollow.

As I hung suspended above the arcane circle, the air thick with dark magic, a sharp, metallic flash appeared in my vision.

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Caution! Caution! Lifespan is draining!

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The holographic warning blazed like a relentless alarm in my mind, its icy declaration indifferent to the agony consuming my body. I gasped as another fragment of my soul was pulled from me, leaving a hollow ache in its place, each wrenching tug threatening to tear me apart completely.

“No… I won’t… yield,” I gasped, but my voice was barely a whisper, lost beneath the sinister chant.

A sudden wave of nausea hit me, and I watched in horror as my hair, once silver-white, began to darken, each strand turning an inky black as though poisoned by the ritual’s energy. My hands clenched and unclenched in reflex, the color draining from my skin, leaving it a ghostly pale.

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Lifespan critical. Caution! Lifespan critical.

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I could feel my soul slipping further, fragments torn away by the High Priest’s spell. My body and spirit felt barely tethered, a thread about to snap.

“Enough!” I screamed, defiance flaring one last time, willing the system to respond, to give me something—anything—to stop the inevitable.

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The Amulet of Aegis shields you from the ritual’s effects. Partial resistance applied.

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A faint warmth surged from the amulet, dulling the spell’s corrosive grip on my soul. Though weakened, I could feel the shield holding back some of the High Priest’s power, a thin barrier that gave me just enough strength to keep fighting.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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My dagger materialized in my grip, and I tightened my hold on it, channeling every ounce of remaining will into resisting. The Emperor only chuckled, his gaze cold and merciless as he watched my struggle. “Your defiance is pointless, little one. The ritual is beyond your control.”

The High Priest’s chanting grew louder, reaching a feverish pitch. The arcane circle pulsed, each beat stronger than the last, until my body was jolted with every surge of energy. The pain was unbearable... I could feel my consciousness slipping, as though I were sinking into a dark abyss.

The force pulling my soul grew stronger, nearly overpowering my resolve. I glanced down at the coffin, at the lifeless form of my mother, and felt a deep, fierce anger stir within me. I would not let them use me as a pawn. I would not let them desecrate her memory. They would pay for this.

Summoning the last vestiges of strength, I raised the dagger and thrust it into the air, releasing a surge of power that rippled outward, disrupting the arcane circle. The energy faltered, and I felt the soul-binding grip loosen, if only slightly.

But it was enough.

I looked the Emperor directly in the eyes, a smirk twisting my lips despite the pain. “You underestimate me, Your Majesty.”

His eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, the arcane symbols wavered. The ritual faltered, the arcane symbols flickering and cracking around me. With a final surge of defiance, I pushed back against the pull of the spell, severing the thread that sought to bind my soul to the Emperor’s will. The backlash was immediate; the circle erupted in sparks, sending tremors through the chamber.

My vision spun, and I collapsed to the ground, drained of all strength. My hands shook as I pressed them against the cold stone, gasping for breath. I had fought with everything I had, clawing my soul back from the brink. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the furious growl that escaped the Emperor.

His calm facade cracked, revealing a storm of rage. “You insufferable girl!” he spat, his voice laced with venom. “Do you have any idea what you’ve cost me?”

Before I could respond, a haunting sound echoed through the room. I turned, and my breath caught. Artemisia’s lifeless form, her body encased in a dark crystal, began to fracture. Fissures spread across her still face, and her hands, once folded in peace, now lay shattered. Piece by piece, she was breaking, her form splintering as if she were nothing but fragile glass.

“No…” The word slipped from my lips, my heart twisting at the sight.

From the shadowed corner, the Grand Duke stepped forward, his face ashen as he witnessed his wife’s remains splinter and crumble. His eyes widened, horrified, as cracks spread over her delicate features, each fracture like a blow to his chest. He reached out as if he could somehow stop the destruction, but his hand hung helplessly in the air, trembling.

“Artemisia…” His voice was a broken whisper, thick with a remorse he’d never dared express. A memory seemed to flash in his eyes—a softer time, a love he had once held before it was twisted by jealousy and manipulation. “What have I done…?”

The Emperor’s fury, now laced with panic, broke the moment. “High Priest!” he bellowed, his gaze flicking between me and the corpse. “Restore the seal! Stop this!”

But it was too late. The High Priest stumbled back, hands raised in helplessness as the entire coffin began to crack and crumble, fragments raining onto the ground. I watched, horrified, as the remains of my mother shattered beyond recognition, her spirit lost to the void.

A strangled cry escaped the Grand Duke. He fell to his knees, his proud form crumbling like the coffin before him. Desperation lined his face, eyes darting to the Emperor, then to me, and finally to the pieces of his lost love scattered on the ground.

“All these years…” he muttered, his voice breaking. “I believed the lies, let myself be blinded by loneliness.” His hand trembled as he reached toward a shard of crystal, clenching it tightly until blood seeped between his fingers. “I… I was wrong.”

A wave of grief and anger tore through me, but my body refused to respond. I was helpless, forced to watch her remains disintegrate into nothingness.

And then, amidst the rubble, something stirred.

A faint light flickered from within the broken crystal, pulsing like a heartbeat, growing brighter with each beat. It cast an eerie glow across the chamber, illuminating the Emperor’s ashen face, the High Priest’s frozen stance, and the Grand Duke’s look of pure despair.

“What… what is that?” The Emperor’s voice was barely a whisper, his bravado gone.

But before anyone could move, the light surged, filling the room with a blinding brilliance that forced us all to shield our eyes.

In the silence that followed, a chilling voice resonated, faint but unmistakable.

“Your sins will not go unpunished.”

The light flared one last time, then vanished, leaving only silence and darkness in its wake.

fin.