The sanctuary walls trembled as the blood-red rune pulsed violently. Dust rained down from the ceiling. Riven's face was stone-cold, but I could see the storm behind his eyes.
Riven:
"They're using a blood summoning. A warlock-level breach spell. Only someone from inside the Order could trigger it."
Me:
"Someone betrayed you?"
He didn't answer. He didn't need to.
Riven grabbed a small blade from the wall and sliced across his palm. His blood glowed—crimson and gold.
He whispered a chant in a language I didn't understand, and the runes flickered, stabilizing—for now.
Riven:
"We have five minutes. After that, this whole room will collapse."
---
He pushed the book—"Heirs of Ruin"—into my hands.
Riven:
"Protect this. If they destroy it, they erase the truth. Cassian's truth. Our truth."
Suddenly, a second tremor shook the chamber.
The iron door burst open—revealing three masked figures in long black cloaks, their eyes glowing a dull crimson.
Crimson Council agents.
They moved like shadows, silent and fast.
---
Riven (to me):
"Run. Now."
Me:
"I'm not leaving—"
But he shoved me behind one of the pillars just as the first spell was cast.
A violent wind howled through the chamber, slamming books off shelves and cracking the floor. Riven met them head-on, his blade drawn, his voice thunderous as he activated a blood seal on the floor.
A glowing sigil lit up around him—binding magic.
---
But something was wrong.
One of the masked figures stepped forward—and removed their hood.
It was Valen, Riven's cousin.
The same man who once trained with him. The same one who vanished years ago.
Valen (mocking):
"Did you think you could rewrite destiny, Riven? Break the Pact and walk away with your little toy?"
His eyes met mine as I stepped from behind the pillar.
Valen:
"You must be the reason he's fallen so far. You don't look like much."
---
Me (coldly):
"Funny. You look exactly like a coward."
His eyes flashed, but he didn't strike.
Instead, he turned back to Riven.
Valen:
"The Council wants him alive. You, not so much."
Riven lunged before he could say another word, steel clashing against magic in a burst of red light.
Their duel was brutal. Blood. Fire. Shadows.
I watched, heart pounding, as Riven fought like a prince with nothing left to lose.
---
I gripped the book tighter, knowing I had to do something.
I stepped toward one of the standing runes. If I could rewrite it—reverse it like Riven had done before—I could buy us time.
I sliced my finger, pressed my blood to the stone, and spoke the word Riven had whispered earlier.
"Azhel'tor."
---
The rune blazed white.
And in an instant, the walls exploded outward—pushing the Council agents back.
Riven grabbed my hand.
Riven:
"Run!"
We bolted through the collapsing hallway, smoke and rubble crashing around us.
---
As we reached the main hall, Riven paused, panting.
Riven:
"We've declared war. There's no going back."
Me:
"Then let's make them regret ever starting it."
---
He smiled. The first real smile I'd seen in days.
Bloodied. Bruised. But not broken.
Together, we disappeared into the night.
---
[End of Chapter 29]
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