novelraw Chapter 310: _Persist!
Chapter 310: _Persist!
Elian’s POV
*****
[Sigh. Some would have hoped for a fleet of battle ships heading into Arcadian airspace right about now. Not... Whatever’s happening right now.]
Currently, Elian and Lucian had gone to the latter’s dimly lit room. Elian couldn’t think of a time when this place was bright enough to see whatever was across the room.
But he wasn’t about to start complaining now.
The Alpha Prince sat lazily close to a window, chin resting on his right hand as he stared into the night sky and the moon illuminating it. The fingers of his left hand danced on his lap, sparking with Alpha aura energy he played around with.
Each spark, each finger movement felt like it could topple a city under a breath.
Elian sat on Lucian’s bed, silently watching him. But they weren’t merely here for a staring contest.
Pulling out the ruby necklace slung around his neck, his thumb brushed over the gemstone. He blinked a couple of times at the red shine coming from the gem, jaw tightening.
Then—
—he called out to the only person linked to it.
"Well, well, well..." Kyren’s voice echoed through the room before the holographic projection even took shape before Elian. The Rogue king’s crimson form stood tall, black armour shrouded under a cloak of the same colour.
After swerving his head around the room, Kyren’s eyes narrowed on Elian again. "You’ve never used this to communicate with me like this. What? Lunaria already proving to be an unsafe coop?"
Elian felt Lucian’s previous calm snap like a twig that second.
"You know I can hear and see you..." The Alpha Prince turned his head slowly, arching a brow at the holographic projection. "... Right?"
Kyren forced a smile. "Oh, forgive me. I thought you’d remain silent throughout the duration of this call. So, are you keeping an eye on our mate like I said you should?" He paused for a moment, a smirk curving the corner of his lips. "I saw your press briefing by the way. Congrats on playing on neutral grounds instead of outright accusing dear old mother."
Elian didn’t know whether to roll his eyes or let out the umpteenth sigh for today. Gods, it seems these two would never be over-arguing even if it was once in a while.
"Cousin," Lucian started with a tone that meant this call would drag on if Elian let him continue.
So he didn’t.
"Kyren, I’m calling you because we need your help," Elian said too quickly. "With two things, if I may add. Two... Very grave, pretty serious things."
That earned the Rogue king’s pause. He frowned, gaze remaining locked on Elian for what felt like forever. He then turned his head to Lucian for a moment before scoffing.
"Barely three hours since you left my borders and you already need my help," Kyren remarked, voice an odd mix of pride and disdain toward Lucian. "Just say the word, little flame, and I’ll tear down the boundaries between space and time to get you."
For once, Lucian didn’t say anything in response. The Alpha Prince just lay back, fingers twirling over his legs again.
[Oh, that’s right. You’ll have to explain the curse to Daddy Death. And risk his scolding and wrath on you for not telling him. Hehe... Good luck, fruitcake.]
Ignoring the system, Elian began explaining. From the heightened power of Amara’s curse—which didn’t disappear after they destroyed the heart jewel. To Aurora getting kidnapped and them finding out that women in the Stormborn bloodline are known for their prophecies.
Silence.
The Rogue king’s face was rigid. He closed his eyes for a breath, making Elian lost on if he was holding himself from lashing out or contemplating things.
He didn’t get the chance to know as Lucian cleared his throat. "We... Need you here, cousin. Elian does and I most certainly do. First to follow his theory of weakening the curse by splitting it among the three of us. And then—"
"Unlock any wards that might hinder my arrival." Those crimson orbs opened again, fierce with a determined light. "I’ll be there in two minutes."
.
.
And as he spoke, so it was.
A portal with a shimmering obsidian edge ripped through the open space of the royal courtyard outside. Elian and Lucian were already waiting in the night, watching as Kyren walked out.
"Where’s Sylas?" Kyren’s eyes darted between them curiously.
Elian answered. "He’s asleep in one of the rooms. Or at least, he should be. We don’t need him for this though, do we?"
He expected a cold glare from Kyren. Or a disappointed look. Something. Anything that would hint at him not liking the part where he kept the curse a secret.
But all Elian saw was desire burning in his crimson eyes. Desire to get this over with.
"Very well," Kyren nodded, taking two steps closer. "Take us to a private room where I can start the ritual. It should..." He paused, tilting his head. His gaze scanned Lucian from head to toe, realisation glinting in his eyes. "... A Celestial sovereign."
Lucian looked away, letting out a breath. "I know a room we can use. Come on." He turned, trying to downplay Kyren’s observation even though his silver eyes glinted with pride.
"Well, I’ll be..." The Rogue king got beside Elian, patting him on the shoulder while still staring at Lucian’s back. "Congratulations are in order, Alpha Prince. Now you won’t need a babysitter to keep up with me in battle. Well—after you’ve trained your new powers, at least."
Tugging at Elian under his grip, Kyren moved, Lucian mumbling something under his breath.
.
.
"Alright, there are a few rules to take note of during a curse splitting ritual." Kyren boomed when the three of them stood together in the middle of the room Lucian suggested.
It was lit with dull gold crystal lights, completely empty save for a few shelves laid on the far walls. The books on those shelves seemed like they’d not been shown love for decades. Maybe more.
"First rule," the Rogue king grabbed Elian’s right hand, gesturing for him to grab Lucian’s. When they held hands in a circle, Kyren continued. "Maintain absolute silence during my chants. Amara is old. She most likely used old incantations for this... And when I say "old" I mean languages older than most civilisations."
He let the words settle for a beat before adding. "Dissecting a curse like that will require absolute focus."
Elian got the message loud and clear.
Fortunately, Kyren didn’t have the system to distract him.
[Funny...]
"Next rule is for Elian." The Rogue king’s tone became more solemn. "Under no circumstances should you break the circle. Splitting the curse WILL cause unfathomable pain. You must persist no matter what until the ritual is complete."
Swallowing hard at the word "pain", Elian nodded. "I’m not new to pain, Kyren. I—"
"I’m being serious," Kyren tightened his grip on his hand slightly. "Don’t break the circle for any reason. If your face starts melting, persist. If your ribs try clawing out of your chest, persist. If you break out... Death is certain. And Lucian and I could be hit with a much worse backlash."
Oh—
Shivers ran through Elian’s being. His grip faltered, eyes darting to the room’s exit.
So it was that serious?
[We can do this, fruitcake. Don’t worry. I’ll be here every step of the way and keep you grounded.]
Hearing those reassuring words tripled his confidence. He locked his gaze on Kyren, nodding. "Let’s get this over with..."
And so it began.
The triad went dead silent, keeping their hands bound together. A soft wind rushed into the room although there were no windows, Kyren’s lush white hair blowing over his face.
Then—
He chanted. Each word, each syllable held enough power to make Elian’s body tremble. He subconsciously held his breath, feeling the shift in the air.
The curse. It was here.
Suddenly, a glowing crimson rune appeared above Elian’s head. He craned his neck, trying to get a better look at it.
Mentally, the system was already taking note of every curve and line, storing it in its database.
Until—
—It finally came.
Pain, unlike anything Elian has faced since his rebirth, tore through his insides. He gagged, breaths coming out in rushed rasps as his heart beat like war hammers.
Hold...
He... Needed to hold...
His eyes flicked to his right arm, noticing a series of black and sickly green glowing veins sprouting across it. They burned, sizzling his blood until he felt like stabbing his own arm just to rip them out.
"Argh..." He grunted through gritted teeth, clasping his fingers tighter on the palms of his mates. "I... Must... Hold..."
Tears blurred his vision as more of these veins crawled through his body like worms. When they got to his scalp, rooting there harder than leeches, Elian couldn’t hold it back any longer.
[Fruitcake... Cry, scream... Do whatever you have to. But don’t break that circle. I can sense it. The curse is getting close to splitting.]
Elian could barely put its words together. He screamed, voice cracking as saliva shot out of his mouth. Tears spilt down his face like streams—but he didn’t budge from the circle.
"Hold, Elian," Lucian whispered beside him. "We’re so close. Just—" the Alpha Prince gasped. "—it’s... It’s working."
When Elian turned to him, he spotted the black and green veins growing on him splitting into Lucian as well. Then Kyren’s chants ceased, body jerking as the veins hit him too.
At this point, Elian could feel the curse. Spinning through him, alive and confused. Then it spread out like a beast spreading out tendrils, latching on to Lucian and Kyren.
"Yield!" Kyren roared, voice thundering through the room. "Your power over him is weakened. Here and now—so says Kyren Nochthane!"
A pulse of red light sparked out of his chest. Then—
BOOM!
An explosion of invisible force emerged between them, sending them flying back. Elian whimpered, sealing his eyes shut when he fell to the ground.
Or, he thought he fell—
[ALERT! Heart jewel curse successfully split between the host and his mates.]
"Is everyone alive?"
Elian blinked at the question, realising he was cradled in Lucian’s arms. The Alpha Prince had his hand on his head, making him look into his eyes.
When their eyes met... Lucian’s softened. "Gods, you never cease to find new ways to scare me."
He chuckled softly, pressing a kiss on Elian’s cheek before helping him up. Kyren was already up as if they hadn’t been blown away by an ancient curse, dusting his cloak.
Brimming with excitement, Elian took a step forward. There was no more numbing pain, forcing him to run toward Kyren. "It worked! It... It actually worked!"
The Rogue king’s face was stoic as always but the ghost of a smile stretched his lips. "Of course, it worked. Breaking the curse now will be much easier." He grabbed his jaw, making him look into his eyes. "Your outside-the-box thinking made this possible. Take pride in that."
Letting go of him, Kyren turned to Lucian who had his arms folded. "You said Amara has Aurora, right?"
The Alpha Prince arched a brow, hesitation flickering in his eyes. "Yes... I’m torn between doing a secret infiltration to find her or just gathering forces to head to Arcadia. I can’t pretend like their leader isn’t my mortal enemy—"
"Both interesting options," Kyren grinned, raising his right hand. A small red flame lit between his fingers, dancing seamlessly. "But unnecessary. Because while I split the curse, I also tracked Amara’s magic signature."
The room stilled.
This means—
"I know where the princess is."