The words primordial artifact seemed to settle over the gathering like a storm cloud, and no one moved.
It was Elion who finally broke the quiet, his voice low but tense. "If this artifact is as dangerous as you say, why not destroy it before it can be unleashed?"
Seris tilted her veiled head, her tone carrying an unsettling patience. "Because, young prince, it cannot be destroyed by mortal hands. Not by steel, not by fire, not even by—"
"It will be destroyed," Rythe cut in, his voice like tempered steel.
The hall stilled.
Even Seris paused, the air between them taut as a drawn bowstring. Rythe leaned forward, his gaze fixed on her with unshakable resolve. "Even if it's the last thing I do, Seris, I will see it destroyed."
A faint ripple of unease moved through the court. The queen's fingers tightened on her armrest. Several of the royal siblings exchanged glances, though none dared speak.
Seris's veiled face turned toward him fully, as if measuring the weight of his words. When she finally spoke, it was soft—almost gentle—but laced with something that made the back of Aurean's neck prickle. "You may try."
The silence that followed was absolute. Not even the rustle of fabric or the shift of feet disturbed it. Every eye flicked between the veiled woman and the warrior prince, as though something unspoken had passed between them—something dangerous.
Rythe did not look away.
And Seris, for the first time since she entered the room, smiled faintly beneath the veil.
The royal siblings exchanged glances, their eyes flicking between Seris and Rythe. They could all feel it now—the sheer weight of power radiating from the ethereal, veiled woman—and it unsettled them.
One by one, they began to speak, voices a mixture of worry and determination. "Rythe, this is dangerous beyond reason," Rhalia said first, her tone soft but urgent.
"We know you," Maleus added grimly. "You're stubborn enough to run headlong into it."
Astrid folded her arms. "Which is exactly why we should be thinking together—finding another way."
Seris's voice cut through their words like a silken blade. "There is no other way."
They ignored her, leaning in toward Rythe, each trying to temper his resolve, to pull him back from whatever reckless course he was set on.
Seris only watched them for a moment, her veiled gaze unreadable—then she clapped her hands once. The sharp sound cracked through the hall, and silence fell instantly.
"Ardan," she began, her voice low but resonant, "is free from magic and powerful forces. It is a neutral zone. Despite Ardan's dealings with other realms—thanks to this man's tireless work—your empire has been nothing but trade and commerce to outsiders. Elsewhere, however, things none of you in your gilded cage can even begin to fathom are happening."
Her gaze shifted to Rythe. "And thanks to the same man, some semblance of control has been restored… because he continuously fights. Because he has no value for his own life."
Aurean's blood ran cold at those words.
Astrid's voice broke the stillness, sharp with alarm. "Those marks on your body—don't tell me you've been fighting these things alone, Rythe?"
The realization hit the siblings like a blow, draining the color from their faces as it had from Aurean's.
Rythe drew a deep breath, his voice steady but heavy with meaning. "You are all here because you are the only people the empire can truly trust. Every one of you has someone you love, someone you wish to protect." His gaze lingered on the emperor, then Lareth, then Maleus, and finally Rhalia.
"I, too," he said quietly, "wish to protect my people… and my family."
"Not to the point of you risking your life, time and time again," the queen said, her voice firm but laced with fear.
As the queen's words settled, a heavy silence fell over the hall.
Then—
A sudden flash tore through the air.
Before anyone could react, Rythe spun, shoving Seris behind him. The hiss of steel rang out as he drew the soul blade from his hip, its edge catching a strange shimmer in the air. His movements blurred—too fast for the eye to follow—yet the court was filled with the sound of bone-chilling shrieks.
Invisible things screamed and died, their echoes scraping down every spine in the chamber. The royal family, the court members, even Aurean—every last one of them—trembled with fright. For the first time, they truly understood what was at stake.
"What… was that?" the emperor demanded, his voice unsteady as Rythe sheathed his blade.
"A Vorath," Seris answered, her gaze fixed on Rythe. "You saw it, didn't you?"
"Yes," Rythe replied without hesitation.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "If you saw it, then you're seeing things only those who have crossed over can see. That means you must be careful—and you must stay alive. Because next time, you won't just hover between life and death… next time, you'll be permanently dead."
"Rythe, you have to think this through," Serin Rhalia's partner pressed.
Seris turned, raising her voice sharply. "Did you all witness what just happened? Every one of you could have been lifeless if Rythe hadn't slain that thing. Now—tell me—who among you saw what happened?"
No one spoke.
"Enough," Rythe snapped. "Since these things are here, we don't have time to waste."
"If the artifact is already in Ardan," Aurean said suddenly, "why not evacuate everyone to the underground fort? The one your ancestors built in case Ardan ever faced disaster. It's old, yes, but at least the people will be safe while plans to repel the enemy are made."
"That's a brilliant idea, Aurean," Kael said at once.
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room.
"But how do we know who is for us or against us?" Astrid asked. "What if the enemy hides among us and wreaks havoc underground?"
"My blade, Verethian, can sense evil energy," Aurean said.
"Good," Rythe replied. "Then the knights can have every citizen form a line at the palace gates. Tell them it's for something important—demand that everyone be present. Those the blade allows will be taken to the fort. Those it denies… will be handled by the knights."
"Agreed," the voices around the table chorused.
"Then pack light," Rythe instructed. "Clothes, food. It's going to be a while before we see the sun again."