Chapter 34 - The Shadow Behind the ThroneThe king's shadow separated from his body.
It rose from the ground like black smoke, gradually forming the outline of a man.
The soldiers fled.
Ethan stood frozen.
The figure wore the shape of King Aldric, but its eyes glowed silver.
"You should have stayed in your century," it whispered.
Aldric staggered backward.
"What are you?"
The shadow smiled.
"The secret you carried for thirty years."
Eleanor grabbed Ethan's arm.
"Run!"
The creature extended its hand.
Every mirror in the castle shattered simultaneously.
The ground trembled as ancient passages opened beneath the kingdom.
Rowan raised the black crown.
"Stop!"
The shadow turned toward him.
For the first time, it seemed afraid.
"You."
Rowan stepped forward.
"You took my childhood. You stole my mother's memories. You made the king believe he was guilty."
The creature laughed.
"Because he was."
Aldric raised his sword.
"Then face me!"
The shadow struck him with a wave of darkness.
The king fell against the stone wall.
Ethan rushed toward him.
But Eleanor pulled him back.
"That thing cannot be destroyed with steel."
"Then how do we stop it?"
She looked toward the black crown.
"The twelve children were never meant to rule the kingdom."
"What were they supposed to do?"
"Seal the doorway."
Rowan approached the creature.
The shadow began retreating.
Ethan realized something.
Rowan wasn't merely another prince.
He had been preparing for this moment for years.
"Rowan!" Ethan shouted.
The older boy turned.
"If you put on that crown again, what happens?"
Rowan's smile was unbearably sad.
"The doorway takes what it was promised."
"What was promised?"
"One of us."
Then he raised the crown.
But before he could place it on his head, Ethan grabbed his hand.
"No."
The shadow laughed.
"You cannot save him, child."
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Ethan looked directly into its silver eyes.
"Watch me."
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