Once Betrayed Never Forgotten

Chapter 136: The Path of Shadows–1

We descend into the tunnels beneath the Blood Scribe’s temple, the air growing cooler and more humid with each step. The walls of the tunnel are rough and jagged, the stone shimmering faintly with veins of mineral deposits. Pyra leads the way, her body aglow with flame magic, casting flickering light that dances across the damp, dark walls. The light creates eerie shadows that stretch and twist, giving the impression that the tunnels are alive, watching us as we move deeper into

the earth.

The sound of our footsteps echoes softly, a rhythmic cadence that is both soothing and unnerving. The tunnel smells of wet store and earth, the scent of ancient history embedded in the very walls.

“So, Bloodbane,” Luka begins, breaking the silence. I’ve never heard of these Blood Wraiths until recently. What makes your kind different from other wraiths?”

Bloodhane, walking beside Pyra, looks thoughtful “Blood Wraiths are… intense. We’re wanions, born and bred. Our powers come from the blood we control, and we have a natural affinity for combat. Our race has a long history of conflict and battle, often acting as mercenaries or soldiers for hire. But we’re not just mindless fighters. We have our own culture, our own values.”

Laka nods, his silver eyes reflecting the flickering flames. “And the war with the Fire Wraiths? How did that start?”

Pyra sighs, her flames dimming slightly as she speaks. “The war has been going on for centuries. It started over territory disputes and escalated into a full–blown conflict. The Fire Wraiths see themselves as the rightful rulers of the Fiery Realms, and the Blood Wraiths refuse to bow to anyone. The Fontaine vampire clan, who hold the majority of power and wealth in the Fiery Realm, have always tried to stay out of the conflict, but it’s impossible not to be affected.”

Konstantin, who has been silent until now, clears his throat. I can understand why the Fontaine clan would want to stay out of it. Blood Wraiths can be… formidable,”

I glance at Konstantin, surprised by the tone of his voice. There’s something there, a hint of bitterness that I hadn’t noticed before. What do you mean, Konstantin?”

He sighs, uning a hand through his dark hair. Tve always had an aversion to Blood Waiths, I suppose it’s time I explain why.

The group falls silent, all eyes on Konstantin as he begins his story. Almost a thousand years ago, shortly after she turned me into a vampire, Anya had a great warrior of the Fontaine clan live at the Castle of Endless Night for fifty years. This was long before you were born a human, or turned into what you are now, Aleksandr. Long before you joined the Vasiliev clan and became my blood brother.”

Aleksandr mods, deep in thought, and then Konstantin continues telling his story.

“Anya had a simple reason for inviting this warrior of Fontaine clan to live with us – it was her wish that I would learn their excellent fighting techniques, which differed from the typical swordsmanship that I’d been trained in. That is how it came to be that one of my closest friends was a member of the Fontaine clan. His name was Gabriel. We were inseparable, brothers in all but blood, Gabriel was kind, loyal, and fercely protective of his clan.”

Konstantin’s voice grows softer, tinged with sorrow. “He lived with us for almost a hundred years at the Castle of Endless Night, before he was called back to the Fiery realm on important business. He had been tasked with negotiating a peace treaty with a faction of Blood Wraiths. The Fontaine clan was desperate to end the bloodshed, and Gabriel was their best diplomat. He went to the meeting alone, trusting that the Blood Wraith would honor the agreement.”

Konstantin pauses, his sey blue eyes distant as he recalls the memory. But the meeting was a trap. The Blood Wraths ambushed him, tore him apart. They sent his remains back to the Fontaine clan as a warning. When I heard of it, I was devastated. Gabriel was like a brother to me, and his death was a wound that never fully healed. I only knew true brotherhood again when you joined our family, Aleksandr.”

Aleksandr, walking beside me, looks at Konstantin with a mixture of surprise and empathy. “I never knew this, Konstantin, Why did you never speak of it before

Konstantin sighs wearily, his expression pained. “It wasn’t something I liked to talk about Gabriel’s death fueled my hatred for the Blood Wraiths, I saw them all as monster, incapable of honor or compassion. But meeting Bloodbane, seeing Arianna remain true to herselt despite her transformation… it’s made me realize that not all Blood Wraiths are the same. These is good and bad in every race.”

Bloodbane’s eyes soften, a rare vulnerability showing through. Thank you, Konstantin. It means a lot to hear you say that. Not all Blood Wraiths are like those who killed Gabriel, Many of us just want to live in peace,”

The tunnel grows narrower, forcing us to walk in single file. Pyn’s flames light the way, casting long shadows that flicker like living creatures on the walls. The air grows cooler, the dampness seeping Into our clothes

Luka,ver the curious one, speaks up again, “So, Pyra, I know you said it was impossible to create a portal that opens directly in the Blood Scribe’s temple from the curside – but could you portal us out of the temple, at least? It would have saved us a lot of trouble and at least a day’s journey,”

Para chuckles softly, her flames lickering with amusement. “You’ll be happy to know that it is indeed possible. Although the Scribe’s magic prevents anyone, even her priestesses, from portalling within miles of the temple, it only works one way. She has no need to prevent anyone portalling out, so we’ll hastes back to the Night Bram once we relieve the dagger,

Chapter 136. The Path of Shadows-1

Luka smules. “Aesome. I just want to get this done and get back to Mirces.”

We continue our journey in relative silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The tunnel winds deeper into the earth, the walls closing in around us. I can feel the wright of the stone above, u senvinder of just how far we’ve come

As we emerge into the cavern, the air grows thicker with the scent of sulfur and iron, mingling with the dampness of the underground. The glow of the crimson lake ahead casts an eerie red light over the cavern, illuminating the jagged walls and stalactites that hang like the fangs of some monstrous beast.

The lake of blood. We have arrived.

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Chapter 136: The Path of Shadows–2

The sight

La shimmering pool of blood, sends a shover down my spine.

“Look at that,” Luka breathes, his siber eyes wide with awe. The never seen anything like it.“)

We walk slowly toward the edge of the lake, our footsteps echoing softly on the slick stone. The surface of the lake ripples gently, casting distorted reflections of our faces back at us. The blood is thick and dark, the color of deep crimson, and it seems almost ale, pulsating with an unearthly energy

As we trach the edge, the surface of the lake begins to chum. A fire rives from the blood, dripping with it, as if the lake itself has taken form. The bring is a fluid, liquid red creature, its body shifting and Blowing like a living river of blood. Its eyes are dark wells of liquid, and its vier, when it speaks, is like the sound of sloshing and gurding

1 am the Guardian of Blood,” the being intones, its voice echoing through the cavern. “To pass, you must answer my riddles. Three riddles. Answer camctly, and you may procred. Answer incorrectly, and your shall fare the contenuences.

Í exchange a nerveses glance with Aleksandr, who nods assumingly. “We can do this,” he murmas, sperring my hand.

The Guardians eyes fix on us, dark and unyielding. “Here is the fast ridille; I Hose in yo

in your veins, a river of life. Without me, you cannot survive. What am I?

“That’s too easy, the answer is blood,” Luka answers immediately, his voice confident.

The Guardian nods, a ripple passing through What am I?”

“Conect. Now for the serund infille: Lam both a blessing and

rie, a bood unbroken and a tie that hen

I hrow my brow, thinking hard. “Bloodline,” I say, hoping I’m right.

“Correct,” the Guardian replies, its eyes gleaming. ‘Now for the third and final riddle. Lam shed in battle, a mark of sacrifice. I am the price of freedom and the cost of life. What am 17

We all think hard, the pressure mounting. Pyra steps forward, her eyes determined. “Honor,” she says confidently,

The Guardian’s form ripples violently, its eyes narrowing. “Incorrect,” it hisses, lashing out at Pyra with a tendril of blood.

“Pyrk, look out!” I shout, but it’s too late.

tries to break free. The

The Guardian’s tendril wraps around Pyra, lifting her off the ground. She struggles, flames flickering wildly around her body as she tries to Guardian’s grip tightens, and I can see the pain etched on Pyras fact,

“Let her go!” Bloodbane shouts, his eyes blazing with fury. He steps forward, his hands glowing with blood magic.

The Guardians eyes Bicker toward Bloodbane, and it pauses, seemingly intrigued. Answer the riddle correctly, and I will release her,‘ it says, its voice dripping with

malice

“Blood,” I say desperately, my mind racing. “The answer is blood. It’s always blood.”

The Guardian’s eyes gleam, and it releases Pyra, who falls to the ground, gasping for breath. “Correct, it says, its forms rippling once more. “You may pass.”

We help Pyra to her feet, and she gives me a grateful smile. “Thank you, Arianna.”

Inod, my heart still pounding from the close call. “Let’s get the dagger and get out of here.”

We continue around the edge of the lake, the Guardian watching us with its dark, unblinking eyes. The air grows hotter as we approach the cave entrance on the other side of the cavern, the heat radiating from the blood lake making it hard to breathe.

As we step into the cave, the temperature drops slightly, but the air remains thick with humidity. The walls of the cave are slick with moisture, and the ground beneath our feet is uneven and treacherous.

“We’re almost there,” Pyra says, her suice steady despite the ordeal she just fares. The dagger should be just ahead.”

We mine cautiously through the cave, the thickening light from Pyaas flames casting evie shadows on the walls. The silence is oppressive, broken only by the sound of our footsteps and the distant, echoing drip of water.

Finally, we reach a chamber at the heart of the rave. In the center of the chamber stands a stone pedestal, and on it rests a dagger unlike any I’ve ever seen. The blade is ged a derp, blood red metal that seems to glow with an inner light. The hilt is wrapped in black leather, and intricate mines are etched along the length of the blade

3:20 PM

Cliapter 136: The Path of Shadows–2

This is it,” I breathe, stepping forward to examine the dagger, The Dagger of Blood and Shadow.”

As I reach out to take the dagger, a sense of power pulses through the air, a tangible force that makes my skin tingle. The dagger feels warm in my hand, the weight of it comforting and familiar.

“We have what we came for,” Aleksandr says, his voice filled with relief. “Now let’s get back to the Night Realm and complete the ceremony,”