Bloodlines of Betrayal-Chapter 14: Part : Unraveling the Truth

Title : Bloodlines of Betrayal

Written By : Reviline James Wang

Genre : Paranormal Romance | Alpha Werewolf | Billionaire | Vampire | Family Drama.

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the forest as Celestia stood in the clearing. The air was heavy, thick with the scent of burnt energy and lingering shadows. The remnants of her battle with Andros dissipated slowly, but the questions that filled her mind were anything but fading. She had won, yes-but at what cost?

"Celestia," Draven's voice was soft, filled with an edge of concern as he stepped toward her, his eyes searching her face. "You did it. Andros is gone. For now, we're safe."

But Celestia didn't feel safe. Not entirely. Not yet. She had seen the doubt in Andros's eyes had felt his unease as the crystal's power surged from her, pushing him back. He hadn't been fully defeated, and somewhere deep within her, Celestia knew he would return. The Originals always returned.

Her fingers brushed the cool surface of the crystal still clutched in her hand, the object pulsing faintly with a power that was both alien and familiar. "For now," she echoed quietly, but her voice carried the weight of a prophecy yet to be fulfilled.

Draven took another step forward, his gaze never leaving hers. "What is it, Celestia? You're not yourself."

Celestia turned to him, her lips parting as she searched for words, her eyes clouded with confusion. "I don't know what I'm supposed to be anymore, Draven. The crystal-it's changing me, and I'm not sure I can control it."

"You're not alone in this," he said, his voice steady. "You never will be. Whatever you choose to do, I'm here. We're in this together."

She shook her head, a deep, bitter laugh escaping her lips. "That's the problem, Draven. I've always been told I'm not alone, but the truth is... I am. No one truly understands what this means-what it does to me."

His brow furrowed, a mixture of concern and frustration flashing in his eyes. "Celestia, you're not alone. You're stronger than you realize. I've seen it I've felt it. You're more than just the crystal."

Her gaze softened, but only for a moment. Then, the weight of their silence settled between them like a chasm, too vast to cross easily. She couldn't look at him anymore, the doubt, the questions, the responsibility everything clawing at her insides.

"You don't understand," Celestia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not just carrying this crystal. I'm carrying a legacy. A power no one ever warned me about. The Originals, Andros, they were just the beginning, Draven. I can feel something someone else watching me. A greater force than anything we've faced so far."

He reached out, his hand resting gently on her arm, grounding her. "I know you're scared. I see it in your eyes. But whatever it is, you don't have to face it alone. Let me help you. Together, we can figure it out. You're not alone anymore, Celestia. We've already come this far."

She turned to face him, his words settling deep within her heart, but she knew it wasn't enough. She needed answers. She had to understand what she was becoming before it consumed her.

"I need to go to the source," Celestia said, her voice firmer now, a decision settling within her. "I need to know where the crystal came from. What it really means."

Draven's expression darkened slightly. "You're talking about the Temple of Shadows, aren't you?"

Celestia nodded. "It's the only place that might hold the answers. The place where the Originals are said to have originated the place where the crystal was first created. If I'm to truly understand my role in all of this, I need to go there. There's no other way."

Draven's face was hard as he regarded her, but he said nothing for a long moment. He could sense the determination in her voice, the unwavering conviction that she couldn't ignore whatever pull had led her here. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly as if releasing the tension that had been coiled tightly within him.

"I can't stop you, Celestia," he said softly. "But you need to understand the risks. The Temple of Shadows is no ordinary place. It's guarded, ancient, and treacherous. It's a place of power, but it's also a place of destruction. Many have gone there and never returned."

Celestia's gaze didn't waver. "I'm not afraid of destruction. Not anymore."

The journey to the Temple of Shadows was long, treacherous, and fraught with dangers that neither of them had anticipated. The landscape shifted as they traveled, the once-familiar world growing darker, the air heavier with each passing mile. Celestia felt the weight of it-the impending sense of doom that seemed to hang in the air like a shroud. She could feel the crystal pulsing in her hand, urging her forward, but it was a feeling that unsettled her more than anything else.

As they reached the edge of the dark forest that bordered the Temple, Celestia could feel the energy radiating from the ancient stone structure ahead. It loomed, a shadow against the night sky, its jagged edges cutting into the moonlit horizon.

"Are you ready?" Draven asked, his voice quiet but firm, as he stood beside her.

"I have to be," she said, her voice steady, though her heart pounded in her chest. This was it-the moment that would define everything. The answers she sought lay within the Temple. But so did the darkness she feared.

They made their way inside, their footsteps echoing in the vast, hollow chamber. The air grew colder as they moved deeper, the walls adorned with symbols that Celestia couldn't fully decipher, though she could feel their meaning deep within her soul.

The further they walked, the stronger the pull of the crystal became. It resonated with the walls, the stone, the very ground beneath her feet. It was as if the Temple itself was alive, watching them, waiting for them to uncover its secrets.

"I can feel it," Celestia murmured, her voice almost lost in the stillness. "The Temple is alive with power. But there's something else here too-something dark."

Draven's expression was tense as he scanned the shadows around them. "We need to be careful. This place doesn't just guard knowledge. It's meant to keep something locked away."

They moved further in, the air thick with the weight of centuries. And then, at the heart of the Temple, they found it.

A stone altar, carved with ancient runes, stood before them. It was here, Celestia knew, that the crystal had been born, that the origins of the Originals and their power had begun. She approached it slowly, her hand trembling as she reached out to touch the cold stone. The moment her fingers made contact, a surge of energy coursed through her body, nearly knocking her off her feet.

Visions flashed before her eyes-fractured images of a time long ago. The first creation of the crystal, the rituals that had bound the Originals to their fate, the bloodlines that had been forged in the fires of battle and sacrifice.

And then, in the midst of it all, one face stood out-a face she recognized, though she had never seen it before. It was her own.

Her breath caught in her throat as the truth washed over her. The crystal had not just been made for the Originals. It had been made for her. She was their legacy, their final weapon, their key to eternal power.

But what did that mean for her?

Her thoughts were interrupted as a voice echoed in the chamber, cold and familiar. "You've come far, Celestia. But you've still only begun to understand your true purpose."

She spun around, her heart sinking as she saw him.

Andros, alive and whole, standing in the doorway, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "The crystal chose you, Celestia. And now, you belong to us."

The air in the Temple of Shadows grew heavier as Celestia's eyes locked onto the figure standing in the doorway. Andros. Alive. She could hardly believe it. Her mind raced, her heart pounding in her chest as the truth settled in: he was never truly gone. His presence here, now, in this sacred space, was an undeniable reminder that the battle between them was far from over.

"Do you find my appearance... unsettling, Celestia?" Andros' voice was smooth, calm, like he had all the time in the world to savor the moment. His dark eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and malice, as if he enjoyed watching her struggle to come to terms with his sudden return.

Celestia clenched her fists, the crystal in her palm pulsing faintly, a reminder of the power now flowing through her veins. "You," she whispered, stepping back, her voice betraying a flicker of uncertainty she couldn't hide. "How are you still alive?"

Andros tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing with a glint of amusement. "Alive? Oh, Celestia, you misunderstand. I have never truly been gone. The crystal holds much more power than you realize power that binds and protects. It was never just about the Originals or the bloodline. It was about ensuring the survival of all of us yourself included."

Draven stood beside Celestia, his posture rigid, his gaze never leaving Andros. "You're lying," he growled, his voice filled with disdain. "You died. We saw you fall. Your defeat was inevitable."

Andros' lips curled into a dark smile, and he slowly took a step forward. "Ah, the noble Draven," he mused, his voice low and teasing. "Still the loyal protector, I see. But you are mistaken. Death is only a temporary state for those with the right... knowledge." He gestured toward the crystal in Celestia's hand. "The key to immortality. The key to everything."

Celestia's grip tightened around the crystal, a flicker of recognition flashing through her. It's more than just a weapon... it's a bond. She knew it now-her fate, her purpose, had always been intertwined with the power of the crystal. Andros had known it too. He had planned this from the very beginning.

"You're not the only one with the knowledge, Andros," Celestia said, her voice steady, even as her heart struggled to keep pace. "I know what you're trying to do. You want the power of the crystal for yourself. But I won't let you have it."

Andros' laughter echoed through the chamber, a sound that sent chills down Celestia's spine. "You misunderstand, Celestia," he said, his tone dark and calculating. "The crystal was never meant for one person. It was meant for both of us. Together, we could become unstoppable. The Originals... the world... they would bow at our feet. We could reshape everything. Don't you see? You are the key to everything, but so am I."

The words hit her like a hammer, the weight of their meaning sinking into her very soul. She was the key. The original weapon. The culmination of centuries of bloodlines, power, and sacrifice. Andros' words were a dark reflection of her own fears, but she couldn't allow herself to believe them. She couldn't allow herself to fall into his trap.

Draven's eyes locked onto hers, his expression tense. "We won't let him do this to you, Celestia. He's using you. We've fought too long to let someone like him take control."

Celestia met Draven's gaze, his unwavering support giving her strength. But deep within her, doubts began to gnaw at her. What if Andros was right? What if her destiny was always meant to be bound to this dark power? She closed her eyes, shaking her head. No. She couldn't let it control her. She would control it.

With a determined breath, she stepped forward, placing herself between Andros and Draven. "I will never join you, Andros," she said, her voice carrying the weight of her resolve. "I will never let the crystal consume me. I will not become your puppet."

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

Andros raised an eyebrow, the amusement never leaving his face. "You think you have a choice in the matter? The crystal is already part of you, Celestia. You can try to resist, but the truth is, the more you fight it, the more you'll realize it's already too late. You are mine, whether you accept it or not."

His words sliced through her, but Celestia held firm. She couldn't back down. Not now. Not when everything she had fought for was on the line.

"I will never belong to you," she said firmly, her voice unyielding.

Andros' smile faltered, his eyes darkening. "Then you are more foolish than I thought. Very well. If you insist on rejecting your destiny, then I will take it from you."

The moment the words left his lips, Andros moved with inhuman speed, a blur of motion that left Celestia no time to react. He was upon her in an instant, grabbing her by the wrist, the crystal pulsing violently between them as if recognizing its true master. She gasped as the surge of energy coursed through her, threatening to overwhelm her senses.

"Let go!" Celestia shouted, struggling to break free, but Andros' grip was unyielding. The darkness that surrounded them seemed to close in, suffocating her.

Draven sprang into action, drawing his blade and charging at Andros with a snarl, but he was intercepted by an invisible force, thrown back as if he were nothing more than a ragdoll. Celestia's heart raced as she watched Draven struggle to regain his footing, fear gnawing at her. Andros was too powerful. The crystal was too powerful.

"Draven!" she screamed, her voice breaking. She couldn't lose him not now, not after everything they had been through together.

Andros' laugh echoed through the chamber, his eyes glinting with malicious delight. "You are nothing, Celestia. You will never be strong enough to defeat me. The crystal is my birthright. You are just a stepping stone, a tool to bring me closer to my true power."

But Celestia's defiance burned brighter than ever. With all the strength she had left, she slammed her free hand against the altar, calling upon the raw energy that pulsed within the crystal. The power surged through her, coursing through her veins, filling her with an unholy strength.

Andros staggered back as the power emanated from her, his grip weakening as the crystal flared to life. Celestia's body hummed with energy as she forced Andros to release her, her fingers tightening around the crystal, a new sense of control washing over her.

"You will not control me," Celestia said, her voice cold and steady. The crystal in her hand burned with an intense light, a blinding flash that filled the Temple. She could feel the power of the Temple, the ancient force that had been sealed away for centuries, bending to her will.

Andros snarled, retreating a step, but his eyes burned with rage. "This is far from over, Celestia. The power you wield is not yours to command. You will fall."

Celestia's gaze was unwavering, her resolve firmer than ever. "I am not your puppet. I will not be controlled by anyone—not by you, not by the crystal. This ends now."

With a final, forceful motion, she thrust the crystal toward Andros, releasing the surge of energy within it. The blast of light sent him crashing backward, his body enveloped in the raw force of the crystal's power. The Temple trembled as the ancient magic was unleashed, the walls shaking, the ground beneath them quaking.

Andros let out a primal scream, his form disintegrating into nothingness as the power of the crystal consumed him, erasing his presence from the Temple entirely.

Celestia fell to her knees, her body trembling with the aftereffects of the battle. She was exhausted, her energy spent, but she had won. Andros was gone-for now, at least.

Draven rushed to her side, his hand on her shoulder, his face a mixture of relief and concern. "You did it," he whispered, his voice filled with awe. "You stopped him."

Celestia nodded, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she struggled to regain her strength. But even as she basked in her victory, she knew the fight wasn't over. There was still so much left to uncover, so much left to do.

The crystal pulsed softly in her hand, a reminder that her journey was far from finished.