Chapter 24 – The Choice of Blood
POV: Kael Thorne
Seren stood before the pedestal, her hand hovering just above the Heartstone. I could see the conflict on her face, the storm of emotions churning inside her. The voice had told us the truth—her bloodline was tied to the Heartstone, bound by an ancient pact made long ago with the Old Gods. The price of unlocking its power was her soul. Or the destruction of the stone.
I could see the weight of that choice pressing down on her, threatening to crush her resolve. I wanted to reach out to her, to tell her it would be okay, but I knew the truth. There was no easy answer here. We were standing on the edge of something dangerous, and there was no way to know which path would lead to salvation.
I stepped forward, my voice steady despite the anxiety gnawing at my insides. "Seren, whatever you decide, we're in this together. I won't let you make this choice alone."
She glanced at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "You don't understand, Kael. This isn't just about me. It's about my entire family. The pact was made with the Old Gods to protect us, to give us the Heartstone's power. But that power comes with a price, and now I have to choose. My soul, or the destruction of everything my ancestors built."
I moved closer to her, my heart pounding. "You don't have to carry this burden alone, Seren. You don't have to do this. We can find another way."
She shook her head, her fingers brushing the surface of the Heartstone. "There is no other way, Kael. The pact was made. And now, it's my responsibility to fulfill it. I don't know what will happen if I destroy the Heartstone, but I can't risk losing myself."
The words hung in the air, thick with finality. She was right—there was no way to escape this. The Heartstone's power was tied to her, to her bloodline. And to free herself from it, she would have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
I took her hand, feeling the tremble in her touch. "Then we'll face it together. We'll find a way to break the pact. We'll destroy it, if that's what it takes."
Her eyes softened, a fleeting smile crossing her face. But there was no joy in it. Only resolve.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
We both turned toward the Heartstone, the decision hanging between us. The darkness in the room seemed to grow heavier, as if the very air was waiting for Seren to make her choice. The power of the Heartstone hummed in the background, its presence undeniable, pressing against us both.
She took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on the stone. "It's time."
The decision was made.