The moment Seraphina vanished with Lumina in a flash of silver light, something inside Ashen shattered completely.
Rage blurred his eyes, the blazing, hot, blinding, and all-consuming rage flooded every vein in his body.
The betrayal, the lies, the countless deaths, and the image of his mother dying alone crashed over him like a tidal wave.
"You!" Ashen roared, rising from his knees with murderous fury.
Before King Aden could react, Ashen exploded forward. His fist, wrapped in crackling dark energy and dragonfire, slammed into his father's chest with brutal force.
The impact sent the King crashing backward through his own throne, splintering ancient wood and marble.
"You monster!" Ashen screamed, voice raw with pain. "You killed my mother! You destroyed everything!"
Aden rose slowly, blood trickling from his lips, yet a cold, twisted smile remained on his face. "Finally showing your true nature, boy?"
The fight erupted with savage intensity.
