The hall fell into a stunned silence. The glow from the ancient stones slowly faded into a soft, pulsating light, leaving shadows that seemed alive, creeping along the walls. The clan leaders exchanged wary glances, their whispers trembling with disbelief and caution.
"You… you are the heir?" one of them finally whispered, his voice barely audible, yet carrying the weight of centuries.
Elizabeth did not answer immediately. Instead, she took a deliberate step forward, the echo of her boots ringing against the stone floor like a declaration of authority. Her gaze swept over the room, steady and unwavering. "I am," she said at last, her voice calm but filled with an undeniable power. "And I will uphold the Oath. All who wish to challenge me, know this: the covenant is not a weapon for the reckless, nor a toy for the arrogant. It is life… it is responsibility."
A murmur ran through the hall. Some eyes widened in awe, others narrowed in suspicion. Seraphim stepped closer, placing a protective hand near Elizabeth, not out of doubt but instinct. The air between them crackled faintly—subtle, but tangible, as if the stones themselves recognized their bond.
Outside the hall, word of the awakening power spread like wildfire. The streets of the city, usually filled with the chatter of merchants and the clatter of horse hooves, now thrummed with anticipation. Citizens peeked from behind shutters, soldiers tightened their grip on spears, and distant towers sent urgent messengers racing toward the clans.
Elizabeth's mind, however, was not on the chaos. Her focus was on the path ahead: consolidating her claim, understanding the depths of her newfound abilities, and uncovering the secrets that the Oath had guarded for centuries. Somewhere deep within, she felt the pulse of an ancient power waiting—patient, formidable, and aware of its rightful heir.
As the first rays of dawn touched the spires of the city, Elizabeth straightened her shoulders and stepped fully into the light. The journey of the Eternal Blood Oath, and of the heir who would shape its destiny, had truly begun.