NOVEL WEB Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Crimson vs. Gold
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Ruins of the old cathedral towered like the jagged teeth half engulfed in roots and shade. It was formerly sacred ground. Holy to silence now.
Kael chose it deliberately.
> "If they're coming for me, I might as well choose the grave."
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The Pale Flame didn't disappoint.
They arrived at dawn.
A single rider in burnished gold armor, his helm shaped like a sunburst, stepped through the fog.
> "By decree of the Ascendant Flame, you are marked for erasure, blasphemer."
Kael didn't move.
> "Say my name."
The knight paused. Then:
> "Vire."
That was enough.
Kael's blood roared.
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> [Crimson Core – Engaged]
[Trait: Bloodburn Overload Lv.1 – Active]
He charged first.
Steel met steel, but it wasn't equal. The knight fought like a holy whirlwind, every strike reinforced by divine weight. Kael's blows glanced off the golden armor, and a searing glyph singed his shoulder.
> "You are not yet worthy of that name, vampire."
"You wear your curse like a crown."
Kael spat blood and laughed.
> "Then kneel to your cursed king."
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The knight raised his blade, inscribed with burning scripture, and aimed to end it in one blow.
That's when it happened.
The book glowed.
> [Sovereign Will – Flicker Level I – UNLOCKED]
▸ Trait: Divine Pressure Disruption
A pulse of crimson light radiated from Kael's body.
The glyphs around the knight shattered mid-air.
The divine aura dimmed, flickering like a candle against a storm.
> "What—what are you?"
Kael stood straighter, his eyes glowing faintly red with thin vertical slits.
> "I'm what you tried to erase."
He moved faster than before, blade singing with bloodlight.
The knight stumbled back, parried, but this time, his footing failed. Kael's strike carved a gash across his chestplate.
The gold cracked.
The knight dropped to one knee, stunned.
Kael didn't kill him.
He whispered instead:
> "Tell your gods I'm awake."
And vanished into the mists.
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The knight remained kneeling for a long time.
His hands trembled.
And in his chest, for the first time in decades… was fear.
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End of Chapter 25
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