Chapter 25: Bloodfall

Far from the burial gardens in the upper guest wing, a single chamber glowed faintly with candlelight. The windowless room was cloaked in shadow save for the desk at its center.

Lord Drakenhart sat there, fingers drumming the wood in slow, steady rhythm. His black coat dragged on the floor, and his hawkish eyes reflected the flicker of the lone flame. Across from him stood Lord Raymond, arms folded, his expression restless, his crimson sash draped sharply across his chest.

“Are those demon bastards ready for tomorrow?” Raymond hissed. His voice was low, but in it trembled anticipation and dread. “The party and coronation are nearly here. If the strike is delayed, we’re not going to have another chance—”

“It will not be delayed,” Drakenhart interrupted smoothly. His tone was calm, but his eyes glittered like blades. “Everything has been prepared. The beasts tell me they are in place.”

Raymond’s lip curled. “You trust demons to obey?”

The older lord raised his hand. On the desk lay a small black crystal, pulsing faintly like a heart. He whispered a phrase, and the air shifted cold. The crystal shimmered, and from its depths a guttural voice emerged, layered and inhuman.

“…We are waiting. The night of blood comes soon.”

The sound made Raymond stiffen, but Drakenhart leaned closer, whispering like he was coaxing a beast. “The ballroom. When the nobles gather, you will strike. The winged ones through the glass, others storm through the gates. Leave no survivors among the royal line. Take out as many as you can — everyone will be trapped together, and panic will do the rest.”

The voice hissed. “…As promised. The Phoenix shall fall.”

The crystal dimmed, vibrating before falling silent.

Raymond exhaled and muttered a curse. “Every step of this is madness. If they find our involvement—”

“They won’t,” Drakenhart cut him off. “By the time suspicion rises, the blood will already be spilled. The nobles will panic, the people will cry for strength. And who better to answer than us? The gryphon and the dragon will rise to the highest. Ronayah will kneel — and the rest of the lands will follow.”

Raymond hesitated, then smirked faintly as he clutched the brown diamond-shaped crystal dangling from his neck. “Then tomorrow, we begin.”

Drakenhart extinguished the candle with a breath. The room plunged into darkness.

The evening of the ball arrived with thunder in the air. Servants hurried through the palace halls, carrying trays, lighting chandeliers, arranging tables draped in white and gold. Guards doubled their posts at every corridor, polished armor gleaming under the lanterns.

The Kazantria family walked down the great staircase into the ballroom, and the twins’ eyes nearly burst from their skulls.

The chamber stretched high into arched glass ceilings, chandeliers of crystal spilling light across marble floors polished to a mirror sheen. Musicians tuned instruments in one corner, their notes floating over the hum of conversation. Tables stood heavy with platters of roasted meats, glazed fruits, golden breads, and goblets of wine and juice that sparkled like jewels.

Lea whispered, awestruck, “It’s like something out of a dream…”

Leo grinned, tugging at the bottom of his tuxedo. “Or a fairy tale.”

Nobles filled the chamber, crests displayed proudly: the eagle of Eclestia, the serpent of Valerian, the bear of Bentriets. Children clustered near their families, curious or wary. Orven Bentriets caught Leo’s eye again, glaring across the room with a look that was half challenge, half amusement.

The party went on for a couple hours, people went around dancing and going from table to table tasting the snacks brought out by the castle staff.

Other lower class nobles approached the Kazantrias to catch up after many years of not seeing each other. The room was filled roof joyous noise and everyone seem to have forgotten about the tragedy that had recently occurred.

Among the nobles were also some of Ronayah’s top merchants who had attended to create new business ties.

The twins noticed the princess sat alone at one of the tables. They soon approached her and began chatting with her so she didn’t feel so left out even though this was technically meant to be her coronation celebration no one really paid her any attention.

Perhaps because she was still just a young child or because no one simply had any interest in doing so.

The music swelled, people mingled, glasses clinked and laughter filled the chamber, a little too loud, as though everyone was pretending nothing was wrong.

Then — the first sound of shattering glass split the music.

A scream followed.

The chandeliers trembled as shadowy figures swept through the glass windows. Shattering them instantly on impact. They were demons with claws sharp as knives and eyes glowing like coals. Shards of glass rained down as more of them shut down through the glass roof, causing the chandeliers to collapse as they dived in.

screams and wails erupted throughout the ballroom; people drew their weapons while others began casting spells.

In an instant, chaos erupted. The party went from being relatively calm to havoc. Shattered glass lay on the ground while flames began growing on the floor from the top of candles.

“Guards! Defend the princess!” someone roared.

Some people who lay near the windows were picked up by the going beasts Clawed feet and thrown down the castle walls.

Tables overturned, people scrambled back, food and wine crashed to the floor. The few guards who waited inside the ballroom drew their swords and began clashing with the first demons that landed claw-first on marble.

“Leo! Lea!” Lucina’s voice rang sharp. She reached for them, but the crowd surged, separating them. Solan’s blade slashed at the first demon that lunged too close.

Leo shoved Lea behind him, drawing his own sword. His pulse roared in his ears, but instinct moved him faster than thought. Fire bloomed at his fingertips, racing up the blade until the steel itself burned like molten gold. “Ignus!” He shouted, as the flames cleaved into the nearest demon.

Lea, breath shaking, raised her hands. The words came to her lips without thinking of a chant she had practiced in secret. “Guard sphere” A dome of pale golden light shimmered into existence around her, the princess, Leo, and a few nearby nobles. A demon crashed against it, claws screeching against the barrier. The shield held.

Leo shot a flare arrow spell at the Demon as it fell to the ground. Striking it square in its chest.

Nobles screamed, guards shouted orders, the air filled with smoke, fire, and the copper tang of blood.

“The doors are locked, we can't escape!” someone shouted as they shook the handles.

On the other side of the door, six armed guards furiously struck the door with their swords trying to break it down; however it was futile since while no one was looking, Lord Raymond had to cast a blinding spell on it using dark magic.

The twins stood together, defiant. Leo swung again and again, his sword aflame, sparks trailing behind each strike. Lea’s light shield rippled, holding back wave after wave of claws and teeth.

When they had an opening Lea dispelled the shield and she urged Leo and Lumnaria to run with her.

They hit behind one of the tables at a wall and Leo using his earth magic struck it and then broke a hole that they could crawl through to safety out of the ballroom.

When they reached the other side, they stood in an empty hallway. Luminaria pointed in one direction and told them to follow behind. After running for about a minute they came up upon a set of large rose pink double doors.

The princess pushed it open and all three of them went in and shut the door behind themselves.

Leo stayed near the door with his sword in hand, wiping sweat off his forehead and panting

The girls behind him fell to the floor in a nervous sweat.

Back in the ballroom, the tide began to thin. The surviving demons fled through shattered windows, vanishing into the night. Silence fell heavy, broken only by the groans of the wounded. Smoke coiled in the air. Blood stained the marble.

The twins stood trembling, adrenaline still coursing.

Then— a knock came from beyond the princess’s chamber door. Leo spun, flames bursting to life once more at his sword’s edge. He stood firm, chest heaving, blade raised, ready to strike whoever dared enter.

The door opened.

“Leo, wait!” the princess cried.

The figure who stepped inside was not an enemy. It was Amarley, the princess’s attendant, her uniform torn, a streak of blood on her cheek but her eyes sharp.

Luminaria gasped. “Amarley!” She ran forward, collapsing into the woman’s arms. Tears spilled freely as she buried her face against her shoulder.

For the first time that night, the princess allowed herself to cry.

Leo slowly lowered his sword, the flames dimming into nothing but smoke curling from the steel. His arms shook with exhaustion.

This night of bloodshed had ended but the aftermath had only just begun.

After the noise had died down the group gained the confidence to leave the chamber.

The once-immaculate palace now bore scars of battle. Smoke hung in the air, faint but sharp, like an aftertaste of fire that refused to leave.

The carpets were torn, walls scorched black, doors splintered. Ash drifted down like snow where sections of ceiling had collapsed. Guards carried stretchers past them, some with injured nobles and others covered completely with bloodied sheets.

They entered the ballroom.

Leo stopped dead in his tracks.

Blood splattered across the white marble, pooled dark beneath broken chandeliers. Tables were overturned, their golden cloths smeared red. Crushed fruit and spilled wine mixed with ash and blood, a grotesque parody of last night’s feast. Broken glass crunched underfoot, shards catching the dim light from the fires that still burned..

Some bodies still lay across the floor — nobles, servants, and demons alike. The stench of iron and guts filled the chamber.

Lea’s hands shook at her sides. Her chest tightened until she could hardly breathe. “What if Father and Mother”

“Father!” she cried suddenly, looking around, panic seizing her.

“Mother!?” Leo’s voice broke. He searched desperately through the haze and ruin.

Then, through a scorched corridor at the far end, two figures emerged. Solan, clothes torn and bloodied at the arm, and Lucina, her gown streaked with ash. Both were limping slightly, but alive.

“Children,” Lucina called softly. Her voice was hoarse, but steady.

Leo and Lea ran forward, throwing themselves into their parents’ arms. Relief washed over them, hot and overwhelming, as tears finally spilled.

“I'm so happy you're okay!” Lea cried, as tears ran down Lucina's back.

The palace had barely survived the night. But the scars on the walls and on their hearts would remain for a lifetime.