Chapter 26 — Betrayal in Noctis Sanctum

Later that evening, Kai slipped out alone, his hood pulled low. Selene slept uneasily, but Aurelia lingered in the manor halls, her crimson eyes following him with too much interest. Every step Kai took, he felt her stare at his back.

She’s watching me. Every move.

He ignored her and pressed on. The plan was simple: scout the palace, map its patrols, then strike when Vorath slept.

By dawn, he’d followed the route he had prepared — shadows, blind corners, servant halls. Everything was calculated. Quiet. Clean.

Finally, he slipped into Vorath’s chambers. The air was heavy with old blood and incense. At the center, resting upon a black stone dais, lay an ornate coffin sealed with silver clasps.

Kai’s grip tightened on his ninjatō. This was it.

But when he opened the coffin — it was empty.

A faint shift of air. Too late. Something struck the back of his neck. Darkness swallowed him.

Kai awoke in chains. Cold steel bit into his wrists and ankles, forcing him to kneel. A dim crimson light bled through the vast courtroom. Beside him, also bound, was Selene.

Her usual playful smirk was gone — replaced by shock, betrayal, and fury.

High upon the obsidian throne sat King Vorath Malachir, the Vampire King himself. His crimson cloak pooled like liquid fire, his gaze calm, ancient, merciless.

At his right hand stood Aurelia. Smiling.

“I knew I didn’t trust her,” Kai muttered, venom in his tone. He turned to Selene. “Are you alright?”

Selene didn’t answer. She just stared at Aurelia, her world unraveling. The only friend she had ever trusted… had sold her out.

Vorath’s voice rolled across the chamber, smooth and final. “You dare to plot against me? Execution is the only fitting end.”

The nobles in attendance whispered, some amused, others cautious. Among them, Selene spotted her father, Lord Marius Duskryn.

“Spare her, Majesty,” Marius said, bowing stiffly. “She is my daughter. Punish the human — but not her.”

Kai gave a dry, bitter laugh. “Expected nothing less.”

Vorath dismissed him with a flick of his hand. “Both will die.”

The heavy doors opened. The executioner stepped forward, massive and masked, carrying a gleaming axe. He bowed before the king, then raised the weapon high above Selene.

Kai’s teeth clenched. His blood boiled. He thought of the vow he had made — to forge his own path. To let no one take anything from him. Not again.

Not her.

The axe began to fall—

A flash. The executioner’s head snapped sideways as Kai’s foot crushed his skull in a single, explosive kick. The giant toppled like stone.

Gasps erupted through the hall.

In one fluid motion, Kai tore the axe from the corpse’s grip, spun it, and cleaved through the executioner’s neck — the body slumped to the floor. Guards rushed forward, but Kai met them head-on, carving through armor and bone with ruthless precision. Lightning crackled along his arms, surging into his strikes as he cut them down one after another.

Selene stared in disbelief. He shouldn’t even be able to move that fast while chained.

And yet, here he was.

Chains shattered. Blood sprayed. Silence followed.

Kai freed Selene, tossing her shackles aside. For a heartbeat, the entire court froze. Even Vorath leaned back slightly, amusement flickering in his ancient eyes.

Aurelia’s smug smile had died. “Impossible…”

Kai’s emerald eyes locked on her. His voice was ice. “Why?”

She opened her mouth, but nothing came.

“She trusted you,” Kai said, stepping forward. “You were her only friend. And you betrayed her. For what?”

Aurelia backed away, hands trembling. “Please, Kai—listen—I didn’t have a choice—”

He vanished.

In the blink of an eye, he reappeared before her, his hand buried in her chest. Aurelia gasped, eyes wide in horror.

“Kai—!” Selene’s voice cracked.

Aurelia’s lips trembled. “I… I’m sorry…”

Kai’s grip tightened around her heart. “Too late.”

He crushed it. Her scream ended in ash as her body disintegrated into dust, scattering across the marble floor.

The hall was silent. Selene’s breath caught, torn between shock and fear.

Vorath, seated upon his throne, chuckled softly, his fangs glinting. “Fascinating. Truly fascinating.”

Kai stepped forward, ninjatō raised, lightning crawling across the blade. His voice was low, filled with rage.

“Vorath Malachir,” he said coldly. “This ends with you.”

Vorath leaned forward, intrigued, crimson eyes gleaming. “Amuse me, boy.”