A POWER WITHOUT CHAINS
The ground trembled harder.
Cracks spread across the clearing like broken glass beneath Aria’s feet.
Silver energy pulsed around her body, brighter and more violent than before.
Lucian felt it like a physical weight pressing against his chest.
“…That’s not good.”
Rowan looked between Aria and the Blood Emperor nervously.
“I thought she just refused him. Why is everything shaking again?”
Elias’ face had gone pale.
“Because the Primordial power is no longer being suppressed.”
Lucian’s eyes narrowed.
“You mean…”
Elias nodded slowly.
“There are no chains holding it back anymore.”
The Blood Emperor stared at Aria.
For the first time since arriving—
His confidence slipped.
“You’re resisting the Bloodstone.”
Aria looked down at the red crystal in her hand.
Its glow flickered under the pressure of her silver power.
“…It’s weak.”
She squeezed her fingers slightly.
The Bloodstone cracked.
The sound echoed sharply through the clearing.
Rowan blinked.
“Did she just—”
Lucian grabbed his arm quickly.
“Don’t interrupt.”
The Blood Emperor took a step forward.
“Stop.”
Aria’s glowing eyes lifted to him slowly.
“…Why?”
The Blood Emperor’s voice hardened.
“You don’t understand what you’re doing.”
Lucian muttered quietly,
“That’s rich coming from him.”
The Blood Emperor’s red eyes burned.
“The Bloodstone is the key to controlling that power.”
Aria tilted her head slightly.
“Control?”
Silver lightning flickered across the ground around her.
“I do not need control.”
The Alpha King moved closer carefully.
“Aria.”
Her eyes flickered again when she heard his voice.
For a brief second—
The glow softened.
Lucian noticed immediately.
“Keep talking.”
The Alpha King stepped closer.
Ignoring the violent energy surrounding her.
“You’re stronger than this.”
Aria stared at him.
The ancient presence inside her pushed back.
Trying to silence the memories.
But Kael’s voice reached her anyway.
“You’re not a monster.”
The silver glow flickered again.
Rowan whispered,
“I think it’s working.”
But the Blood Emperor suddenly laughed.
“You think this is about her emotions?”
His red eyes gleamed with dark amusement.
“The Primordial Wolf doesn’t care about feelings.”
He pointed toward Aria.
“That power will eventually destroy everything around her.”
Aria’s gaze snapped toward him.
The silver glow flared violently again.
“Silence.”
The word hit the air like thunder.
The Blood Emperor’s smile slowly returned.
“There it is.”
Lucian frowned.
“What?”
The Blood Emperor gestured toward Aria.
“That’s not Aria speaking.”
Aria’s silver eyes burned brighter.
The ancient voice echoed again.
“I have watched this world for centuries.”
Rowan swallowed.
“…That’s definitely not Aria.”
Elias whispered in horror.
“The Primordial spirit is fully awake.”
Lucian’s grip tightened on his sword.
“And it’s taking over.”
The Alpha King stepped forward again.
“Aria.”
Her glowing eyes turned toward him.
The silver light inside them flickered.
Struggling.
Fighting.
“Listen to me,” he said firmly.
“You’re still in there.”
The wind around her intensified again.
The Primordial voice growled quietly.
“I am the first wolf.”
The trees around them bent under the pressure of her power.
“I am the origin of your blood.”
Rowan looked at Lucian nervously.
“Any ideas?”
Lucian didn’t look away from Aria.
“One.”
“What?”
“We keep her focused on Kael.”
The Alpha King didn’t hesitate.
He stepped even closer.
Close enough now that the silver energy was tearing at his clothes.
“Aria.”
Her glowing eyes trembled slightly.
“You’re not alone.”
The Primordial power roared inside her mind.
Trying to drown him out.
But Kael didn’t stop.
“You fought your entire life.”
His voice was steady.
“And you survived everything.”
Aria’s hands trembled.
The Bloodstone cracked further in her grip.
“You don’t need that power to be strong.”
The silver glow flickered violently.
Inside her mind—
Aria finally heard him clearly.
“Kael…”
The Primordial spirit roared in fury.
The ground exploded again beneath her feet.
Lucian’s eyes widened.
“She’s fighting it!”
Rowan grinned slightly.
“Come on, Aria.”
But the Blood Emperor suddenly moved.
Faster than anyone expected.
He lunged toward Aria with terrifying speed.
“If I can’t control the Primordial Wolf—”
His hand shot toward the Bloodstone.
“…then I’ll take the power myself.”
But the moment he touched the crystal—
Aria’s silver eyes snapped open.
And the entire forest shook as something ancient inside her finally answered the threat.