Chapter 27: Blood Throne Trial
The void screamed.
Lucien’s body tumbled through the abyss, time stretched and warped around him like a broken mirror. Shadows with eyes swirled past, whispering ancient names and forgotten truths that made his soul ache with recognition. He wasn’t falling—he was being dragged. Somewhere beyond comprehension, the [Blood Throne Trial] was awakening for him and him alone.
The whispers grew louder, forming words in languages that predated human civilization:
*"The Heir comes... the Bloodline stirs... the Throne hungers..."*
> [SYSTEM NOTICE: BLOODLINE PURITY TEST—INITIATING]
> [Warning: Interference from Prime Ancestor detected... adjusting trial difficulty to Unmeasurable.]
> [CAUTION: Survival probability calculated at 0.003%]
His body slammed into a crimson platform made of bone and fire. The sudden gravity crushed his knees to the obsidian surface. Blood splattered from his mouth as the sky above him cracked open like an egg, revealing a massive, otherworldly throne made of veins, claws, and shifting runes that pulsed with malevolent life.
The throne was enormous—cathedral-sized, carved from what looked like crystallized blood and bound with chains of bone. Ancient symbols writhed across its surface like living things, occasionally forming faces that screamed silently before dissolving back into abstract patterns.
Lucien gasped for air that tasted of copper and decay.
"What... is this place?"
A voice older than death answered, echoing from everywhere and nowhere.