Chapter 146 — The Execution

Patriarch Jackson took a moment to look at the Shadow Blade.

Then his eyes moved toward Lyra.

Everything was in place.

The execution platform was prepared. The clan had gathered.

His gaze shifted toward Elder Sebastian.

Jackson's expression remained calm.

Well…

Not all the pieces.

There was still one chess piece that needed to move.

He turned toward the gathered Shadow Foxes.

"Welcome, fellow Shadow Foxes."

His voice carried throughout the square.

"Thank you for taking the time out of your day to witness something important."

He gestured toward Lyra.

"Today, we will make an example out of someone who chose to become friends with a human."

The crowd immediately began murmuring.

"Or, as we know them…"

Jackson paused.

"…betrayers."

The murmuring grew louder.

Jackson waited several seconds before continuing.

"It has been proven that Lyra was seen with a human."

He looked toward her.

"And not only that."

His expression hardened.

"The scent of a human was found all over her."

The crowd grew noticeably quieter.

Jackson allowed the silence to settle.

"It has even been suspected that the two may have mated." 3

The square erupted.

"What?!"

"She mated with a human?"

"That's disgusting!"

Others looked shocked, whispering among themselves.

Elder Sebastian's expression immediately darkened.

His hands tightened at his sides.

He knew exactly what Jackson was doing.

You bastard.

Jackson had deliberately waited until the execution to reveal the most inflammatory accusation.

He wanted the entire clan angry.

He wanted there to be no room for mercy.

Jackson raised one hand.

The crowd gradually quieted.

"So…"

He looked around.

"It has been decided."

His voice became authoritative.

"With my authority as Patriarch and leader of the Shadow Fox Clan…"

He turned toward Lyra.

"Lyra shall be executed by the Shadow Blade."

Silence.

Jackson looked directly at her.

"Lyra."

His voice became almost ceremonial.

"Do you have any last words before your death?"

Lyra looked at him.

Then she slowly shook her head.

"No."

Her gaze lowered.

"I don't."

She looked toward the ground.

And waited.

Jackson nodded.

He turned toward the crowd.

"Does anyone else have any last words before we proceed with the execution?"

His gaze slowly moved through the crowd.

Then stopped on Elder Sebastian.

After a moment Elder Sebastian stepped forward.

"Yes."

His voice carried across the square.

"I have something to say."

A faint smile appeared on Jackson's face.

He knew this was coming.

Elder Sebastian continued walking forward.

"I don't believe Lyra deserves execution."

The crowd immediately began whispering again.

"At worst, she should be banished from the Shadow Fox Clan."

He looked toward Jackson.

"Let her live outside the clan."

His expression hardened.

"Execution is far too extreme."

Jackson's smile disappeared.

"You're allowing pity to cloud your judgment."

He stepped forward.

"You're thinking emotionally."

Sebastian shook his head.

"No."

His voice became firm.

"I'm thinking about the clan."

He pointed toward the Shadow Blade.

"There is a reason that weapon hasn't been used in thousands of years."

His eyes narrowed.

"And it's certainly interesting that after you became Patriarch, it somehow found its way back into action." 1

For half a second, something ugly flashed across Jackson's face.

A snarl.

Barely visible.

Then it disappeared.

"Silence, Sebastian."

Jackson's voice was cold.

"Just because you're an elder doesn't mean you have the authority to stop what is about to happen."

Sebastian stared at him.

"It doesn't mean I'm going to sit back and watch it happen."

Jackson's eyes narrowed.

The moment had arrived.

He turned toward Levron.

"Levron."

Levron's body stiffened.

"Commence the execution."

A long silence followed.

Then Levron lowered his head.

"Yes, Patriarch."

He walked toward Lyra.

Lyra looked at him.

Their eyes met.

Levron's expression was filled with pain.

But he said nothing.

Lyra didn't make things difficult for him.

She simply turned around and walked toward the Shadow Blade.

Each step was slow.

She climbed onto the execution platform.

Then she lowered herself into position.

Her neck rested against the designated opening.

The Shadow Blade hung above her.

Lyra closed her eyes.

She was ready.

"Wait!"

Elder Sebastian suddenly moved.

His body blurred.

He dashed forward.

But before he could reach Lyra—

A figure intercepted him.

Jackson.

"Why don't you and I…"

Jackson drew his sword.

"…keep each other busy while this finishes?" 1

Their weapons collided.

BOOM!

A shockwave erupted across the platform.

The entire Shadow Fox Clan erupted in confusion.

"What is happening?!"

"The Patriarch is fighting the Elder!"

"They're fighting each other!"

Sebastian pushed forward.

Jackson blocked.

Their swords collided again.

Neither gave ground.

At the same time, Gabby, Crystal, and Jeff moved.

The moment they saw Sebastian make his move, they dashed toward the platform.

But three figures immediately intercepted them.

Zuban moved toward Gabby.

Kyle moved toward Crystal.

Blake moved toward Jeff.

Three battles erupted simultaneously.

Gabby's sword collided with Zuban's.

Crystal exchanged blows with Kyle.

Jeff clashed with Blake.

Levron stood beside the execution mechanism.

He looked at Lyra.

Pain flashed through his eyes.

He knew what he was about to do.

But he had already chosen. 1

He reached for the lever.

Sebastian saw it.

"DON'T!"

He slammed his sword against Jackson's weapon and forced him backward.

"BOY!"

Sebastian's voice shook the entire square.

"Don't you do it!"

Jackson blocked another attack.

"You'll regret this for the rest of your life!"

Jackson's expression became cold.

"Shut your mouth, Sebastian!"

He swung his sword.

Sebastian blocked.

"Levron!"

Jackson shouted.

"Continue!"

The two swords clashed again.

Neither could overpower the other.

Sebastian pushed forward with everything he had.

He had to stop this.

Lyra was the daughter of the previous Patriarch.

The man he had respected more than almost anyone.

The man he had followed for years.

He couldn't stand by and watch his daughter die.

His sword slammed against Jackson's.

The impact forced Jackson several steps backward.

But it wasn't enough.

Jackson stabilized himself.

Their eyes met.

Neither spoke.

Then they clashed again.

Meanwhile, Gabby fought desperately.

"Move!"

Her sword struck Zuban's blade.

Zuban grinned.

"You aren't getting past me."

Gabby attacked again.

He blocked.

She changed angles.

He followed.

Then Gabby suddenly thrust toward his head.

Zuban barely moved in time.

The blade passed beside his skull.

His eyes widened.

Gabby immediately twisted her sword.

Zuban blocked the next strike.

But the exchange had opened a path.

Gabby tried to slip past him.

Zuban lunged.

His blade pierced her shoulder.

Gabby gasped.

Blood spilled down her arm.

But she didn't stop.

She fell toward the ground, using the momentum to roll beneath his next strike.

"Gabby!"

Lyra's eyes widened.

Gabby looked up.

She could see Lyra.

She could see the Shadow Blade.

And she could see Levron standing beside the mechanism.

Gabby's expression changed.

"No…"

Her voice trembled.

"Levron!"

Levron's hand tightened around the lever.

His eyes closed.

For a brief moment, he remembered Lyra as a child.

Her laughter.

Her asking him to carry her.

Her following him everywhere.

His little sister.

Then his eyes opened.

He pulled the lever.

Click.

The mechanism activated.

The Shadow Blade began to descend.

Time seemed to slow.

The massive purple-black blade moved downward.

The crystalline edge caught the sunlight.

A silver glimmer appeared along the sharpened edge.

The entire square seemed to freeze.

Hundreds of Shadow Foxes stared upward.

Elder Sebastian's expression turned horrified.

"NO!"

Jackson continued fighting him.

Gabby pushed herself off the ground despite the blade buried in her shoulder.

"NO!"

Zuban blocked her again.

Nobody could stop the blade.

Lyra opened her eyes.

She looked toward Sebastian.

The elder was fighting with everything he had.

His expression was one of pure anguish.

Lyra smiled.

A beautiful, peaceful smile.

She didn't blame him.

Then she looked toward Gabby.

Gabby was struggling to stand.

Tears filled her eyes.

Lyra's smile remained.

The blade continued falling.

Slowly.

And Lyra simply waited.