Chapter 2679: Story 2680: The Brother Beyond Darkness

“Azael.”

The name echoed through the black world.

Kael could not breathe.

The faceless silhouette stood beyond the throne, motionless, while silver light slowly formed where its eyes should have been.

“Azael,” Kael whispered.

The figure tilted its head.

“You remember me.”

“I remember my brother.”

A low laugh rolled through the darkness.

“No. You remember what they allowed you to remember.”

The silver-eyed figure beside the throne stepped forward.

“Do not listen to him.”

Azael turned toward him.

“You still wear his stolen face.”

The ancient figure froze.

Kael looked between them.

“What does that mean?”

Azael raised one hand.

The darkness twisted.

Suddenly Kael saw a white tree burning beneath a dead sky.

Eight children stood around it.

He saw himself as Elarion.

He saw Azael beside him.

Then he saw the silver-eyed figure removing a glowing heart from Elarion’s chest.

Kael cried out.

“No!”

The vision changed.

Azael was dragged away by chains.

A black crown was placed upon his head.

A voice whispered inside his mind.

Kill your brother.

Azael screamed.

The vision shattered.

Kael fell to one knee.

“That was you.”

Azael stared at him.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I was made to become the blade.”

Kael slowly rose.

“Against me?”

“Against everything.”

The silver-eyed figure stepped forward.

“I took your heart because Azael had already been corrupted.”

Azael laughed bitterly.

“Corrupted?”

His silver eyes flashed red.

“I was taught the truth.”

Kael tightened his grip on the sword.

“What truth?”

Azael pointed toward the white eye behind them.

“That prison was never built to contain the enemy.”

The throne groaned.

Kael looked upward.

“Then what was it built for?”

Azael answered softly.

“You.”

Silence consumed the realm.

Kael shook his head.

“No.”

“You are the door.”

“I know.”

“You are also the prisoner.”

Kael froze.

The silver-eyed figure whispered, “Azael, stop.”

But Azael continued.

“When they divided the First Soul, they believed they could separate the door from the thing behind it.”

The white eye began bleeding darkness.

“They failed.”

Kael’s chest burned.

Elarion.

Azrael.

Kael.

All three names became one.

He saw a memory.

He was standing before the sealed gate.

Azael stood beside him.

Both brothers held swords.

Behind them, seven children watched.

The eighth stood alone beneath the white tree.

A voice spoke.

One brother must enter.

One brother must remain.

Kael looked at Azael.

“You stayed.”

Azael smiled sadly.

“Because you ran.”

The memory vanished.

Kael stared at his brother.

“Where did I run?”

Azael pointed toward Kael’s chest.

“Into yourself.”

Suddenly the seventh mark exploded with white fire.

The throne cracked from top to bottom.

The silver-eyed figure shouted.

“Both of you must leave!”

Kael raised his sword.

“Not without you.”

The figure looked at him sadly.

“I am not your enemy.”

Azael stepped backward.

“Neither am I.”

Behind him, the white eye widened.

A colossal hand emerged.

Chains snapped one after another.

Azael looked toward Kael.

“Brother, when it reaches you, do not open the door.”

Kael stepped forward.

“What should I do?”

Azael smiled.

“Remember who locked it.”

The hand reached closer.

A voice thundered through the darkness.

“ELARION.”

Kael’s eyes turned silver.

And somewhere inside his heart, another ancient voice answered.

“Awaken.”