The Crown's Fire - Chapter 305

Chapter 305: Bring her to me!
As planned, Ezme and Levi accompanied Katelina as Bella opened a shimmering portal, leading them directly to Lambert’s Manor. The portal swirled with vibrant energy before depositing them near the pond. It was the exact location Floria had described in her message sent through Bella.

Katelina scanned the area, her eyes falling on Floria standing nearby. Her face was pale, her hands trembling as she held a lotus flower that radiated an ethereal glow. Beside her, slumped unconscious in a chair, was a blonde woman. Katelina immediately assumed her as Lumina, the body of the soul occupying Floria’s body.

“Floria’s soul,” Katelina murmured, her gaze locked on the glowing lotus flower. The delicate petals seemed to pulse with life, holding Floria’s essence within.

The fake Floria stepped forward, her expression tight with urgency. “As promised, Your Majesty, I’ve brought my original body. Please, there isn’t much time. Perform the soul transfer before the lotus withers.”

Katelina moved closer and replied, “You’ve done well. We’ll ensure your soul is returned to its rightful place.”

Levi had foreseen everything, and the events unfolding now were in line with his vision. Katelina sighed in relief, knowing the real Floria would be saved.

Bella stepped to Katelina’s side, ready to assist with the ritual while Levi and Ezme took up defensive positions, scanning the perimeter for any signs of danger.

Katelina knelt beside Lumina’s unconscious body, whispering a prayer under her breath as she placed her hands over the lotus. She could feel the vibrant energy of Floria’s soul within it, a delicate yet powerful force waiting to be guided. She had to be quick.

“Bella,” she said softly, “prepare the containment circle. This transfer must be seamless.”

Bella nodded, quickly drawing an intricate sigil around Lumina and Floria with chalk infused with protective magic. The sigil began to glow faintly as Katelina held the lotus higher, its light intensifying.

“Floria, lay down beside Lumina,” Katelina instructed. Floria hesitated briefly before complying with shaky movements.

Katelina closed her eyes and began to chant. The lotus flower floated from her hands, suspended between the two bodies as tendrils of light extended from it. They reached toward both Lumina and Floria, intertwining like ethereal threads.

The glow around the lotus grew blindingly bright, and a surge of energy rippled through the air, causing the pond to shimmer as though in resonance. Floria’s body convulsed slightly, while Lumina’s began to stir. Katelina continued the incantation, her voice unwavering despite the strain on her own energy.

Finally, with one last pulse of light, the lotus faded, its petals disintegrating into tiny motes that floated away on the breeze. Floria gasped, her chest rising sharply as her soul settled back into her rightful body. At the same time, Lumina’s body exhaled, her eyes fluttering open.

“It’s done,” Katelina said, her voice filled with relief. She helped Floria sit up, checking her for any signs of distress.

Floria looked down at her hands, tears streaming down her face. “I’m… I’m back. Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you.”

Before Katelina could respond, Levi’s voice rang out. “We’ve got company! He’s here…”

A dark portal began to materialize a short distance away, tendrils of shadow creeping into the manor grounds.

Katelina clenched her fists as Greg Elrod, now possessed by Devon, stepped out of the swirling portal. His smirk was as venomous as the dark magic radiating from him.

“You don’t look so surprised, my dear Katelina,” he drawled, his voice laced with mockery. “I suppose the fake Floria has already filled you in on a few things?”

“Devon,” Katelina muttered, her tone icy.

Devon chuckled. “Ah, it’s delightful hearing my name from your lips. Come with me willingly, Katelina, and I’ll ensure the safety of your brother and the rest of your precious allies. Isn’t that a fair trade?”

Before Katelina could respond, Ezme scoffed loudly, stepping forward with a smirk of disdain. “This clown again? Really?”

Devon’s eyes flicked to her, his grin widening. “Ah, Princess Ezme. Enjoying your new life here in Ebodia, are we? Such a pity… it’s about to end. This kingdom will soon bow to me.”

Ezme moved to strike, her energy flaring, but Bella swiftly restrained her.

“You!” Ezme growled, glaring at Bella. “You’re with this bastard? How could you?!”

Katelina, still weakened from the soul transfer ritual, struggled to remain upright, supported by Floria. Beside her, Lumina’s body trembled, still adjusting after the ordeal. They were in no state to fight.

“This was his plan. He wanted you to perform the soul swap to weaken your energy so he could easily take you without you fighting him,” Lumina murmured. “I’m sorry I couldn’t say it earlier. If I had, Floria’s body would have been torn to pieces.”

“It’s fine, Lumina. We saw this coming,” Katelina whispered with a reassuring smile. Levi had foreseen this, and despite Ezekiel’s disagreement, Katelina still chose to proceed with the soul swap so the two women could return to their own bodies.

“What’s this? Katelina, Floria, Lumina… all so fragile. It’s almost pitiful. My plan works. You won’t be able to fight me back much now my dear…” Devon sneered.

His eyes landed on Levi, and with a grin mocked, “Well, well, it seems little Levi is still standing. Where’s your dragon, little one? How about you call it so I can turn it to one of my pets?”

As Devon advanced, Katelina gritted her teeth and summoned the last remnants of her energy, forming a protective barrier around Levi. The effort nearly drained her completely, and she collapsed into Floria’s arms.

“Your Majesty!” Floria exclaimed, holding her steady. Her furious gaze snapped to Bella. “How could you betray our kingdom like this?”

Devon laughed maniacally, his voice echoing through the clearing. “Kill them, Bella. All of m.

them. I’ll take my woman and her precious little brother.”

Bella raised her hand, conjuring a dark wisp of magic that streaked toward Floria and Lumina. But just as it closed in, a radiant white wisp intercepted it, disintegrating the attack on contact.

Everyone froze as the white wisp hovered in the air, its glow intensifying with every passing second. The light was warm yet powerful, a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness Devon had brought with him.

Katelina’s lips widened into a faint smile despite her exhaustion. “Ezekiel,” she whispered, relief washing over her as the golden dragon descended gracefully from above, its radiant form shimmering in the fading light.

The dragon landed with a thundering roar, shaking the ground beneath its massive weight, and began to shift. Golden scales melted away to reveal Ezekiel in his human form, standing tall and resolute.

The air grew heavy as Ezekiel’s power surged. Suddenly, chants erupted from unseen forces surrounding the area. White light encircled Devon, forming intricate, glowing runes that coiled like chains around his body. He staggered, letting out a guttural growl of pain as the light burned into him.

Ezekiel’s voice thundered, his rage barely contained. “Did you really think I’d let you lay even a finger on my wife?!” His eyes blazed with fury as he raised his hand, channeling more of the light to tighten the magical restraints around Devon.

Devon’s defiance flared despite his obvious discomfort. “Attack!” he roared to his followers. “Take everyone down but leave Katelina alive. Bring her to me!”