The Crown's Fire - Chapter 306

Chapter 306: Love and Repentance
Devon’s followers charged like a storm, their black magic swirling and weapons radiating malevolent energy. The air grew thick with the clash of spells and steel, the ground trembling under the force of the battle. But the defenders of Ebodia stood ready.

From the shadows of the battlefield emerged Lurio with the rest of the kingdom’s mages. His staff glowed with a brilliant blue light as he cast a protective dome over the defenders, deflecting the initial wave of dark magic.

A barrage of counterspells erupted, blinding flashes of light and bursts of elemental energy tearing through the advancing dark forces of Devon that just popped out everywhere.

Devon’s expression twisted into one of fury and disbelief as his forces faltered. “This… This isn’t possible,” he gasped, struggling against the magical chains tightening around him.

Devon let out a furious roar, summoning his black dragon, a massive beast cloaked in shadowy flames. It descended with an earth-shaking growl, its glowing red eyes seething with malevolence.

“Onyx!” Katelina called, her voice steady despite the chaos.

From the sidelines, her black dragon, Onyx, soared into action, joining Levi’s silver dragon, Ember, in the fray. The two dragons circled Devon’s beast, their movements synchronized as they fought to subdue the monstrous creature.

Ezekiel stepped forward, “Do you really think this surprise attack will give you the upper hand, Devon? Did you believe you could outwit us so easily?”

Devon’s expression twisted with disbelief and fury. “But how? Katelina lost her gift of foresight!”

At that moment, Levi stepped beside Katelina, gripping her hand tightly. “Sister,” he said calmly, “draw energy from me. Use the amulet.”

Katelina’s heart raced as she pulled the amulet from around her neck, a strange warmth radiating from it. The gift from the old woman in Antila, one she’d almost forgotten, now seemed to pulse with purpose.

Suddenly, a vision flashed before her eyes… Levi’s vision… a clear and detailed path to utterly destroy Devon and seal the remnants of his dark power forever.

Turning to Ezekiel, she said, “Hold Devon off. I know how to end this.” Ezekiel nodded, stepping into Devon’s path as the amulet began to glow in Katelina’s hands.

Meanwhile, the dragons clashed fiercely in the sky. Onyx roared, lunging at the black dragon reeking with darkness with sharp claws, while Ember struck from above, breathing silver fire that scorched the beast’s dark scales.

Devon’s dragon roared in retaliation, thrashing wildly, but the combined efforts of Onyx and Ember slowly wore it down.

“Pathetic!” Devon spat, throwing another wave of dark magic toward Ezekiel.

Ezekiel deflected the attack with a golden shield.

Katelina stepped forward, the amulet now a blazing beacon in her hands. “This is the end for you, Devon. This amulet is a key, a door to hell itself. It will seal you and every trace of your darkness forever.”

Devon’s eyes widened in realization. “No! You don’t have the strength to activate that!”

Levi’s grip on her tightened. “She’s not alone. You’ve underestimated us for the last time.”

With Levi’s energy flowing into her, Katelina held the amulet high. It emitted a piercing light, and the ground beneath them began to quake.

Above, Onyx and Ember roared in unison, forcing the black dragon to the ground. The beast let out a final defiant cry before being pinned beneath their combined weight.

As the light from the amulet intensified, Devon screamed, thrashing against the chains of golden energy Ezekiel had cast around him. “This isn’t over! You can’t defeat me!”

The amulet’s light exploded, forming a swirling vortex. The portal opened beneath Devon, pulling him and all his followers reeking of dark energy including his dragon into its depths.

His screams echoed as the vortex consumed everything, except for Devon, who fought fiercely against being taken away. Devon summoned every ounce of his remaining power.

The dark energy surrounding him crackled violently, and Greg’s body glowed ominously as Devon tapped into the stored energy within it. The golden chains binding him began to strain and fracture.

“I will not fall!” Devon bellowed, his voice filled with rage and desperation. With a sudden surge of energy, he shattered the chains, sending a shockwave that knocked everyone back. The swirling vortex from the amulet flickered, threatening to close.

“No!” Katelina gasped, struggling to her feet.

Devon’s black dragon stirred, but before it could rise, a figure darted forward. Lumina threw herself toward Devon.

“Lumina!” Katelina called out, panic lacing her voice.

Lumina turned to face her with a faint smile. “It’s time I do what I should have done long ago.”

Before anyone could react, Lumina wrapped her arms tightly around Devon, her energy binding them together. Devon struggled, but his movements slowed as Lumina’s light began to counteract the dark energy surging within him.

“What are you doing?!” Devon growled, his voice a mixture of anger and confusion.

Lumina held him tighter, tears streaming down her face. “I’m holding you here, Devon. You won’t escape again.” She looked at Ezekiel, her eyes resolute. “End this. Destroy him now while I can hold him off.”

Ezekiel hesitated, his golden energy swirling in his hands. “Lumina, if I strike, you’ll be destroyed too!”

Katelina stumbled forward, her voice breaking. “No, Lumina! There has to be another way!”

Lumina’s smile was soft, yet filled with sadness. “I need this. For everything I’ve done, every wrong I committed under Merlot and Devon’s influence, this is my atonement.”

“But you’ve changed!” Katelina cried. “You don’t have to die to make things right!”

Lumina shook her head, her grip on Devon unwavering. “Sometimes, redemption requires sacrifice. This is mine. Please, let me do this.”

Devon thrashed, his dark energy flaring in an attempt to break free, but Lumina’s binding light only grew stronger. “You fool!” he spat. “You think this will change anything?”

“It will,” Lumina whispered. “Because it’s the one thing you’ll never understand… sacrifice born of love and repentance.”

Ezekiel’s hands trembled, his golden power pulsing, but his gaze was locked on Lumina. Her expression was calm, almost peaceful. “Your Majesty,” she said softly, “please do it. Save everyone and end this demon for good.”

Ezekiel clenched his jaw, his golden energy flaring brighter. “I’ll make it quick,” he promised, his voice heavy with sorrow. He released the blast, a beam of pure golden energy, straight at Devon and Lumina. The light consumed them both, their forms glowing brilliantly before disintegrating into specks of light. The vortex pulled it all in before closing, as though it had never existed.

The oppressive weight of Devon’s power was gone, leaving only the light of the setting sun and the quiet rustle of the wind.

Katelina lowered the now-dormant amulet, her knees giving way. Levi caught her, steadying her as Ezekiel rushed to her side. “She saved us all,” he said softly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“She sacrificed herself,” Katelina whispered, clutching the amulet tightly in her hand.

“She believed it was the only way to make things right…”

Katelina felt a pang of guilt; she had hoped to save both Floria and Lumina. Exhaustion overtook her, and the next thing she knew, her surroundings turned black as she collapsed into Ezekiel’s arms.