Evolution of the Ruined Heir

Chapter 343: Pressure

Malakai found Nyx, Renlo and the others waiting for him just outside the manor.

They each had the same grim look on their faces. Nyx and Renlo offered to go with him, but he refused.

It wasn’t every day one got a chance to meet the Sovereign. And though he wasn’t sure what the purpose of the meeting was, he knew it was something he had to walk alone.

Their presence wouldn’t change anything, especially when it came to the Blood Sovereign.

Bidding them goodbye, Malakai left the manor. It was early morning, and the sun shone down brightly across all of Crimson Hold.

Malakai became a blur, cutting through the forest. His intention had been to sprint slightly and warm up his body, but he’d ended up turning into a blur of speed instead.

’I really have to check my body.’

Malakai had never felt so excited about accessing his body than he felt now. He felt stronger than ever, well except during the incident at Sylvastein when he got his power boost.

’You’ve been silent since. You’re not going to welcome me?’ Despite the looming meeting with the Sovereign, Malakai refused to let it dampen his good mood.

’…’

When he received no response, Malakai frowned. ’Hey, you’re still there, right?’

’…’

’Valentine.’

Malakai stopped moving, eyes furrowed.

’Valentine!’

’S-stop shouting! I-I’m here.’

’Why didn’t you answer?’

There was a brief pause, and when Malakai was about to speak, he quickly spoke up.

’U-um… because I didn’t know what to say, okay?’

’Since when have you been short of words? You always have something to say…’

’Since your confession!’ Valentine blurted out without thinking.

Malakai blinked, confused.

’Confession?’

’Y-yes!’ Valentine said. ’You confessed to me before the darkness swallowed us back in Sylvastein.’

Malakai shook his head, sighing.

’I’m guessing no one has ever admitted to liking you before?’

Valentine went silent.

’M-maybe.’

Malakai began walking again.

’Well… if it’s any consolation, I don’t think I like you anymore.’

’W-what!? Why?’

’You’re a piece of work.’

Valentine burst out from him. Despite wanting to look serious and confident, he still couldn’t meet Malakai’s eyes.

’Y-you’re not allowed to take back your words!’

’Watch me.’

Malakai blurred, shooting forward. Valentine went on and on about how a true man always followed his words, but Malakai ignored him.

A few minutes later, he reached the main building where a familiar figure waited for him.

“The Blood Sovereign waits for you in the grand hall.” The Iron Saint bowed slightly and said.

Malakai frowned, but nodded. As the Iron Saint began leading him inside, he entered into his mind.

’He’s been waiting.’ This was what the Iron Saint had claimed. It meant the Blood Sovereign had been waiting while he had chosen to eat.

’Shit.’

And the other thing he noticed was the Iron Saint’s demeanor. The last time they met, the man had been welcoming, nice even.

But now, he greeted him with a tensed and hardened demeanor. It pointed to one thing, he wasn’t walking into good news.

Regardless, Malakai was surprised to find his thoughts calm, and heart beating at a steady pace. None of his limbs even so much as trembled.

’Is it the vita?’ He wondered. A stronger body most times than not always equals a stronger mind. He could feel it.

The events of Sylvastein had hardened his mind so much that the thought of meeting with the Sovereign did little to affect him. The worst that could happen was dying. What of it?

The grand doors of the main building cracked open, and a wave of force slammed onto Malakai, blasting his attire and hair back.

The Iron Saint stepped aside and gestured inward.

Unblinking, Malakai took a breath, and stepped into the hall.

’Never gets old.’

Compared to the outside, the air in the hall felt different, like it stood on the edge of the divine.

The gravity was high, pressing down on him. And despite his newly discovered power, Malakai found himself overwhelmed.

Each step was a struggle, like he lifted the full weight of some mountain. Malakai found himself clenching his fists more time, struggling.

But he walked.

And when he crossed quarterway, he felt another shift in the air. Suddenly, the heavy weight pressing down on him became insignificant.

His entire focus was grasped by the figure seated high on a throne. Seated like a king. Like he alone ruled the world.

The giant of the west, the eternal Blood Sovereign. Othric.

Malakai only remembered glimpses of Othric’s battle at Sylvastein. All he saw were flashes of green, and the darkness was gone. Such was absolute power, a power he strived for.

’A zenith.’

As Othric fixed his gaze on him, a shudder moved through him. Despite his earlier bravado, his heart began pounding, and limbs began to tremble.

The only part he held control over was his face, and even that was a struggle.

Malakai could feel it. Othric’s gaze was intense. The Blood Sovereign was angry.

’Why?’

The single question filled his mind as he walked. Why was he angry? Because of the destruction of Sylvastein? The death of millions?

Much was still unknown about the giant of the west. Was he the type of man to care if people aside his kin died?

’Or because of the life essence…’

Othric must have witnessed the brief moment he clashed against the darkness that had threatened Sylvastein. That power… it was not one a 14 year old should possess. Monster or not.

’I can’t say for sure.’ Malakai cleared his mind and focused on walking. He would find out in a few moments.

He soon reached the bottom of the stairs, where he challenged the Sovereign’s pressure once more and ascended.

Malakai was a bit surprised to find out that it hadn’t been any easier. It was still as heavy as when he had first tried it.

Reaching the top of the stairs, he was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily. The weight of the Sovereign’s stare snapped him out of his reverie.

He sank into both knees, bowing his head in respect.

“I pay my respects to the Blood Sove-”

“Ninth vein.”

Othric’s voice was deep, so resonant that Malakai felt his bones vibrating.

’Bad.’ Malakai froze. Othric had addressed him by his title, rather than name.

“Yes, Sovereign.”

He felt the weight of the Sovereign’s presence pressing against him.

“How did the Fifth Vein die?”

’So that’s why.’ Malakai expression hardened. The Fifth Vein was a direct descendant, and it was well known that Othric did not joke with the lives of his direct descendants.

Malakai knew this, and he knew what had happened to Sereza. However…

’Should I lie?’ The thought vanished as fast as it came. He was in the presence of a zenith. There was no such thing as a lie.

“I killed her.”

A pressure like no other slammed down, forcing him to the ground.

Malakai felt like he was being compressed to the ground. His bones creaked, then broke. Muscles tore, and his blood pooled beneath him. Pain. Agony. That was all he felt.

But the pressure only kept on increasing, and a frightening thought slipped into his head.

’He’s going to kill me.’

“S-she t-tried t-to ki-kill m-me!” He managed to choke out, but it did nothing to lessen the weight on him.

’Shit!’

Now that he thought about it, death against the darkness wasn’t so bad. At least, he had died fighting with all he had. But here, he couldn’t even move.

’No he won’t kill him.’

Except the Blood Sovereign was the type of man that got off from torturing his kin, he wasn’t going to kill him. If he had wanted to, then Malakai could be dead before he could blink.

Suddenly, the pressure vanished.

Beaten, Malakai shakily pulled himself up. His breaths were little less than wheezing. Mucus, mixed with tears and blood dripped from his chin, adding to the pool on the ground.

Malakai got back in his kneeling position, and fell silent, waiting to be addressed.

But the coldness of the Blood Sovereign didn’t decrease.

“Tell me everything that happened in Sylvastein.”

Malakai began recounting everything. From the first mission at the Murkroot to the discovery of the Gor’mekhai. He left out many details, only summarising. He went through the ambush and his first meeting with Seraza when she had wanted to kill him.

There Malakai made sure to explain everything, especially the kidnapping of Renlo. Then he turned to the infiltration and the bomb at the Sutrex birthday party. Then the attack and his escape into the underground lab where he confronted Seraza and killed her.

The Sovereign was utterly silent as he spoke, and as Malakai felt the shift in the air, he glanced up and was shocked to see the sadness flickering through the Sovereign’s eyes.

It was gone as quickly as it came.

“Ninth vein.”

“Yes, Sovereign.” Malakai bowed lower.

“The Fifth Vein was at fault, so I understand it was self defense and you were trying to save your teammate.

The Sovereign’s tone hardened, each word seemingly to press down against him.

“So I shall excuse you this time. But heed me well, should you ever kill one of my kin again, you will answer directly to me.”

Malakai clenched his fist. “Yes, Sovereign.”

There was a moment of silence, and when Malakai was about to excuse himself, the Sovereign broke it.

“You reached the top of the fresh blood rankings.”

Malakai eyes snapped wide. He had completely forgotten about that! He had only awakened, after all.

“You may ask your questions now.”

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