Orion The Fallen God Chapter 8: Chapter 7 - The King of Arcadia

Read chapter 8 of Orion The Fallen God by AltexTV on NovelPedia.

The skies above Arcadia burned crimson. A massive blood-red moon loomed over the land, its glow casting long, haunting shadows across the towering black spires of Arcadian Castle. Rivers of molten light pulsed through the fortress walls like veins, as if the kingdom itself were alive… and watching. Inside the castle, silence ruled. Until "KRRRRRRR…" The great doors of the throne chamber groaned open, their ancient metal scraping against the stone floor. A blinding light spilled through the widening gap, swallowing the corridor in a fiery glow. Then "BOOOOM." The doors slammed fully apart. A lone armored soldier stepped forward, his boots echoing against the vast hall as the red light consumed the entire room. His grip tightened around his weapon as he approached the throne. At the far end of the chamber, seated upon a dark, imposing seat of power, was the King of Arcadia, Azarel. Two silent guards stood at his sides, unmoving as statues. The king himself sat relaxed, one hand resting against his face, his glowing eyes fixed on the approaching soldier. "You kept me waiting," Azarel said calmly, his voice low but heavy with authority. The soldier immediately dropped to one knee. "Sorry, my King." Azarel rose slowly from his throne, his presence alone enough to suffocate the room. "What information do you bring me?" he commanded. The soldier hesitated. A bead of sweat ran down his face as he spoke, "My King… Garrik has been lost… Commander Klavaz was defeated by an Orion… and the Silver Angel Zarella." Silence followed for a moment, the air itself seemed to still. Then Azarel exhaled softly. "That is okay," he said, almost dismissively. "Garrik was just a distraction… from the real plan." The soldier looked up, confused. "A… distraction?" Azarel's jaw clinched as if he was in pain. He quickly composed himself before answering. "I have already sent a fleet to Havoc. There we will capture their leaders and can cut off the Angelic supply route." He stepped closer, his eyes burning brighter. "Once we take control of Havoc… the Angelics will choke. They will have no choice but to surrender to us." he continued. The weight of his words settled like a storm. Azarel turned away and began to walk out of the room. "This meeting is now over." he dismissed. Without another glance, he walked past the soldier, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow swallowing light. The soldier still in a state of shock at what he just heard and witnessed, did not move an inch. Later that night… Azarel entered his private chambers. The room was quiet, warm, dimly lit by soft flames. A stark contrast to the chaos of the throne hall. Sitting near the window, a woman with long silver hair looked up from her book, a gentle smile forming on her face. "Azarel, dear… how did the meeting go today?" she spoke softly. He paused at the door, his hand tightening slightly before he spoke. "We lost Garrik… and…" His voice faltered. "Klavaz was taken from us too." The words felt heavier now, closer than ever before. To Azarel this felt like a dagger to the back, a pain that he could not just shrug off. The woman Helena stood and walked toward him, her expression softening with concern. "I am so sorry, dear… I know you two were close." her voice covered with comfort. Azarel's composure cracked. He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if she were the only thing keeping him grounded. Helena rested her head against his chest, her arms wrapped around him. "This war…" he murmured, his voice strained, "has taken so much from us." "Tell me… what must I do to save everyone?" Azarel whispered. "Helena… how do I protect our family… and still win this war?" For a moment, she said nothing. Then she looked up at him, her eyes filled with warmth. She knew what kind of man she had married, he was not an emotionless monster. He cared for his fellow warriors, they were his brothers who would always be there for each other. "Azarel… you have given so much t