Book One: Rise of the Demonborn
Chapter 9: Blood Beneath the Ashes
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Kael knelt in a shallow grave.
The forest floor had given way to ancient bones, unearthed by a storm the night before. He hadn't intended to stop—but when his eyes saw the carved sigil on the largest skull—*his family's crest*, scorched in forgotten runes—he froze.
This was not an accident.
These bones belonged to his *ancestors*.
And they were *demons*.
Nyzereth whispered inside him. "So now you understand… they lied."
Kael's eyes glowed cold.
His parents had always claimed they were *pureblood humans*. That he was the shame. The mutation. The curse.
But the truth lay buried here: *he was the rightful heir of demonkind*. A bloodline erased by guilt—and fear.
Kael rose, rage simmering beneath his skin.
"They cast me out," he murmured. "To protect a lie."
"And now," Nyzereth purred, "you'll build a kingdom on their bones."
He extended his hand.
The skulls *shuddered*.
One by one, the dead rose—not as broken skeletons, but as *shadows*. Ancient demon spirits once sealed, now freed.
One stepped forward—a tall horned figure with burning eyes.
"Who dares awaken House Varnem?"
Kael met its gaze.
"I am Kael, last son of Varnem. Cast out. Forgotten."
The demon bowed slowly.
"Then we rise with you, Lord Kael."
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Meanwhile, in Therrow…
Fennira, now disguised as a noble's servant, stood in the mayor's study. The documents in her bag glowed faintly—blue runes etched by Kael himself. One spark was all it would take to burn the city's council to ash.
But her fingers trembled.
A young girl had smiled at her that morning.
Said she looked like her lost aunt.
Fennira's mind—what remained of it—wavered.
Could she still feel?
Or was it just *Kael's will*, stitched into her bones?
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Back in the forest, Kael's new army—twelve ancient demon spirits—bowed before him.
But one voice remained.
Soft. Familiar.
"…Kael?"
He turned.
A woman stepped from the trees.
His *sister*.
Older. Armed. Wary.
"You survived," she said. "I didn't think…"
He didn't speak.
"I—I'm not here to fight," she added. "I… learned the truth too. About our blood. Our family. They lied to all of us."
Kael's fists clenched.
"They *beat me*. They let you *watch*."
"I know," she whispered. "And I was a coward."
Silence.
"Please, Kael… don't destroy Therrow. Let me help you change it."
Kael stepped forward.
His eyes didn't glow.
His voice was quiet.
"... Then prove it."
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