Chapter Twenty-Six — Crimson Intent
Location:
Valerius Imperial Academy – Inner Grounds & Duel Platform
Time: Same night, moments after Chapter Twenty-Five
The academy gates slammed shut.
Runes ignited along the walls, bathing the inner grounds in harsh red light.
Lockdown Protocol: Initiated.
Students were herded into shelters. Instructors formed defensive lines. Above it all, pressure descended—heavy, deliberate.
Celsius stood alone in the courtyard.
Not because he was trapped.
Because he chose to be.
Darius has decided.
Eridiaries' presence stirred faintly within him, watchful but silent.
Scene 1 — The Brother in Red
Footsteps echoed across the stone.
Slow.
Measured.
A man stepped into the courtyard, cloak fluttering like a bloodstained banner.
Darius Valerius.
Red hair tied back, crimson aura leaking from his skin like heat distortion. His armor bore deep battle scars—the mark of the northern front.
Darius: "So the rumors were true."
Celsius turned.
Celsius: "You came personally."
Darius smiled.
Darius: "Of course. I wouldn't trust this to dogs."
The air warped as Darius released his aura.
Students watching from the balconies felt their knees buckle.
Darius: "You should've stayed broken."
Scene 2 — Brother vs Brother
Darius drew his sword.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
Darius: "Father ordered restraint."
He raised the blade.
Darius: "I didn't."
Celsius exhaled.
Slow.
Celsius: "You crippled me because you were afraid."
Darius' smile vanished.
Steel rang.
The clash sent a shockwave ripping across the courtyard. Pillars cracked. Windows shattered.
Darius attacked relentlessly—overwhelming force, perfected swordsmanship.
Celsius parried.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Each movement economical. Silent.
Too calm.
Darius frowned.
Darius: "You're hiding something."
Celsius: "I always was."
Scene 3 — Bloodline vs Shadow
Darius roared.
His bloodline awakened fully—Crimson Dominion.
Red sigils burned across his arms, amplifying strength and killing intent.
He struck.
Celsius didn't dodge.
Shadow wrapped his blade.
The impact shook the academy.
For a moment—
The two forces balanced.
Then—
Crack.
Darius was thrown back, skidding across the stone.
Silence.
Students stared in disbelief.
Darius pushed himself up, blood dripping from his lip.
Darius (hoarse): "…What are you?"
Celsius stepped forward.
Shadows coiled behind him like wings.
Celsius: "Your consequence."
Scene 4 — Interrupted Judgment
A massive presence descended.
Wind howled.
Duke Magnus Valerius landed between them, his sword embedded into the ground.
The pressure doubled.
Magnus: "Enough."
Darius froze.
Celsius did not move.
Father and son locked eyes.
Magnus: "This is not how House Valerius resolves its disputes."
Celsius: "Then how?"
Magnus said nothing.
For the first time—
Uncertainty flickered across the duke's face.
Scene 5 — A Silent Retreat
Magnus withdrew his sword.
Magnus: "The academy incident will be investigated."
He turned to Darius.
Magnus: "You are confined."
Darius' eyes widened.
Magnus: "Immediately."
Darius clenched his teeth—but obeyed.
As guards moved in, he glanced back at Celsius.
Darius (low): "This isn't over."
Celsius met his gaze.
Celsius: "It ended the moment you touched me."
Scene 6 — The Shadow's Warning
As the courtyard cleared, Eridiaries spoke.
Eridiaries: Kael will not act openly now.
Celsius: "I know."
Eridiaries: He prefers strings.
Celsius looked toward the highest tower—where Kael always stood.
Celsius (thought): Then I'll cut them.
The academy had chosen a side.
Whether it knew it or not.