Kazan and Nix arrived at Leon and Xuánhú's door, breathless. As soon as the door opened, they were met with the same tension felt outside.
"The Eclipse is coming faster," Nix stated directly, without preamble. "It will happen tomorrow night. That's why the king started his ceremony early—to prepare for it."
"And that means we have to be ready by tomorrow," Kazan added, his face grim.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A soft yet firm knock sounded at the door.
Everyone fell silent, exchanging glances. "Who is it?" Leon asked.
"Prince Rael," answered the voice behind the door, calm and clear. "We have important matters to discuss."
After a brief exchange of looks, Leon opened the door. Rael stepped inside, but this time there was tension at the corners of his eyes.
"Apologies for the intrusion," he said. "But we don't have much time. I know a way to stop this Eclipse other than fighting to the bitter end."
"How?" Nix asked immediately.
"There is an ancient artifact stored in the royal catacombs," Rael explained.
"Its name is Entropophage. It can absorb wild energy, such as the chaotic power emitted by the Ring of Fire Eclipse that empowers those monsters."
Kazan crossed his arms. "Impossible. Something that powerful must have a risk. What's the catch?"
Rael sighed. "The user's soul can also be absorbed if their power is weaker than the energy being siphoned. It's a double-edged sword."
Xuánhú, who had been silent, suddenly stepped forward, her eyes narrowing sharply. "What is your purpose in telling us this? Aren't we already enough as your sacrifices? Are we not sufficient?"
Rael looked at her calmly. "Indeed, using you as fodder would be an easy option. But it's a shame to see strong individuals like yourselves die meaninglessly here."
Before Rael could finish, Xuánhú moved. In an instant, she was in front of Rael, her hand gripping the vampire prince's throat. "You think we are weak?" she hissed, her voice cold as ice. "I could annihilate this entire city myself right now. But I don't wish to waste time on a group of insects."
Rael didn't resist, only smiling faintly even as his face began to turn red. "Perhaps you could... annihilate us. But could you handle the thousands of frenzied monsters during the Eclipse's peak? Consider this. We may be weak in your eyes, but look—we have survived this Eclipse cycle for thousands of years."
Xuánhú hissed, then released her grip with a disgusted motion. She turned and sat away from him, her tails flicking irritably. Rael rubbed his neck slowly.
Nix, who had been thinking deeply, finally spoke. "We agree to hear your plan. But do you already have this artifact?"
"Not yet," Rael answered. "The Entropophage is locked. It requires the blood of four direct descendants of the royal family to open it."
"You, the King, Prince Klad... that's only three," Kazan counted.
"Correct. Klad's mother, our Queen, passed away long ago. Killed in an Eclipse attack centuries ago." Rael's voice was flat, but there was an old wound behind it. "That is also what gravely injured my brother—the King—and forced him to prepare Klad as heir sooner."
"So, how?" Leon asked.
"I have thought of a solution," Rael said.
"That is with the help of my nephew, Prince Klad. He must be willing to assist us."
"And our task?" Nix asked.
"Remains the same as agreed with the King—you assist in defending the city while giving me time. But with one addition..." Rael looked at Xuánhú. "She will come with me to the catacombs. Her power and knowledge might aid in retrieving the artifact."
Xuánhú snorted. "Fine. I'll go."
Rael nodded, satisfied. "Good. I will arrange everything. Be prepared." He then gave a slight bow and left the room.
As soon as the door closed, Nix spoke immediately. "I don't trust him. This is too convenient, too... neatly arranged for us."
"Rael's plan might be a trap," Kazan murmured.
However, before the discussion could continue further—
BAAAAA—!
The sound of a wailing, grim warning trumpet split the night's silence, followed by a tremendous roar that shook the entire palace. From the window, they saw the blood dome over the city quivering violently, small cracks like red spiderwebs of light appearing on its surface.
"First wave!" Leon shouted.
In the distance, outside the dome, giant shadows with wings and glowing eyes began crashing against the barrier, clawing and spewing. The first wave of Eclipse monsters had arrived.
Kazan stared at the cracking dome, then at the faces of his companions. "Rael's plan might be a trap," he repeated, his voice now full of urgency. "But that dome might not even hold until tomorrow. We don't have time until tomorrow."
He drew his sword, his eyes ablaze with hard resolve.
"We have to move. Now."
=== CHAPTER 56 END ===