Chapter 25: The Roar at the Altar
The grand hall of Lianhua's palace was adorned with silk banners and blooming lotus garlands, a breathtaking tableau of celebration and hope. Nobles from across the realms had gathered to witness the union of Princess Xuan Li Yam and Lord Wei, a marriage meant to solidify alliances and bring peace to a fractured kingdom.
But beneath the glittering chandeliers and joyous music, the air was thick with tension, secrets, and unspoken fears.
The Wedding DayXuan stood at the altar, radiant in a gown woven with threads of silver and jade, her heart heavy with memories of the Tiger King—Hwang Yi—who had vanished into the Tiger Realm months ago. Though duty compelled her forward, a part of her soul remained tethered to the man she loved.
Beside her, Lord Wei smiled with practiced grace, unaware of the storm gathering just beyond the palace gates.
The Shadow in the CrowdPrince Kael, the dark prince from a neighboring kingdom, watched from the shadows. His eyes flickered with greed and something far more dangerous—a secret love for Mei Lin, Xuan's sister. Their clandestine affair had been a dagger hidden in the royal heart, and Kael's ambitions stretched far beyond the wedding feast.
The Unexpected ReturnAs the ceremony reached its crescendo, a sudden hush fell over the crowd. The grand doors burst open with a thunderous crash, and all eyes turned toward the entrance.
There, bathed in celestial light and roaring with the power of tiger and dragon, stood Hwang Yi—the Tiger King returned.
His eyes, glowing with jade and amber fire, swept over the assembly, landing finally on Xuan.
The Roar That Shook the RealmHwang Yi's roar echoed through the hall, a sound that shattered illusions and awakened ancient powers. The ground trembled, and the air crackled with raw energy.
"Xuan," he called, his voice both fierce and tender. "I have returned—not as a shadow, but as the king who will protect our realms."
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. Lord Wei's smile faltered, and Prince Kael's eyes narrowed in fury.
The Unveiling of BetrayalIn the chaos, Mei Lin stepped forward, her face pale but resolute. She revealed her affair with Prince Kael and the dark pact they had forged with the Veil of the Eclipse.
The revelation sent shockwaves through the court, fracturing alliances and exposing the depth of the cult's infiltration.
The Clash of PowersPrince Kael, enraged and desperate, unleashed a surge of dark magic. The hall erupted into chaos as Hwang Yi and Kael clashed—tiger's fury against shadow's deceit.
Xuan, wielding the dagger of the Order of the Moon, fought alongside Hwang Yi, their bond a beacon of light amid the storm.
The Turning PointAs the battle raged, Fenrir and loyalists moved to contain the cult's agents, while Lian Hua channeled the power of the Celestial Nexus to strengthen the defenders.
The wedding hall became a battlefield where love, betrayal, and destiny collided.
The Cliffhanger: A New Dawn or Endless Night?As dawn approached, the outcome remained uncertain. Hwang Yi's return had rekindled hope, but the shadows still threatened to engulf the realms.
Xuan's heart beat with fierce determination. The war was far from over, but together, they would fight for a future where light could prevail.
The Tiger King had returned at the altar, and his roar would echo through the ages—heralding a new dawn or the endless night to come.