Chapter 18: The Raven Throne Awakens
The moment the Second Seal shattered, the world reacted.
In the far north, atop the frost-covered peaks of the Ravenbone Range, a throne of black feathers and glimmering obsidian pulsed with light for the first time in a thousand years.
The Raven Throne, long dormant, began to stir.
Dark clouds gathered, forming the shape of wings.
Within the ancient palace built into the cliffs, a man opened his eyes.
He was tall, draped in robes woven from night mist. His hair flowed like ink, and his pupils were slit—like a beast's.
"The Mourning Flame... returns," he murmured.
He stood, and with a single gesture, the entire palace trembled.
Servants knelt in terror. Crows scattered into the sky.
He turned to a shadowy figure beside him. "Summon the Dark Envoys. Tell them the boy has begun breaking the Seals. We move at once."
Meanwhile – Forest of Shattered Dawn
Tham Duong rose slowly, his knees unsteady. Blood ran from his lips, but his eyes burned with clarity.
He could feel it — the Seal's residue swirling around him like ash.
Lệ Kiếm hummed with unrest. The blade's spirit whispered:
"One seal fallen. Six remain."
The shrine behind him collapsed into dust, revealing a staircase leading underground.
Despite his body's protests, Duong descended.
What lay beneath was no ordinary crypt. The stone walls were lined with carvings — depictions of battles not recorded in any mortal history.
Dragons impaled on spears. Celestial palaces crumbling. A woman cloaked in red fire standing amidst it all.
Her face was obscured… but Duong recognized the silhouette.
The Red Mother.
At the end of the corridor, he found a pedestal. Resting on it was a black feather — pristine, but radiating ancient qi.
The moment he touched it, images flooded his mind.
He stood atop a sea of corpses.
The sky bled red.
A voice echoed.
"You killed me once, my child. You won't do it again."
Duong gasped, yanking his hand back. But the feather had already dissolved into his palm.
A mark appeared on the back of his hand — a black feather ringed with crimson flame.
The Mark of the Raven.
Elsewhere – Celestial Court of White Stone
The immortal clans stirred.
From his crystal throne, Immortal Lord Thái Uyên frowned as he watched the sky twist unnaturally.
He turned to his advisor. "This omen…?"
"The Second Seal has broken," the advisor replied grimly. "And the child has awakened the Blade That Weeps."
Thái Uyên clenched his fist.
"We must act before he reaches the third seal."
"But interfering could draw the attention of the Divine Tribunal."
"I do not fear judgment," he said coldly. "Not when the child threatens to unearth the Raven Throne."
He stood. His divine qi shook the clouds above the capital.
"Send the Ivory Spear Regiment. If he resists—slay him."
Back to Duong – Mountainside Trail
Exhausted, Duong made his way back toward Sky Sect.
But his path was blocked.
Five cultivators in dark robes stood waiting. Their emblems bore the mark of the Burning Cloud Sect.
"So," said the leader, a tall man with golden eyes, "you're the one they call Tham Duong."
Duong said nothing.
"I was ordered to bring you back to the Assembly. Alive, if possible. Broken, if not."
Duong drew Lệ Kiếm slowly.
"I suggest you leave."
The leader smiled. "We were hoping you'd say that."
The battle began instantly.
The first attacker vanished into a gust of fire. The second launched a storm of blades.
But Duong moved with unnatural precision.
Lệ Kiếm sang through the air — not loud, but sorrowful. Each strike tore through defenses like silk. The blade fed on rage, grief, memory — and gave back death in return.
Within seconds, three of the five lay bleeding.
The fourth tried to flee — and was struck down by a spectral echo of Duong's former self. A technique he hadn't consciously summoned.
Only the leader remained.
He dropped his weapon, breathing heavily. "You're… not human anymore."
Duong's eyes narrowed. "I'm not who I was. But I haven't become a monster yet."
Then he struck — and the man collapsed, unconscious.
Duong wiped the blade clean.
"I'll let the Assembly decide his fate," he muttered. "Assuming they survive what's coming."
That Night – On the Road
Duong camped beneath a crescent moon, meditating with Lệ Kiếm beside him.
His body was battered. His spirit frayed.
But his mind was sharp.
He knew now that the Raven Throne was watching. That the Immortal Lords feared the seals for a reason. That the Red Mother, in some form, still whispered from the void.
And worst of all—
He was changing.
The blade. The seal. The memories from lives he hadn't lived.
They weren't just resurfacing.
They were merging.
"Who am I becoming?" he whispered into the night.
A soft voice answered.
"You are becoming who you always were."
He turned — and saw her.
A girl, cloaked in white feathers, sitting by the fire as if she had always been there.
Her eyes shimmered like starfire. Her presence was soft, yet terrifyingly ancient.
"Who are you?" he asked, hand tightening on his sword.
She smiled faintly.
"I am your first sin, Tham Duong.
Your oldest friend.
And the only one who can help you kill your fate."