Chapter 50: Bloodline
He exhaled slowly, letting the moment stretch. He had felt them long before they arrived. A presence familiar yet distant, like a song he once knew but had long since forgotten.
Then, the air grew heavy. The world itself seemed to hush in anticipation.
And they appeared.
Three figures emerged from the shadows, stepping into the ruined temple. They moved with confidence, their presence unmistakable.
Kol's brothers had come.
The Brothers of Vaelros
The first to step forward was Dain Vaelros, the largest of the three instantly teleport Lisa and Jacob from the temple. His frame was monstrous, built like a war god, his armor dented from battles long past. His golden eyes locked onto Kol with a mixture of fury and something else—something colder.
Beside him, the twins stood shoulder to shoulder. Orin and Valen Vaelros were nearly identical, their lean, deadly frames moving in perfect sync. Orin's black hair was tied back, his expression unreadable, while Valen's dark locks fell over his sharp features, his lips twisted in a knowing smirk.
They had not aged just like kol, and their power had not faded.
Kol let out a breath, steadying himself. "You're late."
Dain's fists clenched. "And you're a traitor."
Kol tilted his head, his crimson eyes gleaming. "Is that what they call me now?"
Valen chuckled, stepping forward. "You don't get to play the victim, Kol.
Kol's expression darkened. "You don't know anything."
Orin's eyes narrowed. "Then tell us. Tell us that you didn't betray us. Our parents dead, all because of you.
Silence.
Kol's hands twitched, and for the first time in a long time, doubt crawled into his mind. He could still hear the screams. Still feel the blood on his hands.
Still see their lifeless body lying at his feet.
Dain's voice was a whisper, sharp as a blade. "You can't, can you?"
Kol's heart pounded, rage curling inside him like a coiled beast. "You don't understand what I did—why I did it."
Valen sneered. "Then make us understand."
Kol didn't answer.
Because there was no answer that would make a difference.
A tense silence stretched between them. Then, without warning, Dain moved first.
Kol barely had time to react before a massive fist slammed into his ribs, sending him flying backward. He crashed through the remnants of an old wall, dust and stone crumbling around him. The impact rattled his bones, but he pushed himself up, wiping blood from his lips.
Orin and Valen didn't hesitate. They struck next, their attacks swift and merciless. Kol dodged Orin's dagger by a fraction of a second, only for Valen to drive a knee into his stomach, forcing the air from his lungs.
They were fast. As fast as kol.
Kol gritted his teeth, his aura surging as dark energy crackled around him. He swung, his fist colliding with Valen's jaw, sending the twin skidding backward. But Orin was already behind him, blade slicing toward his throat.
Kol twisted, barely avoiding a killing blow.
Then Dain was there again, his massive hand wrapping around Kol's throat, lifting him off the ground.
"You're not the only one who got stronger," Dain growled before slamming Kol into the ground.
The earth shattered beneath him.
Pain exploded through Kol's body, but he refused to stay down. His regeneration kicked in instantly, his wounds knitting back together. He staggered to his feet, breathing hard, his crimson eyes burning with rage.
His brothers were strong. Combined, they were stronger than him.
Kol clenched his fists. Good.
Because if they wanted a war, he would give them one.
The night erupted into chaos as the battle between the last Vaelros brothers began.