Chapter 36

Chapter 36

The moment the witch said, “Show us,” the entire cliff went still. No one moved, and even the dragons above held their positions in the sky, their wings barely shifting. Every bloodline stood exactly where they were, their attention locked on Ariana. They weren’t waiting for a fight, they were waiting for her.

Ariana felt it settle over her slowly. It wasn’t sharp like fear or overwhelming like the Abyss, but something steadier and heavier. The pressure came from every direction, quiet but undeniable. This wasn’t a battle, it was judgment.

Kael stepped closer to her side, his voice low and steady. “You don’t have to prove anything to them.” Ariana glanced at him briefly before looking forward again. “I know,” she said, “but if I don’t, they won’t stop p>

Across from them, the witch stood calm and composed, her hands loosely behind her back. Cassian remained nearby, silent, watching everything with careful attention. “We are not your enemies,” the witch said evenly, her gaze sharpening slightly. “Not yet p>

Ariana’s expression shifted as she met their eyes. “I’m not something for you to study,” she said. The air changed immediately, subtle but strong enough that everyone felt it. The golden power inside her stirred, responding to her will instead of her fear.

Above them, dragons gave low warning calls as the pressure shifted. The witch didn’t step back, her gaze steady and unflinching. “Then show us,” she said again. Silence followed, heavier this time, filled with expectation.

Ariana took a slow breath and stepped forward. The wind moved differently around her, curling inward before drifting outward again. The golden energy inside her rose, but it didn’t surge or explode. It settled, steady and controlled.

She closed her eyes briefly, focusing on the feeling instead of forcing the power. The warmth of the sanctuary returned to her mind, along with the quiet guidance she remembered. She felt the connection beneath her feet and the presence of the dragons above. For the first time, everything felt aligned.

When she opened her eyes, the light answered. Golden energy spread beneath her skin, soft at first, then brighter as it grew stronger. Thin lines of light traced across the stone at her feet, reacting to her presence. The air warmed slightly, shifting with her.

Kael didn’t move, but his attention sharpened instantly. Every instinct in him was ready, even if he didn’t step in. The witch and Cassian remained still, watching closely. Ariana lifted her hand slowly.

The golden light gathered around her fingers, fluid and effortless. It moved as if it already knew what to do, without resistance or strain. She focused on a single thought. Protection.

The light expanded outward, forming a barrier around her. It wasn’t massive or overwhelming, but it was stable and complete. The surface held steady without flickering or cracking. It simply existed, strong and unshaken.

The witch tilted her head slightly, studying it. “Controlled,” she said quietly. Ariana lowered her hand slightly, but the shield remained in place. “This isn’t destruction,” Ariana said. “It’s protection p>

Cassian gave a small nod of approval. “That much is clear,” he said. The witch continued observing the barrier for a moment longer. Then her focus shifted again. “And healing p>

Ariana hesitated briefly before turning. A royal dragon stood nearby, its wing still marked with faint damage from the earlier battle. It wasn’t severe, but it wasn’t whole either. She stepped toward it without hesitation.

The dragon lowered its head as she approached. There was no fear in its movement, only trust. Ariana placed her hand against its scales and closed her eyes again. This time, she focused on something softer.

Warmth spread through her, steady and controlled. The golden light flowed from her hand, moving across the dragon’s wing in a slow, deliberate pattern. The damaged scales repaired themselves, and the cracks faded. Strength returned as the dragon flexed its wing again.

A low rumble escaped the dragon as it lifted its head. Ariana stepped back, her breathing slightly heavier but still controlled. She didn’t stumble or lose her balance. She stayed standing.

Silence followed, but it had changed. The tension was gone, replaced by something heavier. Recognition settled across the cliff. The witch looked at her again, this time without doubt.

“Interesting,” she said quietly. Cassian allowed a faint smile. “That answers more than enough,” he added.

Kael crossed his arms, relaxed again. “Told you,” he said. The witch’s gaze lingered on Ariana a moment longer. “You are not what we expected p>

“I’m not what the council said,” Ariana replied calmly. The witch gave a small nod in acknowledgment. “That may be true,” she said. Cassian’s voice lowered slightly. “Which means they will fear you more p>

Ariana didn’t react, but she understood. Behind her, the Dragon King’s voice echoed across the cliff. “The Sovereign has shown her power. The world will respond.” The witch turned toward the horizon.

“It already is,” she said.

Ariana followed her gaze into the distance. Dark clouds were forming again beyond the mountains, heavier than before. The sky shifted unnaturally, like something gathering beneath it. Kael’s expression tightened.

“That’s not good,” he said.

Cassian nodded once. “The council has begun to move,” he said. Ariana felt something cold settle in her chest. “Already?” she asked.

“They won’t wait,” Cassian replied.

The witch looked back at Ariana, her expression sharper now. “This was only the beginning,” she said. Her gaze held steady. “The next time we meet may not be this calm p>

Kael stepped closer again, his presence firm. “Then we’ll deal with it,” he said. The witch studied him briefly, then gave a small nod. “I believe you will p>

Cassian turned first. “We should go,” he said. The vampires lifted into the air, their movements smooth and controlled. The witches followed shortly after, disappearing into the clouds.

Within moments, the cliff was quiet again. Only the dragons remained, watching and waiting. Ariana let out a slow breath. “That was… a lot,” she said.

Kael looked at her, steady and calm. “You handled it,” he said. She gave a small, tired smile. “I didn’t collapse this time p>

“Improvement p>

Her quiet laugh faded as she looked back toward the horizon. “They’re all watching now,” she said. Kael nodded once. “Yeah. They are p>

The Dragon King stepped forward, his presence unwavering. “The Sovereign has been seen,” he said. Ariana looked up at him. “And now p>

The dragon’s eyes burned with ancient understanding. “Now the world will come to you,” he answered.

The wind picked up again, stronger this time. The sky darkened at the horizon as something continued to gather. It wasn’t just the Abyss anymore.

Something else was coming.