Chapter 134: Can’t stand by

Words : 1133 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

Chapter 134: Can’t stand by The temperature rose with all the writing and drawings on the wall shining with a bright Blue light as the flames burned. Abrielle lay on the cold stone altar in the dark cave, her body trembling as blue flames danced all around her. The flames cast eerie, flickering light on the walls, and the air was heavy as a strong pressure pressed against Abrielle she guessed it was the magic and heat. Standing beside her, Sabrina chanted in a low, steady voice, her hands raised as she drew glowing symbols in the air. The more words she said the heavier the pressure. A shrieking scream soon left Abrielle’s lips, her body felt like it was torn into a million pieces while being burned. Her brain was going numb due to the pain she felt. Her breath became as if the heat and fire seemed to have burned all the oxygen in the air. Each breath she drew seemed like torture to her lungs. "Hold on, Abrielle," Sabrina said softly, her voice echoing off the stone, but Abrielle could barely get her words as her senses were overpowered by the pain she felt. Why did it have to be this hard? Her eyes watered with her throat too patched to even cry. This felt more painful than death. She knew this would be painful because the original Abrielle fainted due to the pain but damn it felt like hell. "The pain you feel now is the key to unlocking your power. You must embrace it." Sabrina said she was already feeling the princess slowly fade away. Abrielle’s eyes fluttered open, and she gasped barely able to speak, "It burns... I feel like I’m breaking apart." Her voice was weak, full of fear and pain. It felt like her body was being pierced by a thousand hot needles. Sabrina knelt beside her, pressing a hand gently to her forehead. "Do not fight it, dear one. Let the flame work its magic. You are stronger than you know." As the ritual deepened, the blue flames grew wilder and brighter. The ground trembled beneath them, and cracks began to form on the altar. Outside the cave’s mouth, Alex watched in horror. His heart pounded as he saw Abrielle writhe in agony, the flames seemingly feeding on her pain. He felt a sharp pain in his chest; it was a weird feeling, and it was like he could feel the pain she was going through. The flame mark on her neck flickered. His fingers curled into a fist he clenched harder until his fingers pierced into his palm and started to bleed. He kept on telling himself it was for the best but this was hard for him. It wasn’t the first time he had seen people writhe in pain, but how could he stand beside and watch her? He could never do anything about the pain she felt yet his selfishness was messing with him. "I have to help her," Alex muttered, edging closer to one of the burning rings. But then a firm voice cut through the air. "Alex, do not go any closer!" Zoltana stepped from the shadows, behind him her gaze sharp as she pulled him back. "This is not your fight. Interfere now, and you will only make things worse." Alex hesitated, his eyes locked on Abrielle. "I can’t just stand by while she suffers," he protested, stepping back as much as he could. Zoltana grabbed his arm tightly. "You must trust me. The ritual is unfolding as it should. Her life is in danger, yes, but we have no control over it now. Stay back! If you interfere, you might lose her." Inside, the blue flames roared louder. The altar began to crack and split as Sabrina’s chants grew desperate. "The power awakens... awaken, Abrielle!" she cried, her voice trembling with intensity. Abrielle’s body arched as a surge of energy shot through her. Her eyes, now glowing an eerie blue, flashed with pain and defiance. "I...I won’t be broken!" she shouted, though the sound was nearly lost in the roar of the flames and the rumbling cave. Suddenly, the ground shuddered violently. With a deafening crack, the altar split open, and a dark flame engulfed Abrielle fighting off the blue flame that wanted to consume her. Sabrina’s eyes went wide. It wasn’t meant to happen this way. "Sabrina, what is that?" Zoltana screamed sensing the danger, her voice echoing off the stone walls. Alex gritted his teeth, his eyes flickering between brow and black. He was trying his best not to interfere but he knew those flames were because of him. Before Sabrina could answer, Abrielle’s scream pierced the air mix of agony and terror. The blue flame won the black one, and she was completely engulfed. Zoltana pulled Alex back further. "I told you to stay away!" she hissed, her eyes fixed on the unfolding chaos. In that frozen moment, with the blue flames burning ever brighter and the flame mark on her neck slowly losing its glow. Alex groaned falling on his knees as a sharp pain struck his heart. The power that had been sealed within Abrielle was stirring, and its release was close. The cave trembled as Abrielle’s fate became uncertain, leaving everyone on edge, Alex, Zoltana, and even Sabrina, wondering what would come next, and whether Abrielle would survive the unsealing ritual. "Oh no, she is losing herself," Sabrina screamed, falling on her butt. The flames got stronger. "Who is she?" Her lips trembling, she crawled trying to stand. She needed to run away from the flames that were about to engulf her. Alex could not hold back anymore. His feet moved on their own. "Don’t go; the flames will burn you!" Zoltana screamed but it all fell on deaf ears. Alex rushed into the flames that seemed to have broken the spell on him. As soon as he crossed the first ring of flames, his hair turned pitch black, and a gold mask appeared on his face as his appearance slowly changed. The flames burned away his clothes the deeper he ran but he didn’t stop because he had to help her. He felt her fading in pain; Alex, who was none other than Cedric, got to the altar, and as soon as he touched her hand, the blue flames disappeared as a stronger dark one took over. Abrielle’s gaze was blurry, with her head clouded by pain. She felt someone touch her fingers, and the pain suddenly disappeared. It was a blur image but it looked like Cedric. That was the last thing she saw... "Are you crazy? Absorbing her pain might kill you." Zoltana screamed terrified that tonight the prince and princess might die because of her.

Chapter 134: Can’t stand by

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