Contents
Chapter Seventy
Overview
Andren drains a piece of Ruko’s essence, transforms into his son’s likeness, and publicly assumes the throne. He reveals a radical history: the Eight were created after the Catastrophe and can be confronted and bound.
With allies positioned, Andren prepares to summon and trap the Guardians in the throne room’s Dragonscale-soaked portraits, using Yasila’s magic.
Summary
Andren, revealed as the emperor, drinks and appraises the room while Ruko kneels incapacitated and the Fox lies crumpled. Yasila arrives with Jadu bound and gagged after a struggle. The backlash of Andren’s soul-stealing magic distorts his face until Rivenna urges him to draw from Ruko.
Andren performs a second spell, ripping away a vital part of Ruko’s essence and reshaping himself into Ruko’s younger, stronger likeness. Revitalized, Andren dons Ruko’s jacket, assuming his son’s image as the “legitimate” emperor, while Hounds drag the ruined Ruko aside. Vabras secures the chamber; Andren’s allies take rehearsed positions.
Andren taunts Neema, crediting her research for unlocking ancient truths. He argues the Eight were created by ancestors after the Catastrophe, evolved into tyrants, and must be confronted. He challenges the Guardians to return and, at Havoc’s prompt, unveils Pink-Pink—taken from a prior breach to the Hidden Realm—as a supposed omen linked to his Chameleon magic.
Neema realizes the portraits, steeped in Dragonscale, and Yasila’s presence mean Andren intends to summon and bind the Eight within the throne room itself, the supposed birthplace of the Guardians. Andren claims the site’s unique power will make the impossible possible. He hands Hurun-tooth to Rivenna and seats himself to command, refusing to soil his hands.
As the doors and windows are barred, Tala pleads against provoking the Last Return, but Andren’s allies express unwavering faith. The Fox fails to escape. Ruko, devastated and diminished, recognizes this scene as the dark reflection of his Dragon Trial vision and sheds a single tear at the base of the steps.
Who Appears
- Andren ValitEmperor; drains Ruko’s essence, assumes Ruko’s form, outlines plan to summon and bind the Eight.
- RukoKneels helpless; is soul-ravaged by Andren; watches his likeness usurp the throne; recognizes his vision’s dark truth.
- NeemaRaven scholar; realizes her research enabled Andren; deduces plan to trap the Eight in Dragonscale portraits.
- RivennaAides Andren; coaxes him through the spell; strips Ruko’s coat; takes Hurun-tooth to enact the plan.
- VabrasOrders doors barred and window locked; coordinates Andren’s allies to secure the throne room.
- YasilaBrings bound Jadu; her magic is essential for the binding ritual planned in the throne room.
- JaduServant of the Dragon; bound and gagged after resisting; stands as captive focal point near the steps.
- TalaProtests the Last Return; is pushed forward by Hounds; witnesses Andren’s transformation and plan.
- The FoxLies crumpled beneath its portrait; fails to escape before doors and windows are sealed.
- SolNeema’s Guardian; warns of the spell’s costs; falls silent when the Eight’s origins are challenged.
- Lady HarmonyAlly; publicly affirms trust in Andren’s plan to confront the Guardians.
- HavocAlly; prompts Andren to reveal the omen to the court.
- Lord ClarionAlly; takes a rehearsed position as the room is secured.
- KindryAlly; helps flank the room during Andren’s prepared ritual setup.
- Pink-PinkChameleon from the Hidden Realm; displayed as an omen tied to Andren’s Chameleon magic.