Chapter 7 - The Thing the Kings Buried
It was called the Echo.
An ancient force created from fear, ambition, and the desire to control others.
The first kings had used it in war.
With the Echo, a ruler could command thousands without resistance.
No rebellion.
No refusal.
No disobedience.
Queen Amara eventually understood what that meant.
It was not peace.
It was slavery.
She sealed the Echo beneath the palace and changed the Star Crown so it would eventually reject rulers who desired absolute control.
Varro stepped toward the darkness.
“You buried the greatest power Aurelion ever possessed.”
Cassian shouted:
“For a reason!”
The Echo wrapped itself around Varro.
His eyes turned black.
His voice changed.
“Kneel.”
Half the soldiers dropped immediately.
Cassian struggled.
Mara fell to one knee.
Elara felt something pushing inside her mind.
Kneel.
Kneel.
Kneel.
Then she understood something.
She knelt voluntarily.
Varro smiled.
Elara looked up.
“I kneel because I choose to.”
The Echo recoiled.
Elara stood.
“You cannot command someone who understands the difference.”
Cassian forced himself upright.
Then Mara.
Then Rowan.
Varro screamed.
“You could end war with this power!”
“By controlling everyone.”
“No rebellion!”
“Because nobody could say no.”
“No crime!”
“No freedom either.”
“That is peace!”
Elara shook her head.
“No.”
“That is silence.”
The Echo attacked.
Darkness filled the chamber.
The Star Crown blazed.
Tomas shouted:
“You have to seal it!”
“How?”
“The crown.”
“If I use it?”
“It may disappear.”
Elara touched the silver.
Then looked at Varro.
“If you release it, we’ll save you.”
He laughed.
“You would save me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want power to turn me into you.”
For a moment, Varro almost released the Echo.
Then greed returned.
“No.”
Elara closed her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
She placed both hands against the Vault.
The Star Crown dissolved into silver fire.
The Echo screamed.
Varro screamed with it.
Then the Vault slammed shut.
Silence.
Elara touched her head.
The crown was gone.
She began crying.
“I broke it.”
Tomas looked at the sealed door.
Then smiled.
“No.”
May you like
“I think you passed another test.”
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