Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1196: The Reforged Bond

Kassandra mentioned the name of the man whom Kahn had met only for a short moment in the Flavot City. Yet his doctrine was still followed earnestly till the very day among his descendants.

"Talent triumphs over bloodline, hierarchy, or even legacy." she revealed the motto of their clan set since its founding.

However, without her knowledge, his set of rules had been dictating her life ever since she was born.

This was also one of the reasons why Kassandra no longer wanted anyone to compare her to Lezron Mikealson.

"And once I was born... your hopes almost shattered because it wasn’t a boy who could carry your name or lineage since the elders have always preferred men to lead the clan.

The Elders wouldn’t acknowledge someone without direct blood ties, so you couldn’t adopt a son either.

Your only saving grace was that uncle Stronoff also had a daughter himself.

So Veronica and I would be your assurance for the claim based on who showed more promise." she revealed the behind-the-scenes politics.

"As I grew up, you made sure that I became the representative of your reign as the new clan leader.

Growing up, all those years, I yearned for your love, your acknowledgment. But now that I think about it... both of you were just brainwashing me." she iterated firmly.

"You both would say that you ’love me’ or that you’re ’proud of me’ only when I achieved something.

It made me want to become stronger, devote myself to learning magic, and learn everything that you wanted to teach me so that you would have the Elders’ support.

It was only when I became the first one among the candidates who reached the Master rank over a decade ago that you became the Clan Leader with no opposition.

The position left vacant after Grandfather’s death was finally filled by you.

And without knowing, both I and Veronica competed against each other, despite growing so closely since childhood." she said with a regretful voice.

Kassandra then spoke coldly...

"I was never your daughter... I was just an instrument for your ascent in the power struggle. Something you could never accomplish on your own.

You used the laws of the clan to get what you wanted. And even if I hadn’t lost my powers back then... You would just marry me off to someone who would bend their knee in front of you.

And my future son would be your successor... but never me; never me." she said with both grief in her tone but also disdain on her face.

Kassandra looked at Veronica, who sat on one of the chairs across the hall.

"Dear cousin... I understand why you abandoned me, just like everyone else. But you were no different than me.

A mere pawn of our fathers so they could climb the ladder of their ambitions." declared Kassandra with a resolute tone.

"I know that you hate me for killing your father... but know that if he was alive, he would treat you no differently than mine.

And if you think I’m making this up... look at this." she spoke and summoned a golden cube out of her space ring.

It was a recording artifact used only by the most prestigious clans because it was simply too advanced to mass-produce.

Soon, a battlefield appeared in the middle of the hall akin to a 3D holographic projection.

This was the footage of Kassandra’s battle against her uncle, Stronoff Mikealson.

After some time had passed, the battle stopped at the point where Stronoff admitted that he was also planning to trade Veronica to Kahn just to make him his son-in-law.

He didn’t even ask for his daughter’s consent or show any confidence in her capabilities to succeed him.

No, he simply treated her like livestock that even peasants wouldn’t barter for.

Shock!

"This can’t be..." spoke Veronica with shock.

Her body shuddered in disbelief, and she dropped to the ground, grabbing her head as tears trickled from her blue eyes.

It was only this moment that she too was systematically brainwashed just like Kassandra to believe her father.

She didn’t even question the authenticity of the footage because she recognized her father’s original voice, his mannerisms, and also his battle stance that she had grown up watching all those years.

The fact that if roles were reversed... her father, Stronoff Mikealson, would have basically sold her off in a political marriage just to get Kahn, a more promising successor instead of her, to achieve his goals... shattered her soul.

"All this time... you and I were living a life of deception, cast by our own blood.

Yet, we were nothing but mere tools in a place that would have never acknowledged our efforts and discarded our lives the moment we no longer served their purpose." iterated Kassandra sternly.

Even the other attendees, key members of the clan, could not raise their heads because they knew it was the ultimate truth.

Many of them were subjects of the same indoctrination and also became the heads of their branch clans by surpassing their siblings. But now, none of them shared any bond with their own blood.

It started as a competition for the claim of the heir position, but turned into a blood feud over the years. Some had also shunned their own brothers and sisters out of the clan just to maintain their authority after becoming the head.

One could only question whether their lives would be different, and maybe they would have a happier relationship with their siblings if they didn’t have to fight for the titles.

"You can choose to hate me, cousin. Or you can cast out these bindings and join me in reigning this clan, which never saw us more than expendable toys for this politics." spoke Kassandra sternly.

Minutes passed by, and Veronica finally made her decision.

Step!

Veronica got up as she made up her mind. The previous contempt towards Kassandra was gone, and her own mind seemed to be clear. Even her eyes felt vibrant for the first time after Kassandra took command of the clan.

Although she never truly hated Kassandra... when the calamity struck, she chose to run away because she too, was blinded by her loyalty to her father, believing that he would one day truly love her and acknowledge her.

But at this moment, she also broke free from the invisible shackles that had bound her entire life.

Thump!

Veronica thumped her sword on the ground as she faced Kassandra, her cousin, whom she thought was no different than her older sister up until those events 5 years ago.

Now, she proudly stood in front of Kassandra’s throne and knelt like a knight.

"I, Veronica Mikealson, swear my loyalty to you, my lady." she spoke with a resolute tone.

"No, not Lady..."

But quickly, she stumbled in her words and reiterated her proclamation, looking at the raven sorceress with eyes filled with respect.

"Matriarch Kassandra."