The Betrayed Guardian: The Empire Begs Him Back

Arthur Sterling fought beside the late Empress Gloria when the Abyss opened ten years ago. After she died, he stayed alone to guard the seal and became the world's only Ascendant. The empire believed he was still fighting.

Empress Valeria Aurelian orders an inspection. The Abyss is peaceful. She and her court decide Arthur has lied for a decade, embezzled military funds, and faked reports. He is stripped of his title and taken to the capital for trial. Citizens call him a parasite. His adopted sister Freya, believing he lied to her for ten years, says she hates him.

On the road through Blackwater, Arthur kills Russell Blackthorn, son of Lord Titus, for assaulting an apple seller. Titus swears at Russell's grave to strip the flesh from Arthur's bones and lay Arthur's head at Russell's grave with his own hands. Gideon Ashbourne, the Imperial Consul, escorts Arthur to trial. Gideon's mother, Chancellor Caroline Ashbourne, publicly calls Arthur corrupted by dark magic and demands his execution. Privately, she wants Arthur dead so she remains Chancellor, Gideon commands the army, and House Ashbourne controls the empire.

Valeria appoints Marcella Vaneford as the new Duchess of Lionheart. Marcella goes to the Abyss, finds the tree Arthur planted beside the late Empress's ward, and cuts it down. That tree was the core of the seal. The ward breaks. Archfiends Dracula and Jacob escape and plan to turn the empire into a hunting ground.

At the Abyss, fiends pour out and attack the guards. Marcella and her paragons face the enemy she claimed did not exist. Arthur, still being taken to trial, whispers to Gideon: “You have no idea what you've just unleashed.” Gideon does not hear him. Valeria prepares to judge Arthur. The empire that despised him now has no one else.