Ethan emerged from the depths with the Sword in the Stone in his hand.
The moment he stepped into the light of the ancestral hall, the family gasped. The blade was magnificent—silver steel engraved with glowing runes, its hilt wrapped in ancient leather. It radiated power, a presence so strong that even the elders took a step back.
But Ethan barely noticed their reactions. His body was broken. His ribs were cracked. Blood still trickled from a wound on his forehead. Thomas leaned on him, equally battered, barely able to stand.
"Ethan!" Lily ran toward him, her face pale with worry. "You’re hurt!"
"I’m fine." He handed the sword to Eleanor. "We found it."
Eleanor took the blade, her hands trembling.
"It’s real. The Sword in the Stone. It’s real."
"Arthur’s true weapon," Ethan said. "With this, he can manifest fully."
『 Story Credibility: 90% 』
『 Arthur Blackwood’s manifestation progress: 95% 』
『 The Sword in the Stone has been retrieved 』
『 But the final bond remains 』
Eleanor tended to their wounds while the family gathered.
Lily sat beside Ethan, her small hands wrapped around his.
"You almost died," she whispered.
"I didn’t."
"But you almost did."
He looked at her. "It was worth it."
"No, it wasn’t." Her voice cracked. "You’re the only one who believes in me. If you die, who will protect us?"
Ethan was silent for a long moment.
"Arthur will."
Lily lowered her head.
That evening, Arthur spoke.
Ethan stood before the Sword in the Stone, which now rested on the pedestal in the hidden chamber. The blade glowed faintly in the darkness.
"You have done well, Ethan. The sword is restored. My strength has returned."
"Then why haven’t you manifested?"
"Because one thing is still missing. A bond of blood."
Ethan frowned. "What kind of bond?"
"A living Blackwood must offer their blood to me. Willingly. Completely. Without reservation."
"This is the final key. Without it, I cannot cross from memory into reality."
Ethan nodded slowly.
"Then I’ll do it."
"No."
Ethan blinked. "What?"
"Your body is already weakened. The ancestral debts have drained you. The Iron Ghost’s Wrath nearly killed you. If you perform this ritual, you may not survive."
"Then who?"
Arthur was silent.
"It must be someone who believes in me completely. Someone whose blood is strong. Someone who is willing to sacrifice everything."
Ethan knew the answer before Arthur spoke it.
"Lily."
He found her in the training grounds.
The twelve-year-old was practicing with her wooden sword, her movements slow and deliberate. She was still recovering from the partial manifestation, but she refused to rest.
"You should be in bed," Ethan said.
"I can’t sleep."
He sat on the grass beside her.
"Lily. I need to ask you something."
She stopped and turned. Her eyes were serious, older than they should be.
"It’s about Arthur, isn’t it?"
"Yes."
"He needs a blood sacrifice."
Ethan froze. "How did you know?"
"He told me." She sat beside him. "He speaks to me when I sleep. He told me he needs someone to offer their blood. And he told me... it has to be me."
Ethan’s heart clenched.
"Lily, you’re twelve years old."
"And I’m the one who believes the most."
She looked at him.
"You told me the story of Arthur Blackwood. You told me he died protecting his family. You told me he was the greatest warrior who ever lived."
She paused.
"I want to be like him."
"You don’t have to die to be like him."
"I know." She smiled. "But if I can give him a chance to live again, to protect our family, then I want to do it."
The family gathered in the main hall.
Eleanor stood at the front, her face pale. Thomas stood beside her, still bandaged from the journey. The elders watched in silence. Lily stood in the center, a small figure surrounded by the weight of a thousand years.
Ethan stood before her, the Sword in the Stone in his hands.
"You don’t have to do this," he said.
"I want to."
"There’s no guarantee it will work. There’s no guarantee you’ll survive."
"I know."
She looked at him. "But if I don’t do this, we all die. The Ashfords will destroy us. The family will be erased."
She smiled.
"I don’t want to be erased. I want to be remembered."
Ethan closed his eyes.
Then he nodded.
The Bond of Blood ritual was simple.
Lily knelt before the Sword in the Stone. Ethan stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders. The family formed a circle, their breathing slow and steady.
"Are you ready?" Ethan asked.
Lily nodded.
He placed the blade in her hands.
The moment her fingers touched the metal, the sword blazed with light. Lily gasped as the light engulfed her—not burning, but embracing.
And then...
A voice.
Arthur’s voice.
"Thank you, child. I will not forget this."
The light exploded outward.
The chamber shook. The candles flickered. The walls trembled.
And in the center of it all, a figure began to form.
Arthur Blackwood.
Not a spectral warrior. Not a ghost. Not a shadow.
Flesh and blood.
He was tall. Taller than any man in the room. His armor gleamed with ancient light. His face was weathered, lined with centuries of sorrow. His eyes were bright silver, burning with purpose that swept across the room.
He was alive.
He was whole.
He was the Iron Ghost.
Lily collapsed.
Ethan caught her before she hit the ground. She was breathing barely.
"Lily!"
Her eyes fluttered. "Did... did it work?"
Ethan looked at Arthur.
Arthur looked back.
"It worked," he said. His voice was strong now. Steady. "She gave me her blood. And in return, I gave her my promise."
"What promise?"
"That I will protect this family. Forever."
The family erupted in cheers.
They crowded around Arthur, touching his armor, his face, his hands. He was real. He was here. The Iron Ghost had returned.
But Ethan did not join the celebration.
He carried Lily to her room and placed her in her bed.
Eleanor followed.
"She’ll recover," Eleanor said. "She’s strong."
"She’s twelve years old."
"She’s a Blackwood."
Ethan looked at Lily’s face—so small, so peaceful.
He had asked her to sacrifice everything.
And she had.
That night, Arthur stood at the gates of the Blackwood estate.
The mountain stretched below him, quiet and still. The Ashford army was regrouping in the distance—their torches like distant stars.
Ethan joined him.
"How long until they attack?"
"Tomorrow. Maybe two days."
"You can fight them now. You have your sword. Your strength. You’re whole."
Arthur shook his head.
"Silas is still out there. And he is stronger than you know."
He turned to Ethan.
"Before we can face the Ashfords, we must face my brother."
『 Story Credibility: 95% 』
『 Family Faith: 100 』
『 Outsider Faith: 55 』
『 World Rebuttal: 42% 』
『 Ancestral Debt: 1 active 』
『 Arthur Blackwood: FULLY MANIFESTED 』
『 Silas Blackwood’s manifestation progress: 60% 』
『 New Quest Unlocked: Face Silas 』
『 Next Milestone: 100% Credibility — The Final Bond 』