Chapter 24 - The Four Divine Guardians
The heavens trembled.
Golden light poured through the storm clouds as the Celestial Roc descended.
Behind it flew three other colossal beasts.
One was a jade-green dragon whose scales shimmered like emeralds.
Another was a giant black tortoise with a serpent coiled around its shell.
The last was a snow-white tiger whose silver stripes crackled with blue lightning.
The entire battlefield fell silent.
Even the Bone Dragon stopped struggling for a moment.
The Book of Infinite Beasts opened on its own.
---
Divine Beasts Identified
Aurelius – Celestial Roc
Rank: Divine
Verdantis – Emerald Dragon
Rank: Divine
Aegis – Black Tortoise of the North
Rank: Divine
Raikou – White Thunder Tiger
Rank: Divine
Collective Title: The Four Divine Guardians
---
Kai stared in amazement.
"The Four Divine Guardians..."
"So they were real."
The Crimson Flame Fox bowed its head instinctively.
"The oldest protectors of this world."
---
The Bone Dragon roared in pain.
Dark chains wrapped tighter around its body.
The hooded controller laughed.
"So what if the Guardians have returned?"
"The Age of Sovereigns ended ten thousand years ago!"
He raised the crimson staff.
The corruption spread further across the dragon's skeleton.
Ghostly flames turned blood-red.
The Bone Dragon screamed.
Not in rage...
But in agony.
---
High above, Aurelius spread its radiant wings.
Its voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Dragon of ancient days..."
"Fight the darkness."
The Bone Dragon struggled against the chains.
For one brief moment...
Its blue eyes returned.
Then the corruption forced them crimson once more.
---
Commander Arcturus looked at Kai.
"You were right."
"It isn't our enemy."
"It's a victim."
Kai nodded.
"We have to destroy the Corruption Core."
Arcturus sighed.
"If only someone could reach it."
Kai slowly looked at the Celestial Roc.
Then at the Book.
A new message appeared.
---
Hidden Opportunity
The Guardians cannot interfere directly with the Corruption Core.
Only a Beast Sovereign may sever the bond between beast and corruption.
---
Kai's heart raced.
"So..."
"I'm the only one."
---
The Crimson Flame Fox looked up.
"We'll need to get onto the dragon's back."
Kai laughed nervously.
"That sounds impossible."
Before either could speak again...
Aurelius suddenly descended toward the fortress.
The Divine Roc landed directly before Kai.
Its enormous golden eye regarded him calmly.
"Kai Dragonbane."
"Will you trust me?"
Kai didn't hesitate.
"With my life."
The Roc lowered one magnificent wing.
"Then climb."
Commander Arcturus's eyes widened.
"The Guardian..."
"...has chosen him."
Lyra smiled faintly.
"I knew there was something special about you."
Kai climbed onto Aurelius's back.
The Crimson Flame Fox settled on his shoulder.
The Roc launched into the sky.
With one powerful beat of its wings, they soared above the battlefield.
Below them, the fortress became smaller and smaller.
Ahead...
The Bone Dragon roared as the hooded controller noticed Kai approaching.
He sneered.
"So..."
"The little Sovereign comes personally."
He slammed the crimson staff into the dragon's skull.
Dark lightning exploded outward.
Dozens of corrupted wyverns burst from the storm clouds.
Their eyes burned with crimson fire.
The Book flashed another warning.
---
New Enemies
Corrupted Bone Wyverns ×48
Mission Updated
Reach the Bone Dragon's chest.
Protect Aurelius.
Defeat the Beast Controller.
---
Kai gripped his black spear.
The fox's fur ignited with crimson flames.
Far below, thousands of soldiers looked to the sky.
For the first time in centuries...
A human rode beside one of the Four Divine Guardians.
And every witness realised they were watching the beginning of a legend.