Chapter 39 - The Sovereign's Voice
Fenrir charged.
Each step shattered the frozen mountainside.
Ancient trees were uprooted by the force of its movement.
The corrupted Moon Wolf King's crimson eyes burned with pain rather than hatred.
Kai did not raise his spear.
Instead, he stood his ground.
"Kai!"
Selene shouted.
"It'll crush you!"
The Crimson Flame Fox looked up at him.
"You have a plan?"
Kai nodded.
"I trust Fenrir."
Ignis blinked.
"You trust a corrupted Divine Beast?"
Kai smiled.
"I trust the guardian trapped inside."
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts opened.
Its pages glowed with a soft golden light.
Sovereign Skill Evolution
Voice of the Sovereign
Current Rank: Beginner → Intermediate
New Ability Unlocked
Heart Resonance
A Beast Sovereign may communicate directly with the soul of a beast, even through corruption.
---
Kai closed his eyes.
The battlefield disappeared.
The howling wind faded.
When he opened them again...
He stood in a vast silver plain beneath a full moon.
Across the plain sat an enormous silver wolf.
Chains of black smoke wrapped around its body.
Its once-brilliant eyes were dim.
"So..."
The wolf spoke quietly.
"Another human."
Kai shook his head.
"I'm not here to command you."
"I'm here to help."
Fenrir gave a bitter laugh.
"Humans have said those words before."
"They sealed me."
"They feared my strength."
Kai slowly walked closer.
"I know."
"I've met others who suffered the same fate."
"The Bone Dragon."
"Ignis."
"They all deserved freedom."
Fenrir studied him silently.
"You truly believe beasts and humans can walk together?"
Kai smiled.
"I already do."
---
Outside the spiritual realm...
Fenrir's charge slowed.
Its claws dug trenches into the snow.
Lucius frowned.
"What is he doing?"
Dark chains wrapped tighter around Fenrir's neck.
"Attack!"
Fenrir growled in agony.
Its body tried to obey...
But its soul resisted.
---
Inside the spiritual realm...
Kai stood only a few metres from the giant wolf.
"I can't break your chains alone."
Fenrir lowered its head.
"Then why come?"
Kai reached out his hand.
"Because no one should fight alone."
For a long moment, nothing happened.
Then the giant wolf gently touched Kai's hand with its nose.
The silver plain erupted with moonlight.
The black chains cracked.
---
Outside...
Fenrir let out a thunderous howl.
Its left eye turned from crimson back to brilliant silver.
The Book flashed.
Purification Progress
Fenrir
Corruption Removed: 30%
---
Lucius's calm expression finally changed.
"Impossible."
"The Sovereign is purifying him..."
He raised both hands.
The corrupted Moon Crystal blazed.
Dark energy poured into Fenrir once more.
The silver eye flickered red again.
Fenrir roared in pain.
---
Selene rushed forward.
"We have to destroy the Moon Crystal!"
Ignis nodded.
"The crystal is feeding the corruption."
"But Lucius is protecting it."
Above the temple, twelve golden rings circled the First Apostle like miniature suns.
Each radiated immense power.
Kai returned to reality and looked up.
"So that's the source."
Lucius met Kai's gaze.
"You are impressive."
"But compassion alone cannot save this world."
Kai answered calmly.
"Neither can fear."
---
The First Apostle extended one hand.
One of the twelve golden rings detached and floated into the sky.
It transformed into a gigantic spear of light.
The heavens themselves seemed to tremble.
The Book reacted instantly.
Threat Detected
Judgement Spear
Estimated Impact:
Mountain-Level Destruction
Recommended Action:
Evade.
---
Lucius pointed toward Kai.
"Show me..."
"...whether the Beast Sovereign deserves to exist."
The colossal spear descended from the heavens like a falling star.
Kai gripped his black spear.
The Crimson Flame Fox's flames flared.
Ignis's golden scales shone.
Selene stepped to his side, her sword glowing with silver moonlight.
Behind them, the Lunar Frost Wolf and the freed Frostfang Sabretooth stood ready.
As the spear fell...
A second silver howl echoed across the battlefield.
This time...
It came not from the corrupted Fenrir...
But from somewhere deep beneath the temple.
Another ancient presence had awakened.
Lucius looked toward the temple in genuine surprise.
"...That shouldn't be possible."
For the first time since arriving in Astravia...
The First Apostle had lost his composure.