Chapter 42 - The Forgotten Prophecy
The celebrations in Astravia lasted for three days.
Songs echoed through the capital.
The Royal Beast Sanctuary reopened.
Freed beasts roamed peacefully beneath the silver moon.
Kai was honoured as the Guardian of Astravia, though he accepted the title with quiet humility.
"It wasn't my victory alone," he told the gathered crowd.
"It belonged to everyone who chose trust over fear."
The people cheered.
Even the beasts responded with joyful cries.
---
That evening, King Aldren of Astravia invited Kai and his companions to the royal palace.
The throne room was ancient, its walls decorated with murals of wolves, dragons, phoenixes and creatures long forgotten.
At the centre of the hall stood a stone pedestal.
Upon it rested a weathered scroll sealed with silver wax.
The King carefully picked it up.
"This scroll has remained unopened for ten thousand years."
"It can only be read by one carrying the mark of the Beast Sovereign."
Kai stepped forward.
The moment his hand touched the seal...
The wax dissolved into golden light.
The scroll slowly unrolled itself.
Ancient words appeared across its surface.
---
The Prophecy of the First Sovereign
"When the Seventh Age nears its end..."
"The Book shall awaken once more."
"The Fox shall light the first flame."
"The Dragon shall return from forgotten chains."
"The Moon shall guide the Sovereign's path."
"Seven Stars shall gather..."
"Or the Devourer Beyond the Sky shall awaken."
"Only when beasts and mankind stand as equals..."
"Will the world survive the Final Eclipse."
---
Silence filled the throne room.
Selene looked at Kai.
"So the Star Fragment..."
"...is one of seven."
Ignis nodded slowly.
"I feared as much."
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts floated before Kai.
Golden pages turned.
A new section appeared.
World Quest Unlocked
The Seven Star Fragments
Fragments Collected:
★ Astravia – Complete
Fragments Remaining:
★ Phoenix Empire
★ Leviathan Sea
★ World Tree Forest
★ Titan Highlands
★ Celestial Desert
★ Sky Sanctuary
Reward:
Restore the Crown of the First Beast Sovereign
Failure:
The Final Eclipse
---
Kai frowned.
"What exactly is the Final Eclipse?"
The room fell silent.
Even Ignis hesitated.
"I do not know."
"But I remember one name."
He looked directly at Kai.
"The Devourer."
"When I was young..."
"Even Divine Beasts whispered that name with fear."
---
Before anyone could speak again...
The palace doors burst open.
A Royal Knight rushed inside.
"Your Majesty!"
"We've received an emergency message from the Phoenix Empire!"
The King's expression darkened.
"Read it."
The knight unfolded the letter.
His voice trembled.
"The Sacred Flame has gone out."
"The Imperial Phoenix has disappeared."
"The Empire requests immediate assistance."
---
The Book flashed urgently.
Main Quest Updated
Travel to the Phoenix Empire
Objectives:
- Investigate the disappearance of the Imperial Phoenix.
- Locate the Second Star Fragment.
- Uncover the Temple's movements.
Difficulty:
★★★★★
---
Selene looked at Kai.
"Looks like our journey continues."
The Crimson Flame Fox's tail flicked excitedly.
"A Phoenix!"
"I wonder if it's as proud as dragons."
Ignis snorted.
"They're far more dramatic."
"I heard that."
A warm, unfamiliar voice echoed through the throne room.
Everyone turned.
A single crimson feather drifted through an open window.
It glowed with brilliant golden fire.
The feather landed gently in Kai's hand.
The Book reacted instantly.
Divine Message Received
Sender: Unknown
"Hurry, Beast Sovereign..."
"I cannot hold the darkness back much longer."
Kai closed his hand around the feather.
His eyes reflected its golden flame.
"The Phoenix Empire..."
"...is already waiting for us."
Far across the continent, a colossal volcano erupted.
Within its burning crater, a magnificent phoenix struggled against chains of black crystal.
Above it stood a cloaked figure wearing a crown of obsidian.
Unlike the Apostles...
This figure radiated an even older, darker power.
He looked toward the distant horizon.
"The Sovereign has taken the first Star Fragment."
He smiled coldly.
"Excellent."
"Bring him to me."
The flames of the volcano turned black.
And the next great adventure began.