Chapter 54 - The Forgotten Guardian
The pillar of white fire pierced the heavens.
For a moment...
The black clouds covering Mount Solaris disappeared.
Moonlight and sunlight shone upon the volcano together.
Every beast in the Phoenix Empire fell silent.
Then, one by one...
They bowed.
---
Inside the Temple of Eternal Ash...
The mysterious figure stepped out of the white flames.
It stood nearly three metres tall.
Its body was covered in silver-white scales that shimmered like stars.
Six wings of pure light extended from its back.
Its face resembled neither man nor beast.
Instead, it constantly shifted between countless forms.
An old wolf...
A young dragon...
A phoenix...
A lion...
As if it carried the memories of every beast that had ever lived.
The Book of Infinite Beasts trembled violently.
Its pages turned faster than ever before.
But every page remained blank.
---
Analysis Failed
Unknown Entity
Historical Records:
Not Found
Reason:
Data Never Existed
---
Kai stared in disbelief.
"Even the Book..."
"...doesn't know."
Ignis slowly lowered his head.
"I've heard only one legend..."
"A guardian who erased its own existence."
---
The being opened its glowing eyes.
They settled upon Kai.
Its voice echoed directly into everyone's minds.
"Beast Sovereign..."
"You have come at last."
Kai stepped forward.
"Who are you?"
The being smiled gently.
"Names are chains."
"I surrendered mine long ago."
"You may call me..."
"...The First Guardian."
---
The temple fell silent.
Caelum's eyes widened.
"The First Guardian..."
"So the legends were true."
Even the Archivist remained motionless.
For the first time, its voice carried genuine caution.
"You should not exist."
The First Guardian turned towards the shadow.
"Neither should you."
---
Without warning...
The Archivist extended countless black threads.
They surged towards the Guardian like living serpents.
The First Guardian simply raised one hand.
A ripple of white light spread through the chamber.
The black threads dissolved into harmless dust.
No explosion.
No struggle.
Only silence.
The difference in power was overwhelming.
---
The Archivist spoke coldly.
"You cannot interfere."
"The Covenant forbids it."
The First Guardian closed its eyes.
"The Covenant ended..."
"...when you broke its first law."
---
Kai looked between them.
"What covenant?"
Caelum answered quietly.
"Before kingdoms existed..."
"There were thirteen Guardians."
"They swore never to rule the world."
"Only to protect its balance."
"The Archivist..."
"...was once one of them."
Everyone froze.
Selene whispered,
"The Archivist..."
"...was a Guardian?"
The shadow said nothing.
Its silence was answer enough.
---
The Book suddenly restored a single sentence.
Ancient Record Restored
The Archivist
Original Title:
Guardian of Memory
Status:
Fallen
---
The chamber shook violently.
The Archivist's projection flickered.
"You reveal too much."
The First Guardian looked at Kai.
"The truth cannot remain hidden forever."
"But you are not ready for all of it."
It extended one finger.
A sphere of white light floated towards Kai.
It gently entered the Book of Infinite Beasts.
---
Hidden Function Unlocked
Archive Restoration
Current Progress:
3%
Description:
Recover memories and historical records erased by the Archivist.
---
Kai looked at the glowing pages.
Missing names slowly began to reappear.
Broken illustrations repaired themselves.
Not completely...
But enough to show that the damage could be undone.
---
Suddenly, Noctis cried out.
The purification had reached its final stage.
Golden fire spread across its body.
The black crystals shattered like glass.
Corruption Level:
65%... 40%... 18%... 5%...
The entire temple filled with brilliant crimson and gold flames.
Princess Elena's chains dissolved instantly.
She collapsed into Empress Aurelia's waiting arms as Imperial Guards rushed to protect them.
---
Noctis spread its enormous wings.
For the first time in ten thousand years...
Both eyes shone the same radiant gold.
The Ashen Phoenix was free.
Its joyful cry echoed across the Phoenix Empire.
Every volcano fell quiet.
The Sacred Flame atop the Imperial Palace reignited on its own.
Citizens across the empire looked towards the sky as golden feathers drifted like snow.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts glowed brilliantly.
Main Quest Complete
The Ashen Phoenix Saved
Rewards:
- Second Star Fragment Obtained.
- Bloodline Awakening: 22% → 31%
- New Title: Guardian of the Eternal Flame
- Divine Beast Blessing: Phoenix's Rebirth
---
But the celebration lasted only a heartbeat.
The Archivist laughed softly.
"So..."
"You have saved another Guardian."
"It changes nothing."
Behind the projection, seven constellations appeared in the night sky.
Two stars shone brightly.
Five remained dark.
"The game has only begun, Beast Sovereign."
"When all seven stars awaken..."
"You will finally understand..."
"...why the First Beast Sovereign failed."
The projection dissolved into countless black feathers.
Before anyone could react, they vanished into the wind.
The First Guardian watched silently.
Then it turned to Kai.
"Your next destination is not the World Tree..."
"Someone has changed the future."
"Go instead to the Leviathan Sea."
"If you arrive too late..."
"The Third Star Fragment will fall into enemy hands."
The Book updated immediately.
---
Arc 5 Unlocked
The Leviathan Sea
Next Destination:
The Kingdom of Tides
Primary Objective:
Protect the Third Star Fragment.
Estimated Difficulty:
★★★★★
Far beyond the eastern horizon...
In the endless ocean...
A colossal whirlpool slowly formed around a city floating upon the sea.
Deep beneath the waves...
A pair of sapphire eyes opened.
Something ancient...
Something hungry...
Had sensed the awakening of the Beast Sovereign.