Chapter 60 - The Second Chain Breaks
The spirit-powered skiff sliced through the ocean like an arrow.
Kai stood at the bow, the Pearl of Tides clutched tightly in his hand.
Its sapphire light pulsed with every heartbeat.
The calmer it became...
The brighter it shone.
Behind him, Selene adjusted the spirit engine to its maximum output.
"We're still too slow."
Ignis looked toward the eastern horizon.
A massive column of black water had risen into the clouds.
"We're almost out of time."
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts appeared.
Mission Status
Restore the Third Seal
Seal Integrity: 62%
Time Remaining:
23 Minutes
Success Probability:
41%
---
Far ahead...
The battle had become a nightmare.
Half of the Abyss Legion fleet had been destroyed.
Broken ships floated across the sea.
The merchant vessels had gathered behind Thalassor, using the Guardian Leviathan's colossal body as a shield.
Admiral Nereus still stood upon the waves.
His sapphire trident blazed with divine energy.
But blood ran down his left arm.
His breathing had become heavy.
Even a Guardian could grow exhausted.
---
Krakenoth roared.
Six colossal tentacles crashed down simultaneously.
Nereus spun his trident.
"Tidal Dominion!"
An immense wall of seawater surged upward, intercepting the attack.
BOOOOM!
The impact shook the ocean for kilometres.
The water barrier shattered.
Nereus was hurled backwards, crashing through the deck of his flagship.
His officers rushed toward him.
"Admiral!"
He slowly stood.
"I'm..."
"...still breathing."
---
The sea trembled.
A deafening crack echoed beneath the waves.
CRACK!
Thalassor cried out in pain.
"The second chain..."
"It has broken..."
The ancient gate lurched violently.
The glowing blue Star Fragment flickered.
Darkness seeped through the widening gap.
---
Kai finally reached the battlefield.
He leapt from the skiff onto Thalassor's broad head.
The Leviathan lowered itself slightly in respect.
"Beast Sovereign..."
"The Pearl..."
Kai held it high.
"I'm here."
---
The Pearl of Tides floated from his hands.
It rose into the sky, radiating brilliant sapphire light.
The surrounding ocean became perfectly still.
Even Krakenoth paused.
The Pearl slowly descended toward the ancient gate.
But just before it reached the seal—
A black feather drifted through the air.
It touched the Pearl.
The sapphire glow dimmed instantly.
The Book flashed crimson.
Warning
Interference Detected
Authority:
The Archivist
Pearl Synchronisation Interrupted.
---
A familiar voice echoed across the sea.
"You continue relying on relics left by the past."
The Archivist's shadow appeared above the gate.
Its cloak merged with the storm clouds.
Its white eyes looked calmly at Kai.
"But have you considered..."
"...that the First Sovereign created those relics..."
"...because even he knew he could not win?"
Kai stared upward.
"You talk about him as if you knew him."
The shadow answered quietly.
"I did."
"For centuries..."
"He was my closest friend."
Silence spread across the battlefield.
Even Nereus looked shocked.
"You... fought beside him?"
The Archivist nodded.
"I admired him."
"I respected him."
"And in the end..."
"I watched him fail."
---
Kai stepped forward.
"Then why betray him?"
For the first time...
The Archivist's voice carried emotion.
"I didn't."
"The world betrayed itself."
---
Without another word, the shadow raised its hand.
Thousands of black feathers rained from the sky.
Wherever they landed...
Beasts forgot their companions.
Soldiers forgot their commanders.
Friends forgot each other's names.
One Imperial Guard looked at Rowan in confusion.
"Who... are you?"
Another sailor stared at Kai.
"Why am I following him?"
The memory plague spread rapidly.
---
The Book trembled.
Emergency Skill Activated
Unyielding Will
Protecting Core Memories...
Success Rate: 100%
---
Kai, Selene, Ignis, the Crimson Flame Fox, Rowan, Nereus, and Thalassor remained unaffected.
Everyone else began to lose themselves.
The battlefield descended into confusion.
Krakenoth seized the opportunity.
It unleashed a beam of corrupted abyssal energy directly at the ancient gate.
The final chain began to crack.
CRACK...
CRACK...
The Pearl of Tides flickered violently.
Kai looked at his companions.
"If that chain breaks..."
"Everything ends."
Selene nodded.
"We'll clear the way."
Ignis spread his wings.
"I'll protect the Pearl."
The Crimson Flame Fox's nine tails ignited with brilliant crimson-gold flames.
"Let's finish this together."
Kai gripped his spear and took a deep breath.
For the first time since becoming the Beast Sovereign...
Golden runes spread across his arms.
The First and Second Star Fragments floated out of the Book of Infinite Beasts.
They began orbiting Kai.
The sea, the sky, and the stars resonated as one.
The Book displayed a message it had never shown before.
Hidden Skill Unlocked
Star Sovereign Resonance
Requirement:
Two or more Star Fragments.
Status:
Activated
A pillar of golden starlight erupted around Kai, illuminating the entire Leviathan Sea.
High above the storm clouds, the First Guardian opened its eyes and smiled.
"The Ninth Sovereign..."
"...has finally taken his first true step."