Chapter 64 - Brothers of the First Dawn
The world fell silent.
The sentence remained written upon the golden page.
«"Do not hate the Archivist. He was my brother."»
Kai's hands trembled.
He looked toward the shadow floating above the sea.
"You..."
"...were the First Beast Sovereign's brother?"
For the first time, the Archivist did not answer immediately.
The black cloak around its body fluttered in the cold wind.
Finally...
It spoke.
"By blood."
"By oath."
"By destiny."
"Yes."
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts glowed once more.
The ancient page continued writing itself.
No one had touched it.
The words appeared as though the First Beast Sovereign were speaking across ten thousand years.
«"If history remembers me as a hero..."»
«"...then it has forgotten the greater one."»
Kai continued reading.
«"My brother never sought glory."»
«"While I travelled the world making contracts with Divine Beasts..."»
«"...he gathered every story, every language, and every memory our world possessed."»
«"Without him..."»
«"...our victory would have been impossible."»
---
A gentle breeze swept across the battlefield.
The Archivist lowered its head.
"I told him not to leave that message."
"He never listened."
---
Selene frowned.
"Then why are you our enemy?"
The shadow remained silent.
The answer did not come.
Instead...
The Book continued.
«"If my brother ever stands against you..."»
«"...know that he carries a burden I failed to bear."»
---
The sea trembled violently.
The Star Devourer laughed beneath the gate.
"Even now..."
"You cling to your sentiment."
---
Kai closed the Book.
He looked directly at the Archivist.
"I'm done believing that you're evil."
The shadow looked up.
"You should."
Kai shook his head.
"No."
"I think you're trying to stop something."
"But you're using the wrong method."
For several long seconds...
Neither moved.
---
Then the Archivist laughed.
Not cruelly.
Not mockingly.
But with genuine sadness.
"You sound exactly like him."
---
A memory flickered through the air.
Not an illusion.
A real memory.
Ten thousand years ago.
A green meadow stretched beneath a brilliant blue sky.
Two young men stood side by side.
One carried a spear of golden starlight.
The other held an enormous book bound in silver.
The first smiled brightly.
The second sighed.
"You always volunteer for dangerous missions."
The spear-wielding youth laughed.
"And you always complain."
"Someone has to."
The two brothers laughed together.
The vision faded.
---
Kai stood speechless.
"They were..."
"Happy."
Ignis nodded quietly.
"Before the war."
---
Suddenly, the Book flashed crimson.
Ancient Memory Restored
Archive Restoration:
3% → 6%
Historical Records Recovered:
The First Brotherhood
---
The restoration triggered something unexpected.
Across the battlefield...
The black cloak surrounding the Archivist began to crack.
Tiny streams of golden light escaped from within.
The shadow staggered.
"What..."
The Book spoke in an ancient voice.
"Memory recognised."
---
The Star Devourer's gigantic eye widened.
"No..."
"You are restoring him."
---
Kai stepped forward.
"The darkness around you..."
"It isn't natural."
The Archivist instinctively stepped backwards.
"Do not come closer."
"There is nothing left to save."
Kai ignored the warning.
"There always is."
---
The shadow trembled violently.
For a single heartbeat...
Its featureless face disappeared.
A young man with silver hair and kind amber eyes stood beneath the cloak.
He looked almost identical to the First Beast Sovereign.
Then the darkness returned.
The moment was gone.
---
Thalassor whispered in disbelief.
"His true self..."
"Still survives."
---
The sea exploded.
The Star Devourer's immense hand finally burst through the ancient gate.
The Final Chain stretched to its limit.
CRACK!
Another link snapped.
Seal Integrity:
65%... 54%... 49%
The Book blazed with urgent light.
Final Battle Initiated
Objective:
Prevent complete release of the Star Devourer.
Secondary Objective:
Protect all Guardians.
Failure:
Global Catastrophe.
---
Kai raised his Star-forged spear.
The two Star Fragments revolved around him faster than ever.
He looked at every ally connected through the Constellation Link.
"We're ending this together."
Golden light erupted from the constellation overhead.
Across the sea...
Every beast—small and great alike—lifted its head toward the heavens.
The era of the Ninth Beast Sovereign had truly begun.