Chapter 65 - The Battle of Seven Stars
The sky split apart.
The constellation above the Leviathan Sea shone with impossible brilliance.
Golden starlight cascaded across the battlefield.
Every beast, every human, and every Guardian looked upward.
The stars themselves seemed to answer Kai's call.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts opened on its own.
Final Battle
Enemy: Star Devourer
Manifestation: 12%
Third Seal Integrity: 49%
Victory Condition:
- Restore the Third Seal.
- Purify Krakenoth.
- Prevent the Star Devourer's escape.
---
The Star Devourer's colossal hand continued pushing through the broken gate.
Each movement shattered another section of the ancient prison.
Its galaxy-like eye focused entirely on Kai.
"Ninth Sovereign..."
"You carry hope..."
"Just as the others did."
"Hope is always delicious."
Dark energy exploded from its palm.
Hundreds of black meteors fell from the heavens.
Each one carried enough force to annihilate a city.
---
"Formation!" Kai shouted.
The Constellation Link blazed.
Golden threads connected every ally.
Thoughts became one.
No commands were needed.
Everyone instinctively understood their role.
---
Selene became the first line of defence.
Her Moonlight Blade split the first meteor into harmless fragments.
Ignis soared through the sky, cloaking the falling debris in golden dragonfire.
The Crimson Flame Fox unleashed waves of Eclipse Blaze, purifying the corrupted fragments before they touched the sea.
Rowan and the Ashfang Pack rescued sailors from collapsing ships.
Nereus and Thalassor worked together, raising immense tidal barriers that shielded the fleet.
For the first time...
Guardians and humans fought as equals.
---
The Book flashed.
Constellation Link
Synchronization:
72%
New Ability Available:
Guardian Resonance
---
Kai reached toward the floating Star Fragments.
"I need your strength."
The First Fragment answered.
The Second Fragment answered.
Their light merged.
A third empty position appeared beside them.
Waiting.
Calling.
The Third Star Fragment vibrated beneath the ancient gate.
It wished to join them.
But the broken seal held it captive.
---
The Star Devourer laughed.
"You cannot have it."
"Because your compassion..."
"Will become your weakness."
Its free hand swept across the sea.
Instead of striking Kai...
It struck Thalassor.
The Guardian Leviathan cried out in pain.
Ancient scales shattered.
Golden blood coloured the ocean.
The Constellation Link trembled violently.
---
Kai rushed forward.
"Nereus!"
"I know!"
The Admiral launched himself through the storm.
His sapphire trident glowed brighter than ever.
"For the Leviathan Sea!"
He drove the trident into the Star Devourer's wrist.
The impact shook the heavens.
For a heartbeat...
The gigantic hand stopped moving.
But only for a heartbeat.
The Star Devourer slowly closed its fingers.
The pressure crushed Nereus's tidal shield.
His trident cracked.
Blood sprayed across the waves.
"Nereus!" Selene screamed.
The Admiral smiled despite the pain.
"I've... held this prison..."
"...for four thousand seven hundred years."
"I can hold it..."
"...a little longer."
---
Thalassor looked at Kai.
Its sapphire eyes were calm.
"Beast Sovereign..."
"There is one final way."
Kai felt his heart sink.
"What way?"
The Guardian lowered its head.
"Every seal..."
"Needs a Guardian."
"If the Third Fragment leaves..."
"Someone must become the new chain."
Silence.
Kai understood immediately.
"No."
Thalassor smiled gently.
"This has always been my duty."
"But yours..."
"Is to build a future where no Guardian must suffer alone."
The Book reacted instantly.
Guardian Decision
Thalassor
Status:
Preparing for Eternal Seal.
Probability of Survival:
0%
---
Kai clenched his fists.
"No."
"I'm done accepting sacrifices."
"The First Sovereign couldn't save everyone."
"The others couldn't either."
"But I didn't awaken to repeat history."
Golden light burst from his body.
The Star Sovereign Resonance surged beyond its limits.
The Book of Infinite Beasts trembled as a hidden page unlocked.
Hidden Skill Unlocked
Sovereign's Promise
Description:
A true Beast Sovereign does not replace the old chains...
...he creates a new path.
Power Requirement:
Unknown
Activation Condition:
Absolute Resolve
---
The sea, the sky, and even the stars fell silent.
Far above the battlefield, the First Guardian slowly smiled.
"The Promise..."
"He really found it."
Even the Archivist stared in astonishment.
"My brother..."
"...never managed to awaken that power."
Kai lifted his spear toward the heavens.
"I won't let another Guardian become a prison."
"I'll create a world..."
"...where every beast is finally free."
The Third Star Fragment blazed with dazzling sapphire light.
For the first time in ten thousand years...
It answered a Beast Sovereign's call.