Chapter 67 - Invitation to the Hidden World
Three weeks passed.
The Leviathan Sea had returned to peace.
Corruption no longer stained its waters.
Merchant ships once again sailed safely between kingdoms.
Children played upon the beaches without fear.
For the first time in centuries...
The sea smiled.
---
Kai stood atop the cliffs overlooking the ocean.
The Book of Infinite Beasts floated quietly beside him.
Its once-empty pages were slowly filling with restored memories.
Beast Sovereign Status
Name: Kai Dragonbane
Rank: Master Beast Tamer
Star Fragments: 3/7
Bloodline Awakening: 56%
Archive Restoration: 6%
Known Divine Beasts:
- Ignis
- Noctis
- Thalassor
- Krakenoth (Purified)
---
A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"You've become stronger."
Kai turned.
Admiral Nereus stood behind him, dressed not in armour but in a simple navy-blue robe.
For the first time, he looked less like a warrior...
And more like a man finally free of an endless duty.
"I owe you my life," Nereus said.
Kai smiled.
"We saved each other."
Nereus laughed.
"Perhaps."
---
Suddenly...
The sky darkened.
Not with storm clouds.
With shadows.
Every person along the coast looked upward.
A floating island slowly descended from the heavens.
Its waterfalls poured into the sea without ever emptying.
Golden bridges connected dozens of smaller islands.
Ancient castles floated among the clouds.
Massive dragons circled crystal mountains.
The sight stole everyone's breath.
---
The Book reacted immediately.
New Region Discovered
Aetherion
The Floating Continent
Status:
Hidden World
Population:
Unknown
Danger Level:
★★★★★
---
From the largest island descended seven beams of silver light.
One landed before Kai.
When the light faded...
A young woman stood there.
She appeared to be around twenty years old.
Long silver hair flowed to her waist.
Two small crystal horns emerged from her forehead.
Behind her floated a graceful white qilin whose mane shimmered with starlight.
The Book identified her instantly.
Beast Analysis
Name: Lyra Valen
Title: Celestial Envoy
Rank: Grandmaster Beast Tamer
Contract Beast:
Astral Qilin
Threat Assessment:
Unknown
---
Lyra bowed elegantly.
"Kai Dragonbane."
"By order of the Celestial Council..."
"I bring you an invitation."
She raised her hand.
A scroll made from glowing silver leaves appeared.
It unfolded by itself.
---
Official Invitation
To the Ninth Beast Sovereign,
For your protection of the Third Star Fragment and the creation of the Living Seal...
You are hereby invited to participate in the Celestial Tournament of Aetherion.
Victors shall receive:
- The right to challenge the Hidden Realms.
- Access to the Library of Lost Eras.
- A clue leading to the Fourth Star Fragment.
Opening Ceremony:
Thirty days from today.
Attendance:
Mandatory.
---
Kai looked up.
"Mandatory?"
Lyra nodded.
"If the Beast Sovereign refuses..."
"The Council will assume you have abandoned your responsibility."
Selene crossed her arms.
"That doesn't sound much like an invitation."
A faint smile appeared on Lyra's face.
"It isn't."
"It's a test."
---
Ignis stepped forward.
"The Celestial Council."
"So they're finally moving."
Lyra looked at the ancient dragon.
"You know them."
"I know enough."
"They claim to preserve balance."
"But they fear change."
---
Before Kai could ask another question...
The air around Lyra distorted.
A spear of black crystal shot toward her back.
Kai reacted instantly.
"Spirit Step!"
CLANG!
His Star-forged spear intercepted the attack.
The impact sent both weapons flying.
Everyone turned.
Standing atop a nearby cliff was a masked figure dressed in black robes.
A silver wolf stood beside him.
The wolf's eyes glowed with crimson corruption.
The Book flashed.
Enemy Identified
Name:
Unknown
Affiliation:
The Eclipse Court
Status:
Enemy of the Beast Sovereign
---
The masked man clapped slowly.
"Impressive."
"You've grown since the Leviathan Sea."
Kai pointed his spear.
"Who are you?"
The stranger removed his mask.
A young man with silver eyes smiled confidently.
"My name is Darius."
"Remember it."
"Because we'll meet again..."
"...in the Celestial Tournament."
He snapped his fingers.
Space twisted around him.
Both he and the corrupted wolf vanished into a portal of black light.
---
Lyra's expression grew serious.
"So they've begun recruiting."
Kai frowned.
"The Eclipse Court?"
She nodded.
"The hidden enemy of the Celestial Council."
"They seek the Seven Star Fragments..."
"Not to free the Star Devourer..."
"But to control it."
A cold wind swept across the cliff.
The Book displayed a new objective.
Arc 6 Main Quest
The Celestial Tournament
Objectives:
- Travel to Aetherion.
- Defeat the greatest Beast Tamers of the Hidden Realms.
- Discover the Fourth Star Fragment.
- Uncover the true purpose of the Eclipse Court.
Kai closed the Book and looked toward the floating continent high above the clouds.
A new battlefield awaited.
One where strength alone would not decide victory.
One where allies could become rivals...
And rivals could become legends.