Chapter 83 - The Guardian's Protector
The battlefield fell silent.
The Silver Phoenix hovered above Glaciera, its radiant wings scattering snowflakes that shimmered like stars.
Across the frozen plains, the Frost Titan Ursa lowered its massive head.
It did not roar.
It did not attack.
Instead...
A deep, sorrowful cry echoed across the kingdom.
The sound carried grief that had endured for centuries.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts glowed.
Memory Restoration
Historical Record Found
The Guardian's Protector
Restoration Progress...
---
The world around Kai dissolved.
A vision unfolded before his eyes.
---
Thousands of years earlier...
The Frost Dominion was not a land of endless winter.
Green forests stretched across rolling hills.
Clear rivers reflected a bright blue sky.
Children played beneath flowering trees.
Above them flew the Silver Phoenix.
Beside the Phoenix walked an enormous white bear.
The Frost Titan Ursa.
But its eyes were warm sapphire blue.
Its fur shone like fresh snow.
The people bowed as it passed.
Not out of fear...
But out of respect.
---
The Book continued.
Ancient Record
The Frost Titan Ursa
Title:
Guardian's Shield
Duty:
Protect the Fifth Guardian with its life.
---
The vision changed.
The sky darkened.
Black portals opened above the kingdom.
Creatures of the Void descended.
The Ursa fought without retreat.
For seven days and seven nights.
It defeated countless invaders.
But eventually...
One enemy remained.
A warrior cloaked in gold.
His face could not be seen.
Only his brilliant golden sword.
The Golden Warrior pointed his blade.
Dark crystal chains erupted from the earth.
They pierced the Ursa's body.
The Silver Phoenix screamed.
The vision shattered.
---
Kai returned to the present.
He clenched his fists.
"It wasn't born corrupted..."
"It was enslaved."
---
The Book confirmed his words.
Corruption Source
Black Ice Chains
Creator:
Unknown
Estimated Age:
More than 8,000 years.
---
Captain Freya looked at Kai.
"Can it still be saved?"
Kai stared at the giant bear.
Despite the corruption...
The Ursa had never attacked the civilians.
Never attacked the shelters.
Its gaze had remained fixed on the Silver Phoenix.
Not with hatred...
But with desperate longing.
---
Skadi, the Silver Phoenix, descended from the sky.
Instead of preparing for battle...
It landed before the giant bear.
The two ancient companions looked at one another.
For a single heartbeat...
The Ursa's crimson eyes flickered.
A faint blue light returned.
A tear rolled down its enormous face.
---
Then—
The black chains erupted from its body once more.
They tightened violently.
The Ursa roared in agony.
It charged against its own will.
Straight toward Skadi.
---
"No!"
Kai sprinted forward.
The Crimson Flame Fox raced beside him.
"Ignis!"
The ancient dragon soared downward.
Golden flames wrapped around the Ursa, slowing its charge without harming it.
---
The Book flashed.
Purification Chance
Current Probability:
12%
Increasing emotional resonance may improve success.
---
Kai realised brute force would never break the chains.
He lowered his spear.
Then...
He slowly walked toward the charging bear.
"Kai!"
Selene shouted.
"It'll crush you!"
But Kai continued walking.
The Crimson Flame Fox did not attack.
It simply stood beside its master.
---
Kai looked directly into the Ursa's blazing crimson eyes.
"You remember."
"I know you do."
"You protected this kingdom once."
"You protected your friend."
The Ursa hesitated.
Its steps slowed.
The chains tightened again.
Darkness surged.
But this time...
It did not completely erase the blue light in its eyes.
---
High above...
The Golden King watched through a mirror of light.
He smiled faintly.
"So..."
"You're trying to break chains forged before kingdoms existed."
He closed his eyes.
"Show me, Kai Dragonbane."
"Show me whether compassion is truly stronger than control."
---
Back on the battlefield...
The Silver Phoenix spread its wings.
It released a single silver feather.
The feather drifted gently onto the Ursa's forehead.
The bear froze.
The Book of Infinite Beasts blazed with brilliant emerald light.
Hidden Trial Initiated
The Bond Beyond Time
Objective:
Free the Guardian's Protector...
Without taking its life.
Difficulty:
★★★★★★
Reward:
Unknown.