Chapter 88 - Sea of Endless Fire
Dawn broke over the Frost Dominion.
The celebrations had ended.
The Crystal Palace stood quiet beneath the fading northern lights.
Inside the royal harbour, the skyship Aurora was already preparing for departure.
Its hull, strengthened by the blessing of the World Tree and the Frost Guardian, shimmered with emerald and silver runes.
---
Queen Astrid stood at the dock with Captain Freya.
The Frost Titan Ursa rested peacefully beside the harbour.
Skadi circled high above the city one final time.
As Kai approached...
The ancient Phoenix descended.
A single silver feather floated into his hand.
The Book of Infinite Beasts glowed.
Guardian's Blessing Received
Skadi's Feather
Effect:
Once per battle, summon the Guardian's protection for thirty seconds.
Uses:
Unlimited
Cooldown:
30 Days
---
Kai bowed respectfully.
"I'll return."
Skadi let out a soft cry.
The sound echoed across the mountains.
It was a promise.
---
The Aurora rose into the sky.
Below them, the snow-covered kingdom slowly disappeared into the clouds.
Ahead...
The horizon began changing.
White clouds became streaks of crimson.
The air grew warmer with every passing hour.
By sunset...
Snow no longer existed.
Only red mountains.
Black volcanic plains.
And rivers of glowing lava.
---
The Book opened.
New Region Entered
The Ember Wastes
Climate:
Extreme Heat
Average Temperature:
58°C
Guardian:
Unknown
Star Fragment:
Confirmed
Threat Level:
★★★★★
---
Selene wiped sweat from her forehead.
"We went from freezing..."
"...to feeling like we're standing inside a furnace."
Ignis laughed.
"This land suits me."
The Crimson Flame Fox, however, looked completely comfortable.
Its crimson-gold flames blended naturally with the blazing landscape.
---
Suddenly—
The compass given by Elaria began spinning wildly.
It refused to point in any direction.
The Book immediately responded.
Navigation Failure
Cause:
Spatial Distortion
Someone is hiding the Sixth Guardian.
---
A violent tremor shook the skyship.
The crew grabbed the railings.
"What was that?"
Another tremor followed.
This one was much stronger.
A mountain several kilometres away... moved.
No.
It stood up.
An enormous creature emerged from beneath the volcanic rock.
Its body resembled a dragon.
Its scales were formed from black obsidian.
Molten lava flowed between the cracks in its armour.
Its wings stretched wider than the Aurora itself.
The Book analysed it instantly.
Beast Analysis
Obsidian Magma Dragon
Rank:
Ancient Beast
Status:
Territorial
Corruption:
0%
---
The dragon opened one blazing golden eye.
It stared directly at Kai.
Then...
To everyone's surprise...
It bowed its head.
The crew exchanged astonished looks.
"It bowed?"
Ignis smiled knowingly.
"It recognises the scent of the Guardians."
---
The Obsidian Magma Dragon spread its wings.
Instead of attacking...
It turned toward the western horizon.
Then looked back at Kai.
As if asking him to follow.
Kai smiled.
"I think we've found our guide."
---
For two days...
The dragon led the Aurora across the Ember Wastes.
They passed burning forests where crimson trees grew despite the heat.
They crossed rivers of glowing magma without incident.
They even flew through storms made entirely of fire.
Yet...
No Guardian appeared.
---
On the third evening...
The dragon suddenly stopped.
It refused to move any farther.
Ahead stood a colossal canyon.
At its centre rose a black volcano.
Unlike the others...
It emitted no smoke.
No fire.
Only silence.
The Book slowly revealed a warning.
Forbidden Zone
Ashen Cradle
Ancient Guardian Territory
Entry Restriction:
Only those accepted by the Sixth Guardian may enter.
---
As Kai stepped off the skyship...
A calm voice echoed from within the silent volcano.
"You are late."
Everyone looked around.
No one was there.
Then...
A figure stepped out from the shadows.
A young woman dressed in robes the colour of burning embers.
Her long black hair faded into crimson at the tips.
Behind her walked a magnificent lion whose mane burned with white fire instead of orange.
The Book trembled.
Guardian Identified
Name: Solara
Title:
Guardian of the Eternal Flame
Guardian Number:
Sixth Guardian
Contract Beast:
Solar Flame Lion
Status:
Active
---
Solara's crimson eyes settled on Kai.
"I have been waiting..."
"...for the Ninth Beast Sovereign."
She paused.
Her expression became unexpectedly serious.
"But unless we move now..."
"...the Sixth Star Fragment will fall into enemy hands before sunrise."
Far behind the mountains...
Seven pillars of black smoke began rising into the sky.
The Eclipse Court had already arrived.