Chapter 104 - The Whisper Beyond the Gate
CLANG!
The sound of the first lock turning echoed across every corner of the world.
Mountains trembled.
Oceans surged.
The skies themselves seemed to pause.
Every Guardian felt the same sensation.
Something beyond the Gate of Origins had awakened.
---
Kai looked down at the Sky Key.
The sapphire crystal pulsed with a steady light.
Instead of feeling triumphant...
He felt uneasy.
"Did you all hear that voice?"
Pyron nodded gravely.
"It came from beyond the Gate."
Ignis folded his wings.
"But..."
"It wasn't the Chain Sovereign."
---
The Codex of the Beast Sovereign opened on its own.
Its pages turned rapidly before stopping on a chapter that had never existed before.
Origin Record
Warning
The Gate of Origins was never built to imprison the Chain Sovereign.
Purpose:
Unknown
---
Everyone fell silent.
"If the Gate wasn't built for the Chain Sovereign..."
Selene whispered,
"...then what is actually behind it?"
No one had an answer.
---
Far away...
Within the endless darkness beyond the Gate...
Two crimson eyes slowly opened.
A deep voice echoed through the void.
"So..."
"A new Beast Sovereign has finally appeared."
A second voice answered.
"You are forbidden to interfere."
The first voice laughed.
"I have waited twelve thousand years."
"I can wait a little longer."
The darkness swallowed both voices.
---
Back at the Sky Temple...
Lady Vesper approached Kai.
"The Eclipse Court is falling apart."
"Many soldiers abandoned the Court after seeing Lucien freed."
Lucien stepped beside her.
"The ones who remain are fanatics."
"They're gathering at the World Root Temple."
Caelum frowned.
"So they already know where the second key is."
---
The Codex confirmed it.
Emergency Update
World Root Temple
Enemy Activity:
Extremely High
Estimated Enemy Arrival:
Three Days
---
Kai immediately turned to his companions.
"We leave at dawn."
No one objected.
---
That night...
Kai stood alone at the edge of the floating continent.
The stars filled the heavens.
For the first time since becoming the Beast Sovereign...
He allowed himself a moment of silence.
Footsteps approached.
It was Nereus.
The great sea dragon had assumed a humanoid form.
Tall and graceful, with long sapphire-blue hair and eyes that shimmered like the ocean beneath moonlight.
"You carry many burdens."
Kai smiled faintly.
"So do you."
Nereus looked toward the stars.
"The First Beast Sovereign often stood exactly where you are."
Kai's expression became thoughtful.
"What was he really like?"
Nereus laughed softly.
"He was brilliant."
"Stubborn."
"Terrible at following his own advice."
Kai chuckled.
"Sounds familiar."
Nereus smiled.
"Perhaps."
Then the Guardian's expression grew serious.
"He made one mistake."
"What mistake?"
"He believed he had to make every sacrifice alone."
Nereus placed a hand on Kai's shoulder.
"Don't repeat it."
Before Kai could respond...
The Sky Key suddenly glowed.
A vision appeared.
An enormous tree reached into the heavens.
Its roots stretched across continents.
Its branches supported countless worlds.
Yet...
A single black chain had wrapped itself around its trunk.
The chain was slowly tightening.
The Codex identified the vision.
Next Destination Confirmed
The World Root Temple
Guardian of the Second Origin Key:
Sylvana, Mother of Forests
Status:
In Danger
Estimated Time Remaining:
72 Hours
Kai closed the Codex.
He looked at the horizon where dawn was beginning to break.
"The World Root Temple is next."
His companions gathered behind him.
The Beast Sovereign's journey was entering its most dangerous stage yet.
For the enemy was no longer reacting to Kai's moves...
It was beginning to anticipate them.