Chapter 111 - The Road to the Moon
The Aurora climbed higher than it ever had before.
Past the floating continents.
Past the kingdom of dragons.
Past the endless sea of clouds.
The sky gradually darkened until countless stars surrounded the ship.
Ahead...
The moon no longer appeared distant.
It hung in the heavens like a silver world waiting for them.
---
The Codex of the Beast Sovereign opened.
Mission Update
Destination:
Lunar Temple
Time Until Seal Failure:
34 Hours
Current Progress:
Sky Key ✓
World Root Key ✓
Lunar Key ○
---
Selene leaned over the railing.
"I never imagined we'd actually travel to the moon."
Nereus smiled.
"In ancient times, there was a bridge connecting the two worlds."
"It was called the Moon Path."
Lucien frowned.
"I've searched every archive of the Star Wardens."
"There was never any mention of it."
Pyron sighed.
"Many truths disappeared with history."
---
Suddenly...
The stars around the Aurora flickered.
One after another.
Like candles being extinguished.
A cold wind swept across the deck.
The temperature dropped sharply.
Even Ignis folded his wings uneasily.
---
The Codex glowed crimson.
Warning
Void Disturbance Detected
Location:
Moon Path
Unknown Lifeforms Approaching
---
Tiny cracks appeared in the empty space ahead.
Then...
The darkness itself shattered.
From the fractures emerged enormous creatures with transparent bodies that resembled whales.
Their skin reflected entire galaxies.
Their eyes glowed with silver light.
They swam through space as though it were an endless ocean.
---
The Codex analysed them.
Ancient Species
Astral Leviathans
Alignment:
Neutral
Purpose:
Guardians of the Moon Path
---
Everyone remained still.
The largest Leviathan approached Kai.
It was over a kilometre long.
Its single eye was larger than the Aurora itself.
The creature lowered its head.
Instead of attacking...
It observed the Seven Star Fragments.
A deep voice echoed through everyone's minds.
"Bearer of the Seven..."
"Why do you seek the Moon?"
Kai stepped forward.
"To save its Guardian."
The Leviathan remained silent.
"Many have spoken such words."
"Few understood their meaning."
---
The creature slowly opened its mouth.
A single silver pearl floated toward Kai.
It settled gently into his hands.
---
The Codex responded.
Ancient Relic Acquired
Moon Pearl
Function:
Safe Passage through the Moon Path
Secondary Function:
Unknown
---
The Astral Leviathan smiled.
"The Moon remembers kindness."
"Do not let it remember only war."
With that...
The great creatures disappeared into the sea of stars.
The shattered space slowly healed.
---
Hours later...
The Moon Path became visible.
It was a bridge of pure silver light stretching from the heavens to the lunar surface.
Ancient statues lined both sides.
Each depicted a Guardian kneeling before a woman crowned with moonlight.
Selene whispered,
"Who is she?"
The Codex hesitated.
Then revealed an answer.
Historical Figure
Lunaria
First Guardian of the Moon
Status:
Record Sealed
---
Before Kai could investigate further...
The Moon Pearl began glowing intensely.
The bridge ahead trembled.
Then exploded.
A colossal beam of black energy tore through the Moon Path.
The silver bridge collapsed section by section.
Far in the distance...
The Lunar Temple came into view.
It stood upon a vast silver plain beneath a sky filled with unmoving stars.
But surrounding the temple...
Was an army.
Thousands upon thousands of corrupted soldiers.
Black crystal siege towers.
Winged beasts.
And at their centre...
A figure wearing a crown of obsidian.
Noctis stood before the gates with his hands behind his back.
He looked up as the Aurora emerged from the stars.
Then he smiled.
"You've arrived exactly on time."
Behind him...
The colossal chained silver wolf let out a sorrowful howl that echoed across the moon.
The final battle for the Third Origin Key was about to begin.