Chapter 113 - Alliance of Fate
The lunar sky darkened.
Stars disappeared one after another as the Eclipse Devourer rose from within Fenris.
Its body was made of living shadow.
Hundreds of crimson eyes opened across its massive form.
Each eye reflected a different ruined world.
The moon itself trembled beneath its weight.
---
The Codex of the Beast Sovereign blazed.
Catastrophe-Class Entity
Name: Eclipse Devourer
Origin:
Unknown
Seal Duration:
12,000 Years
Current Manifestation:
29%
Estimated Full Manifestation:
2 Hours
Threat Assessment:
World Extinction Event
---
Fenris howled in agony.
The great silver wolf fought against the shadow bursting from within its body.
Its claws dug deep into the lunar surface, carving enormous valleys.
Yet the darkness continued spreading.
---
Kai gripped the Star-forged Spear.
"No more Guardians will suffer alone."
Before he could charge—
Noctis stepped in front of him.
"You cannot attack the Devourer directly."
Kai frowned.
"Why?"
"Because it has no physical core."
"It exists by feeding on despair."
---
Noctis removed his broken mask.
For the first time, everyone saw his face.
He looked no older than Kai.
Silver hair framed calm blue eyes marked by centuries of grief.
Lady Vesper stared in disbelief.
"This..."
"This is the face hidden behind every legend?"
Noctis gave a faint smile.
"Legends rarely tell the whole story."
---
He extended one hand.
Dark chains gathered around his arm.
But this time...
They did not feel oppressive.
They formed a shield.
"I will restrain the Devourer."
"You save Fenris."
Kai looked into Noctis's eyes.
For the first time...
He saw no hatred.
Only determination.
---
Without another word, they moved.
Noctis leapt skyward.
Thousands of black chains erupted from his body.
They wrapped around the Eclipse Devourer, slowing its advance.
The monster roared as dozens of crimson eyes turned toward him.
"So that's why you bear the chains," Kai whispered.
"Noctis isn't controlled by them..."
"He's controlling them."
---
The Codex reacted.
Archive Restored
Chain Sovereign
Original Purpose:
Warden of Seals
Duty:
Bind entities that cannot be destroyed.
Historical Status:
Corrupted During the Age of Origins
---
Kai's heart skipped a beat.
The Chain Sovereign had never been created to enslave.
He had once been the world's jailer.
---
"NOW!" Noctis shouted.
Kai answered instantly.
The Seven Star Fragments circled him.
Each Guardian responded.
Skadi's frost.
Ursa's strength.
Solara's sacred flame.
Pyron's First Ember.
Ignis's dragonfire.
Nereus's endless tide.
Together they formed a radiant sphere around Fenris.
The corruption surrounding the silver wolf slowed.
---
Inside Fenris's soul...
Kai found himself standing in a frozen wasteland beneath a silver moon.
The Guardian lay curled upon the ice.
Countless broken chains surrounded it.
Fenris slowly opened one eye.
"You're late."
Kai smiled.
"I know."
"But I'm here."
The great wolf laughed weakly.
"Just like the First..."
"Always arriving at the last possible moment."
Kai extended his hand.
"This time..."
"You won't face it alone."
Fenris looked at the outstretched hand.
Then beyond Kai.
One by one...
The spirits of the other six Guardians appeared.
Skadi.
Ursa.
Solara.
Pyron.
Ignis.
Nereus.
None spoke.
They simply stood beside Kai.
Fenris's silver eyes widened.
"You all came..."
Pyron smiled warmly.
"We're Guardians."
"We don't abandon family."
---
Outside the spiritual world...
The Eclipse Devourer screamed.
Cracks of silver light spread across its shadowy body.
The balance of the battle had begun to shift.
But far beyond the moon...
Beyond the stars...
The colossal Gate of Origins shuddered once more.
A second lock slowly began to loosen.
Not because of the Devourer.
Not because of Noctis.
Something else...
Something older...
Had awakened on the other side of the Gate.