Chapter 117 - The Gate Opens
Silence reigned before the Gate of Origins.
The single golden eye beyond the seal remained fixed upon Kai.
Its gaze carried no anger.
No mercy.
Only endless patience.
As though it had watched civilizations rise and fall without ever moving.
---
The Codex of the Beast Sovereign glowed intensely.
Final Seal Protocol
Three Origin Keys Detected.
Seven Guardians Confirmed.
Keeper of Seals Identified.
Beast Sovereign Recognised.
Awaiting unanimous consent...
---
Kai looked at Noctis.
"If opening the Gate is so dangerous..."
"...why don't we simply leave it sealed?"
Noctis lowered his eyes.
"Because it is already opening."
He pointed toward the ancient door.
Tiny fractures of golden light spread across its surface.
"They're not caused from this side."
"They're caused by something trying to escape."
---
The First Beast Sovereign's wooden whistle suddenly sang on its own.
A gentle melody drifted across the void.
The Gate vibrated.
The golden eye beyond it slowly closed.
For one brief moment...
The pressure eased.
Pyron whispered,
"He still protects us..."
"Even after death."
---
Noctis stepped toward the Gate.
His chains extended into the three keyholes.
Not to unlock them.
To stabilise them.
"I can only hold the seal for a short time."
Kai nodded.
"Then we finish this together."
---
The Seven Guardians moved into position.
Skadi covered the Gate in sacred frost.
Ursa planted his colossal paws upon the stone, refusing to let it move.
Solara's eternal flames surrounded the ancient carvings.
Pyron ignited the First Ember.
Ignis spread his golden wings across the heavens.
Nereus summoned endless tides of spiritual water.
Fenris stood directly before the Gate, howling beneath the stars.
Their powers merged into a vast circle of light.
---
The Codex responded.
World Formation
Guardian Constellation
Status:
Complete
Seal Stability:
Restored to 96%
---
For a heartbeat...
It seemed they had succeeded.
Then—
CRACK!
A fracture spread across the centre of the Gate.
Not from outside.
From within.
A gigantic claw of black crystal punched through the opening.
It was so enormous that a single claw dwarfed the Aurora.
The Guardians immediately pushed against it.
The Gate groaned under impossible pressure.
---
The voice beyond the Gate laughed.
"So..."
"The Wardens..."
"The Guardians..."
"And the Beast Sovereign..."
"You gather before me once again."
Its words shook entire constellations.
Kai stepped forward, refusing to retreat.
"Show yourself!"
The claw withdrew.
The crack widened.
From the darkness emerged not a monster...
But a figure.
Tall.
Clad in flowing robes woven from fragments of galaxies.
Its face was hidden behind a smooth mask of white stone with no eyes, no mouth, and no expression.
Stars circled around its body like obedient servants.
---
The Codex trembled violently.
Pages tore free and scattered into the void.
Ultimate Entity Detected
Designation:
The Origin King
Classification:
Unknown
Threat Assessment:
Impossible to Measure
---
Noctis's expression changed for the first time.
Fear.
Genuine fear.
"So..."
"You survived."
The masked figure tilted its head.
"I was never alive."
"And therefore..."
"I could never die."
---
Kai raised the Star-forged Spear.
"I don't care what you are."
"If you're threatening this world..."
"I'll stop you."
The Origin King slowly turned toward him.
Then, to everyone's astonishment...
It laughed.
"You truly are his successor."
The stars around the Gate dimmed.
The Origin King extended one hand toward Kai.
"Come."
"Let me show you..."
"...how your universe was truly born."
The void shattered into countless fragments of light.
Kai, Noctis, and the Seven Guardians were pulled into an ancient vision older than time itself.
The truth of the Age of Origins was finally about to be revealed.