Chapter 122 - The Gardener of Hope
The heartbeat echoed across the Sanctuary.
Thump.
Every flower turned toward the tiny tree.
Thump.
The seven glowing leaves shimmered with golden light.
Thump.
Kai felt the rhythm within his own chest.
It was gentle.
Warm.
Alive.
---
The Codex of the Beast Sovereign slowly opened.
Sanctuary Status
World Heart Resonance:
12%
Guardian Response:
Complete
Blessing Status:
Beginning
---
Aurelia smiled as she continued watering the tree.
"Do you know why it is so small?"
Kai shook his head.
"I expected the World Heart to be... enormous."
She laughed softly.
"So did everyone else."
She placed the watering can beside the roots.
"They searched for the biggest tree."
"The brightest light."
"The grandest palace."
"No one thought to care for the smallest seed."
---
Kai looked at the little tree.
Only seven leaves.
Yet each leaf contained a sky full of stars.
---
Aurelia beckoned him closer.
"Touch the trunk."
Kai obeyed.
The instant his fingers met the bark...
The world vanished.
---
He stood in an endless meadow beneath a golden dawn.
Thousands of beasts wandered peacefully.
Tiny rabbits played beside dragons.
Ancient phoenixes nested beside wolves.
There was no fear.
No predator.
No prey.
Only harmony.
---
"What is this place?"
Kai whispered.
Aurelia appeared beside him.
"The world..."
"...before fear."
---
The meadow darkened.
A single human arrived.
He was frightened.
Hungry.
Alone.
He carried no weapon.
A small wolf cub approached cautiously.
Instead of attacking...
The human shared his last piece of bread.
The wolf wagged its tail.
A tiny golden thread appeared between them.
---
The Codex glowed.
First Beast Contract
Foundation:
Trust
Not Magic.
Not Power.
---
Kai watched as more people and beasts formed similar bonds.
Golden threads spread across the world like sunlight.
Cities were built.
Forests flourished.
The harmony grew stronger.
---
Then...
One thread snapped.
A hunter struck down the beast that had trusted him.
Another thread broke.
Then another.
Soon...
Thousands shattered.
The meadow slowly transformed into a battlefield.
---
Kai lowered his head.
"So this is how it began..."
Aurelia nodded sadly.
"The World Heart never forced harmony."
"It only gave every soul the chance to choose it."
---
The vision faded.
Kai found himself back beneath the tiny tree.
A single tear rolled down his cheek.
"So the true power of a Beast Sovereign..."
"...was never commanding beasts."
Aurelia smiled proudly.
"It was earning their trust."
---
The Seven Guardians stepped forward.
Pyron spoke first.
"That is why we followed you."
"You never demanded loyalty."
"You inspired it."
One by one, the other Guardians nodded.
Even the Silver Wind Hawk landed on Kai's shoulder, chirping happily.
---
Suddenly...
The tiny tree began to glow.
One golden leaf detached from its branch.
Instead of falling...
It dissolved into countless particles of light that surrounded Kai.
The Codex announced the change.
Blessing Received
Blessing of the First Dawn
Effect:
Every Beast Bond formed through genuine trust permanently strengthens both partners.
Passive Ability Unlocked:
Heart Resonance
---
Aurelia's smile slowly faded.
"There is one final truth."
Kai listened carefully.
"The Nameless Horror..."
"...was never born."
"It was created."
Silence fell over the Sanctuary.
Even the wind stopped.
Kai stared at her in disbelief.
"Created?"
Aurelia closed her eyes.
"Yes."
"By the greatest mistake ever made..."
"And the one responsible..."
"...was someone both you and Noctis already know."
The heartbeat of the tiny tree suddenly became faster.
Somewhere beyond the Sanctuary...
The Gate of Origins trembled once again.
The past was preparing to reveal its darkest secret.