The Old King's Gate trembled violently.
Golden light flooded the underground capital.
Ancient symbols ignited across every surviving wall, rail, and pillar.
The entire station seemed to recognize what was happening.
Something was waking up.
Something old.
Very old.
The metallic hand gripping the gate tightened.
CRACK.
The massive doors opened further.
A figure slowly stepped forward from the light.
Everyone immediately felt it.
Not overwhelming power.
Not murderous intent.
Discipline.
Pure discipline.
The figure stood nearly seven feet tall.
Black armor covered his body.
Ancient silver markings ran across the metal like veins.
A long cloak hung from his shoulders.
His face was hidden beneath a featureless helmet.
No eyes.
No mouth.
No expression.
Only silence.
The stranger immediately cursed.
"Oh, that's bad."
D U looked at him.
"You say that every ten minutes."
"No, seriously."
The stranger pointed.
"That's really bad."
The armored figure took one step forward.
The station shook.
Then—
He knelt.
Everyone froze.
The ancient warrior lowered his head before Null.
A deep mechanical voice echoed throughout the ruins.
"HEIR IDENTIFIED."
Silence.
"ROYAL BLOOD CONFIRMED."
The spiral mark in Null's eye reacted instantly.
"SUCCESSOR ACCEPTED."
Then the armored giant stood again.
Hyung slowly lowered his weapon.
"...Friend?"
The stranger laughed nervously.
"Maybe."
The warrior suddenly turned.
Toward the stranger.
Everything changed.
The station temperature dropped instantly.
The warrior's voice became colder.
"UNAUTHORIZED FRAGMENT DETECTED."
The stranger's smile vanished.
"Ah."
The warrior took another step.
Reality bent beneath his feet.
"ROYAL PROPERTY."
D U blinked.
"Did he just call you property?"
The stranger sighed.
"Unfortunately."
The warrior raised one armored hand.
A massive spear of golden energy materialized.
The pressure alone shattered nearby stone.
"RETURN TO CONTAINMENT."
The stranger immediately jumped backward.
"NOPE."
BOOOOOOM.
The spear fired.
The entire station exploded.
A golden beam ripped through three layers of the underground city before disappearing into the distance.
Everyone stared.
D U looked at the hole.
Then at the warrior.
Then back at the hole.
"...Okay."
He pointed.
"I officially don't like him."
The stranger reappeared on a broken pillar.
"You see my problem."
Null stepped forward.
"Stop."
The warrior froze instantly.
The spear vanished.
The giant immediately lowered his head.
"COMMAND RECEIVED."
Everyone became silent again.
The stranger pointed at Null.
"See? That's why you're important."
Null looked toward him.
"Who are you?"
The stranger was quiet.
For once.
No jokes.
No smiles.
Nothing.
Then he answered.
"My name is Zero."
The atmosphere shifted.
Even Caelum reacted.
"Zero..."
The stranger nodded.
"That's what the King called me."
Null frowned.
"Your real name?"
Zero smiled faintly.
"I don't remember."
Far away.
Beyond reality.
Aizeno stood from the throne.
His expression had become serious.
"The Royal Guardian awakened."
Luxion's eyes widened.
"The King's strongest soldier?"
"Yes."
Aizeno looked toward the distant horizon beyond worlds.
"Which means Null has begun unlocking the deeper inheritance."
Luxion remained silent.
Then—
A smile slowly appeared on Aizeno's face.
"Good."
For the first time in a long time—
he looked excited.
"Now the real game begins."
Back at the underground capital—
The Royal Guardian suddenly turned toward the sky.
Its helmet tilted upward.
A warning tone echoed from inside the armor.
"HOSTILE APPROACH DETECTED."
Null looked up.
Hyung looked up.
Everyone looked up.
The ceiling above the ruins cracked.
Once.
Twice.
Then shattered.
A figure dropped from the darkness above.
White coat.
Silver hair.
Golden eyes.
Young.
Calm.
Powerful.
He landed softly before the group.
The Royal Guardian immediately moved in front of Null.
Protective stance.
Weapon ready.
The newcomer smiled.
Then looked directly at Zero.
"I finally found you."
Zero's face lost all color.
For the first time—
he looked afraid.
The newcomer smiled wider.
Then spoke.
"Brother."
TO BE CONTINUED...