Preparation for the journey began before sunrise.
The neutral sanctuary, once calm and untouched, had transformed overnight into a place of urgency. Ancient spirits moved swiftly through crystal pathways while guardian beings reinforced protective barriers around the remaining sanctuaries.
The primordial distortions were spreading faster now.
Entire neutral currents had begun collapsing into unstable voids, and even the skies above the realms occasionally cracked with flashes of unnatural darkness.
The war had not officially begun yet.
But creation itself was already trembling.
Luke stood quietly on the highest balcony of the sanctuary overlooking the endless silver forests below.
A cold wind brushed against his face while golden threads drifted unconsciously around him.
Today felt different.
Not like training.
Not like preparation.
This felt like leaving childhood behind.
"You haven't slept."
Luke turned slightly.
Lucien approached slowly, dressed not in royal infernal armor, but in dark traveling robes reinforced with ancient runes. A sword rested at his side while faint infernal flames flickered around his shoulders.
Luke smiled weakly.
"Neither did you."
"That's because I was making sure you packed properly."
Luke blinked.
"…Packed?"
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"You planned on beginning a realm-crossing journey with nothing?"
The boy looked mildly embarrassed.
"I forgot."
Lucien sighed dramatically.
"You truly are your mother's son."
That made Luke laugh softly.
For a moment, the tension eased between them.
Lucien stepped beside him near the balcony edge.
"You're nervous."
Luke stared toward the horizon quietly before nodding.
"A little."
"A little?" Lucien repeated dryly. "You're about to search for an ancient living force hidden before the First War while primordial horrors slowly awaken across creation."
Luke looked up at him.
"When you say it like that, it sounds terrifying."
"It is terrifying."
Luke groaned while Lucien smirked faintly.
Then the older man's expression softened.
"But you won't face it alone."
The words settled warmly inside the boy again.
Slowly, Lucien handed him something wrapped in dark cloth.
Luke blinked in surprise.
"What's this?"
"Open it."
Carefully, Luke unwrapped the object.
Inside rested a small black pendant shaped like a crescent surrounded by faint golden markings. The moment Luke touched it, the pendant glowed softly.
His eyes widened.
"It's warm…"
Lucien looked away slightly.
"It belonged to your mother."
Luke froze completely.
Lucien rarely spoke about Celestia's belongings.
The boy carefully held the pendant like something sacred.
"She wore it during the war," Lucien said quietly. "She claimed it always helped her feel calm."
Luke stared at it silently, emotion tightening in his chest.
"Why are you giving it to me?" he whispered.
Lucien looked directly at him now.
"Because she would've wanted you to have it."
For a brief second, Luke looked like he might cry.
Instead, he carefully placed the pendant around his neck.
The golden markings immediately pulsed in harmony with his aura.
The Spirit Guide, resting nearby, watched silently.
Interesting…
Luke looked down at the glowing pendant.
"It feels familiar somehow."
The dragon's ancient eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
The resonance…
Before it could continue, the sanctuary bells echoed loudly through the air.
The journey party was gathering.
The central crystal courtyard shimmered beneath the early morning light as ancient beings assembled together.
Luke stared in awe.
Several neutral guardians stood prepared near the outer gates while massive spirit beasts waited silently nearby. Ancient maps floated in the air around the Father of All, their glowing pathways shifting constantly across realms.
Celestia's mother approached Luke first, adjusting the travel cloak resting over his shoulders.
"You must stay close to us during realm crossings," she instructed gently. "The currents between worlds are unstable now."
Luke nodded obediently.
Nearby, Lucien argued quietly with one of the neutral guardians.
"I still think bringing him directly through the shattered currents is reckless."
"We have no safer route," the guardian answered.
The Spirit Guide suddenly lowered its head toward the floating maps.
The path has already changed.
Everyone turned immediately.
The ancient maps flickered violently before rearranging themselves. Entire pathways vanished while others appeared suddenly.
The Father of All frowned deeply.
"The realms are shifting faster than predicted."
Luke stepped closer carefully.
"What does that mean?"
The Spirit Guide's voice became grim.
The Heart of Creation is reacting.
Silence followed instantly.
Then one of the ancient maps suddenly illuminated brightly.
A single pathway appeared stretching beyond the known realms toward a forgotten symbol hidden at the edge of existence itself.
Luke stared at it.
The symbol looked strangely alive.
And somehow… familiar.
Then suddenly,
The pendant around Luke's neck began glowing intensely.
Everyone froze.
Golden light erupted softly from the crescent-shaped pendant, connecting directly to the ancient map before them.
The pathway became clearer instantly.
The Father of All's eyes widened.
"Impossible…"
Lucien looked sharply toward Luke.
"The pendant is responding?"
The Spirit Guide stared intensely at the glowing connection.
Then slowly… realization crossed its ancient face.
Celestia knew.
Luke blinked.
"What?"
The dragon looked directly at him now.
Your mother knew far more about the Heart of Creation than we realized.
Luke's heartbeat quickened.
"What do you mean?"
But before anyone could answer,
The ground shook violently.
BOOOOOOM.
Darkness exploded across the distant horizon beyond the sanctuary.
Everyone turned sharply as a massive crack tore open across the skies far away.
Primordial energy flooded outward like a black storm.
Several neutral guardians immediately drew weapons.
The Father of All's expression darkened heavily.
"The gate…"
The Spirit Guide spread its wings fully.
One of the seals has broken.
The entire sanctuary fell into stunned silence.
Then Lucien stepped protectively in front of Luke instinctively.
Far beyond the realms… something ancient roared.
And for the first time since the beginning of creation…
The Primordials had begun escaping their prison.