The sky shattered.
Seven colossal portals hovered above the continent, each radiating an aura so vast that daylight itself seemed to dim.
Every creature, from ordinary beasts to ancient spirit kings hidden in forgotten mountains, instinctively lowered their heads.
Fear.
Pure, instinctive fear.
Within Soul Cross Sect, thousands of disciples struggled to remain standing.
Some collapsed to their knees.
Others fainted under the crushing pressure.
Only the strongest elders managed to keep their footing.
Sect Master Aldric wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth as he stared into the heavens.
"What... are those monsters?"
No one answered.
Because no one knew.
Except Halo.
[The Seven Architects.]
Seraph slowly rose from the rubble.
Every muscle screamed in protest.
His ribs were broken.
His left shoulder was barely usable.
His spiritual core was covered in cracks.
Yet his eyes never left the sky.
"So there are really seven of them."
Halo replied quietly.
[Six.]
