Silence filled the ancient palace.
Kael stood frozen.
His eyes never left the throne.
It was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Forged from black crystal and silver starlight, it seemed to radiate an ancient authority that reached every corner of the hall.
The masked guardian remained kneeling.
"Please, Your Majesty."
Kael shook his head.
"I think you've made a mistake."
"I haven't."
The answer came without hesitation.
"You carry the Last Core."
Kael glanced at Orion.
"You knew about this?"
Orion lowered his gaze.
"I suspected."
"You suspected?" Kael asked, frustration rising in his voice.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Aetherion answered quietly.
"Because the throne is more than a symbol."
Kael looked back at it.
"What is it?"
"The Heart of the Core Kingdom."
The throne began to glow.
Soft white light spread through the chamber.
Ancient runes appeared across the floor.
The palace itself seemed to awaken.
"It remembers."
Kael frowned.
"Remembers what?"
"You."
"I've never been here."
Aetherion's voice was calm.
"Not you."
"Your blood."
The words echoed through the hall.
Kael felt his heartbeat quicken.
Again.
His bloodline.
Again.
He stepped toward the throne.
Each step caused another rune to ignite.
The air grew warmer.
The palace hummed with ancient energy.
When he stood before the throne, he hesitated.
"What happens if I sit?"
The masked guardian finally rose.
"You inherit everything."
Kael swallowed.
"And if I don't?"
The guardian's expression remained hidden behind the mask.
"The kingdom continues to wait."
Silence settled over the hall.
Kael slowly reached out.
The moment his fingers touched the throne—
A surge of white light erupted throughout the palace.
Boom!
The walls trembled.
The crystal windows shattered.
Outside, the entire kingdom began to shine.
Ancient towers awakened.
Dormant machines roared to life.
Across the First World, hidden monuments lit up one after another.
Far away...
Deep within the darkness between galaxies...
Veyrath opened his eyes.
He smiled.
"So..."
"The throne has awakened."
Elsewhere...
Nysera looked toward the stars.
"It has begun."
Back inside the palace, Kael stumbled backward as visions flooded his mind.
Countless kings.
Ancient battles.
Fallen worlds.
A single promise.
Protect the light.
No matter the cost.
The vision faded.
Kael fell to one knee, breathing heavily.
The throne stood silent once more.
But one thing had changed.
Above it...
A crown of white starlight slowly formed.
Waiting.
For the one destined to claim it.