The light pierced the heavens.
It rose beyond the clouds of the First World.
Beyond its atmosphere.
Beyond the stars themselves.
Across the universe, the ancient beacon continued to shine.
Kael stood frozen before the throne.
The brilliant white light slowly faded, leaving the palace glowing with a soft radiance.
"What... just happened?"
His voice echoed through the silent hall.
Lyra lowered her head.
"The Throne of the Last Core has acknowledged its heir."
Kael looked at his hands.
He didn't feel stronger.
He didn't feel different.
Yet something had changed.
Deep within his chest, Aetherion's Core burned brighter than ever.
"The seal has weakened," Aetherion said.
"The Throne has restored part of my true power."
Orion stepped closer, his expression both proud and worried.
"That beacon wasn't only a ceremony."
"It was a message."
"A message to who?" Kael asked.
Orion's answer was immediate.
"Everyone."
The palace trembled.
Suddenly, ancient crystal screens hanging along the walls flickered to life.
Images appeared one after another.
A distant world engulfed in flames.
A fleet of enormous black warships drifting between shattered planets.
A lone Guardian standing against an endless army of Devourers.
Then—
The images changed.
Seven figures sat upon ancient thrones.
Only one throne was empty.
Kael's.
The remaining six figures slowly turned toward him.
Some smiled.
Some remained expressionless.
One closed their eyes in relief.
Then the vision vanished.
"What was that?" Kael whispered.
Aetherion's voice carried a hint of hope.
"The echoes of the Core Sovereigns."
"They're... alive?"
"I don't know."
"Or perhaps only their wills remain."
Before anyone could speak again—
A deafening alarm echoed through the palace.
Red symbols flashed across the walls.
Lyra's calm expression disappeared.
"Impossible..."
She rushed toward a crystal console.
The display showed dozens of crimson lights surrounding the First World.
One scientist gasped.
"They've found us."
Orion's face hardened.
"The beacon was too bright."
Kael stared at the growing sea of red lights.
"How long?"
Lyra looked up.
Her answer came in a whisper.
"Less than one hour."
Silence fell over the palace.
One hour.
That was all the time they had before the Devourer armies reached the First World.
Kael slowly looked back at the empty throne.
The throne had accepted him.
Now...
It was asking him to protect an entire world.
He took a deep breath.
His eyes filled with determination.
"Then we prepare."
Far beyond the stars...
Veyrath stood aboard a colossal black fortress.
He smiled as the beacon's light reflected in his crimson eyes.
"The heir has finally revealed himself."
He turned toward the endless Devourer fleet behind him.
Millions of ships waited in silence.
"Set a course."
The fleet moved as one.
"The hunt begins."
The stars themselves seemed to tremble.