Chương 70: Chapter 68: The Gathering of Kings

The capital of Ayanor had never been this crowded. Flags from every corner of the continent fluttered in the wind. Golden banners. Crimson banners. Silver banners. Ancient symbols representing kingdoms that had stood for thousands of years. And some banners belonged to kingdoms that no longer existed. Their rulers had come anyway. Because this meeting would decide humanity's future. Or its end. Rayan stared at the city gates. For a moment, he simply stood there. Home. The word felt strange now.

Only months ago, he had left as a disgraced prince. An exile. A disappointment. A burden. Now he returned carrying the legacy of the First King. The Dharma Astra. And the hopes of a dying world. The irony wasn't lost on him. Cassian stood beside him. The Spear Saint looked at the massive crowd and groaned.

"I hate politics." Rayan nodded.

"Agreed."

"Can we fight something instead?"

"Probably." Cassian grinned.

"Good." Some people were simple. The moment they entered the city— Everything stopped. Citizens froze. Merchants stopped talking. Soldiers straightened instantly. Whispers spread through the streets.

"That's him."

"The Divine Gate survivor."

"The Dharma Heir."

"The Prince of Ayanor."

"The Apostle Slayer." This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Titles followed him like shadows. None of them felt real. Rayan ignored the attention. But he couldn't ignore what came next. A young boy suddenly stepped forward from the crowd. He couldn't have been older than ten. The child looked nervous. Terrified. Yet determined. He held out a wooden sword. A cheap toy. One he had probably carved himself. Rayan blinked. The boy swallowed. Then spoke.

"My father said heroes always carry swords." Silence spread through the street. The boy raised the toy weapon higher.

"So I made one." For several seconds— Nobody moved. Then Rayan smiled. A genuine smile. He accepted the wooden sword. And carefully knelt before the child.

"Thank you." The boy's face lit up. Like the sun itself. And for a brief moment— The fear gripping the city weakened. Just a little. The royal palace awaited. The moment Rayan entered— A familiar voice called out.

"Rayan." He froze. That voice. He knew that voice. Slowly turning— He saw her. Siena. For a moment, the world disappeared. The war. The politics. The kingdom. Everything vanished. Only she remained. Silver hair. Golden eyes. The calm smile she always wore. Yet something had changed. Her aura. Her presence. She felt stronger. Far stronger. Like a sleeping goddess had awakened. Siena walked forward. And stopped directly before him. Several awkward seconds passed. Neither spoke. Neither knew what to say.

Eventually— Cassian sighed loudly.

"This is painful." Rayan nearly punched him. Siena laughed. The sound instantly eased months of tension. Then— Without warning— She hugged him. The entire palace froze. Guards looked away. Nobles pretended not to notice. Cassian looked delighted. Rayan's brain stopped functioning. For several seconds. Then Siena stepped back. Her expression perfectly calm. As if nothing happened. Rayan stared. She smiled innocently.

"Welcome home." And somehow— That hit harder than any enemy ever had. Hours later. The Grand Assembly began. The largest conference hall in human history stood filled. Kings. Queens. Saints. Generals. Guild leaders. Every important figure on the continent sat within those walls. The atmosphere was tense. Everyone understood the situation. Humanity was losing. Badly. At the center of the room stood King Dasrath. The ruler slowly surveyed the gathered leaders. His expression was grim.

"The Eastern Kingdom has fallen." Silence. Nobody reacted. Because everyone already knew.

"The Northern Alliance is under siege." Still silence.

"The Veil controls nearly one-third of the continent." A few rulers lowered their heads. The situation was catastrophic. Then the king delivered the final blow.

"Our enemy possesses Celestial support." Fear spread instantly. Several rulers clenched their fists. Others looked hopeless. Because what kingdom could fight gods? Then a voice interrupted.

"Humanity can." Everyone turned. Rayan stood. The room immediately focused on him. The survivor of Elysion. The Dharma Heir. The man who had faced Heaven and lived. For several moments— Nobody spoke. Then Rayan continued.

"We've spent centuries divided." His voice echoed through the hall.

"Kingdom against kingdom."

"Noble against noble."

"Faction against faction." The room remained silent.

"That ends today." His golden eyes swept across the assembly.

"We don't need stronger walls."

"We don't need bigger armies." The room grew still.

"We need unity." Those words struck harder than any weapon. Because everyone knew he was right. And because unity was far harder than war. Then the palace exploded. BOOOOOOOOOOM! The ceiling vanished. Stone rained downward. Screams erupted. Shockwaves tore through the hall. Every leader instantly stood. Weapons appeared. Astras activated. The attack had begun. A massive shadow descended from the sky. Golden wings. White armor. Divine power. An Archon. No. Several Archons. Dozens. Hundreds.

The heavens above Ayanor darkened. A divine army had arrived. And standing at its center— Was a woman holding a silver spear. An Archon General. Her cold eyes immediately found Rayan. Then she smiled. A smile filled with killing intent.

"The Queen sends her regards." Silence. The battlefield was set. Kings and Saints stood together. The Celestial Court descended from the heavens. And for the first time in history— The War of Kingdoms truly began. To Be Continue....