Chương 72: Chapter 70: The First Child of Origin

The battlefield fell silent. Not because the fighting had stopped. Because something far worse had arrived. A massive crimson eye slowly opened inside the black portal. It was larger than the royal palace. The moment it blinked— Every Astra user on the battlefield staggered.

"... What is that...?" a knight whispered. No one answered. Even the Archons unconsciously stepped backward. The Guardian's normally calm expression cracked. His ancient eyes widened in disbelief.

"It escaped..." Rayan tightened his grip on Shadowbreaker.

"What escaped?" The Guardian swallowed.

"The First Child of Origin." Silence. The name alone felt heavy enough to bend reality. The portal expanded with a deafening roar. Stone buildings crumbled. The sky darkened. Golden sunlight vanished as if consumed by an invisible abyss. A gigantic claw emerged first. Black scales covered its arm, each one engraved with crimson runes older than any civilization. The claw gripped the edge of the portal. Then it pulled. BOOOOOOM! The creature stepped into the mortal world. It towered over Ayanor. Four crimson eyes.

A crown of obsidian horns. A body wrapped in living darkness. It did not resemble a beast. Nor a god. It was something older. Something that should never have existed. The creature slowly inhaled. The air disappeared. Mana vanished. Thousands of soldiers collapsed to one knee. Several weaker mages fainted instantly. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Even Rayan felt his Dharma Domain weaken.

"It... devours Astra itself," the Guardian said quietly. The realization sent a chill through everyone. This wasn't merely another enemy. It was the natural predator of Astra. Above the battlefield, the Archon General smiled.

"Our Queen was correct." She spread her silver wings.

"The seal has weakened far sooner than expected." She looked down at humanity.

"You should be honored."

"You are the first generation to witness the return of Origin." King Dasrath stepped forward. Golden flames erupted around him. His royal armor shone brilliantly.

"I don't care what you call it." He raised his sword.

"This kingdom will not fall." With a thunderous roar, the king leaped into the sky. His Royal Astra exploded.

"Royal Astra Art—""King's Dominion!" A massive golden slash crossed the heavens. The attack struck the creature's chest directly. BOOOOOOOM! The explosion illuminated the entire capital. Dust covered the battlefield. Hope appeared in countless eyes. Until... The dust cleared. Nothing. Not a single wound. Not even a scratch. The beast slowly lowered its gaze toward the king. Then... It smiled. A terrifying smile filled with endless rows of silver fangs. King Dasrath froze.

For the first time in decades— He felt fear. The creature raised one finger. Dark energy gathered. Rayan's instincts screamed.

"Father!" Without thinking— He moved. Golden flames erupted beneath his feet. Shadowbreaker sang.

"Dharma Astra Art—""Golden Horizon!" A radiant wall of golden light materialized between the king and the beast. The black beam struck it an instant later. BOOOOOOOOOOOM! The impact shook the continent. Mountains cracked. Rivers changed course. The palace behind Rayan shattered from the pressure alone. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. The barrier held. Barely. His knees trembled. Every bone in his body screamed. The Guardian looked stunned.

"You blocked it..." Rayan didn't answer. He couldn't. His arms had gone numb. The attack hadn't been aimed to kill. It had been testing him. A soft voice echoed nearby.

"Rayan." He turned. Siena stood beside him. Silver lotus petals circled her like stars. Her golden eyes remained calm despite the destruction surrounding them.

"You don't have to carry this alone." She smiled gently.

"I'll fight beside you." Rayan smiled back.

"For as long as we stand." Cassian landed beside them with a grin. His armor was damaged. His spear dripped golden blood.

"So..." He spun the weapon over his shoulder.

"... are we fighting the mountain-sized nightmare?" Rayan sighed.

"You always choose the hardest opponent." Cassian laughed.

"And you always follow me." For the first time since the invasion began— The three stood together. The Heir of Dharma. The Lotus Sovereign. The Spear Saint. Three legends still in the making. The beast looked at them. Its four crimson eyes glowed. Then a voice echoed directly inside every mind. Not spoken. Felt.

"Children..." Every warrior froze. The creature tilted its head.

"Where..." Its gaze settled on Rayan. Golden and crimson eyes met. The battlefield seemed to disappear. Only the two of them remained.

"... is Arkan?" The question struck Rayan harder than any attack. It knew Arkan. The beast took another step. Reality cracked beneath its feet. Then it spoke once more.

"The Last King..." Its voice became colder.

"... still owes us a debt." At that moment, the crystal Arkan had entrusted to Rayan began to glow violently beneath his cloak. Golden light burst from the crystal. Ancient runes covered his body. A new notification appeared before his eyes. Hidden Legacy Activated The Last King's Memory Synchronization Increased 65% → 70% New Astra Art Unlocked"Dharma Astra: King's Verdict""The authority of the king who united humanity." Shadowbreaker transformed. Its black blade lengthened.

Golden inscriptions spread across the weapon. A radiant crown of light formed behind Rayan. The soldiers looked on in stunned silence. For the first time... They no longer saw an exiled prince. They saw the successor of the Last King. Rayan slowly raised the evolved Shadowbreaker. Golden flames illuminated the battlefield. His voice echoed across the kingdom.

"If humanity has one breath left..."

"... then we still have hope." He pointed the blade toward the First Child of Origin." Advance!" Thousands of soldiers roared as one. The war for humanity's future had truly begun. To Be Continue....