Chương 87: Chapter 85: The Fall of Ayanor

The words echoed through the cathedral.

"... King Dasrath has fallen." Time seemed to stop. The sound of crumbling stone. The roar of the First Guardian. The clash between Michael and Kael. Everything faded into silence. Rayan stood frozen. His fingers slowly loosened. CLANG. Shadowbreaker slipped from his grasp and struck the cathedral floor. For the first time since inheriting the Dharma Astra... He couldn't move.

"No..." His voice was barely audible. The wounded messenger staggered forward before collapsing onto one knee. Blood soaked his silver armor. His Astra Core had nearly shattered.

"They attacked... two hours after you entered Noctis." He struggled to breathe.

"They knew..."

"... they knew you weren't there." Cassian immediately caught the dying soldier before he collapsed.

"Who attacked?" The messenger looked toward Rayan.

"The Black Sun."

"They appeared inside the capital."

"Not outside."

"They... they were already among us." The realization hit everyone at once. Kael hadn't been attacking kingdoms. He had been planting followers inside them. For years. King Dasrath had been betrayed. Rayan slowly bent down and picked up Shadowbreaker. His hands trembled. Not from fear. From rage. Golden flames erupted around the blade. The cathedral shook violently. The Dharma Astra reacted to his emotions. Atlas immediately stepped forward.

"No." His voice echoed like thunder.

"You cannot allow hatred to awaken your Astra." Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Rayan didn't answer. His breathing became heavier. His golden eyes slowly began changing. Tiny streaks of crimson appeared within them. The Guardian's expression turned pale.

"Rayan..."

"Stop." Kael quietly watched from across the cathedral. He wasn't smiling. He looked... Satisfied.

"This..."

"... is the moment I waited for." Michael immediately understood.

"You planned this." Kael nodded.

"Of course." He looked directly at Rayan.

"A true king is never born during peace."

"He is born..."

"... when everything he loves is taken away." BOOM!! Golden Astra exploded from Rayan's body. Every window inside the cathedral shattered. The marble floor cracked beneath his feet. His breathing became uneven. Fragments of black energy mixed with the golden flames. The Guardian immediately realized what was happening.

"The Shadow Sanctuary..."

"It's influencing him." Atlas raised his enormous shield. A barrier surrounded Rayan. The violent Astra immediately calmed. Only slightly. Atlas spoke calmly.

"Listen carefully."

"If you leave now..."

"You may still save Ayanor." Rayan looked up.

"If?" Atlas closed his eyes.

"The thread of destiny has already begun changing."

"You cannot save everyone." Those words hurt more than any wound. Outside the cathedral... The Alliance Army prepared for an immediate retreat. Messengers rode through every formation.

"Horses ready!"

"Healers to the front!"

"We return to Ayanor immediately!" Cassian sprinted outside.

"We'll never make it in time!" Siena looked toward the western sky. Unless... She suddenly remembered something.

"The Celestial Gate." Michael turned toward her.

"You know of it?"

"It's the ancient transportation network between Heaven and Earth." The Archon nodded.

"It still exists." Cassian blinked.

"You've had teleportation this whole time?" Michael remained expressionless.

"It was forbidden." Rayan stepped forward.

"Can it reach Ayanor?"

"It can." Michael answered immediately.

"But opening it requires enormous Astra." Atlas slowly planted his shield into the ground.

"I shall provide it." Kael quietly laughed.

"So..."

"Even Heaven wishes to save humanity." Michael didn't even look at him.

"I serve balance."

"Not you." The First Guardian lifted both hands. Golden runes filled the cathedral. Ancient symbols older than recorded history illuminated every wall. The Shadow Sanctuary trembled violently. A massive circular gate appeared above the cathedral. Inside it... Ayanor could be seen. The capital... Was burning. Entire districts had collapsed. Black flames covered the royal palace. Thousands of civilians fled through the streets. The Continental Alliance banner had fallen. At the center of the city...

A lone man stood before the palace gates. King Dasrath. His royal armor was broken beyond repair. Blood covered his face. Yet... He still held his sword. Before him stood an army of Black Sun warriors. Alone... He had refused to retreat. Rayan's eyes widened.

"Father..." The vision continued. Dasrath slowly smiled. He looked directly toward the sky. As though he somehow knew his son was watching. He whispered only one sentence.

"A king never dies with regret." Then... He charged.

"No!!" Rayan instinctively reached toward the vision. But it vanished. The gate remained. Only the image disappeared. His breathing became ragged. Every instinct screamed at him to run. To save his father. Even if he already knew... He was too late. Atlas pointed toward the Celestial Gate.

"Go." Rayan hesitated.

"What about Kael?" Atlas looked toward the Black Heir.

"I shall remain." Kael smiled.

"I've always wanted to fight the First Guardian." Michael stepped beside Atlas.

"So have I." The Archon General lowered his spear.

"Today..."

"Heaven and the Guardian stand together." The Guardian looked at Rayan.

"You were never meant to win every battle."

"You were meant to survive them." Rayan looked one final time toward Kael. Their eyes met across the collapsing cathedral. Kael spoke softly.

"Run, Rayan."

"Protect what's left."

"Because when next we meet..."

"There will be nothing left for you to lose." Golden light engulfed the Alliance Army. The Celestial Gate opened completely. Without another word... Rayan stepped through. One by one... Cassian. Siena. The Guardian. And the soldiers followed. As the gate closed behind them... The last thing Rayan saw was Atlas raising his colossal shield while Michael lifted his divine spear. Together... They faced Kael alone. The light swallowed everything. When Rayan opened his eyes again...

He stood outside the burning walls of Ayanor. Smoke covered the heavens. The royal banner had been torn in half. And above the ruined palace... A single black flag bearing the symbol of the Black Sun fluttered in the wind. The battle for Rayan's homeland... Had already begun. To Be Continue....