Chương 89: Chapter 88:  The King and the Prince

The royal throne room trembled. Massive cracks spread across the marble floor as two overwhelming Astras collided. Golden flames. Crimson darkness. The air itself screamed under the pressure. Outside the palace, every soldier instinctively looked toward the heavens. Two pillars of light pierced the clouds. One represented hope. The other... Destruction. Mordren slowly lifted his black greatsword from the shattered floor. The blade radiated an oppressive aura that devoured the surrounding light.

"You've grown stronger than Kael predicted." His crimson eyes remained fixed on Rayan.

"But strength alone..."

"... has never decided a war." Rayan stepped forward. Shadowbreaker hummed in his hand.

"It decides this one." Without another word— Both vanished. BOOOOOM!! Their swords collided in the center of the throne room. The shockwave ripped the ceiling apart. Stone pillars collapsed. Golden and crimson lightning exploded in every direction. Mordren grinned.

"Excellent!" He swung his enormous blade with monstrous force. Rayan twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the attack before delivering three lightning-fast strikes. Clang! Clang! Clang! Mordren blocked every one.

"So fast..."

"But predictable." His knee slammed into Rayan's stomach. The prince was launched backward, crashing through the royal throne itself. The symbol of Ayanor shattered into pieces. King Dasrath watched silently. His breathing had become heavier. His wounds refused to stop bleeding. The royal physician standing beside him desperately attempted to heal him.

"It isn't enough..." The old healer whispered.

"The King's Astra Core..."

"... is breaking." If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. Dasrath simply smiled.

"Don't waste your Astra on me."

"There are still people outside who need you." The healer clenched his jaw.

"My King..." Dasrath placed a gentle hand upon his shoulder.

"A king's life..."

"... has always belonged to his people." Meanwhile... Rayan pushed himself out of the rubble. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. His ribs screamed in pain. Mordren hadn't lied. He was terrifyingly powerful. The Black Sun General rested his sword across one shoulder.

"You're distracted." Rayan said nothing.

"You're worried about your father." Silence. Mordren smiled cruelly.

"Good."

"Because that's exactly how kings die." Dark Astra exploded beneath his feet. He disappeared. Rayan's instincts screamed. Too late. Mordren wasn't aiming for him. He was aiming... For Dasrath.

"FATHER!" Golden lightning erupted around Rayan. For the first time... The Dharma Astra reacted before he gave it a command. Time itself seemed to slow. Every heartbeat echoed like thunder. His vision sharpened. The world turned silent. Only one thought remained. Protect him. Within the endless white realm of the Dharma Astra... Valen opened his eyes. Arkan slowly stood beside him. The First King smiled.

"So..."

"He's finally ready." The two Dharma Heirs raised their hands simultaneously. Golden light surged through the ancient realm. A third pillar... One that had remained dormant... Began to glow. Back in reality... Shadowbreaker erupted with blinding brilliance. A new voice echoed within Rayan's soul.

"Synchronization Requirement Met."

"Emergency Astra Evolution Initiated."

Golden armor spread across Rayan's body. His torn battle coat transformed into black-and-gold royal armor engraved with seven dragons. A crimson cape flowed behind him. A radiant golden crown of light appeared above his head. His golden eyes now contained ancient runes. The entire throne room froze. The Guardian stared in disbelief.

"This form..."

"It shouldn't exist yet." Even Mordren stopped moving.

"So..."

"You've awakened it."

Dharma Astra Evolution SOVEREIGN ASCENSION Synchronization: 80% → 87% New Passive Skill Unlocked King's Authority"Every ally fighting for the Sovereign becomes stronger. Every enemy who carries fear becomes weaker."

Rayan disappeared. Not by speed. By overwhelming acceleration. He appeared between Mordren and Dasrath. Shadowbreaker met the black greatsword. CRACK!! For the first time... Mordren's weapon chipped. The Black Sun General's smile faded.

"Impossible." Rayan slowly looked up. His voice remained calm.

"You threatened..."

"... my family." Golden flames exploded. The force sent Mordren flying through three palace walls before crashing into the royal courtyard. Outside... Thousands of soldiers witnessed the impact. Mordren skipped across the ground like a meteor, destroying towers before finally stopping. Silence spread across the battlefield. One Black Sun commander whispered,"The General..."

"... was pushed back." Fear spread through the invading army. For the first time... They saw their strongest warrior bleed. A thin line of crimson appeared across Mordren's cheek. He touched the blood. Then laughed. Not out of madness. Out of excitement.

"HAHAHAHA!"

"So this..."

"... is the true Dharma Astra!" Back inside the palace... King Dasrath slowly approached his son. Despite his injuries... His smile had never looked prouder.

"You've surpassed me." Rayan shook his head.

"I still have much to learn." The King laughed softly.

"A ruler who still believes he has more to learn..."

"... is already greater than the one who believes he knows everything." He reached into his torn royal cloak. From within... He removed an ancient ring. Simple. Silver. Worn by centuries. The Royal Ring of Ayanor. He placed it into Rayan's hand.

"This belonged to our first king."

"Now..."

"It belongs to the last." Rayan's eyes widened.

"No..."

"I can't."

"You must." Dasrath gently closed Rayan's fingers around the ring.

"The throne was never my greatest achievement." He looked toward the burning city.

"You were." Before Rayan could respond— The entire palace shook violently. The sky above Ayanor split open. A colossal black portal appeared above the capital. Everyone looked up. Even Mordren stopped laughing. From within the portal... A familiar voice echoed across the kingdom.

"Enough games." Kael. He slowly descended from the heavens. Behind him... Marched thousands of Black Sun warriors. But that wasn't what stole everyone's breath. Walking silently beside Kael... Was a man wearing the armor of Ayanor. A man everyone believed had died twenty years ago. King Dasrath's older brother. The legendary Crown Prince... Aldric Ashvar. Dasrath's smile disappeared.

"No..."

"That's impossible." Kael looked down at the royal family. His crimson eyes glowed.

"I've brought your greatest hero home."

"And this time..."

"... he fights for me." To Be Continue....