Chương 95: Chapter 94: The World Turtle's Trial

The ocean itself bowed. Waves that had remained silent for centuries suddenly rose into towering walls before gently lowering again, as though paying respect to an emperor older than time. The colossal turtle slowly lifted its head. Clouds drifted around its horns. Entire forests covered its shell. Ancient waterfalls cascaded from its back into the endless sea below. Every legend about the World Turtle had underestimated its true size. It wasn't merely carrying an island. It carried an ecosystem. A forgotten world.

The Dawn Sovereign drifted beside it like a tiny leaf. Even Michael lowered his head.

"The Ancient Guardian..." Lyra whispered softly,"So Father really told the truth..." The enormous golden eyes settled upon Rayan. Unlike Atlas' gaze... There was no judgment. Only endless wisdom. The Turtle's voice echoed not through the air... But through every heartbeat.

"State your name." Rayan stepped to the front of the ship.

"I am Rayan Ashvar."

"Heir of the Dharma Astra." The ancient being closed its eyes briefly.

"Titles fade."

"Names are forgotten."

"Answer again." Rayan frowned. He didn't understand. Cassian whispered,"Is this a trick question?" The Guardian slowly shook his head.

"No."

"It wants the truth." Rayan closed his eyes. Who was he? A prince? Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. A warrior? A Dharma Heir? A future king? None of those felt complete anymore. After a long silence... He finally answered.

"I am..."

"... someone trying to protect those precious to me." The World Turtle smiled. The entire sea glowed softly.

"Correct."

"Purpose defines existence." The enormous creature slowly lowered its head until one eye stood level with the ship. Golden light spread across the ocean. A bridge of crystal emerged from the water, connecting the Dawn Sovereign to the mountain resting upon the Turtle's shell. Ancient ruins became visible among towering trees. The World Turtle spoke once more.

"Only Candidates may proceed."

"Others shall remain." Immediately, several sailors attempted to step onto the crystal bridge. They couldn't. An invisible force gently pushed them back. Only Rayan. Lyra. Michael. Cassian. Siena. Auriel—who had silently followed from the skies without anyone noticing. And... Kael. A black portal opened behind the group. Kael walked out calmly, hands behind his back. Cassian sighed dramatically.

"I was enjoying five whole minutes without seeing your face." Kael chuckled.

"I missed you too." The crystal bridge shimmered. Nine glowing circles appeared. Eight filled with light. One remained empty. The mysterious Ninth Candidate... Still hadn't arrived. Atlas' voice echoed faintly.

"The Trial begins when all candidates gather." Everyone waited. Seconds passed. Then minutes. Nothing happened. Suddenly— The ocean beneath the bridge turned black. Not dark. Black. As though reality itself had been erased. A massive crack split open across the sea. Something climbed out. A young man. Perhaps nineteen years old. He wore simple black robes. No armor. No weapon. Bare feet touched the water without sinking. His hair was snow-white. His eyes... Had no color at all. Not white. Not black. Empty.

He looked around with quiet curiosity. Almost like a child seeing the world for the first time. A translucent screen appeared before every candidate. Candidate Confirmed Name: Unknown Title: The End of All Threads Threat Classification: Beyond Calculation Warning: Data Restricted Every screen froze. Even the World System... Couldn't display his information. Michael instinctively stepped backward.

"I've never seen a restricted designation..." Auriel's expression hardened.

"So..."

"It really exists." Kael's smile vanished. For the first time... He looked genuinely cautious. The white-haired young man slowly looked toward everyone. His gaze finally rested on Rayan. Then... He smiled. It wasn't cruel. It wasn't kind. It was simply... Lonely.

"Hello." His voice sounded gentle.

"My name..." He paused.

"... I don't remember." Silence spread across the bridge. Cassian blinked.

"Wait..."

"That's it?"

"You don't know your own name?" The young man shook his head.

"I woke up."

"The world called me."

"So I came." The World Turtle suddenly roared. Not in anger. In fear. Its enormous body trembled. The oceans churned violently. Clouds spiraled around its shell. The ancient being spoke louder than ever before.

"Impossible..."

"You were never meant to awaken." The white-haired youth tilted his head.

"I know." He looked at his own hands.

"I think..."

"... someone broke my prison." Kael narrowed his eyes.

"I never released you."

"I know." The young man answered calmly.

"You released something else." Everyone stared.

"What do you mean?" He slowly looked toward the blood-red eclipse. Then toward the heavens beyond it. Finally... He pointed upward.

"There." Everyone followed his finger. Beyond the eclipse... Beyond the clouds... Beyond the stars themselves... A gigantic crack had appeared across the sky. Something was looking through it. Not a face. Not an eye. Just... A presence. One so vast that even the World Turtle lowered its head. The white-haired youth whispered.

"That's..."

"... the one who wrote destiny." The words echoed across the endless sea. And for the first time since the beginning of the Celestial Trial... Atlas' voice carried unmistakable fear.

"The Author has awakened." To Be Continue....